Exposing Falsehoods To Arrive At Biblical Truth

Published in Pasugo, Nov-Dec 1991

IN EXPOSING THE truth, Iglesia ni Cristo ministers cite the Bible against
specific beliefs and practices held and observed by other religions. This
is particularly done to teachings that contradict the Holy Scriptures. For
this, Iglesia ni Cristo ministers appear to be polemical to those who
listen to their preaching. This manner of expounding biblical teachings
branded by some as "combative" caught the attention of Mr. Rodolfo Dula,
a columnist writing for a Philippine national daily. He remarked:

"Our belated, desperate recourse to ecumenism should no more
blind us to blistering attacks the ministers of that [Iglesia ni Cristo]
religion mount against the country's Catholic majority from the
pulpit and on the air at every opportunity." (Malaya, July 22, 1991)

Critics believe and frankly suggest that the Iglesia ni Cristo
ministers should only preach Church doctrines without mentioning other
faiths. They do not understand why ministers have to condemn beliefs alien
to the Holy Scriptures. The perceived "blistering attacks" against other
religions done by ministers usually elicit negative remarks against
Iglesia ni Cristo ministers and members alike.

The impression that Iglesia ni Cristo ministers intentionally
offend others is totally unfounded. They only expose unscriptural
teachings and practices of other religions without the intention of
maligning, insulting, or degrading persons or personalities. Statements
about other religions are uttered with the specific purpose of presenting
the truth, one way of which is by exposing contradictions between religious doctrines and biblical teachings.



A Biblical Practice

Why do the true Christians have to denounce teachings that
contradict the Bible? Would it not suffice that the Christians just
preach their faith, and avoid touching other faiths?

Christ Himself frankly and courageously denounced unsound
doctrines and their teachers. In a confrontation with the Pharisees,
He said:

"Why do you disobey God's command and follow your own
teaching? You
hypocrites! How right Isaiah was when he prophesied about you! These
people,
says God, honor me with their words, but their heart is really far away
from
me. It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach man-made rules
as though they were my laws!'" (Mt. 15:3, 7-0, Today's English Version)

The Lord Jesus Christ Himself called the Pharisees hypocrites.
He chided them for their utter disregard of God's command in order
to follow their own teachings citing the Prophet Isaiah who wrote:

"'These people claim to worship me, but their words are
meaningless, and their hearts are somewhere else. Their religion is
nothing but human rules and traditions, which they have simply memorized'."
(Is. 29:13, Ibid.)

Through the Prophet Isaiah, God categorically condemned
religions that are based on human rules and traditions. Why then should
we be surprised if His ministers today expose unscriptural teachings?

Though exposing the untruth may be offensive to many people,
Iglesia ni Cristo ministers are obliged to do so.

Christ was informed by His disciples that the Pharisees were
themselves offended at His frankness when He told them that they
were hypocrites:

"Do you know that the Pharisees had their feelings hurt by
what you said?" (Mt. 15:12, Ibid)

But Christ curtly replied, "Don't worry about them! They are
blind leaders of the blind; and when one blind man leads another,
both fall into the ditch." (Mt. 15:14, Ibid.)


Following Christ's Example

Christ's fearless stance by God's words was carried on by the
Apostles. In their teaching of the Gospel, they firmly upheld God's
truth above anything else. Apostle Paul wrote:

"When I came to you, my brothers, to preach God's secret
truth, I did not use big words and great learning. For while I was
with you my teaching and message were not delivered with skillful
words of human wisdom, but with convincing proof of the power of
God's spirit. Your faith, then, does not rest on human wisdom but
on God's power." (I Cor. 2:1-2, 4 Ibid.)

This is also the resolve of the ministers of the Iglesia ni
Cristo. Their honest motive is to convey God's truth to all as what
Christ and the Apostle did.

In the event that a true minister of God encounters teachings
and practices that seek to invoke worship service to the Lord in
any manner, contrary to what the Bible teaches, he will surely speak
out against them.

Even Apostle John fiercely spoke against those who claimed to
know God but did not submit to His commands. He said:

"If someone says that he knows him, but does not obey his
commands, such a person is a liar and there is no truth in him."
(I Jn. 2:4, Ibid.)

Apostle John called those who profess belief in God but do not
follow His commands liars!

Thus a true ministers of the Gospel can never condone false
teachings even if people's feelings get hurt in the process.
He follows the example set by the Apostles in gallantly standing by the truth.

Clearly, Christ and the Apostles did not hesitate to confront
other faiths that contradict God's words. For the great task vested
upon the true ministers of God is to preach the words of God (cf. Col. 1:25).
Apostle Paul expressed with great resolve:

"Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry,
we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful
ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.
On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves
to every man's conscience in the sight of God." (II Cor. 4:1-2, New International Version)


The Ultimate Purpose

The ultimate purpose of the true minister of God is to "set
forth the truth plainly" without distortion. And if in the
process of doing so some may feel slighted, the minister of God does
not lose heart because the minister's divine work is not his own but
God's. Apostle Paul emphatically declared:

"Whereof I made a minister, according to the dispensation of
God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God."
(Col. 1:25, King James Version)

The ministry in the true Church of Christ is according to the
dispensation of God. It is God's calling (cf. Heb. 5:4). Thus it is not
to men that God's ministers are held accountable but to Him who called them.

The truth is the ultimate guide of a true minister of God as
he fulfills his duty. God's word is the truth (cf. Jn. 17:17). Hence,
it is the minister's obligation to preach the truth and condemn the untruth.
And if in doing so people will turn their ears away, he should endure. As what
Apostle Paul admonished his fellow minister, Timothy:

"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have
itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

"And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be
turned aside to fables.

"But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the
work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (II Tim, 4:2-5, New King James Version)

The office of the minister is a great and delicate task. The
fact that it is a result of God's calling testifies to its greatness.
For a true minister, his office is of far greater importance that his
own life. Apostle Paul said:

"But none of these move me; nor do I count my life dear to
myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which
I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace
of God." (Acts 20:24, Ibid.)

The ministers of the Iglesia ni Cristo are inspired by this
conviction. Thus they abide by the noblest and greatest measure - the truth.