What We Believe About Brother Felix Y. Manalo
7:28 – Why is it that the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the Church Of Christ, why is it that we firmly believe in Messengers of God, and the fact that God is sending them. Why do we believe that in the first place?
9:15 – why is it that our Lord Jesus Christ — why did he say… that the sending of messengers, why is it a work of God? What did he mean when he said this?
10:30 – Why does someone have to be called by God first before he can preach? Why does some have to be called by God to become His messenger? What’s the evil — well maybe we should ask “is it evil, what’s the evil of not being called, or commending themselves?”
13:43 – People claim all kinds of things, but according to the scriptures, how is it that God calls the messenger whom He assigns to start His organization here on earth?
15:30 – How does God call the messengers He sends in the Christian Era?
16:59 – Aside from John the Baptist, is there anyone else whom God sent by means of prophecy? Who else was sent by means of biblical prophecy?
21:20 – So are there biblical prophecies attesting to the divine authority of Brother Felix Y. Manalo as God’s true messenger?
22:49 – Brother, why should the messenger of God being prophesied in Isaiah 41:9 not be confused with or mistaken for any of these other messengers of God whom God has previously sent?
24:40 – ends of the earth — people will surely want to know when is that time period. When is that period known as ends of the earth in that prophecy?
27:13 – Could it be they are the ones being referred to in the prophecy of Isaiah which we hold onto as the basis of Brother Felix Y. Manalo is the messenger sent by God?
29:07 – What is that far country in the east then which is being specified by the Prophet Isaiah?
30:00 – What’s the fulfillment of that prophesied Far East, because many people would have their own ideas of what’s the Far East. What’s that place where God’s messenger was compared to a bird of prey. He would originate from that place in the Far East.
31:30 – What further proves, brothers, that Brother Felix Y. Manalo really is the fulfillment of these prophecies.
36:30 – But what did God say would happen to all of those who oppose the messenger that He sends?
38:05 – why is it that no matter what detractors do, no matter what detractors say, they cannot stop — they cannot slow down nor hinder the continuous growth of this mission started by the messenger in these last days? Why is it that all their efforts to attack have no effect?
[Show Open]
[Video starts]
Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man who executes My counsel, from a far country.
Indeed I have spoken it;
I will also bring it to pass.
I have purposed it;
I will also do it.
[Isaiah 46:11 New King James Version]
[Video ends]
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Topic: What We Believe About Brother Felix Y. Manalo
Bob Pellien
San Francisco, California
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bob Pellien: The brief video that we just watched shows pictures of Brother Felix Y. Manalo, the man whom the members of the Church Of Christ believe is God’s Messenger in these last days. Why do we believe that he is the Messenger of God in these last days? Welcome, I’m Brother Bob Pellien. That’s our topic for today, the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition
And participating in this week’s discussion are Brother Cromwell Correa in London. Brother Cromwell thank you for joining us in our discussion for today.
Brother Cromwell Correa: Thank you for having me Brother Bob.
Brother Bob: We also have, joining us, Brother Greg Worthen from Quezon City, Philippines. Brother Greg, welcome to our discussion.
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Topic: What We Believe About Brother Felix Y. Manalo
Gregory Worthen
Quezon City, Philippines
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Gregory Worthen: Thanks for having me, Brother Bob.
Brother Bob: As well as Brother Rob Polancos in Hawaii, Brother Rob thanks as well for joining us in our discussion.
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Topic: What We Believe About Brother Felix Y. Manalo
Robert Polancos
Honolulu, Hawaii
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Robert Polancos: Aloha, Brother Bob. Thank you for having me.
Brother Bob: Brothers, this May once again, May 10 specifically, is the birth anniversary of Brother Felix Y. Manalo, whom we firmly believe is God’s Messenger in these last days. We recognize that he is the instrument used by God to bring to us the true service of the Lord, and to grant us the firm hope for salvation on Judgement Day. We know that many people are wondering why we preach and why we firmly believe that God sent a messenger in our time.
They think that this is some kind of new doctrine, something that we only made up for ourselves. Thus of course instead of appreciating God’s sending of a messenger in our time, they even criticize it.
But dear viewers, before we get into that discussion, we would like to share with you a video of Brother Robert Smith, an American member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ, who speaks of his remembrance of Brother Felix Y. Manalo. Let’s take a look.
[Video starts]
Brother Robert Smith: My first impression was how humble Brother Felix Manalo was. Imagine, he was the Messenger of God. He was the fulfillment of prophecy. What person other than him could have that humility, that humbleness, before God and before the brethren of the Church Of Christ. All the senior ministers loved him, how they respected him, how they had total belief that he was the Messenger of God. And I also noticed later that when I also attended later as a baptised member how he loved them, how he respected them, how he dedicated his life to the ministry and to the members of the Church Of Christ.
It is said that brother Felix Manalo did not speak good english, he did not speak proper english, that he was not educated well enough. That’s not true. He spoke good english; he spoke proper english. Much of the references that he studied were in english. He came to America to buy books on religion, which were books written in english. And when he spoke to me in english, I understood him perfectly.
Brother Felix Manalo referred to me as “my American brother.” I feel more blessed as I grow older than I did then — I was young; I didn’t really comprehend how significant that was. The opportunity I had to personally observe the Messenger of God.
[Video ends]
Brother Bob: You know brothers, watching Brother Bob Smith there, I had the privilege myself to know Brother Bob for so many years. He speaks with such conviction about having been able to meet Brother Felix Manalo.
That’s only a few of the multitude of memories that he has that he was able to share with the Messenger. What was your take, brothers, on the words spoken by Brother Bob Smith?
Brother Greg: You’re right Brother Bob. It’s his complete conviction in Brother Felix Manalo as God’s Messenger. And the fact that he answered some of the things that people ask about Brother Felix. Like speaking in english — did he know how to speak english? Maybe he only knew how to speak filipino, and as he said, because he was in the military here at the time, that’s how he was able to meet the Messenger. And he told him that everytime he met him, he would speak to him in clear english and he completely understood him. He was just in awe of this man, whom God sent to not only deliver His message, but to bring about the true faith.
Brother Bob: Yes his memories are so clear, and that was more than fifty years ago, Brother Greg. Fifty years.
Brother Cromwell: Brother Bob, if I may add to this, regarding Brother Bob Smith’s statements, I felt his emotion. Actually I’ve spoken with — of course our elder brethren, who were able to meet the Messenger of God, or Brother Felix Manalo. You know their emotion, their conviction, are pretty much the same and when they react, when they speak about the Messenger of God, you can feel how they loved him, and you can feel how they understood what he did as a preacher, as a minister inside the Church.
[7:28]
Brother Bob: Let’s get right to it, brothers. Why is it that the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the Church Of Christ, why is it that we firmly believe in Messengers of God, and the fact that God is sending them. Why do we believe that in the first place?
Brother Greg: Well Brother Bob, because it is a biblical teaching. In fact, it is a teaching spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ. As we can read it here in John 6:29 our Lord Jesus Christ taught this:
Jesus answered and said to them,“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”.
[John 6:29 New King James Version]
Brother Greg: So the sending of messengers is nothing new. It is a biblical teaching, it is a tenet, it’s taught by our Lord Jesus Christ, and it is something we should believe in. Which is the reason why we members of the Church Of Christ firmly believe in the messengers of God, and in God’s commissioning or sending of them, because both are works of God that we should firmly believe in.
Brother Cromwell: Brother Greg, what the viewers need to understand that this is not a new doctrine that we only made up or invented. This is one of the truths written in the Bible. Just as many people believe and accept that all things in heaven and on earth are works of God, they should also accept and firmly believe in the messengers of God and in God sending or commissioning them, because these are also His works.
[9:15]
Brother Bob: Let’s bring in Brother Rob Polancos in Honolulu, Hawaii. Brother Rob, why is it that our Lord Jesus Christ — why did he say there in the verse read by Brother Greg, that the sending of messengers, why is it a work of God? What did he mean when he said this?
Brother Rob: When our Lord Jesus Christ said that the sending of messengers is a work of God, we could actually find the equivalent or the answer to that in Hebrews 5:4. And this is what the Apostle Paul said in that verse:
And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.
[Hebrews 5:4 New King James Version]
Brother Rob: So when our Lord Jesus Christ said earlier in the verse that was read by Brother Greg, that the sending of a messenger is a work of God, the equivalent of that is that God is the One who calls, He is the One who calls a messenger or gives them the authority to preach His words. So what we can conclude there, Brother Bob, is this:
God is the one who gives someone the authority to be a messenger. No one can just claim that they are a messenger of God.
Brother Bob: Some might say though, Brother Rob, “well, I am the messenger of God, I can serve God, I can preach about God.”
[10:30]
Why does someone have to be called by God first before he can preach? Why does some have to be called by God to become His messenger?
What’s the evil — well maybe we should ask “is it evil, what’s the evil of not being called, or commending themselves?”
Brother Greg: Would they be approved by God if they would simply commend themselves? Well a messenger of God has the answer to that question in the person of Apostle Paul as he wrote it here in II Corinthians 10:12, 18 (ESV):
Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
[II Corinthians 10:12, 18 English Standard Version]
Brother Greg: So what did Apostle Paul say about those who dare to preach the gospel even though they are not called or commended or sent by God? They are without understanding. Why? Because it was only they who commended themselves. It was not God who called or commended them.
Brother Bob: If they do that, Brother Greg, what will be the result? So they commend themself or they simply present themself as a preacher — present themself as a messenger of God. What’s the result?
Brother Greg: We just read there that they do not have God’s approval or His favor; they are not sent by God. And many religious preachers today, sadly are like that.
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Topic: What We Believe About Brother Felix Y. Manalo
Bob Pellien
San Francisco, California
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bob: Here I guess, brothers, has to be the next question: so how does God call people then, how does he commend if we use the biblical term from those verses. How does he call or commend His messengers. Should people just be waiting for their names to be written in the clouds in the sky?
[On-screen text graphics]
To learn more about the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ), log onto iglesianicristo.net and incmedia.org
How does He call the messenger who God assigns to start His organization here on earth? This is what we are going to proceed with in our discussion, dear friends, here on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition when we come back. Stay with us.
[On-screen logo graphic]
INC International Edition
Brother Bob: Welcome back everyone to this program, the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. Today we are sharing with our viewers why we the members of the Church Of Christ believe that Brother Felix Y. Manalo is God’s Messenger in these last days. And brothers, before we took a break there, we were asking questions such as how does God call His messengers. Does he open up the sky; write their names in the clouds? In dreams?
[13:43]
People claim all kinds of things, but according to the scriptures, how is it that God calls the messenger whom He assigns to start His organization here on earth? Brother Rob, let’s toss that question to you:
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Topic: What We Believe About Brother Felix Y. Manalo
Robert Polancos
Honolulu, Hawaii
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Rob: You’re right about what you said earlier, Brother Bob, there’s a lot of people that can claim different things, but it’s best if we stick to what’s written in the Bible. So let’s take an example in the Bible of someone that God called, and how did He call that person? We’ll read here in Exodus 3:10-11.
Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
[Exodus 3:10-11 New King James Version]
Brother Rob: In this verse that we just read, the one that is speaking in this verse is our Almighty God. The one whom He called to be His messenger is Moses, and He spoke to him face to face. That’s one of the ways that our Almighty God would call someone to be His messenger.
Brother Bob: And Brother Rob, that’s exactly what many people nowadays are still expecting to be happening. That’s what they want to find nowadays.
Brother Rob: You’re right Brother Bob, and the follow-up question to that normally when we read that verse, people will ask, “well how about Brother Felix? When did God speak to him? Where did God speak to him?” They’re looking for the same way, or they’re looking for that same way that God called Moses — they’re trying to find that in the way that God called Brother Felix Manalo.
Brother Bob: Precisely, which then brings us again to the next question obviously which is: in the Christian Era of time, is that really the way?
[15:30]
How does God call the messengers He sends in the Christian Era?
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Topic: What We Believe About Brother Felix Y. Manalo
Cromwell Correa
London, United Kingdom
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Cromwell: Well Brother Bob, we can actually read that in the book of Mark 1:2-4, this is what we can read:
As it is written in the Prophets:
“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.”
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’ ”
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
[Mark 1:2-4 New King James Version]
Brother Cromwell: Who was the fulfillment of this prophecy recorded in the book of Prophet Isaiah concerning a messenger of God who would be sent before our Lord Jesus Christ? It was John the Baptist.
Well how was he called or appointed by God?
Brother Bob: Brother Cromwell, did God speak with him personally, face to face, like what He did with Moses?
Brother Cromwell: Brother Bob, no. Rather it was through this prophecy of our Almighty God.
Brother Bob: So it was by prophecy. So we have through Moses in that era of time was face to face; here was already now the beginning of the New Testament time, it’s through prophecy.
[16:59]
Aside from John the Baptist, is there anyone else whom God sent by means of prophecy? Who else was sent by means of biblical prophecy?
Brother Rob: Let’s read here in Luke 4:14, 16-21. Another example of someone who was called by means of prophecy.
Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.
So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
[Luke 4:14,16-21 New King James Version]
Brother Rob: Our question earlier, Brother Bob, was who was another example of someone who was called by means of prophecy. What we just read in this verse was about our Lord Jesus Christ. God appointed Christ to be His messenger. How was Christ called to be His messenger? It was by means of prophecy. So who was the one that was able to explain the prophecy? It was Christ himself.
Brother Bob: What is it, Brother Rob, that we should notice about that?
Brother Rob: What we should notice, Brother Bob, is the messenger being prophesied is the one who will testify or will prove that he is the fulfillment of that prophecy.
Brother Bob: You know, brothers, let’s take a look at this from another vantage point for a second. Because others may say, “we don’t oppose the biblical prophecies that are attesting that God sent John the Baptist. We’re not opposing the biblical prophecies that God sent our Lord Jesus Christ.”
They completely accept those to be true, they may say. But what they are opposing, what they are refusing to accept is the teaching that Brother Felix Y. Manalo is God’s messenger. So with the same question that, Brother Rob, you just posed a moment ago: are there biblical prophecies attesting to the divine authority of Brother Felix Y. Manalo as a true messenger sent by God?
[On-screen text graphics]
To learn more about the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ), log onto iglesianicristo.net and incmedia.org
Dear friends, stay with us, because we’re going to answer that as the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition continues.
[On-screen logo graphic]
INC International Edition
Brother Bob: Welcome back to the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. Before the break, we mentioned that others are saying they don’t oppose the biblical prophecies that give testimony that God sent John the Baptist. Nor do they oppose the biblical testimonies and prophecies concerning God sending our Lord Jesus Christ. They completely accept that John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus Christ are true messengers of God. But what they are opposing and refusing to accept is the teaching that Brother Felix Y. Manalo is God’s messenger.
[21:20]
So are there biblical prophecies attesting to the divine authority of Brother Felix Y. Manalo as God’s true messenger? Brother Greg, we’ll toss it back to you.
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Topic: What We Believe About Brother Felix Y. Manalo
Gregory Worthen
Quezon City, Philippines
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Greg: Well there are many prophecies pertaining to His divine commissioning and one of them is what we can read here in the book of Isaiah 41:9 where God says this concerning him:
You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its farthest regions,
And said to you,
‘You are My servant,
I have chosen you and have not cast you away:
[Isaiah 41:9 New King James Version]
Brother Greg: So here God specifically speaks about His chosen servant from the ends of the earth. And if we notice, dear friends, that the Prophet Isaiah is also the one who prophesied about the servant of God whom He called from the ends of the earth. We firmly believe that this prophecy was fulfilled in the person of Brother Felix Y. Manalo.
Brother Bob: And you know, brothers, there are those who are asking us, “how do you really know for sure that this prophecy pertains to Brother Felix Y. Manalo, when in fact there’s many other messengers of God being prophesied in that very same book of Isaiah?” Such as John the Baptist, as we read earlier, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and even Apostle Paul; and some would even say if they would read the previous verse — verse 8. Isaiah 41:9 no doubt is referring to Jacob.
[22:49]
Brother, why should the messenger of God being prophesied in Isaiah 41:9 not be confused with or mistaken for any of these other messengers of God whom God has previously sent?
Brother Cromwell: Brother Bob, if I may interject a response to that. The reason why we should not mistaken the messenger in Isaiah 41:9 that would refer to Jacob, because Jacob has long been dead before Isaiah even wrote this. So it’s important to understand in Isaiah 41:9, who is this referring to. Let me go ahead read that again in Isaiah 41:9:
You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its farthest regions,
And said to you,
‘You are My servant,
I have chosen you and have not cast you away:
[Isaiah 41:9 New King James Version]
Brother Cromwell: Now again dear viewers why should we not mistaken this verse referring to Jacob. Because it refers to the time element. It says here “from the ends of the earth.” So the emergence of the messenger was specified: “from the ends of the earth.”
Brother Bob: When is this period known, brothers, that Brother Cromwell is pointing out from that verse. So obviously it can’t be referring to Jacob, it can’t be referring to messengers of time past. It’s referring to a messenger of God at a time period called the ends of the earth.
[24:40]
But then what, Brother Cromwell — ends of the earth — people will surely want to know when is that time period. When is that period known as ends of the earth in that prophecy?
Brother Cromwell: Let us read in Matthew 24:3, 33, 6-8;
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
[Matthew 24:3, 33, 6-8 New King James Version]
Brother Cromwell: In many of our previous studies, we learned that the period known as the ends of the earth is the time that the end or the second advent of our Lord Jesus Christ is near. And one of the signs that the time is at the ends of the earth is the world war that broke out on July 27, 1914.
Brother Bob: Brother Cromwell, what is the significance of that? Because when was the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the Church Of Christ, when was it registered with the Philippine government as a result of the preaching function of Brother Felix Y. Manalo?
Brother Cromwell: It was also on July 27, 1914, the same time when the first World War broke out.
Brother Bob: What should we learn here? What should we notice about that?
Brother Cromwell: There is a wide gap between the time of emergence of the previous messengers of God who were also prophesied in the book of Isaiah and that of Brother Felix Y. Manalo, the messenger of God in these last days.
Brother Bob: You know our detractors sometimes argue that even if there are previous messengers of God that came from the East via John the Baptist, even our Lord Jesus Christ himself, the Apostle Paul and such.
[27:13]
Could it be they are the ones being referred to in the prophecy of Isaiah which we hold onto as the basis of Brother Felix Y. Manalo is the messenger sent by God?
Bro. Rob, let’s toss that question to you.
Brother Rob: Well let’s read the answer here in the book of Isaiah. This time we’ll be reading in Isaiah 46:11:
Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man who executes My counsel, from a far country.
Indeed I have spoken it;
I will also bring it to pass.
I have purposed it;
I will also do it.
[Isaiah 46:11 New King James Version]
Brother Rob: This verse that we have just read in the book of Isaiah is the prophecy referring to none other than Brother Felix Manalo, God’s messenger in these last days.
Brother Bob: So why should this prophecy not be mistaken as referring to the other messengers of God from the East? Brother Rob, that’s the point. They sometimes will say that. No that’s referring to this one. No that’s referring to that one. But we’re sure that it’s not. Why not?
Brother Rob: In the verse, Brother Bob, it states that the messenger being prophesied, the one being likened to a bird of prey, The verse or prophecy specified where they would originate or where they would come from. The verse said in the Bible that they would come from a far country in the east.
Brother Bob: So not only a timeframe, as mentioned by Brother Cromwell. A timeframe called ends of the earth identified by a time with a world war, such as 1914 — a world war. So not only the time identifies, but also the place. Is that what you’re saying Brother Rob?
Brother Rob: Yes, Brother Bob. Exactly.
[29:07]
Brother Bob: What is that far country in the east then which is being specified by the Prophet Isaiah? Brother Greg, let’s toss that question to you.
Brother Greg: Yes, Brother Bob, I’d also like to read from the book of Isaiah in a related prophecy. We read Isaiah 41:9, we read also Isaiah 46:11. Now we’re going to read Isaiah 43:5 in a related prophecy pertaining to this place, this far country in the East, as also spoken by the Prophet Isaiah 43:5, and this is recorded:
From the far east will I bring your offspring, and from the far west I will gather you,
[Isaiah 43:5 Moffatt Version]
Brother Greg: So here the Prophet Isaiah is the one who also explains that the far country in the East he was referring to is the Far East.
[30:00]
Brother Bob: What’s the fulfillment of that prophesied Far East, because many people would have their own ideas of what’s the Far East. What’s that place where God’s messenger that was compared to a bird of prey. He would originate from that place in the Far East.
Brother Greg: For that, Brother Bob, let’s read a book entitled World History which was written by Arthur Boak, Preston Slosson, and Howard Anderson and this is stated on page 445.
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World History
Arthur Boak, Preston Slosson, Howard Anderson, page 445
“The Philippines were Spain’s share of the first colonizing movement in the Far East; …”
Brother Greg: So even though the other messengers of God whom Isaiah also prophesied were from the East, we’re certain they are not the ones being referred to in Isaiah 41:9-10 and Isaiah 46:11. Why? Because the time of emergence of the messenger in 41:9 was specified. And that biblical time element is the ends of the earth, which in actual fulfillment would be concurrent with the first World War, which broke out on July 27, 1914.
In Isaiah 46:11, the place of origin was specified also. Far East. The fulfillment being the Philippines.
[31:30]
Brother Bob: Thank you for that, Brother Greg. What further proves, brothers, that Brother Felix Y. Manalo really is the fulfillment of these prophecies. If there would still be a viewer out there that remains skeptical. Brother Cromwell?
Brother Cromwell: Well, Brother Bob, so we were able to establish the time element, the place, and now what about the work?
We can read that in Isaiah 41:9-10. Here we can read where God declared:
You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its farthest regions,
And said to you,
‘You are My servant,
I have chosen you and have not cast you away:
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
[Isaiah 41:9-10 New King James Version]
Brother Cromwell: What further proves that Brother Felix Y. Manalo is the fulfillment of these prophecies? Because God’s promises to him have been fulfilled.
Just like we have heard from the verses we have just read. God declared, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”
Now the question is: did it really happen? That the messenger and the work that he began were strengthened and helped by God?
Although it started small and weak, but through God’s help, the Church Of Christ has now reached a glorious stature.
Brother Bob: You know brothers, there’s many ways that it could be described or the Church Of Christ could be described as having reached a glorious stature, wouldn’t you say?
Brother Greg: Well for sure Brother Bob, You can just see where the Church Of Christ continues to reemerge in different countries throughout the world. Whether it’s in India or Africa or Russia, and in different places in the United States and in Europe.
This is a prominent proof that God is the one who holds this mission, and God is the one who is blessing it and guiding it.
Brother Bob: Even 140+ places of the world where houses of worship and cultures from everywhere on the planet Earth are joining the Church and having a real impact in reaching out to our fellow man to those who are in need with the INC Giving projects and the various outreach programs of the Church Of Christ.
It’s really a wonder to watch the glorious stature of the Church, and people around the world coming to realize and know how God’s mighty hand is at work here inside the Church.
How about in your neck of the woods over there, Brother Rob. You’re noticing these things as well, I assume, right?
Brother Rob: Oh definitely, Brother Bob, like what you mentioned earlier, we can see it throughout the world, And I think any member in the Church Of Christ can testify to the growth of the growth of the Church Of Christ in their area. For us here in Hawaii, the congregations continue to grow, and the amazing thing about that is everyone knows that Hawaii is composed of several islands. Here for us in Honolulu, or in the island of Oahu, you would think that we would only need a couple of congregations because it is such a small place, but just in these past couple of years, the number of congregations has grown so much.
Brother Bob: So it’s not only individual growth, You’re talking about growth by congregations and it’s really quite a phenomenon around the world.
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Topic: What We Believe About Brother Felix Y. Manalo
Robert Polancos
Honolulu, Hawaii
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Rob: Everything that you mentioned, Brother Bob, is a fulfillment of God’s promise to His messenger, Brother Felix Manalo. That promise didn’t stop. It continues to be fulfilled today. That’s why the Church Of Christ reaped so many victories up until now. It’s because God is the One who called Brother Felix to preach the Church Of Christ.
This Church that we belong to is God’s last work of salvation. So if there’s anyone out there who still has any doubts about Brother Felix being the last messenger, then we should ask ourselves this question: If Brother Felix is not the messenger of God, then why are all of these things being fulfilled in the Church Of Christ?
Brother Bob: Good question, Brother Rob. We all know that there are people who speak against Brother Felix Y. Manalo
Even today, there are those who criticize and reject him as being the messenger in these last days. They go against the Church Of Christ, go against what he preached.
[36:30]
But what did God say would happen to all of those who oppose the messenger that He sends?
Brother Rob: Let’s read the answer here in Isaiah 41:11-12. This is what we could read.
“Behold, all those who were incensed against you
Shall be ashamed and disgraced;
They shall be as nothing,
And those who strive with you shall perish.
You shall seek them and not find them—
Those who contended with you.
Those who war against you
Shall be as nothing,
As a nonexistent thing.
[Isaiah 41:11-12 New King James Version]
Brother Rob: What we read in the verse, Brother Bob, was about those who would go against this work of salvation. Those who would choose to go to war against the messenger of God, Brother Felix Manalo.
The verse is very clear and the prophecy is fulfilled. All members of the Church Of Christ are witnesses to this.
The verse said, that those who were incensed or war against the messenger shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing,
And that’s exactly what we see today. From the time that Brother Felix started this work of salvation up until now, everyone that has tried to stop this work of our Almighty God, they weren’t able to be successful. Because our Almighty God is the One upholding this work of salvation or the Church Of Christ.
[38:05]
Brother Bob: Brother Greg, why is it that no matter what detractors do, no matter what detractors say, they cannot stop — they cannot slow down nor hinder the continuous growth of this mission started by the messenger in these last days? Why is it that all their efforts to attack have no effect?
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Topic: What We Believe About Brother Felix Y. Manalo
Gregory Worthen
Quezon City, Philippines
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Greg: Well as Brother Rob mentioned, because God is the one upholding it and God proves this as we can also read in the book of Isaiah 43:13 and this is what God testified:
“I am God, and also henceforth I am He;
there is none who can deliver from my hand;
I work and who can hinder it?”
[Isaiah 43:13 Revised Standard Version]
Brother Greg: So God himself firmly testifies that this mission which the messenger upheld in these last days is His own work or the work of God. Therefore nothing and no one can ever stop or hinder this.
Even though God’s messenger, Brother Felix Y. Manalo was laid to rest, and so too was Brother Erano G. Manalo, the Church still continues to succeed in its various endeavors, because the God who owns this mission is the same God who guides the administration of Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.
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Topic: What We Believe About Brother Felix Y. Manalo
Cromwell Correa
London, United Kingdom
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Cromwell: Even though many brethren today were not able to meet Brother Felix Y. Manalo in person, because he died more than 50 years ago. All of us have witnessed how God has been fulfilling His promises to His messenger. May these serve to strengthen and edify our faith for us to continue upholding our divine calling and our membership in the Church Of Christ until the very end of our lives.
And for our friends, loved ones, to everyone who is watching this program who are not yet members of the Church Of Christ, we invite you to learn about the Church Of Christ. Learn about the teachings taught by the last messenger of God Brother Felix Y. Manalo so that we will be able to understand and know how we can truly receive salvation on the Day of Judgement.
Brother Bob: We’d like to thank all three of you brothers, Brother Cromwell Correa in London, Brother Greg Worthen in Quezon City, Philippines. As well as Brother Rob Polancos in Honolulu, Hawaii.
We thank you all for giving to us Bible-based answers so that as the Apostle Peter said to the members of the church, “You’ll be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are.” I Peter 3:15.
That does it for us today. Again, thank you for a lively discussion that I believe will benefit everyone.
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To learn more about the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ), log onto iglesianicristo.net and incmedia.org
That does it for us here today on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. We hope you’ll join us again next time. I’m Brother Bob Pellien, Thanks for watching.
As we come to the end of our program, as always, we invite you to join us for a short prayer.
Brother Rob: Our Almighty Father in Heaven, we offer our heartfelt thanks to You, Dear Father, because you called us to be a part of the Church Of Christ, which was taught by Your last messenger, Brother Felix Manalo. Thank You so much for our election, Dear Father, because it is here where we are able to serve You and we have the right to receive salvation.
We humbly ask of You, Dear Father, to please bless all of those who have viewed this program. May they also open their hearts and minds to the teachings taught by the Messenger. May they have faith in everything that is taught in the Bible so that they would also become members of the Church Of Christ and be able to receive the promised eternal life.
Our Lord Jesus, you are our mediator. Can you please pray for each one of us, Dear Lord? Help us to remain inside the Church. Ask the Father to bless us with strong faith so that we will be able to complete the race that our God has set before us.
Our Father, we also pray for our executive minister. We humbly beg that You would please bless and uphold Brother Eduardo Manalo. Since he is the one You placed to lead us inside the church. Please continue to guide and bless our executive minister so he can lead us in the proper way of serving Your name. We pray and we ask for everything in the name of Your son, our savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Show Closes]
