Why Believe the Bible?

Is the Bible real? How can you trust a book written thousands of years ago?

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Brother Bob: I’m Brother Bob Pellien. Thank you for joining us on this podcast episode of That’s in the Bible. Our next set of questions comes from two individuals. And in fact, there are many who often ask questions like this. Let’s hear the first one from Ryan Foster from San Diego, California. His question is this:

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Ryan Foster: My question is, who’s to say the Bible isn’t fictional?

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What is the identifying characteristic of the word of God?

Brother Bob: And we have a lot of very similar questions. Let’s post up another one that comes from Magda Staunch from the faraway land of New Zealand. Here’s her question: “You get all your answers from the Bible. How do you know that it is the right book? What about the Quran and other religious books?”

Brother Bob: Well, it’s true that there’s a lot of world renowned religions that use so many different books and claim those books to be the foundation of their faith because they are from God via the Quran of the Islam religion or be at the Catechism of Catholicism or other religious world renowned books that people use as the foundation of their faith. If all of those books were piled up in front of us on a table, and there they are all claiming to be the word of God in order to find which one truly is, one has to know the identifying characteristic of the word of God.

For example, if a person was given the assignment to find an automobile, but they don’t know what an automobile looks like, they don’t know how big it is, what it sounds like, what material it’s made of, they might go out on the street and get run over by an automobile and wouldn’t know yet that they have found an automobile because they need to know it’s identifying characteristics. The same with the word of God. So what did Jesus mention regarding the identifying characteristic of the word of God in the book of John 17:17 he said:

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

[John 17:17 New King James Version]

How is truth measured?

Brother Bob: Identifying characteristic: truth. That’s where many would probably want to inject and say, “Well what is true? Your definition of truth? My definition of truth? Or what is truth? Is truth measurable by what a yardstick?” How can truth be measured and verified? Let’s consider what was quoted by the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah chapter 46, verse 11, it says:

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 Bob: How is truth measurable? Not by a yardstick or some kind of measuring instrument like that. Truth is verifiable by its fulfillment. Like here, the prophet Isaiah quoting God saying, “What I have spoken, I will bring it to pass.” Very different than the word of men; we can say, “We will do this tomorrow, we will do that tomorrow or next week.” We don’t even know if we’ll be alive tomorrow or next week, it may not be within our human capacity to fulfill what we say. And therefore what we say, could not be verified as truth until it actually happens. The fulfillment is the evidence, the tangible verification that what was spoken is truth.

So now we have that characteristic, the identifiable characteristic of the word of God. It’s truth. Of all the books there piled in front of us, one of them has to emerge and prove itself to really be true. True and proven so by the fulfillment of what is recorded therein. And we can cite so many, many [pieces of evidence] of that—what’s recorded here in the Bible. We are the mere eyewitnesses to their fulfillment; therefore proving what’s contained here is true. Truth is the word of God.

What is a truth fulfilled in the Bible?

But let’s just take a couple of brief examples, like the character of people in the particular timeframe that we all live in nowadays.There was a prophecy stated in the writings of Apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy, 2 Timothy 3, beginning in verse 1:

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

[2 Timothy 3:1-5 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: There’s a prophetic statement of Apostle Paul regarding the nature of people. And we are all the living eyewitnesses that clearly describe the nature of people nowadays. If we took time to read for example, Daniel chapter 12 verse 4 [it mentions] our technological advancements because of the increase [of] the knowledge of mankind fulfilled in our time.

Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke all throughout chapter 24 of Matthew, regarding events like World War I, World War II and other events which we can clearly see fulfilled, all of which prove the Bible is true, the Bible is the word of God. All the other books may be nice reading, might discuss how to interact with people, love your neighbor, all such things, but do not pass the “truth test.” Only the Bible passes the truth test. Only the Bible therefore, is worthy of our trust as the word of God.

Thanks for listening. I’m brother Bob Pellien, and we hope you join us next time on That’s in the Bible. Please feel free to email your questions to answer@incmedia.org. For more programming of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ and to find a local congregation near you, please visit incmedia.org.

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Is Tithing Applicable Today?

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What does the Bible say about offerings to God in the Christian Era? You asked, the Bible answers.

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Question: I know that Iglesia Ni Cristo members don’t give tithes to the Church or 10% of their income. However, many Protestant churches today are upholding that type of doctrine. Is tithing really still applicable in the Christian Era? Why or why not?

Ralph Joel Bayot

Bacolod City, Philippines

Brother Bob Pellien: Thank you so much, Ralph, for your question, and the opportunity to read to you the answer that’s here in the Holy Bible. Now, dear friends, as Ralph stated in his email—and it’s really true because many Protestant churches do, today, practice a Biblical doctrine called tithing, which by the way, is referring to the offerings to God—but his question specifically is whether or not that’s still applicable today. So before we get into the Bible’s answer to Ralph’s question, let’s just make sure that we properly define and understand the terms for everyone watching who might not yet fully understand what tithing is all about and who were really commanded by God to give tithes. Is that us? Is tithing still to be done by Christians today?

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Question:

What are tithes?

Who were commanded by God to give tithes?

Is tithing still to be done by Christians today?

The truth about tithing in the Old Testament

Brother Bob: So let’s get right to it, as I said, and what are tithes then as defined here in the Holy Bible? Well, we can read the answer recorded in the Scriptures here in Leviticus 20, chapter 27. We’re going to read verses 30, 32, as well as 34:

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord…And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord…These are the commandments which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai.

[Leviticus 27: 30, 32, 34 New International Version]

Brother Bob: So dear friends, here, the Bible clearly explains that a tithe is the one-tenth, or the 10% of the harvest, the 10% of the livestock, or whatever source of livelihood that the children of Israel had during that time that was commanded to be offered to God.

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Tithe

1/10 or 10% of the harvest, the livestock, whatever source of livelihood the children of Israel would offer to God.

Brother Bob: This was God’s command to them, and, as we just read, through Moses. Because this is a command regarding the offering, God is very specific on how it should be performed. Is there proof of this that He even makes very clear where, when, and how these tithes were to be done and performed? Yes. Let’s take a look at it. The first is where. Where was the nation of Israel instructed by God to bring their offerings or tithes? We can also read that answer in Deuteronomy chapter 12, verse 11, and it says that here like this:

The Lord will choose a single place where he is to be worshiped, and there you must bring to him everything that I have commanded: your sacrifices that are to be burned and your other sacrifices, your tithes and your offerings, and those special gifts that you have promised to the Lord.

[Deuteronomy 12:11 Today’s English Version]

Brother Bob: So as we have just read here, dear friends, when it comes to the giving of offerings to God, like the tithes as was instructed to the nation of Israel, He instructed that it should be done in a single place that He chooses. He chose those to be brought to Him in the worship service offered to Him. This is what we have learned thus far. Let’s have a brief recap. First, who was commanded to offer? The Bible’s answer? God’s nation of Israel.

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Who was commanded to offer?

God’s nation of Israel

Brother Bob: Number two, what was to be offered? The answer of the Bible? The result of their harvest or their herds.

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What to offer?

Result of harvest of herds

Brother Bob: Number three, how much was to be offered? What was the answer of the Bible? The 10%, which the Bible called tithing.

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How much to offer?

10% or tithes

Brother Bob: How about when we asked where to offer? The answer of the Bible? In the place chosen to hold worship service.

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Where to offer?

In the place chosen to hold worship service

Brother Bob: And how about the ‘’when’’ question? The answer of the Bible? During the worship service.

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When to offer?

During worship service

Are Christians commanded to tithe today?

Brother Bob: So now that we can better understand, first of all, what tithes are or the offerings that were commanded by God in the Old Testament to the nation of Israel, in order to answer Ralph’s question, however, he asks if tithes like that are still applicable in the Christian Era.

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Is tithing still to be done by Christians today?

Brother Bob: We need to learn, we need to understand what are God’s commands regarding these things in the New Testament all that God has instructed regarding offering now.

Well, let’s go ahead and open up the Bible once again. To begin responding, we turn to the writings of Apostle Paul, II Corinthians 9:7, which reads this way:

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

[2 Corinthians 9:7 New International Version]

Brother Bob: Here we can see, dear friends, what God commands the Christians. He was specific. He specifies, first of all, who should give. What did He say? Each one should give. What else was the instruction? How much should each one give? What was the Bible’s answer? We just read it together. He said, “What he purposes in his heart.” So not 10% anymore. Now it’s what the person purposes in his heart. It’s from their heart.

What does the Bible say about offering?

Brother Bob: And what else was answered in this verse? How one should feel when he does offer. What’s the expectation of God that we just read through the writings of Apostle Paul here? He’s looking for a cheerful giver.

What other instructions are given to Christians regarding their offerings? We can also read in I Corinthians. This time we read in I Corinthians, chapter 16, verse 2. This commandment of the Lord concerning offerings is given:

On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

[I Corinthians 16:2 New International Version]

Brother Bob: In this verse, what is to be offered? What is it? Is it still the fruit of the land as we read in the early verse concerning tithing? Is it still a one-tenth of the herd of livestock? Is that what it is? What did we read in the Christian Era? Money was set aside in accordance with their income. How about the question [of] how it should be prepared? Apostle Paul also answered that. It should be set aside or budgeted weekly.

How about God’s command on the place where one should give their share, give [the] offerings they have set aside for Him? That is answered in Hebrews. Hebrews chapter 13, verses 15 and 16, wherein this is instructed:

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

[Hebrews 13:15-16 Revised Standard Version]

Brother Bob: So, dear friends, it’s quite obvious that these verses are referring to worship service offered to God. Why are we sure? Well, it speaks of praising God. It speaks of acknowledging His name to the fruit of our lips, for example, praying and hymn singing of praises to the Lord. And we can see that God gave a commandment concerning offering. What did He say? Don’t neglect. Don’t forget to bring your share or sacrifice offering.

And that’s what we do when we come before Him in worship as members of the Church Of Christ, as one purposes in their heart, they cheerfully bring their sacrifice offering, not a tithe that was commanded specifically 10% in the ancient times as God dealt with the nation of Israel. Unfortunately, if there are Protestant groups, be it Seventh Day Adventist or other groups that set aside a commandment to their people on how much they will offer, that’s wrong based on what the Bible teaches. So just as in the Old Testament, the command given to us today is to bring our offerings. Bring it in the place of worship. Bring it during the worship service. But the difference? It’s not a tithe. It’s a free will, voluntary, sacrifice, offering that one cheerfully brings as their offering to God.

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It’s NOT a tithe. It’s a free will, voluntary, sacrifice. It’s an offering that one cheerfully brings to God.

Brother Bob: So, dear friends, this is what we have learned about God’s command concerning offering in the New Testament. We’ve learned who was commanded to offer. What was the Bible’s answer? God’s nation in the Christian Era.

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Who was commanded to offer?

God’s nation in the Christian Era

Brother Bob: We posed the question, “Where should our offerings be brought?” And the Bible answered again. It should be brought in the place chosen by God to hold worship service.

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Where to offer?

In the place chosen to hold worship service

Brother Bob: We asked the question, “When should we offer?” And the Bible answered that too: during the worship service.

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When to offer?

During worship service

Brother Bob: We asked the question, “What should be offered?” And the Bible again gave a response: the monetary offering set aside from our income.

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What to offer?

Money set aside from their income

Brother Bob: We also asked the question, “Well, how much should we offer? Should it be a tithe? Should it be 10% as was commanded during the ancient nation of Israel’s time?” The Bible answered again: the amount is what is purposed in one’s own heart.

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How much to offer?

Amount purposed in heart

Brother Bob: So, dear friends, the command of God to the Israelites regarding the amount to offer, the amount of offering He is to receive, it’s different from His commandment that He gives in our time to the true Christians. The amount He commanded to Israel, that offering of the 10% or a tithe, that’s different than His instruction today. God’s command to the Christians is that we are to offer what is purposed in our heart.

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God’s command to the Christians is to offer what is purposed in our heart.

Brother Bob: Well, it could be 10% or it could be more than 10%. It is what is purposed in one’s own heart. Therefore, the answer to Ralph’s question regarding if tithing is still applicable today in the Christian Era is a resounding no. We have learned that God is very specific when it comes to offerings to Him. The tithing that others are enforcing today, where 10% is taken, some of them even take it out of a person’s bank account in order to make sure they give their tithe. That’s way outside of what God is commanding from His people today. Tithing cannot be enforced today because God did not command tithing for His people today.

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Tithing cannot be enforced today

Brother Bob: This is what we believe. This is what we do inside the Church Of Christ. Why? Because that’s in the Bible.

Dear friends, when you’re ready to learn more about the fundamental teachings found here inside the Church of Christ, please visit incmedia.org.

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Learn more at incmedia.org

Brother Bob: There, you’ll find various series of programs dedicated to answering your spiritual questions. You can also follow us on our Facebook pages: Iglesia Ni Cristo News and Updates and Iglesia Ni Cristo Media, where you can view more of our shows and see how the Church gets involved and interacts with the communities.

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Follow us on Facebook:

/IglesiaNiCristoNewsandUpdates

/IglesiaNiCristoMedia

Brother Bob: You can find also a worship service and a house of prayer near to your home. Visit the iglesianicristo.net. There, you’ll find a directory of houses of worship.

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Find a house of worship near you: IglesiaNiCristo.net/directory

Brother Bob: Find the one that’s near to you and you can go there. Join with us. Meet the minister. Meet the brothers and sisters inside the Church Of Christ. Learn the basic fundamental teachings we embrace, here, inside the Church. Join us in worship. And if you have questions that you’d like even answered here on the show, please email them to answers@incmedia.org.

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Do you have any questions about the bible? answers@incmedia.org

Brother Bob: Thanks for joining us. We’ll see you again next time on That’s in the Bible!

Felix Y. Manalo in Isaiah 46:11

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What conditions did God give in the Book of Isaiah to describe the servant who fulfilled this prophecy? Who fulfilled them: Cyrus or Felix Y. Manalo?

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Felix Y. Manalo in Isaiah 46:11

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My pastor told me that the one prophesied in Isaiah 46:11 is not Felix Manalo, but Cyrus. Why don’t you believe that Cyrus is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 46:11?

Russelly Brookner of Seattle, WA

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Brother Bob Pellien

Minister of the Gospel

Brother Bob: We’re very thankful to you, Russelly Brookner from Seattle, Washington, for that question, also for the opportunity to give you a different point of view from that of your pastor.

Prophecy in Isaiah 46:11

Brother Bob: You know, since we’re discussing a particular prophecy and what it’s referring to, let’s examine the prophecy, and learn what are the conditions that one has to meet in order to be the fulfillment of that prophecy. The particular prophecy in question for today is recorded in Isaiah 46:11. And let’s read that verse, and even continue down all the way through verse 13. Here’s where it’s recorded, here’s what it says:

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. “Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, Who are far from righteousness: I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, For Israel My glory.

[Isaiah 46:11-13 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Dear friends, we should notice three conditions that the Bible gives in order to describe this particular servant of God. Place of origin was the first. What was it? A far country in the east or Far East. The second, the task that was given to accomplish. What was it? To execute God’s counsel by bringing His righteousness near to people.

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Place of origin: a far country in the east or Far East
Task given to accomplish: execute God’s counsel by bringing His righteousness near to people

Brother Bob: God’s righteousness, as we have learned from other lessons, Romans 1:16 and 17, is the gospel. So, his role: to preach the gospel. And the third, people that God will send this servant to. Who were they? They are those who are far from righteousness, or far away from the true gospel.

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People that God will send this servant to: those who are far from righteousness

Brother Bob: So, we pose the question: Does Cyrus meet those Biblical conditions? Could Cyrus be the fulfillment of that prophecy, being the one referred to there?

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QUESTION: Does Cyrus meet these biblical conditions proving to be the one referred to?

Brother Bob: He can’t! Why not? What’s the proof? Let’s go over clearly what the Bible teaches about Cyrus. For example, in terms of the place of origin, where is Cyrus from?

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QUESTION: Where is Cyrus from?

Brother Bob: The Bible teaches this in Ezra, chapter 1, verse 1, wherein it says this:

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,

[Ezra 1:1 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Let’s pause there. We [already have] our answer. According to what we have read, Cyrus was from what place? Persia.

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Cyrus was a Persian

Brother Bob: In fact, he was the king of Persia, and Persia is not a far country in the east, as the prophecy describes. Persia is in the near east. Let’s take a look at another element of the prophecy, in terms of the task or the assignment, that God gave to Cyrus to accomplish. Was Cyrus to preach the gospel? Was it his assignment to preach the gospel, or to bring God’s righteousness near again to people?

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QUESTION: Was Cyrus a preacher of the gospel to bring God’s righteousness to people?

Brother Bob: Let’s find out! Isaiah 44, verse 28, reads this way:

Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,” And to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.” ’

[Isaiah 44:28 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Dear friends, the Bible teaches the assignment of Cyrus, teaches that Cyrus was sent by God to restore Jerusalem and to restore the temple, not to preach the gospel to those that were far from the gospel, or far from righteousness as Isaiah 46:11-13 described. That was not the assignment given to Cyrus. Cyrus cannot, therefore, be the fulfillment of that prophecy. How about the people that God sent Cyrus to?

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QUESTION: How about the people God sent Cyrus to?

Brother Bob: Were those people far from righteousness, as the prophecy in Isaiah 46 indicated? Well, we have already learned that God sent Cyrus to restore Jerusalem and the temple, which was for God’s nation of Israel. What was the condition of Israel? Were they far from God’s words? Far from His righteousness? Far from His teaching? Far from His law, that they needed to be brought near to it again by Cyrus? We can read the answer to that in Romans. In the book of Romans, chapter 9. Let’s listen together to what’s recorded here in verse 4, [it’s described] like this:

the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.

[Romans 9:4 New International Version]

Brother Bob: Dear friends, the Bible makes [it] clear here that Israel [was] not far from God’s righteousness, or far from God’s law. In fact, they were the ones that already had the law. Therefore, we can safely conclude that the messenger being mentioned in the prophecy written in Isaiah 46:11 is definitely not Cyrus.

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The messenger being mentioned in the prophecy written in Isaiah 46:11 is definitely not Cyrus

Brother Bob: It’s impossible. Why? He does not fit that prophecy. He is from the wrong place [and] he did not do what the prophecy indicated. Why should we believe this? Because this is not merely an option that we feel, an opinion that we feel, but this is the truth, because that’s in the Bible.

Who is the bird of prey from the east?

Brother Bob: So, dear friends, if Cyrus is definitely not the messenger prophesied in Isaiah 46:11, then who is the one who fulfills the conditions described in the prophecy of Isaiah 46:11 and many more Biblical prophecies? It is none other than Brother Felix Y. Manalo.

Remember the three conditions that we learned about earlier, from the prophecy that the Bible gives to describe this particular servant of God? First, place of origin. What did we read? [A] far country in the east or Far East. What was the second? The task or the assignment given to accomplish. What was it? To execute God’s counsel, or His words, by bringing His righteousness—God’s righteousness.

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Place of origin: a far country in the east or Far East
Task given to accomplish: execute God’s counsel by bringing His righteousness near to people

Brother Bob: God’s righteousness is the gospel. Romans 1:16 and 17.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

[Romans 1:16-17 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: [Brother Felix Y. Manalo’s] assignment [was] to bring that gospel, bring God’s righteousness near, again, to God’s people. Number three, the people God will send a servant to was [an] important part of the prophecy. Who were they? Those who are far from righteousness, or far from the true gospel.

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People God will send this servant to: those who are far from righteousness

Brother Bob: Brother Felix Manalo was from the Philippine Islands, which is the Far East, a far country in the east. He was also a preacher of the pure gospel, never teaching personal opinions, but rather, always reading the Bible’s answers to questions. He was sent to people, who, until actually hearing what he preached from the Bible, were not even aware of how far away from the truth they really were.

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Brother Felix Y. Manalo:

from the Far East (Philippine Islands)
preacher of the pure gospel
sent to those who are far from righteousness

Brother Bob: That’s the reason why members of the Church Of Christ, from which this program is produced, believe it cannot be Cyrus. It’s not Cyrus, but instead, Brother Felix Manalo. He brought the true gospel near to people—brought those who were far from it, in false religions, brought them back to the true gospel, in fulfillment of the prophecy. He is the fulfillment of what is recorded here in the Bible.

When you’re ready to learn more about the fundamental teachings found here inside the Church Of Christ, visit us at incmedia.org.

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incmedia.org

Brother Bob: Why? There, you are going to find various series of programs all dedicated to answering your spiritual questions. You can also follow our Facebook pages at Iglesia Ni Cristo News and Updates, as well as Iglesia Ni Cristo Media.

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facebook.com/IglesiaNiCristoNewsandUpdates

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facebook.com/IglesiaNiCristoMedia

Brother Bob: There, you can view more of our shows. If you want to see how, for example, how the Church gets involved with our communities, you can go to incgiving.org.

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incgiving.org

Brother Bob: If you want to find a house of worship that is nearest to you, so you can join us and our worship services, visit the iglesianicristo.net.

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iglesianicristo.net/directory

Brother Bob: And if you have questions you’d like addressed here on the show, please email them to us at answers@incmedia.org.

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Do you have questions about the Bible? Send your videos to: answers@incmedia.org

Brother Bob: Thank you all for joining us. We’ll see you again next time on That’s in the Bible!

One True God

Is there one God or many gods, or is God 3 in 1? If the Bible doesn’t mention the trinity, what is the importance of Jesus Christ and who is He to God?

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One True God

[Show open]

Next on That’s in the Bible.

[Video starts]

Chuck: Is this God the only God, or is everybody right with all of their own gods?

[Video ends]

Brother Bob Pellien: We believe here in the Church Of Christ, to know and understand the true God, we must turn to the pages of the Holy Scriptures.

[Video starts]

Idris: I don’t understand the concept of God being three. The God [the] Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

[Video ends]

Brother Bob: This is from Melissa Hatfield in Seattle, Washington. Why is Jesus Christ important?

[Show open]

Brother Bob: Hello, I’m Brother Bob Pellien, and thanks for joining us in this episode of That’s in the Bible. Let’s go directly to our first question, which comes today from Chuck Swift from San Diego, California. Let’s hear what Chuck asks:

[Video starts]

Chuck Swift: Is this God the only God, or is everybody right with all of their own gods?

[Video ends]

One God or many?

Brother Bob: Thank you for your question, Chuck. And you’re very correct in such that there’s a lot of people who are coming up with their own ideas and perceptions and understandings of God. We believe here in the Church Of Christ, to know and understand the true God, we must turn to the pages of the Holy Scriptures. So let’s do that directly. In the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 4. Let’s see if the Bible [mentions] many gods we can all just pick and choose whatever God we want or come up with our own understanding. How many true gods does the Bible discuss? Deuteronomy, chapter 4, verse 35, reads this way:

To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides him.

[Deuteronomy 4:35 English Standard Version]

Brother Bob: The Bible clearly [mentions] here that there is but one God and there is no other. There could be an innumerable number of people coming up with their own understanding of God and in fact, even preaching and teaching about different gods and perceptions of God and who God truly is. But the Bible is clear. There is one God. So dear friends, here in 1 Corinthians, chapter 8, verse 6, the Apostle Paul wrote the following which is a very important statement regarding this topic in verse 6, he said:

yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

[I Corinthians 8:6 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Here was the Apostle Paul addressing the first century Church, telling them for us. Who [is] “us”? The Church, the true servants of the Almighty God, that for us, there is only one God and then He told us who that one God is, and that is the Father. Chuck, in your question you clearly [mentioned] that there are so many others who have other perceptions of God and other gods. You know the concept of “many,” is that it “doesn’t really matter as long as you believe in the existence of God.” It matters. Why? The Holy Scriptures teaches us the following this time in the letter of Apostle Paul, to the Ephesians. Wherein he wrote the following in chapter 4, verse 6:

one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

[Ephesians 4:6 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: Because God is only one, and because God is the Father, and because the one God the one Father is one God and Father of all. It’s not for anyone to just pick and choose and say, “No, excuse me, I’ve got another God.” There is only one, there’s no other options, there’s no other other choices. But a lot of people have come up with other perceptions of who that one true God is, which leads us into our next question from Idris Bashil, from London, England. He sent us this question:

[Video starts]

Idris: I don’t understand the concept of God being three. The God [the] Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

[Video ends]

How is God 3 in 1?

Brother Bob: Thank you. That, too, is a wonderful question because it is not the only you that I have difficulty understanding what oftentimes mainstream Christianity terms as the Trinity that being: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, and the three of them together, compose one God. A triune entity. There was a Catholic priest to try to explain this. And let’s just take a moment to cite his explanation for a moment. It’s recorded in a book entitled Father Smith Instructs Jackson, written by the priest of the Catholic Church named John Francis Noll. He writes on page 29 the following:

[On-screen graphic – Father Smith Instructs Jackson, pg. 29 Most Rev. John Francis Noll , D.D. LL.D.]

It means that in the One God there are three Divine Persons, called respectively God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Brother Bob: Well, that’s mainstream Christianity, the Catholic Church being from which we have quoted there, but so many of the Protestant organizations, independent Christian organizations as well, teach and believe the same that God is composed of three entities: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Here inside the Church Of Christ, we believe in the one true God, the Father. From what origin do we receive that important understanding that the Father is the one true God? It comes from Jesus Himself, the Son of God. What did Jesus say? Let’s read His words. It’s recorded in John, chapter 17, where in Jesus pronounced very categorically the following:

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

[John 17:1,3 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: What’s the important pronouncement here of Jesus? He made a pronouncement concerning two things that had direct relevance to the attainment of eternal life. He said, “Father that they may know You the only true God and Jesus whom You have sent.” They’ll have eternal life if they know that the Father is the only true God and that they know that Jesus is the one who has been sent by the Father.

If, then, one comes up with another perception of God and teaches that and says “No, no, no, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit together, the three of them make up the one God.” That’s a different god. And the gentleman who posed the question to our program for today, seemed very confused about when he views the religions in this world who are teaching these other perceptions of God. And it’s not surprising that you’re a bit confused, because when they teach a Trinitarian god, they’re teaching something that is very categorically different than what Jesus just taught, as we all read there together.

Who is Jesus to God?

Brother Bob: Who does the Bible teach Jesus to be? In fact, the it was, again, the Apostle Paul, we turned to this time, when he stated the following in 1 Timothy, chapter 2, verse 5:

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

[2:5 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: It clearly taught who Jesus is a man Who’s mediating between God and mankind. He is the Mediator. And how about the Holy Spirit? It was also our Lord Jesus Christ who described and tells us about the Holy Spirit. And He does so in these terms recorded in John, chapter 14, He was quoted here in verse 26:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

[John 14:26 King James Version]

Brother Bob: Here Jesus taught to us the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, whom the Father will send to comfort to give strength to all who may be weary and tired and need the inner strength of the Spirit of the Lord, the Lord the Father above will send that Spirit to comfort and to strengthen and to help us.

The true God is the Father, Jesus is the one mediating us unto the Father, and the Holy Spirit is the one sent by the Father to comfort and strengthen us: these are the biblical truths we embrace inside the Church.

What is the importance of Jesus Christ?

Brother Bob: Let’s hear our last question for today. This is from Melissa Hatfield in Seattle, Washington. She submitted to us this written question, she wrote: “Why is Jesus Christ important?”

And it’s a very important question that Melissa writes, because when we teach that Jesus is different than God, there are those who sometimes conclude that, “I guess that means the Church Of Christ is just belittling Jesus and throwing Him away as if He’s of no value anymore,” when in fact, nothing could be farther from the truth for what does the Bible teach to us about the value and importance of Jesus, the Son of God? Let’s begin in the Book of Acts, chapter 5, verse 31, tells us this important quality about Christ:

Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

[Acts 5:31 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: He was given to be Savior for mankind. And as I’ve read a moment ago, nevertheless, I’ll spend the moment to read it again. He’s not just an ordinary person like us, we’re not taking Him down, throwing Him into the mud, so to say, no. 1 Timothy, 2, 5, also attributes this quality to Jesus:

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

[1 Timothy 2:5 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: He’s our Mediator and the only Mediator between God and mankind. So He’s our Savior, He’s our Mediator. In fact, what else? Does the Bible attribute to this our Savior Jesus Christ in the Book of Acts, chapter 2, verse 36:

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

[Acts 2:36 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: He was also made Lord. Jesus is so very important, Melissa. He’s our Lord. He’s our Savior. He’s our Mediator, Son of God, and in fact when it comes to His relationship to the church, does He have any importance? Colossians, chapter 1, verse 18. The first part of that verse reads this way:

And He is the head of the body, the church,…

[Colossians 1:18 New King James Version]

Brother Bob: When it comes to His relationship then with the Church does He also have some significance, relevance, importance? Absolutely. The Bible [mentions] that He is in fact, the head of the Church. And the Church is in fact, the very body of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So when we teach that Jesus is different than God, we’re not taking Him from some high position and throwing Him away, rejecting Christ. No, we embrace Him in all such ways that the Scriptures attribute to Him and the Bible attributes to Him, as being the Savior, as being our Mediator, as being our Lord, being the head of the Church and so much more. He has great relevance, Melissa, and He is of deep importance to all of us here inside the Church Of Christ. But He’s different from God, and not part of a triune God, but rather the Son of God.

Well, dear friends, that’s all we have time for today. But if you, too, will have questions that you’d like us to answer here on the program, email your questions to us. And we’ll always use the guidance of the Holy Scriptures to help you find your answer, the truth, That’s in the Bible. Well, thanks for watching. I’m Brother Bob Pellien and we’ll see you again next time.

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