"ANG MALINAW NA aral ng Biblia tungkol sa kahalagahan ng Iglesia para sa kaligtasan ng kaluluwa ng tao ay pilit na pinalalabo ng ibang mga tagapangaral. Inililihis nila ang tao sa katotohanan upang hindi makita ang kahalagahan at kaugnayan ng pag-anib ng tao sa tunay na Iglesia sa pagliligtas na gagawin ni Cristo."

“Dapat malaman ng lahat, ayon sa Bagong Tipan, ang tunay na INK ay si Cristo ang nagtatag nito."

“Iisa lamang ang tanging makapagtatayo ng Iglesiang magiging dapat sa Dios. Kung sino-- ang ating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo lamang! Sino mang tao-- maging marunong o mangmang, maging dakila o hamak-- ay walang karapatang magtayo ng Iglesia"

“Ang tunay na INK ay iisa lamang. Ito ang Iglesiyang itinayo ni Cristo. Kung mayroon mang nagsisibangon ngayong mga Iglesia at sasabihing sila man ay Iglesia ni Cristo rin, ang mga ito ay hindi tunay na Iglesia ni Cristo kundi huwad lamang."

“Alin ang tunay na Iglesia? Ang Iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo sa Jerusalem."

"Mga lalaki, ibigin ninyo ang inyu-inyong asawa, gaya ng pag-ibig ni Cristo sa iglesya ... Walang taong namumuhi sa sarili niyang katawan, bagkus ito'y pinakakain at inaalagaan, gaya ng ginawa ni Cristo sa iglesya" (Efe. 5:25, Magandang Balita Biblia).

"inihandog niya (Cristo) ang kanyang buhay para rito (Iglesia)" (Efe. 5:25, Ibid.). 

"Sapagkat ang lalaki ang ulo ng kanyang asawa, tulad ni Cristo na siyang ulo ng iglesya, na kanyang katawan, at siyang Tagapagligtas nito" (Efe. 5:23, Ibid.). 

Ang Iglesiang iyon ay "ang iglesia ni Cristo na binili niya [ni Cristo] ng kaniyang dugo" (Gawa 20:28, salin ni Lamsa).

• 90(+/-10)? late date for writing of 1 Peter (associate of Peter as author)
• 94 Testimonium Flavianum, disputed section of Jewish Antiquities by Josephus in Aramaic, translated to Koine Greek
• 95(+/-30)? Gospel of John and Epistles of John
• 95(+/-10)? Book of Revelation written, by John (son of Zebedee) and/or a disciple of his
• 96 Nerva modified the Fiscus Judaicus, from then on, practising Jews paid the tax, Christians did not[15]
• 98-117? Ignatius, third Bishop of Antioch, fed to the lions in the Roman Colosseum, advocated the Bishop (Eph 6:1, Mag 2:1,6:1,7:1,13:2, Tr 3:1, Smy 8:1,9:1), rejected Sabbath on Saturday in favor of "The Lord's Day" (Sunday). (Mag 9.1), rejected Judaizing (Mag 10.3), first recorded use of the term catholic (Smy 8:2).
• 100(+/-30)? Epistle of Barnabas (Apostolic Fathers)
• 100(+/-25)? Epistle of James if written by author other than James the Just or James the Great
• 100(+/-10)? Epistle of Jude written, probably by doubting relative of Jesus (Mark 6,3), rejected by some early Christians due to its reference to apocryphal Book of Enoch (v14)

The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with more than 1.16 billion members worldwide. It is among the oldest religious institutions in the world and has played a prominent role in the history of Western civilisation. The Catholic hierarchy is headed by the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. The Church teaches that it is the one true Church founded by Jesus Christ, that its bishops are the successors of Christ's apostles and that the Pope is the sole successor to Saint Peter who has apostolic primacy.

Photo Source: STORIED THEOLOGY

PART 1

see bakit mo iniba? bakit naging KATHOLIKOS?? instead of Kath oleS

ok tanong ko sau yang sa greek EKKLESIA TOU THEOU o IGLESIA NG DIYOS? na BINILI NG KANYANG DUGO?? tatanggapin mo ba na DIYOS DUN AY MAY DUGO???

TANONG: tatanggapin ba natin na IGLESIA NI CRISTO ang nakalagay po dun sa GAWA 20:28?

SAGOT; OPO DAHIL si Cristo PO ang nagbuhos ng mahalaga niyang DUGO.

1 PEDRO 1:18-19Alam ninyo kung ano ang ipinantubos sa inyo sa walang kabuluhang pamumuhay na inyong minana sa inyong mga magulang. Ang ipinantubos sa inyo'y hindi ang mga bagay na nasisira o nauubos, tulad ng ginto o pilak, 19 kundi sa pamamagitan ng MAHALAGANG DUGO NI CRISTO. Siya ang korderong walang batik at kapintasan

PAHAYAG: Si Cristo po ang nagbuhos ng kanyang MAHALAGAN DUGO kaya nga ang IGLESIA ay tinawag na IGLESIA NI CRISTO dahil si CRISTO PO ANG NAGTAYO NG IGLESIA MATEO 16:18 hindi po IGLESIA KATOLIKA. 😉

TANONG; Ang Diyos po ba may DUGO?

SAGOT: wala pong laman at buto kaya po siya ay ESPIRITO

juan 4:24-Ang Diyos ay Espiritu kaya dapat siyang sambahin sa espiritu at sa katotohanan.

Lucas 24:39-Tingnan ninyo ang aking mga kamay at ang aking mga paa, ako rin nga: hipuin ninyo ako, at tingnan; sapagka't ang isang ESPIRITO WALANG LAMAN at mga BUTO, na gaya ng inyong nakikita na nasa akin.

PAHAYAG: Ang Diyos po ay Espirito meaning so say wala rin po syang DUGO. kaya hindi po puedeng ikapit ang IGLESIA NG DIYOS po dyan dahil po walang DUGO ang DIYOS ang may dugo si Cristo..

Caption galing po sa http://incmedia.org/content/inc/

“Ang Iglesia Katolika na sa pasimula ay siyang Iglesia ni Cristo."

Pope Francis kneeling to wash the feet of people with disabilities (Source: Chron)

It's IRONICAL that an ordinary journalist of Philippine Daily Inquirer knows the REAL REASON, and ESSENCE of celebrating the HOLY WEEK, - it is the 'PASSION, DEATH and RESURRECTION' of the LORD JESUS-- while those who say they are professing "faith" in (the same) Jesus Christ downplay this celebration NEGATIVELY JUST BECAUSE it's a CATHOLIC-led HOLIDAY.  What a shame! And who doesn't know the origin and founder of these SECTS:

• Aglipayan Church founded by Bishop Gregorio Aglipay in 1902 (Filipino former Catholic)
• The Iglesia ni Cristo founded by Felix Manalo in 1914 (Filipino former Catholic)
• Jehovah's Witnesses founded by Charles T. Russel in 1931 (Protestant)
• Seventh-day Adventists founded by Helen G. White et.al. in 1863 (Protestant)
• United Church of Christ in the Philippines founded 1901 but officially registered in 1942 by group of Evangelicals, mixed of Congregationalist, Presbyterians and Episcopalian

MANILA, Philippines—The annual commemoration of Holy Week—marking the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which begins on Palm Sunday, climaxes on Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday and culminates in the joyful celebration on Easter Sunday of the Resurrection—and its pious customs observed in Roman Catholic tradition also find expression in the mainstream Protestant denominations and evangelical churches. What follows is an informal survey of what Holy Week observances are followed by other faiths.

Aglipayan Church

The Aglipayan Church, officially the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), or the Philippine Independent Church, follows the same Holy Week observance as the Roman Catholic Church, according to Rev. Fr. Terry Revollido, rector of the Aglipay Central Theological Seminary.

“I don’t see any significant difference because we’re also following biblical narrative,” Revollido said.

Like the Roman Catholics, the Aglipayan faithful begin the Holy Week with Palm Sunday. On Maundy Thursday, there would be a celebration of the Eucharist and the washing of the feet while on Good Friday church activities include the Seven Last Words, veneration of the cross and processions. The Easter Vigil mass is held the evening of Black Saturday and the Salubong very early on Easter Sunday.

The Aglipayan Church, which calls itself the national church of the Philippines, proclaimed its break from the Catholic Church in 1902 by the members of the Unión Obrera Democrática Filipina because of the alleged mistreatment of Filipinos by the Spanish clergy. Although a Christian denomination, the IFI rejects the spiritual authority of the Pope and emphasizes patriotism in its teachings.

The members of the church are called Aglipayans after its first supreme head, Fr. Gregorio Aglipay.

Iglesia ni Cristo

The Iglesia Ni Cristo, another homegrown Christian sect, does not observe Lent or mark the special observances and services of Holy Week, as it believes that the pious customs associated with it derive from pagan traditions.

For instance, it believes that Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week commemorating Christ’s triumphal entry to Jerusalem to fulfill his paschal mystery, has pagan origins. The INC says the palm symbolizes victory, and notes how victorious armies of pagan nations decked themselves and their chariots with palm fronds.

According to the INC, the word Easter was derived by St. Bede from Eastre, a forgotten dawn goddess. Numerous local customs held during Easter, such as the blessing of meat, eggs and other foods the partaking of which was formerly forbidden during Lent, have pagan origins, the INC believes.

The INC members believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and that God made Him Lord and Savior. However, while Jesus Christ is holy and a very special man, he is not God, he is the only mediator of man to God, they say.

They also believe that Christ’s resurrection is the main proof that the dead will rise again. Those in Christ will rise first to be with Him forever in the Holy City. Those who are not of Christ will rise a thousand years after the first resurrection to be cast into the lake of fire.

The INC’s main activities include “worship services”, missionary work and edification. Worship services are usually held on Thursdays and Sundays by every local congregation inside the house of worship. It consists singing, prayer and study of God’s words for proper application in daily living.

The members are happy to fulfill their duty to share the faith by inviting others to attend Bible study sessions and worship services. The INC also uses mass media in spreading its message of hope to a broader audience.

For the spiritual welfare of church members, prayer meetings are held weekly by each group of neighboring households for further instructions in the faith and announcements about church projects and activities. Pastoral visits are also conducted regularly by church officials for prayer and spiritual counseling.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo also holds semi-annual (mid-year and year-end) Pasalamat (thanksgiving) as a sign of gratitude for God’s blessings. As with regular worship services, it consists of hymn-singing, prayers and the study of God’s words.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

Jehovah’s Witnesses, a Christian denomination whose distinct beliefs are based on their interpretations of the Bible, do not observe Christmas, Easter or other holidays and customs observed by mainstream Christianity.

They believe that Jehovah is the only true God, and Jesus, God’s only begotten Son who served as a redeemer and a ransom sacrifice to pay for the sins of humanity as the only intercessor between God and man.

While Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in commemorating the death of Jesus, the Jehovah’s Witnesses do not share many of the beliefs and practices associated with the Holy Week of Catholics and other Christian denominations. The Witnesses do not practice the Lenten rituals of fasting, or pilgrimage to holy places.

The most important and solemn event for the Jehovah’s Witnesses is the “Lord’s Evening Meal” or “Memorial of Christ’s Death,” commemorated on the date of the Jewish Passover.

“After careful reading and study of the Bible, [the Witnesses] found that this is the only anniversary that Jesus commanded his followers to celebrate. Before dying, he commanded his disciples to keep observing the Last Supper, otherwise called Lord’s Evening Meal, once every year. Jesus’ command to celebrate this occasion can be read in the Bible,” said Dean Jacek of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, Philippine branch.

To determine the date of the Memorial each year, the Witnesses follow the Jewish calendar.

“Under the Jewish calendar, Jesus’ death occurred on the evening of Nisan 14, 33 C.E. Last year, the date Nisan 14 fell on March 26, so on this date Jehovah’s Witnesses met together in their building for worship (called Kingdom Halls) all around the earth after sundown. To celebrate, they did exactly what Jesus said should be done. Some 20 million attended the occasion,” said Jacek. This year’s Memorial was marked on April 14.

Those attending the Memorial with Jehovah’s Witnesses for the first time will see a functional, clean venue devoid of religious symbols.

“There may be some simple flower arrangements, but attendees will not be distracted by gaudy bunting or any party atmosphere,” Jacek noted.

“A qualified speaker will consider in a clear and dignified manner what the Bible says about the occasion. He will help all to understand the meaning of Jesus’ death. A simple ceremony, imitating what Jesus told his apostles to do, will then follow,” he said.

Seventh-day Adventists

The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, a Protestant Christian denomination, does not observe the practices of the Holy Week as Catholics or other Protestant denominations do. Accepting the Bible as the only source of their beliefs, Adventists only observe the practices and faith of the early Christian church.

The church is distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and its emphasis on the second coming (advent) of Jesus Christ.

Adventists believe that the resurrection of Christ that is commemorated at Easter is a historical event of immense importance. But they point out that the Bible only noted that the resurrection occurred on the first day of the week and did not suggest that the resurrection made a new day holy.

Without biblical precedent for making Easter a special day of celebration, Adventists observe only the Sabbath as sacred or holy time because it is the only holy day of the week stated in the Bible.

“We just celebrate Sabbath day as the Lord’s day,” said Bro. Emer Dayo of Lipa Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School in Batangas province.

“The Bible tells us to observe it from (Friday) sunset to (Saturday) sunset. Sabbath is the test of true obedience to the Lord,” he said.

According to the Adventists’ Biblical Research Institute, however, some Adventists have introduced Sunday morning services during Easter. But this does not mean that Sunday is to be considered as holy. Adventists only see Easter as an opportunity to do evangelical outreach without assigning any special religious meaning to the day itself.

United Church of Christ in the Philippines

The United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), a Protestant Christian denomination, observes the same Holy Week practices as that of Roman Catholicism, according to Lowell Tac-An, executive secretary of the organizational ministry of UCCP.

“We also celebrate Palm Sunday with a special form of worship. Then we also observe Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Black Saturday. There is a reenactment of the Last Supper and we also do the seven last words. Easter Sunday serves as the culmination of the whole Holy Week celebration,” Tac-an said.

“There isn’t much difference because we also follow what’s written in the bible,” he added.

According to Tac-an, one difference between the UCCP with the Roman Catholic Church is the that the formers does not believe in purgatory.

“In the basic protestant doctrines, we also believe in life after death. But there is no belief in purgatory,” he said.

Aside from Holy Week, the UCCP also observes other religious Christian festivities like Christmas and All Soul’s Day.

Tac-an said that the UCCP is divided into seven jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction has their own bishops. The UCCP is led by a head bishop who is elected every four years.

"Sa ganitong kahulugan, sa pagkakilala ko, bumabanggit ang mga manunulat na escolastico hinggil sa gayon ding pagsambang iniuukol sa mga larawan ni Kristo na parang kay Kristong Panginoon natin na rin; sapagkat ang gawang kung tawagin ay pagsamba sa isang larawan ay tunay na pagsamba kay Kristo na rin, sa pamamagitan ng pagyukod sa harap ng larawan na parang sa harap ni Kristo na rin"

"Though we speak of honor paid to images, yet ,this in only a manner of speaking, which really means that we honor not the senseless thing which is incapable of understanding such honor, but the prototype, which receives honor through its representation, according to the teaching of the Council of Trent."

70 - The honor paid to sacred images is a "respectful veneration," not the adoration due to God alone:

Religious worship is not directed to images in themselves, considered as mere things, but under their distinctive aspect as images leading us on to God incarnate. The movement toward the image does not terminate in it as image, but tends toward that whose image it is.

Alalahanin ninyo ang mga dating NAMUMUNO sa inyo, ang mga NAGPAHAYAG SA INYO NG SALITA NG DIYOS. Isipin ninyo kung paano sila namuhay, at TULARAN ninyo ang kanilang pananampalataya sa Diyos.

The Vatican: A global hub
Source: UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office

It has been a busy few days at the Vatican. Easter week, with its public ceremonies and celebrations, is just behind us. This coming weekend will see the canonisation of two Popes, John XXIII and John Paul II. Pope Francis will preside, and the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, could also be present. Along with many hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of others.

Even more than usual, the sense of the Vatican operating as a hub for world religion, global leaders and ordinary people of all creeds, colours and classes is palpable. The Pope’s traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the City and the World”) message on Easter Sunday was, as always, covered extensively by the international media. The range of issues he addressed was striking, in a way difficult to imagine from any other world leader. He touched on the need to tackle hunger, conflict, and wastefulness. On the need to protect the vulnerable and comfort migrants far from home. And he spoke in specific terms about Ebola sufferers in Guinea Conakry, Sierra Leone and Liberia; about those kidnapped in different parts of the world by terrorists; about the conflict in Syria; about violence in Iraq; peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine; conflict in Central African Republic, Nigeria and South Sudan; the need for reconciliation in Venezuela; and the importance of peace initiatives in Ukraine.

So it is no coincidence, if something of a surprise even to the Holy See, that delegations from around the world will attend the canonisation ceremony in St Peter’s Square this weekend. Although primarily a religious, and specifically Catholic, event, there will be at least 19 heads of state and 24 heads of government, as well as many other delegations from every corner of the globe. They are here because they wish to pay homage to two great world leaders – John XXIII and John Paul II – who bestrode the second half of the 20th century, and because they recognise the ongoing global role and impact of the Papacy in its new guise under Pope Francis. The Queen – Her Majesty herself, of course, met the Pope earlier this month – will be represented by The Duke of Gloucester, who was also here for the beatification of John Paul II in 2011 and the inauguration of Pope Francis’ pontificate last year.

Yet again, the eyes of much of the world will be focused on St Peter’s Square. The Pope is apparently the most “searched for” personality on Google, and the most re-tweeted of world leaders. Virtually and physically, the Vatican remains one of the world’s great meeting points.

http://converttoinciglesianicristo.blogspot.com/2014_02_01_archive.html

"The LORD, your God, shall you fear; him shall you serve, and by his name shall you swear.”

“Sh'ma Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad”

The high priest rose and addressed him, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?” 

But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “You have said so. But I tell you: 

From now on you will see ‘the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power’ and ‘coming on the clouds of heaven.’” 

Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has lasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy; what is your opinion?” They said in reply, “He deserves to die!”

Mangagkaroon kayo sa inyo ng pagiisip, na ito'y na kay Cristo Jesus din naman:

Na siya, bagama't nasa anyong Dios, ay hindi niya inaring isang bagay na nararapat panangnan ang pagkapantay niya sa Dios, 

Kundi bagkus hinubad niya ito, at naganyong alipin, na nakitulad sa mga tao: At palibhasa'y nasumpungan sa anyong tao, siya'y nagpakababa sa kaniyang sarili, na nagmasunurin hanggang sa kamatayan, oo, sa kamatayan sa krus.

Kaya siya naman ay pinakadakila ng Dios, at siya'y binigyan ng pangalang lalo sa lahat ng pangalan; Upang sa pangalan ni Jesus ay iluhod ang lahat ng tuhod, ng nangasa langit, at ng nangasa ibabaw ng lupa, at ng nangasa ilalim ng lupa,

At upang ipahayag ng lahat ng mga dila na si Jesucristo ay Panginoon, sa ikaluluwalhati ng Dios Ama.

Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,

Who, though he was in the form of God,did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.

Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.

Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• Siya'y nasa ANYONG DIOS ngunit NAGPAKABABA!
• Hindi lang po siya nagpakababa, kundi NAGMISTULANG ALIPIN
• At TINANGGAP ang KAMATAYAN!
• Hindi lang kamatayan—isang NAKAKAHIYANG uri ng KAMATAYAN!
• KAMATAYAN sa KRUS!

Nang pasimula siya ang Verbo, at ang Verbo ay sumasa Dios, at ang Verbo ay Dios. 

Ito rin nang pasimula'y sumasa Dios. Ang lahat ng mga bagay ay ginawa sa pamamagitan niya; at alin man sa lahat ng ginawa ay hindi ginawa kung wala siya. Nasa kaniya ang buhay; at ang buhay ay siyang ilaw ng mga tao. At ang ilaw ay lumiliwanag sa kadiliman; at ito'y hindi napagunawa ng kadiliman.

At nagkatawang-tao ang Verbo, at tumahan sa gitna natin (at nakita namin ang kaniyang kaluwalhatian, kaluwalhatian gaya ng sa bugtong ng Ama), na puspos ng biyaya at katotohanan. 

Sapagka't maraming magdaraya na nangagsilitaw sa sanglibutan, sa makatuwid ay ang mga hindi nangagpapahayag na si Jesucristo ay napariritong nasa laman. Ito ang magdaraya at ang anticristo.