PASUGO

D'S
JANUARY 2012 VOLUME 64 NUMBER 01 ISSN 0116-1636
PASUGO
GOD'S MESSAGE
The Magazine of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ)
PUBllSHER
Iglesia Ni Cristo
EDITOR- I N- CHI EF
Richard J. Rodas
MANAGING EDITOR
Nicanor P. Tiosen
SENIOR EDITORS
Maximo M. Bularan II Rene J. Panoncillo
CONTRIBUT ING EDITORS
Lyndon A. Aguirre . Robert F. Pellien
EDITORI AL ASSOCIATES
Roland A. Aguirre . Marlex C. Cantor
Celerino G. Baclaan Dennis C. Lovendi no
Pedrito B. Placio
WRITERS
Siegfred T. Gollayan . Marie F. Ruiz
Jensen DG. Manebog Norman A. Reyes
GRAPHIC ARTISTS
Bienveni do A. Santiago Jf. Sylvia N. Dreo
Regina B. BurguiJIos Samuel T. Solano
PHOTOGRAPHERS
John Borg . Glady C. Gaddi
Samuel P. De Leon Christ ian R. Barrera
GOD'S MESSAGE is publi shed monthl y by the Iglesia Ni
Cri sto with editori al office at No. I Central Avenue, New
Era, Quezon City 1107 Philippines' Telephone: (632) 98 1-
43 11 Fax: (632) 981-4333. Entered as second-class mail
matter at the Central Post Office in Manila on February 13,
1979. Publi shed under pePM Certi ficate of Registration
No. Sp. 237. All manuscripts and photographs submitted
for editorial consideration must be accompanied by a self-
addressed envelope and return postage. GOD'S MESSAGE
assumes no responsibility to the return of unsolicited ma-
terials. Copyright 1986 by Iglesia Ni Cri sto.
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CONTENTS
JA NUARY 2012 VOLUME 64 NUMBER 1
Features
6
8
1 0
1 4
20
26
BARUYA, PAMPANGA, PHILIPPI NES
Instilling the immense importance
of the worship building
CARMONA, CAVITE, PHILI PPINES
On being truly wise in the sight of God
CABANATUAN CITY, PHILIPPI NES
Carrying out God' s purpose for the Church
HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA
Executive Minister ordains 28 in
First Ordination in the United States
NEW USMO!SOUTHERN MIDWEST DISTRICT OFFICE
Executive Minister leads two historic
inaugurations in the United States
'I work, and who can hinder it?'
Articles
4
39
For he truly touched our lives
by Nicanor P. Tiosen
Que no han trabajado en vano
traducido por Arthur P. Agag
Departments
1,37
3
EDITORIALS
MAILBOX
Our Cover: A photo of the current Executi ve Minister,
Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, with the late
Brother Erafio G. Manalo.
EDITORIAL
A legacy of faithful leadership
T
HE SO-CALLED CHRISTIAN world lament the
crisis of spiritual leadership their
Historically, the world has been httered wIth
what has been ultimately revealed as phony spiritual
leaders-wicked intentioned men-who abuse and
misuse authority, who exploit financially, and who
hide their biblical incompetency in an exegesis that
gives license to the twisting and of the
Holy Scriptures just to provide proof-texts to their
unorthodox, unproven, invented doctrines.
They bemoan for holy . men of integrity and
sincerity-true spiritual leaders-who will be the
tender shepherds who care to see that all their members'
spiritual needs are supplied.
It is exactly why the members of the Church
Of Christ are thanking God while reminiscing the
admonitory voice of the late Executive Minister of
the Church, Brother Eraiio G. Manalo, whose birth
anniversary happens to be on the 2nd day of this month.
His ringing preaching of God' s commandments to offer
biblical counsel to everyone in need, still reverberates
in the innermost sensibilities of Church officers and
members, whom he faithfully administered for almost
46 years as Executive Minister till his death on the 31st
of August 2009.
Indeed, as God' s organization that came into
existence in fulfillment of His biblical prophecies for
the mission of salvation in these last days, there never
was a void of an effective, spiritual leadership in the
Church Of Christ. From God's Last Messenger, Brother
Felix Y. Manalo, to the late Brother Erafio Manalo,
and to the present Executive Minister of the Church,
Brother Eduardo V. Manalo- the authoritative voice as
endowed by God resounds to all parts of the globe.
Why were they able to discharge such an immense
spiritual responsibility effectively? It is because God
fulfilled His emphatic promise to His Last Messenger
that states: "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"
(Isa. 41:10, New King James Version).
With the passing of the Last Messenger on April
12, 1963, after almost 50 uninterrupted years of faithful
leadership, the Church was not left orphaned. God has
placed an Administration in the Church to continuously
expound clearly and powerfully His divine Words of
truth in the lives of His sons and daughters, reminiscent
of what Apostle Paul himself testified: "I have become
its minister according to God's administration that
was given to me for you, to make God's message fully
known" (Col. 1:25, Holman Christian Standard Bible).
Amidst the blatant materialism and permissiveness
of societies all over the wor ld, the Church Administration
under the late Brother Erafio Manalo and now under
Brother Eduardo Manalo, sets about to find and ensure
that the faith of the believers remains strong, standing
the strain of rampant wickedness all around them,
although this is glorified in both movies and television.
They strive to admonish God's servants to not let
their happy trust in the Lord die away, no matter what
happens. They consciously remind them to keep on
patiently doing God's will if they want Him to do for
them all that He had promised as embodied in the letter
of Apostle Paul that states: "Do not lose your courage,
then, because it brings with it a great reward. You need
to be patient, in order to do the will of God and receive
what he promises. For, as the scripture says, 'Just a little
while longer, and he who is coming will come; he will
not delay. My righteous people, however, will believe
and live; but if any of them turns back, I will not be
pleased with him.' We are not people who turn back
and are lost. Instead, we have faith and are saved" (Heb.
10:35-39, Today's English Version).
More than at any given time, God's people these days
need steadfast patience and endurance, so that they may
perform and fully live in accordance with His will. People
of the world are filled with anxieties and angst because of
news from different media outlets that broadcast various
JANUARY 2012 . GOD'S MESSAGE 1
The Church Administration does everything within their
God-given ministry so that the faith of the believers will not
be in vain in quality, content and result
acts of terrorism, notorious crimes perpetrated against
individuals, the grinding poverty, the possible financial
collapse of many nations, environmental vandalisms,
which are aggravated by diseases and increasingly
destructive disasters-both natural and man-made.
Hence, the Church Administration always enjoins
Christians these days to never turn their backs on God but
remain true, firm, and strong in the faith that assures their
souls of salvation (Col. 1:23, Ibid.).
Just as they have trusted our Lord Jesus Christ, Who
promised to save the members of His Church, they are
also counseled to trust Him for each day's problems and
live in vital union with Him. Doing so, they will not allow
others to spoil their faith with deceptive philosophy and
intellectualism, wrong and shallow answers built on
man's vain thoughts and twisted ideas, instead of the
pristine teachings of God written in the Holy Scriptures
(Col. 2:6-8, Ibid.).
As the centennial of the Church Of Christ's re-
establishment in the Far East-the Philippines- is fast
approaching, the Church Administration zealously
leads ministers, Church workers, all officers and
members alike, to reach out for the conversion of as
many unbelievers as can possibly be. That missionary
endeavor is in keeping with the compassionate desire of
no less than the Almighty God that everyone be saved on
Judgment Day (I Tim. 2:3-4, Ibid.) if only possible.
On the part of all who have received God's merciful
grace so as to be embraced by this last mission of
salvation, again the Church Administration strives hard
to strengthen their faith, to resolve their doubts and
fears, to renew their life day by day in keeping with
Jesus' oft quoted purpose in being sent by God which
states: "it is the will of him who sent me that I should not
lose any of all those he has given me, but that I should
raise them all to life on the last day" (John 6:39, Ibid.)
2 JAN U A RY 2012 GOD'S MESSAGE
Toward this noble aim, the Church Administration
carries out with enthusiastic and passionate intensity his
responsibility to preach the gospel, oversees the Church,
governs its spiritual life, and admonishes everyone in
all wisdom wherever he goes and visits the brethren-
here and abroad-because "Our great desire is that each
one of you keep up his eagerness to the end, so that the
things you hope for will come true. We do not want you
to become lazy, but to be like those who believe and are
patient, and so receive what God has promised" (Heb.
6:11-12, Ibid.).
With so many so-called "pleasures of this world"
and various panaceas offered by cranks and crackpots
for today's worldwide maladies-all clamoring for the
attention of the credulous-there are real dangers out
there that can ensnare the faith of true Christians if they
are not careful. Hence, the Church Administration does
everything within their God-given ministry so that the
faith of the believers will not be in vain in quality, content,
and result. Then, our beloved leaders have all reason to
rejoice when the Lord Jesus Christ returns, their work
among us was worthwhile and not in vain as Apostle
Paul stirringly proclaimed: " ... Keep working with fear
and trembling to complete your salvation, because God
is always at work in you to make you willing and able
to obey his own purpose .... so that you may be innocent
and pure as God's perfect children, who live in a world
of corrupt and sinful people. You must shine among
them like stars lighting up the sky, as you offer them the
message of life. If you do so, I shall have reason to be
proud of you on the Day of Christ, because it will show
that all my effort and work have not been wasted" (Phil.
2:12-13, 15-16, Ibid.). 0
- RICHARD J. RODAS
Editor- in- Chief
On calling Him 'Jehovah'
THOUGH I CONSIDER myself as having a religion, I must admit
that I have little knowledge about God and the Bible .... One of
my friends once told me that whoever shall worship Jehovah, call
on the name of Jehovah, and be called by the name Jehovah, as in
Jehovah's Witnesses, will be saved. This makes me uncomfortable
for I'm not used to call ing God by that name in my prayers. So I
want to ask your stand on addressing God by the name Jehovah.
And how does the Church Of Christ address our Lord God?
Marcel Craig
Brooklyn, New York
Editor's reply:
Thank you for asking us on matters concerning God and how to
address Him.
The Jehovah's Witnesses, as a religious group, is indeed
known for strictly using the name "Jehovah" in addressing God.
Some of its zealous members, in trying to promote their faith,
even go as far as claiming that one wi ll not be saved unless he
calls God by that name. Such serious assertion indeed calls for
profound critical investigation as regards the use of "Jehovah" in
reference to God.
What do Bible scholars and historians of rei igion say about the
use of the name "Jehovah"? As to age, the Rotherham Emphasized
Bible reports, "The pronunciation jehovah was unknown until
1520, when it was introduced by Galatinus; but was contested
by Le Mercier, J. Drusius, and L. Capell us, as against grammatical
and historical propriety ... (pp. 24-25, emphasis ours). As to form,
the same reference describes the name as "erroneously written
and pronounced ... which is merely a combination of the sacred
Tetragrammaton and the vowels in the Hebrew word for Lord"
(Ibid., pp. 24-25). The Harper's Bible Dictionary corroborates
by stating, "The hybrid word 'Jehovah' is a combination of the
vowels of 'Adonai' with the consonants of the tetragrammaton; its
appearance in the KJV was the result ofthe translators' ignorance
of the Hebrew language and customs" (p. 1036, emphasis ours).
Hence, as the The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious
Knowledge aptly concludes, "JEHOVAH" is "an erroneous form of
the divine name of the covenant God of Israel which appears first
about 1520 A.D." (Vol. VI, p. 16, emphasis ours).
Explanation on the occurrence of this erroneous form
of God's name in the Bible is stated in The New International
Dictionary of New Testament Theology:
"The form J@h o vah arose out of a misunderstanding which
in turn arose out of the reluctance of pious Jews to pronounce
the divine name (c. 300 b.c.). Instead they uttered the word
'agonay my Lord. In the MT [Masoretic Text] the divine name
was written with the consonants of YHWH and the vowels of
'agonay, as a reminder to say the latter whenever the word was
read. The divine name appears as y' howf1h in the MT. The LXX
[Septuagint] reflects the Jewish reluctance to pronounce the
divine name and puts the word kyrios, - Lord, in its place. The
RSV and other Eng. versions also reflect the practice by giving the
word LORD in capital letters whenever the name YHWH stands
in the text. The Lat. likewise gives the word Dominus, Lord, for
YHWH. The form Jehovah is thus a malformation giving what is
virtually a transliteration of a word which is found in the text of
the Heb. OT, but which was never actually used as a word." (Vol.
Ii, pp. 69-70, emphasis ours)
Finally, the late Distinguished Service Professor of Talmud
and Rector of the Rabbinical School in Jewish Theological
Seminary of America, Saul Lieberman, PhD., identified openly
how the rendition 'Jehovah' came to be. Writing for Microsoft
Encarta, he expounded:
"Jehovah, name of the God of the Hebrew people as
erroneously transliterated from the Masoretic Hebrew text. The
word consists of the consonants jHVH or jHWH, with the vowels of
a separate word, Adonai (Lord). What its original vowels were is a
matter of speculation, for because of an interpretation of such texts as
Exodus 20:7 and Leviticus 24:11, the name came to be regarded as
too sacred for expression; the scribes, in reading aloud, substituted
"Lord" and therefore wrote the vowel markings for "Lord" into the
consonantal framework JHVH as a remi nder to future readers aloud.
The translators of the Hebrew, not realizing what the scribes had
done, read the word as it was written down, taking the scribal
vowel markings as intrinsic to the name of their God rather than
as a mere reminder not to speak it. From this came the rendition
Jehovah ... " ("Jehovah." Microsoft Encarta 2006 [CD])
These, among others, clearly prove that the supposed name
of God which 'Jehovah's Witnesses' allege as His only true name,
is an erroneous form of the divine name of the Creator. To insist on
using this term in reference to God, to say the least, is to propagate
an error.
Church Of Christ members reverently address the Almighty
God as 'Father' and "Lord' . For doing this, we simpl y abide by the
example set by the early Christians and Jesus Christ Himself:
"In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name." (Matt. 6:9, New King james Version)
"So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with
one accord and said: 'Lord, You are God, who made heaven and
earth and the sea, and all that is in them' ." (Acts 4:24, Ibid.)
For questions, comments, and suggestions, send your letters to any
of our editorial offices (see staff box, p.l). Or, e-mail us at pasugo@
inc.org.ph
We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of space and clarity.
Sender's name may be withheld upon request.
JANUARY 2012 GOD'S MESSAGE 3
For he truly touched our lives
By NICANOR P. TIOSEN
H
IS WAS A life well-lived. Truly so for all of his 84 years
of spent, the last 46 years of
which as Executive Mlruster of the Church Of Christ
following the demise of Brother Felix Y. Manalo, God's
Messenger in these last days, on April 12, 1963. From April
23,1963, the day Brother Eraf\.o G. Manalo assumed office as
overall administrator of the Church, to his passing away on
August 31, 2009, the entire organization, as well as critics,
neutral observers, and bystanders saw his dynamism.
Relatively young at the start of his stewardship (he
was only 38 years old when the Church's economic council
voted for a successor on January 28, 1953), Brother Eraf\.o
Manalo took on the gigantic task of leading the brethren
through hard and good times. Thus, for 46 solid years,
with him at the helm, the Church Of Christ enjoyed an
era of continuous progress under the watchful guidance
and protective care of the Father Almighty as what Brother
Eraf\.o was wont to quoting Isaiah 41:20, thus: "That they
may see and know, And consider and understand together,
That the hand of the LORD has done this, And the Holy One
of Israel has created it" (New King James Version).
Overseeing the brethren
Upon assuming office, Brother Ermo labored hard to
safeguard the welfare of the Church and strengthen what his
father had started. Early on, and throughout his stewardship,
he visited congregations in the Philippines and abroad; made
possible the construction of many Church edifices; dedicated
to God newly built houses of worship; and led the faithful in
serving God. Wherever he went, brethren thronged to hear
him preach and receive divine guidance and strength with
the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Looking after the spiritual life of the brethren, he
cited what Apostle Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 2:8, thus:
"Because of our love for you we were ready to share with
you not only the Good News from God but even our own
lives. You were so dear to us!" (Today's English Version).
Spear-heading var-ious pr-opagation activities
A year after taking over the mantle of leadership, Brother
Eraf\.o personally pursued the work of propagation-holding
mammoth religious rallies in many parts of the country
4 J A NUA RY 2 012 . GOD'S MESSAGE
resulting in the mushrooming of local congregations. The
Church Of Christ practically marched onward unstopped.
Keeping abreast with changing times, Brother Ermo
Manalo made sure that the Church employed other ways for
spreading the gospel aside from the traditional itinerant ministry
where ministers and workers go from one place to another to
propagate the Church, and distributing printed materials like
the Pasugo: God's Message, the Church's official magazine and
other pamphlets. In early 1968, the Church started to utilize the
radio as a medium, then in 1983, tapped the potent medium of
television to bring the Good News to the people.
Again the work of God's hands was manifest as he was
quick to cite God's pronouncements, then: "I am God and
always will be. No one can escape from my power; no one
can change what I do" (Isa. 43:13, Ibid.) .
Going beyond the far western shore
Five years into his stewardship, Brother Ermo brought the
mission to foreign soil starting with the establishment of
the Honolulu Congregation in Hawaii on July 27, 1968;
followed by the establishment in the United States mainland
on August 18, 1968 of the San Francisco Congregation in
California. From the two original congregations in the
Far West, the Church Of Christ crossed the United States
border to Canada, Europe, Central and South America, the
Middle East, Africa, Australia, and other Asian countries.
"As prophesied in the Bible, the Church Of Christ which
emerged in the Philippines will extend its mission starting
in the Far West," Brother Eraf\.o explained, quoting Isaiah
43:5 and 59:19 respectively, thus, "From the far east will I
bring your offspring, and from the far west I will gather
you .... till in the far west men have awe of the Eternal, and
in the east they see his brilliant deeds; for his vengeance
pours out like a pent-up stream, driven by a blast of wind
.. . " (Moffatt Translation).
It cannot be without significance that Hawaii and
California are both in the Far West (The World Almanac & Book
of Facts 1976, p. 88)!
Building edifices for the glory of God
The fast-growing Church needs more houses of worship.
Brother Eraf\.o Manalo then pursued the construction program
use f our love far you
Were ~ <Jc.lV' 1.0 :::JiJ.:Ji3 Wi'fl ymID
nly ~ h ~ .s@-0.:J J J3
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J'J:::J f f[J
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usi /I
that his father began in response to God's commandment, thus:
"Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple,
that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified" (Hag. 1:8, NKJV).
In addition, Brother Erano, who was manning all operations
from the Iglesia Ni Cristo Central Office complex that was built
during his watch, undertook housing and other infrastructure
projects to meet the multifarious needs of the Church.
Molding men for the service of the Lord
There was no doubt the burgeoning Church needs deeply
committed individuals to further the mission. To comply,
Brother Erano established the school for ministers which
came to be known as the College of Evangelical Ministry.
From its portals emerged dedicated servants who measure
up to the divine mandate, thus: "But select capable men
from all the people-men who fear God, trustworthy men
who hate dishonest gain-and appoint them as officials over
thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens" (Exod. 18:21, New
International Version).
Transcending the spiritual
Brother Erafto Manalo very well knew that aside from the
spiritual, Church members had other needs and responsibilities
that ought also to be taken care of. Thus was born the New Era
University which caters to the intellectual needs of members
and nonmembers alike who seek knowledge within its portals.
For health enhancement and disease prevention, the Felix
Y. Manalo Memorial Medical Foundation, otherwise known
as the New Era General Hospital, was established. Socio-
civic consciousness gave rise to the Church's Social Services
Office that sees action during calamities benefiting members
and nonmembers alike. The Church's Lingap sa Mamamayan
(Aid for Humanity), Brother Erafto's brainchild, has become
a by-word among the less-privileged. In helping the needy, he
cited what is written in Deuteronomy 15:11, thus: "There will
always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you
to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor
and needy in your land" (New International Version).
In loving memory
Today, under the leadership of Brother Eduardo V. Manalo,
the present Church Executive Minister, the entirety of the
Church Of Christ remembers with loving fondness Brother
Erafto Manalo and his unflinching service to the Church
and to God. With much resolve, all the faithful thank the
Almighty Father for guiding our beloved Brother Erafto
Manalo throughout his stewardship. "He truly touched our
lives!" they say. ~
JA NUARY 2012 GOD'S MESSAGE 5
HE LOCAL CONGREGATION
of Baruya, ecclesiastical district
of Pampanga, dedicated a new
worship building on November 26,
2011. The special worship service was
officiated by the Executive Minister,
Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.
Brethren from all over Pampanga,
Philippines who attended the event
conveyed their appreciation of the
new house of worship. Brother Leo
Danan expressed the all-important role
of the worship building for his own
household, "My family and I came
here as early as 1:00 a.m. We want to
be a part of this blessed occasion. I
want to teach my children that this
place (worship building) is where they
experience and learn things that foster
their spiritual and social well-being."
Brother Eliseo Marcelo, 81 years
old, said, "The worship building is
vital in our life. We must take care of it
to the utmost."
The great blessings of having
a shi uilu"ng
After the choir members sang the
processional hymn, Brother Radel
G. Cortez led the opening prayer.
Afterwards, Brother Bienvenido C.
Santiago Sr. read the history of the
local congregation, followed by the
prayer of dedication led by the district
minister, Brother Manuel S. Soriano Jr.
together with the 12 ministers assigned
in the different local congregations in
Pampanga.
In his homily, Brother Eduardo
explained why the Church Of Christ
upholds the construction of worship
buildings. The Lord God chooses the
house of worship as the place where
His name will be honored forever.
He promises to listen and answer the
prayers of His people in this place (II
Chr. 7:13-16). In addition, it is where
God's people congregate to offer
praises and ask the blessings and
protection from God (Ps. 5:7, 11-12).
On the other hand, the Executive
Minister pOinted out the evil
consequence for anyone who neglects
His house of worship and does not
seek the Lord God in this building to
worship and pray to Him. The Holy
Scriptures forewarned that he who is
stubbornly doing what is wrong and
going on his own way makes God
angry. Hence, the Lord God will send
terrible disasters that will destroy him
(Isa. 65:1-3; Deut. 31:17).
For these reasons, Brother Eduardo
underscored that for God's servants
to benefit from the house of worship,
they should exhibit honesty, integrity,
and complete obedience to the
commandments of God (I Kings 9:1-
4). He expounded that if anyone failed
God in the past, he had to turn back to
Him, surrender himself before God, go
to the house of worship and pray, and
God would be true to His promise to
forgive. The Lord God would accept
him and His anger would turn away
from him (II Chr. 30:8).
Moreover, the Executive Minister
encouraged the brethren to imitate King
Hezekiah, who led an honest life-true
and steady before God, and lived to
please Him (II Kings 20:1-6). Thus,
Brother Eduardo called on the brethren
to strive all the more in carrying out
the endeavors of the Church, such as
partaking in the propagation campaign
to bear fruits, giving voluntary offerings,
and renewing one's life.
Concluding his homily, Brother
Eduardo emphasized that the Almighty
God is the only solution to our
problems in these trying times. Then,
Brother Israel U. Flores led the closing
prayer. Brother Ernesto V. Suratos led
the prayer for the voluntary offerings.
Brother Bienvenido C. Santiago Sr.
then said the benediction.
A precious moment
After the worship service, Brother
Eduardo recognized the active
participation of the pioneering
members of the local congregation
in all the endeavors of the Church.
He wholeheartedly greeted them, as
he shook their hands and gave them
certificates of recognition.
While the brethren jubilantly
greeted Brother Eduardo, Sister
N arcisa Belleza, one of the pioneers
who received the recognition award
said, "Witnessing this blessed occasion
opened another chapter of my life. This
new worship building makes me feel
at home. Before, worship services were
held in brethren's houses, but now we
conduct our congregational worship
services in an elegant house of worship
like this. Thank you for your love and
care Brother Eduardo. I am so thankful
to meet you."
"We promise to take care of this
worship building in all its aspects as
we continue fulfilling our duties with
enthusiasm," said Brother Joel G.
Montellano, resident minister. ~
Written by Agusto D. Pakipak, with
assistance from Edgardo A. Maisip Jr.
and Shuta T. Uchiyama
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:
CHRISTOPHER ALiGNAY, FLOGICO
ARCENA, DUANE SAN PEDRO, MARKFEL
SERRENO and ALLAN VALENZUELA
ON BEING
TRULY WISE
IN THE SIGHT OF
GOD
Executive Minister conducts Pastoral Visitation in Carmona, Cavite, Philippines
1:
CELEBRATION FOR the local
congregation of Carmona, Cavite
started early. Ten days before
its 82nd anniversary, the Executive
Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo
officiated a special worship service in
Carmona. Held on December 9, 2011,
the holy occasion was witnessed by
thousands of brethren from allover
Cavite and nearby districts. Each was
filled with thanksgiving and praises
8 JANUARY 2012 GOD' S MESSAGE
to our Lord God and our Lord Jesus
Christ.
One heart and one mind
After the opening prayer led by district
minister Brother Wilson Cayago, the
Executive Minister preached the lesson
based on God's words wrItten in the
Bible. He explained that our Lord God
wants to see "wise people", people who
seek Him or obey His commandments.
The world is suffering under God's
curse--with the great calamities and
hardships today that signal the coming
of its final collapse on Judgment Day.
The reason for this is that all have
turned away from Him by disobeying
His commandments (Ps. 53:2-3; Rom.
7:12; Isa. 24:5-6, 19-20).
For people to be saved from
suffering such an end, God called
people in these last days to be
members of the Church Of Christ, the
Church purchased and cleansed by the
blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (Isa.
62:11-12; Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation) .
God expects the people whom He
has called to have "one heart and one
mind" in obeying His commandments
(Jer. 32:38-39, Living Bible)- instead
of going with the sinful trend of
this world that is heading towards
destruction (Isa. 24:5-6, 19-20).
Brother Eduardo then exhorted all
the brethren to value a.nd never neglect
their membership in the Church. Being
a member of the Church, although of
prime importance, is not sufficient by
itself for one to be saved. The Executive
Minister underscored what God also
expects from the people He called in the
Church: They will be "wise" and will
"live like the people who belong to the
light" by always giving Him abundant
thanks and by keeping all of His laws
at all times and never disobeying any
of them (Eph. 5:8, 15-20; II Cor. 8:7
Amplified Bible; James 2:10).
The Executive Minister expressed
the sincere desire of the Church
Administration that each one may
completely meet the expectations of
God to be fully prepared for the day
of salvation, which is now nearer than
when they first had faith (Rom. 13:11-
14). Conduding his homily, Brother
Eduardo, encouraged the brethren to
pray to God to help them overcome
whatever hardships they encounter in
life. He also prayed to God to provide
them with all the things that they need
to carryon with their dutiet;, Lo heal
them if any are sick, and always be
by their side to guide them until their
salvation.
Brother Isaias T. Samson Jr. led the
dosing prayer and Brother Ernesto V
Suratos the prayer for the voluntary
offerings. The benediction was said by
Brother Bienvenido C. Santiago Sr.
Renewed strength and edified faith
Brother Jelesito Poblete, a member
from Carmona Congregation, said,
"My spiritual strength was once again
renewed because of all the teachings
of God taught by the Executive
Minister." Brother Leonardo R.
Maulanin, a 72-year-old head deacon
and a pioneering member of Carmona
Congregation, shared, "As I listened
to Brother Eduardo earlier, I couldn't
help but reminisce God's work and
guidance to our local congregation.
Back then, people looked down on us.
But the Church Administration kept
on reminding us to never lose hope or
weaken in our faith-just be focused
on serving God, leading a n e ~ life,
spreading the good news of salvation-
and time will come, they always said,
that everything will be a thing of the
past. Such is what really happened to us.
And so, as long as we listen carefully to
God's instructions through the Church
Administration, nothing will go wrong.
We will emerge triumphant in the end."
"We are very thankful to Brother
Eduardo. Although he is about to leave
for the pastoral visitations abroad, he
still made way to officiate a worship
service here. We are one with the
entire Church in praying to God to
always keep him and his family safe.
May our Lord God and our Lord Jesus
Christ grant Brother Eduardo and
everyone with him continuous success
to the pastoral visitations he will be
conducting," said Brother Ranilo
Pinpin, a 68-year-old head deacon of
Carmona Congregation.
Written by Raymond M. Reyes and Ed H.
Lumbao, with assistance from Wagner C.
Lawagan and Markfel T. Serreno
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:
CHRISTOPHER ALiGNAY, ELGIN DOMINE,
JASON PASION and FLOGICO ARCENA
JANUARY 2012 GOD'S MESSAGE 9
FEATURES
CARRYING OUT
GOD'S PURPOSE
FOR THE CHURCH
Executive Minister conducts ordination and Pastoral Visitation in Nueva Ecija
T
HOUSANDS OF HECTARES
of rice fields stretch throughout
the province of Nueva Ecija.
No wonder it is dubbed as "The Rice
Granary of the Philippines." Looking
at the vast land, one can remember the
instructions of our Lord Jesus Christ to
His disciples to pray to the Lord who is
in charge of the harvest and ask Him to
send more workers into His fields be-
cause the harvest is great, but the work-
ers are few (Luke 10:2).
An answer to the prayers of the
brethren was the ordination of 60 more
ministers in Cabanatuan City, Nueva
Ecija South on December 2, 2011. They
were just a part of the scores of minis-
ters who came from the central plains of
Luzon. Since the time of the Messenger
of God in these last days, Brother Felix
Y. Manalo, and throughout the leader-
ship of Brother Erafio G. Manalo, the
ministers and evangelical workers were
trained to possess noble intentions in
fulfilling their duties. The same pur-
pose is upheld and taught to the work-
ers in God's field during the present ad-
ministration of the Executive Minister
Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.
The intention of a
true Church officer
that His sacred intention in leading
God's people was to carry out God's
purpose for them. The Father wants
everyone He has given to our Lord Je-
sus Christ to be saved (John 6:39). Em-
phasizing this goal in his Bible-based
homily, Brother Eduardo Manalo
urged all the Church officers to imi-
tate our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord
Jesus Christ protected and kept all the
Church members safe so that not one
of them may get lost (John 17:12). The
good shepherd, according to our Lord
Jesus Christ, puts the sheep before
himself and sacrifices even his own
life for them (John 10:11, The Message).
Apostles Paul, Peter, and James-
true Church officers and leaders ap-
pOinted by God- obeyed the teaching
of our Lord Jesus Christ and followed
His example. Apostle Paul not only
preached the gospel to the brethren
but also was at all times ready to give
his own life for them (I Thess. 2:11,
8-9). Apostles Peter and James had the
same purpose in reminding the breth-
ren of the importance of their calling
in the Church. Apostle Peter constant-
ly taught the Church members that
as God's nation, they should be holy
by keeping themselves away from all
kinds of sins (I Pet. 2:9-12). Like our
aged God's servants to endure until
the end to receive God's promise on
Judgment Day (James 1:12, 2-4).
Exhorting each Church officer
and minister today to remain uphold-
ing the same virtue, Brother Eduardo
called on them to continue remind-
ing the brethren at all opportune
times-not only during worship ser-
vices but also during visitations and
CFO (Christian family organization)
meetings- the importance of one's
membership in the Church, of having
strong faith, and of leading a new life.
Every Church member's share
The Executive Minister explained that
attaining salvation for the brethren,
however, does not solely rest upon
the shoulders of Church officers. The
Church members' share in this task
is equally important. If the part of
the Church officers is leading God's
servants and conveying to them the
words of God and the instructions
from the Church Administration, the
part of the brethren is to greatly respect
and wholeheartedly love their Church
officers as they keep God's message (I
Thess. 5:12-13). Apostle Paul said that
every brother and sister in the Church
should follow the lead of those who
Our Lord Jesus Christ clearly stated Lord Jesus Christ, His apostles encour- have given themselves to the ser-
10 JANUA RY 2 0 12 . GOD'S MESSAGE
vice of God's people (I Cor. 16:15-16,
18). A true servant of God follows or
obeys his leaders and lives according
to the gosp e l des pite hards hips and
trials in life (Phil. 1:27-28; I Cor. 10:13,
The Message). If both the Church mem-
bers and officers remain fulfilling their
12 JANUARY 20 12 GOD'S MESSAGE
duties, no one will get lost or be left
behind in the race of faith. Each one
will certainly come into God's pres-
ence a s a mature individual in union
with Christ, remaining assured of re-
ceiving God's promises on the day of
salvation (Col. 1:28-29).
The oathtaking and the ordination
Prior to the preaching of the words
of God, Brother Nelson H. Maflebog,
district minister of Nueva Ecija South,
led the opening prayer. After the Bible-
based sermon, Brother Dan V. Orosa,
Metro Manila Central district minister,
led the congregation in a prayer. At the
end of the prayer, each or din and then
raised his right hand and took oath as a
minister of the gospel. The oath-taking
was led by Brother Radel G. Cortez.
After uttering their solemn words
of promise, the ordinands began to
make their way to the podium to re-
ceive the laying on of hands by the Ex-
ecutive Minister. Brother Bienvenido
C. Santiago Sr. individually read the
names of the evangelical workers be-
fore they receive the ordination. After-
wards, Brother Emiliano C. Magtuto
Jr. led the congregation in a prayer of
thanksgiving. Then, Brother Isaias T.
Samson Jr. led the prayer for the vol-
untary offerings. The Executive Minis-
ter himself delivered the benediction.
A promise of obedience
Brother Christopher M. Mananis, an
ordainee from Nueva Ecija South,
shared how significant the ordination
was for his life: "1 will never forget this
day. We know that it is every evangeli-
cal worker's dream to be ordained by
the Executive Minister. Hence, I will
carry this memory, a treasure I will
cherish until our Lord God lays me to
rest." Brother Christopher was a con-
vert and was baptized in the Church
on May 23, 1987. "A reason why I
entered the ministry is because of
my loved ones. I want to share with
them the truth and God's promised
salvation. I pray to God that they too
be called and be with me in serving
Him." Brother Christopher's praye r
did not go unanswered, as many of
his relatives have already been called
in the Church. "1 will not stop praying
and inviting the others until everyone
of them gets called in the Church Of
Christ."
Sister Rosalina S. Aminin, a
57-year-old deaconess in the local
congregation of Isla, Nueva Ecija
South, said, "As a group overseer, I
was all the more inspired to visit and
convey to the brethren the instructions
of the Church Administration. We will
work together to succeed in all the
activities launched in the Church."
Sister Gemma Andres, 40, from San
Jose, Nueva Ecija North said, "Life in
the ministry may be full of challenges.
But, as a wife of a minister, I have
already learned the key and solution
to each one of them- prayers."
"We are very happy, inspired, and
thankful to the Almighty God and
to our Lord Jesus Christ for glvmg
us the Church Administration. Our
Executive Minister never ceases to
teach and guide us to remain certain
of salvation on Judgment Day. For our
part, we promise to uphold unity with
their aim of bringing the brethren to
salvation. We will do our best so that
their efforts and sacrifices will not be
in vain," said Brother Ernesto Mamis,
a newly ordained minister assigned in
Sabang, Aurora.
Receiving more blessings
After the special and historic occasion
in Nueva Ecija, the number of newly
ordained ministers since January
2011 has already increased to 462.
As the Executive Minister told the
congregation in his homily, 28 more
evangelical workers- God willing-
will be ordained in Texas, USA before
the year 2011 ends. This proves that,
as God's people continue to be true to
their vow to Him and obey and fulfill
their duties, our Lord God is all the
more true to His promised guidance
and success. ~
Written by Raymond M. Reyes and
Ed H. Lumbao, with assistance from
Alejandro R. Sino Cruz Jr., Michael C.
Enriquez, and RamJel T. Serreno
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:
CHRISTOPHER ALiGNAY, JEFFREY
CABACUNGAN, ELGIN DOMINE
and ALLAN VALENZUELA
JANUA RY 2 0 12 GOD' S MESSAGE 13
SAN JOSE. CA JACKSONVILLE. FL
I
FEATURES
EXECUTIVE
MINISTER
ORDAINS
28INFIRST
ORDINATION
IN THE UNITED
STATES
Last batch of ordinands in 2011
are the first to be ordained
outside the Philippines
BlJ BIENVENIOO A SANTIAGO JR.
A
N EVENT THAT will certainly go down in the history
of the Church Of Christ in these last days took place in
Houston, Texas on December 28, 2011-the first ever
ordination of ministers of the Church in the United States of
America.
The Executive Minister of the Church, Brother Eduardo
V. Manalo, officiated the historic occasion and ordained as
ministers 28 evangelical workers assigned in various eccle-
siastical districts of the Church in the United States, Europe,
and Canada, bringing the total of newly ordained ministers
in the Church in 2011 to 490. The event became even more
memorable as it occurred in Texas, the 28th state of the Union,
on the 28th month of Brother Eduardo Manalo's stewardship
of the Church as Executive Minister.
Brethren from different local congregations flocked to the
heartland of the United States- in Humble, Texas-to attend
the solemn occasion. The event was also witnessed in realtime
via satellite, the Internet, and Multiprotocol Label Switching
(MPLS) by brethren who congregated in San Jose, Sacramen-
to, Los Angeles, and Anaheim in California; Temple Hills in
Maryland; Jacksonville in Florida; Chicago in Illinois; Burien
in Washington; Elizabeth in New Jersey; Heathrow in London;
Rome in Italy; and Sydney in Australia. In the Philippines, it
was seen in Baguio City, Legaspi City, Davao City, Cebu City,
Bacolod City, Puerto Princesa City, Zamboanga City, and in the
Central Temple, Sanctuary, and Tabernacle in Quezon City.
The importance of the occasion was accentuated by two
more events that occurred on that same day: the dedication of
JANUA RY 20 12 GOD'S ME SSAGE 15
the new house of worship of the local congregation of Hous-
ton, Texas; and the inauguration of the new district office of
the ecclesiastical district of Southern Midwest. It is not with-
out significance that all these happened in the region known
to be a stronghold of conservative Protestantism. This brings
to mind God's promise written in the book of Isaiah that
reassures His Messenger in these last days that no one and
nothing can hinder His work (Isa. 43:13, 6).
What the Church Administration
strives to provide the Church
In his homily, Brother Eduardo Manalo pointed out that the
Church Administration constantly strives to provide for the
need of the Church for more ministers and for every local
congregation of the Church anywhere in the world to have a
suitable and proper place of worship.
The houses of worship are very important to the Church Of
Christ for such places are dear to the heart of the Lord. Brother
Eduardo reminded the brethren that God expects them to con-
stantly attend the worship services held in the houses of wor-
ship. He exhorted them not to take such assembling together
ANOTHER HISTORIC FIRST
FOR THE CHURCH
On December 27,2011, one day before the first ordina-
tion outside of the Philippines, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo
convened the district ministers of all ecclesiastical districts
of the United States and Canada, along with some ministers
from the USMO and the Central Office in the first ever minis-
ter's conference outside of the Philippines that was presided
personally by the Executive Minister. It was held in one of
the conference rooms of what would become the Southern
Midwest District office.
In that historic conference, Brother Eduardo empha-
sized that ministers in the Church must fulfill the three very
important purposes they have been called into the holy min-
istry, that is, to strengthen the faith of God's chosen people,
to lead them on to a full knowledge of the truth, and to give
them hope of receiving eternal life (Titus 1 :1-2).
After the ministerial class and conference, Brother
Eduardo conducted a pastoral visitation of the local
congregation of Southwest Houston.
.... The Executive Minister with the District Ministers assigned in the US and
Canada and some Ministers from US Main Office and the Central Office.
To the right of the Executive Minister:
Bfenvenfdo G. Santiogo Sr. . Manual D. Andaya (USMO). Matt V. Pareia. Rod L Bruno (Hawaii
Pacific), Joel S. Narciso (Northern Midwest), Paterno C. See (Western Canada), Emmanuel R.
Era (Eastern Canada), Serginio N. Bayani (Southeastern Seaboard)
To the left of the Executive Minister:
Glicerio B. Santos Jr. , Joseph S. Penwell (Southern Midwest), Robert F. Pellien (Southern
California), Joselino S. Castillones (Northern California), Manuel R. PaJad (Northeastern SeaboardJ,
Manuel B. Santos (USMO), Dyland R. Ramos (Pacific Northwest), Noel P. de Leon (USMO)
in these places as mere sodal gatherings but as an opportunity
to commune with God and receive His commandments that
His people must obey (Isa. 2:3). God's servants who are able
to fulfill these divine obligations can rest assured that God will
heed their supplications (I Kings 9:3-4).
As Brother Eduardo also indicated, the Church's need for
more ministers has never been more palpably felt than today,
as its mission has spread across the globe. More ministers are
needed to take care of the brethren and propagate the gospel
of salvation in different parts of the world. However, the need
for more ministers is not new in the Church. This was also a
matter of great concern even in the earliest days of the Church
during our Lord Jesus Christ's ministry here on earth. "'The
harvest is so great, and the workers are so fewf [Christ] told
his disciples. So pray to the one in charge of the harvesting,
and ask him to recruit more workers for his harvest fields.'"
(Matt. 9:37-38, Living Bible)
In his homily, the Executive Minister said that the Church
needs more ministers to take care of the brethren and bring
them to a state that is worthy of being saved on Judgment
Day. And so, he enjoined the male brethren to heed the call
to serve in the holy ministry and help the Church Admin-
istration in pursuing the mission that God entrusted to the
Church. The kind of ministers and workers that the Church
needs are those that have the welfare of the flock as their pri-
mary concern and are willing to make sacrifices for the sake of
the brethren, watching over them constantly and dedicating
themselves to teaching and exhorting them (John 21:16; Ezek.
3:17-19; I Tim. 4:13; I Thess. 3:2-5).
There has been an increasing number of non-Philippine
born members of the Church who have taken up the call to
serve in the ministry and devote their lives to attending to
the spiritual needs of the brethren. In fact, many of the newly-
ordained ministers in Houston are British, Americans, and
Canadians. In addition, currently studying in the Church's
school for ministers in Quezon City are brethren who are
Americans, Australians, Canadians, Mexicans, Africans, Japa-
nese, New Zealanders, Germans, Bangladeshis, Vietnamese,
and Puerto Ricans.
A testament of unhindered growth
The historic event in Houston is a clear manifestation of the
vastness of the Church's mission in these days. The late Broth-
er Erano G. Manalo himself led the expansion of the Church
in the Western Hemisphere when he established the Honolulu
Congregation in Hawaii on July 27,1968. Barely three weeks
later, he established the San Francisco Congregation on Au-
gust 14. The two ministers who were with him on that historic
trip were later assigned in the United States to care for the
fledgling congregations in the West.
Most pioneering local congregations in the United States
are found in the east coast and west coast regions. Since then,
through God's grace and guidance, the Church's mission in the
JANUARY 2 01 2 . GOD'S MESSAGE 17
'We{come Po ero :Jiouston
:VER DEAREST BROTHER EDUARDO V. MANALO & fAMILY
eTlian( <You So :Mucli
Par .Jl{{ <Your Loving 7(indness eTa Our CDistn'ct
United States grew at an increasing rate. This is also the trend in
other parts of the world. The number of members continues to
multiply. So do the number of congregations and ecclesiastical
districts. The Church now has congregations in 93 countries and
seven territories and its members are from 110 different races.
To attend to the various spiritual needs of the brethren
and share the good news to others, the Church Administra-
tion not only provides the houses of worship and other fa-
cilities for this noble mission, but also continues to send min-
isters and evangelical workers to care for the brethren and
preach to them the words of God wherever they are. Brother
Eduardo Manalo emphatically said that the Church will con-
tinue to build or acquire more houses of worship and pro-
duce more ministers and Church workers. He added that in
the year 2012, many more houses of w orship are scheduled
to be completed and dedicated to the Lord God, and many
more evangelical workers are waiting with great anticipation
to receive the laying on of hands.
It has now come to pass that the ordination of minis-
ters was held in a place far beyond the shores of the Philip-
pine archipelago to keep abreast with the rapid expansion of
the flock around the globe. Indeed this is a testament to the
Church's triumphs amid trying times. Brother Eduardo em-
phasized that what is happening to the Church today, its tri-
umphs and accomplishments, are the works of our Lord God.
The ministers are merely instruments whom God used so that
His works shall succeed. The reason the Church is triumphant
is that our Lord God abides in the Church. This is what He
promised to His messenger in these last days and to this mis-
sion of salvation. ~
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:
RONALD ACEVEDO, CHRISTOPHER ALiGNAY, JOEY ALMODOVAR,
FELMAR SERRENO, JOAN SOLITARIO, RYAN SOLITARIO, and
INC MEDI A SERVICES
J AN U A RY 2 0 [ 2 GOD'S ME SS AGE 19
EXECUTIVE MINISTER LEADS
TWO HISTORIC INAUGURATIONS
IN THE UNITED STATES B ~ DENNIS C LOVENDINO
tt f'/, -L."'r' 1\1 7,) 'IIi HI. f,HI
MlDWST BROTHER EDUARDO V. MANALO & FAMILY
1. ." 'I,,'
II 1.1t'1 . ' I . . . ~ , ~ l I), \, ' ,
PK I l nt llhT() uoO
~ I WORK
AND WHO'
CAN HINDER IT?
The successive triumphs of the Church are
nothing Jess than God's own handiwork.
26 J ANUARY 2012 GOD'S MESSAGE
By DENNIS C. LOVENDINO
, 'NAGMAMADALI ANG PANAHON kaya naman nagmamadali
rin ang Pamamahala" [Time is fast running out so the
Church Administration likewise is moving with a sense
of urgency.], the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo,
stated on several occasions. Indeed, with the pace the Church
projects and activities are being conducted nowadays, one would
get the ixnpressi o n that it i s as if there i s no xno r e tornorrO"J.
The series of pastoral visitations conducted both in the
Philippines and overseas-16 congregations in North America,
four in Australia, and joint gatherings in Thailand, MalaYSia, and
I

I
I
"
I
Japan-the ordinations that yielded 490 new ministers, the
inauguration of new administrative offices, and the dedication
of dozens of houses of worship make 2011 a barmer year for the
Church. It was also a year of historic firsts. The dedication of
the US$8-million house of worship in Los Angeles, California
on March 27, the pastoral visit to Australia and Malaysia in
July and August, and the ordination of 28 ministers in Texas on
Dece ul.ber 28- to n.ame::l. fe w-are all monumental firsts in the
armals of the Church. The year concluded with the dedication
of four new houses of worship: South San Francisco, CA;
Phoenix, AZ; Houston, TX; and Bronx, NY.
"Why does the Church Administration strive to provide
all local congregations with a suitable place of worship?"
Brother Eduardo asked one of the congregations he visited.
The answer: because God Himself declared that "I will be
pleased with it" (Hag. 1:8, Living Bible) and "I have chosen
it and consecrated it as the place where I will be worshiped
forever" (II Chr. 7:16, Today's English Version).
This explains why despite the difficult economic
times, the Church devotes a great deal of hel' resources an.d
manpower in the acquisition, renovation and construction
of worship buildings throughout the world.
JA NUA RY 2012 GOD' S MESS AGE 27
... ~ ..... - ----- - ..... .
\ ~ \ \ ~ ~ \ill\ T
."
: ..
Phoeni x, AZ
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
The melodious voices of the choir, accompanied by the
pipe organ, filled the worship hall as the faithful gathered
in observance of the year-end Thanksgiving on December
17, 2011. In a year full of disasters, calamities, and eco-
nomic downturns, the Church indeed has many reasons to
be thankful. And for the brethren of South San Francisco,
something even more specific: a brand new house of wor-
ship, only three and a half years after their establishment as
a full-pledged congregation.
Brother Eduardo summed up why Iglesia Ni Cristo
members render their thanksgiving to God despite what
had been, by any standard, a tumultuous year. He quoted
a servant of God who lamented how "the cords of death
encompassed me, And the torrents of ungodliness terrified
me" (Ps. 18:4, New American Standard Bible). Yet in his dis-
tress, he called out to the Lord and his voice was heard in
the Temple, and so he vowed: "Therefore I will give thanks
to Thee among the nations, 0 LORD, And I will sing praises
to Thy name" (Ps. 18:49, Ibid.).
Such was the experience of most, if not all, members
of the Church. Many of them had been through the worst
this past year, yet God delivered them from them all. In its
entirety, the Church is being led by God in "Christ's victory
procession" (II Cor. 2:14, TEV), a manifestation of which is
the dedication of houses of worship like this one in South
San Francisco. It is worth noting that this new building was
purchased from the First Church of Christ Scientists, the
same denomination that previously owned the property
which has served as the house of worship for the San Fran-
cisco Congregation for the last 40 years.
NEXT WAS PHOENIX
Four days later, Brother Eduardo flew to Arizona to lead the
dedication of a new house of worship in the state's capital
and largest city. Situated on a 5.4-acre lot, the 16,757-sq.-ft.
worship edifice of Phoenix (formerly Glendale) Congrega-
tion was dedicated to God on December 21, 2011 in a special
service attended by close to 3,000 brethren from the vari-
ous congregations of Southern California District, many of
whom came via chartered buses.
Fatigue from long travel (some spent more than seven
hours on the road) did not dampen the brethren's spirits, as
they yearned to hear God's words delivered by the Execu-
tive Minister himself. And they were not disappointed: God
showered unto them His rich spiritual graces, especially
'When the Church's presiding elder implored Him to soothe
the pains of those who are needy, physically afflicted, and
discouraged.
JANUARY 2012 . GOD'S MESSAGE 29
DALLAS IS NOT THE LEAST
The Executive Minister on December 25 paid a visit to and
officiated in a worship service in the Dallas Congregation,
whose worship building served as the headquarters of the
Southern Midwest District since its establishment in 2000
before it was to be moved to a new office in the Houston
area. In his homily, Brother Eduardo echoed our Lord Jesus
Christ's reminder to His early disciples that "you do not be-
long to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world"
(John 15:19, New International Version). As such, God's ser-
vants "must not learn to imitate the abhorrent practices"
(Deut. 18:9, New Revised Standard Version) nor "copy the be-
havior and customs of this world" (Rom. 12:2, New Living
Translation).
He reminded the brethren that being righteous and
placing one's complete trust in God will lead to a precious
blessing: "The LORD is good. He is a fortress in the day of
trouble. He knows those who seek shelter in him" (Nah. 1:7,
God's Word).
DEDICATION, ORDINATION
AND INAUGURATION IN HOUSTON
Due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico which is part
of the so-called "hurricane alley," the city of Houston is
prone to hurricanes and tropical storms. For many years,
the brethren in Houston have endured floods, high winds
and even tornadoes. In fact, there had been occasions when
they attended worship services that half of their legs were
submerged in water. The last time it happened was during
the 2009 Hurricane Katrina, the most destructive of the At-
lantic hurricanes and costliest natural disaster in US history.
"Never again!", the brethren can say with a sigh of re-
lief as the Church Administration approved their request
to purchase a property formerly owned by the Grace Fel-
lowship Bible Church located in Humble, Texas. Their new
worship building sits on a 13.3-acre lot and can accommo-
date 400 worshipers. Beside it is another building that was
inaugurated as the new office for the ecclesiastical district
of Southern Midwest.
On that historic occasion on December 28, not only
was the new house of worship dedicated to the Lord God,
but it also became the venue of a historic event: the ordina-
tion of 28 ministers-the first time ever an ordination has
been conducted in the United States of America. With all
eight district ministers assigned in the US and two of their
counterparts in Canada, Brother Eduardo Manalo led the
momentous occasion that was also witnessed by brethren
assembled in 20 different sites worldwide through video-
conferencing technology.
The Executive Minister explained the rationale why
the Church continues to train and mold ministers in the
JANUA RY 2012' GOD'S MESSAGE 31
Church. He quoted the Savior, who declared, "The harvest
is so great, and the workers are so few ... So pray to the one
in charge of the harvesting, and ask him to recruit more
workers for his harvest fields" (Matt. 9:37-38, LB).
CLOSING THE YEAR IN THE BRONX
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New
York City. The congregation, whose members used to be-
long to the Long Island City Congregation, achieved the
full-pledged status of local congregation on March 16, 2011.
Barely three months later, the Church Administration grant-
ed their request to purchase a property formerly owned by
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for the amount
of $2,459,923.50. The Church spent an additional $711,363.51
for renovation which was completed within three months.
On December 31, on the eve of 2012, the worship building
was dedicated to God in a special worship service officiated
by Brother Eduardo Manalo.
The Executive Minister emphaSized that it is not enough
for the congregation to have their own place of worship or
that they always call upon God. He cited as an example
King Hezekiah of Judah whose fervents prayers were heard
because of his loyalty and obedience to God (II Kings 20: 1-6,
The Message).
ALL EYES ON THE "HAWKEYE STATE"
In the small, quiet town of La Motte, Iowa, the population
of 260 residents more than tripled on that unseasonably fair
day of January 4, 2012. Just a day earlier, the entire nation
was fixed on the state as the first political caucuses of the
major parties were held.
The town's newspaper, Telegraph Herald, best cap-
tured the mood and significance of the event in an article
entitled "Restoring Life: Iglesia Ni Cristo Dedication Brings
Activity Again to La Motte Church":
"The first dedication was with holy water. The second with tears.
When the Holy Rosary Catholic Church was established in 1893,
church leaders sprinkled holy water around the sanctuary of the
fine brick edifice. Wednesday, 119 years later, the church building
was dedicated as the newest church for the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Fili-
pino for Church of Christ). During the two-hour-Iong ceremony,
church leaders and the faithful shed copious tears of piety, ecstasy
and religious fervor.
An estimated 850 people came to La Motte for the church
dedication, more than tripling the Jackson County town's popula-
tion of260. Aside from several dozen local residents, the majority
of the audience in the church sanctuary and three overflow areas
were members fro", around the country. Many had come to see
and hear the denomination's leader, Executive Minister 'Brother'
Eduardo V Manalo, who flew in from the church's headquarters
in the Philippines. "
JA ' UARY 2012 GOD'S MESSAGE 33

...
HOUSES OF WORSHIP DEDICATED DURING RECENT PASTORAL VISITATION
LOCAL CONGREGATION PREVIOUS OWNER SIZE OF COMPOUND CAPACITY OF MAIN WORSHIP HALL
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA First Church of Christ Scientists 40,510 square feet 300
PHOENIX, ARIZONA Arizona Korean Presbyterian Church 5.4 acres 300
HOUSTON, TEXAS Grace FellowshiR Bible Church 13.3 acres 400
BRONX, NEW YORK Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 15,200 square feet 294
LA MOTTE, IOWA Catholic Church 2.63 acres 300
BELLMORE, NEW YORK Wantagh Morton Lodge 13,800 square meters 200
LAKEWOOD, WASHINGTON Tacoma Church of God 3.75 acres 220
I
BELLMORE, NEW YORK
Since it became an extension of Long Island City in 1978,
it has been known as the Long Beach Congregation. It was
on July 8, 2005 when it officially became the Bellmore, NY
Congregation.
Their first services were held at the basement of the res-
idence of Brother Alfredo Daos, who until now is the head
deacon. For a while, they also held services at a Masonic
Center in Rockville Center, NY. It was the Wantagh Morton
Lodge, which they rented later on, that eventually became
their permanent worship building. On January 7, 2012, the
members of the congregation saw their dreams fulfilled:
their new house of worship was dedicated to God in a spe-
cial service officiated by the Executive Minister himself.
LAKEWOOD, WASHINGTON
The final stop was in Lakewood, Washington. Since July
28, 1988, the congregation has been attending services at
a smaller building purchased by the Church. But through
the years, the swelling membership has made the house of
worship too small for them. Their devotional prayers were
answered when on July 28, 2011, exactly 23 years after their
old worship building was dedicated to God, the Church
purchased a new property in Tacoma, Washington, previ-
ously owned by the Tacoma Church of God for the amount
of two million dollars. Sitting on a 3.75-acre lot was a main
sanctuary, fellowship hall, and storage. On January 12, 2012,
during the final leg of the pastoral visit of the Executive
Minister in the US, this new worship edifice was dedicated
to God in a spiritually-charged service attended by some
2,000 worshipers.
Brother Glicerio B. Santos Jr., the Church's General Au-
ditor, summed it all up in the opening prayer during the
Lakewood chapel dedication: that in all the services offi-
ciated by the Executive Minister during this month-long
pastoral visitation, God abundantly showered His spiritual
graces, edifying the souls of His servants in these parts of
the world. Indeed, God's abiding presence during the whole
duration of the pastoral visitation has reminded the faithful
of one thing: that all the triumphs the Church now is reap-
ing are God's own handiwork, and that the works being
spearheaded by the Church Administration are His. As He
Himself declared, "Yea, since the day was I am he; and there
is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and
who can hinder it?" (Isa. 43:13, American Standard Version).
For this, all the honor and glory belong only to our
Almighty God! ~
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:
CHRISTOPHER ALiGNAY, ELGIN DOMINE, JOAN SOLITARIO
and RYAN SOLITARIO
JANUA RY 2 01 2 ' GOD' S MESSAGE 35
SaAma ay Laging Maglilingkod
Magalak tayong mga hinirang
Ihayag natin ang Kaniyang kadakilaan
N gayong malapit na, araw ng kaligtasan
Kakamtan nati'y buhay na walang hanggan.
Pagkat tayong lahat na mga pinili Niya
Sa Bayang Banal tayo 'y magkakasama
Doo 'y walang hilahil at pagdurusa
Tayo 'y magpuring lagi sa Ama.
Kaya't sa Iglesia 'y mana tiling lubos
Laging sumunod sa mga utos ng Diyos
Hanggang buhay man natin ay matapos
Sa Ama ay lagi nang maglingkod.
, - - _ ~ _ ~ ~ _ - - = F = - - = LIP I NOS E C T ION
PANGULONG TUDLING
Isang Pamana Ng Tapat Na Pangunguna
S
A DAIGDIG NG Kakristiyanuhan ay may mga
dumaraing ukol sa krisis sa liderato sa panig ng
kanilang mga tagapanguna. Pinatutunayan ng'
kasaysayan na naglipana sa mundo ang mga nabunyag na
mga huwad 0 bulaang lider-espirituwal-mga taong may
buktot na layunin-na nagsasamantala at gumagamit ng
kapangyarihan sa likong para an, na nag-iimbot sa salapi
ng iba, at ikinukubli ang kanilang kawalang-kakayahan sa
pangangaral sa pamamagitan ng sariling pagpapaliwanag
ng Biblia na nagbibigay-daan upang kanilang sinsayin at
pasamain ang Banal na Kasulatan para lamang mabigyang-
katuwiran ang kanilang kakaiba, walang batayan, at
inimbentong mga aral.
Ikinalulungkot nila ang kanilang kabiguan na maka-
sumpong ng mga taong banal na may integridad at ka-
tapatan-mga tunay na lider-espirituwal-na magiging
maamong pastol na magmamalasakit na maibigay sa
kanila ang kanilang pangangailangang espirituwal.
Kaibayo sa gayung malungkot na karanasan at kabi-
guan, ang mga kaanib sa Iglesia Ni Cristo ay biniyayaan ng
mga mapagmahal na Tagapamahala. Kaya nga sila' y nag-
papasalamat sa Diyos samantalang kanilang ginugunita
ang mapagpayong tinig ng namayapang Tagapamahalang
Pangkalahatan, ang Kapatid na Erano G. Manalo, sa pag-
sapit ng kaniyang kaarawan ng kapanganakan nitong ika-2
ng Enero. Ang kaniyang pangangaral ng Biblia sa sinumang
nangangailangan nita ay patuloy na umaalingawngaw sa
puso't isipan ng mga maytungkulin at kaanib sa Iglesia na
buong katapatan niyang pinamahalaan sa loob ng halos 46
taon, hanggang sa kaniyang kamatayan noong ika-31 ng
Agosto, 2009.
Bilang isang organisasyong lumitaw sa bisa ng
katuparan ng mga hula ukol sa gawaing pagliligtas sa mga
huling araw na ito, ang Iglesia Ni Cristo kailanman ay hindi
kinulang ng mabisa at makapangyarihang Pamamahala.
Mula sa Sugo ng Diyos sa mga huling araw, ang Kapatid
na Felix Y. Manalo, hanggang sa Kapalld na Erano Manalo,
at sa kasalukuyang Tagapamahalang Pangkalahatan
ng Iglesia, ang Kapatid na Eduardo V. Manalo-ang
makapangyarihang salita ng Diyos ay naririnig sa lahat ng
panig ng daigdig.
Bakit mabisa nilang natupad noon at ngayon ang
ganitong kadakilang pananagutang espirituwal? Ito ay
sa dahilang tinupad ng Diyos ang Kaniyang taimtim
na pangako sa Kaniyang Sugo, na nagsasabing: "Aking
palalakasin ka; 00, aking tutu lung an ka; 00, aking aalalayan
ka ng kanang kamay ng aking katuwiran" (Isa. 41:9-10).
Sa pagpanaw ng Sugo noong Abril 12, 1963, pagkatapos
ng halos 50 taong walang patlang na tapat na pangunguna,
ang Iglesia ay hindi tuluyang naulila. Naglagay ang Diyos
ng Pamamahala sa Iglesia upang patuloy na magturo sa
kanila ng mga salita ng katotohanan nang maliwanag at
makapangyarihan sa buhay ng Kaniyang mga anak na
lalake at babae, gaya ng pinatotohanan ni Apostol Pablo:
"Na ako'y ginawang ministro nito, ayon sa pamamahala
na mula sa Dios na ibinigay sa akin para sa inyo upang
maipahayag ang salita ng Dios" (Col. 1:25).
Sa gitna ng lumalaganap na materyalismo at kabu-
lukan sa moral ng mga lipunan sa buong daigdig, ang
Pamamahala sa Iglesia Ni Cristo sa pangunguna noon ng
Sugo at ng Kapatid na Erano Manalo, at ngayon ng Kapatid
na Eduardo Manalo, ay tinitiyak na ang pananampalataya
ng mga hinirang ay nan ana tiling matibay at kanilang
napagtatagumpayan ang laganap na kasamaan sa kanilang
kapaligiran, bagama't ang mga ito ay tila itinatanyag pa
nga sa mga pelikula at sa telebisyon.
Nagpupunyagi silang maakit 0 mahikayat ang mga
lingkod ng Diyos na huwag hayaang kumupas ang kanilang
pagtitiwala sa Diyos, anuman ang mangyari. Lagi nilang
pinaaaialahanan ang lahat na magpatuloy sa matiyagang
pagsunod sa kalooban ng Diyos kung nais nilang tuparin
naman Niya ang lahat ng Kaniyang mga ipinangako, gaya
ng ipinahayag ni Apostol Pablo: "Kaya't huwag kayong
mawawalan ng pananalig sa Diyos, sapagkat taglay
nito ang dakilang gantimpala. Kinakailangang kayo'y
tY\ a gtiis upang masunod ninyo ang kalooban ng Diyos at
matanggap ang kanyang ipinangako. Sapagkat, . Kaunting
panahon na lamang, hindi na magluluwat, At ang paririto
-FILIPINO SECTION- j ANUA HY 2 0 12 GOD'S MESS AGE 37
ay darating. Ang tapat kong lingkod ay nabubuhay sa
pananalig sa akin, Ngunit kung siya'y tumalikod, hindi
ko kalulugdan.' Ngunit hindi tayo kabilang sa mga
tumatalikod at napapahamak, kundi sa mga nananalig sa
Diyos at sa gayo'y naliligtas" (Heb. 10:35-39, Magandang
Balita Biblia).
Ngayon higit kailanman, ang mga tao ng Diyos
sa mga huling araw na ito ay nangangailangan ng
pagtitiyaga at pagtitiis, upang kanilang matupad at lubos
na maibuhay ang kalooban ng Diyos. Ang mga tao ng
sanlibutan ay lipos ng kabalisahan at agam-agam dahil
sa mga balitang ibinabandila sa iba't ibang media outlets
ukol sa iba't ibang gawa ng terorismo, karimarimarim na
mga krimen at karahasan, tumitinding kahirapan, mga
napipintong pagbagsak ng ekonomiya ng mga bansa,
pagkawasak ng kapaligiran, na pinalulubha pa ng mga
sakit at lumalalang mga kalamidad-natural man 0
gawa ng tao. Kaya naman ang Pamamahala ng Iglesia ay
laging hinihikayat ang mga kaanib bilang mga tunay na
Cristiano sa ating panahon na kailanman ay huwag silang
tatalikod sa Diyos, bagkus ay manatiling tapat, matatag,
at matibay sa pananampalataya upang makatiyak ng
kaligtasan ng kaluluwa (Col. 1:23) .
Pinapayuhan din sila na kung paanong naglagak sila
ng pagtitiwala sa Panginoong Jesucristo na nanga kong
ililigtas Niya ang mga kaanib ng Kaniyang Iglesia, ay gay on
din sila magtiwala sa Kaniya patungkol sa kanilang pang-
araw-araw na mga suliranin, at mamuhay na kasama Niya.
Bukod dito ay hindi rin nila dapat payagang mailigaw ang
kanilang pananampalataya ng mga maling pilosopiya at
karunungan, mga hidwa at mababaw na kasagutan sa mga
suliranin na nakasalig lamang sa haka-haka ng tao at mga
baluktot na kaisipan, sa halip na sa dalisay na mga aral ng
Diyos na nakasulat sa mga Banal na Kasulatan (Col. 2:6-8).
Habang papalapit na ang sentenaryo ng muling
pagkakatatag ng Iglesia Ni Cristo sa Malayong Silang an 0
sa Pilipinas, ay buong kasiglahang pinangungunahan ng
Pamamahala ang mga rninistro, mga manggagawa, mga
maytungkulin, at mga kaanib na tumulong sa pag-akit pa
ng maraming mga tao na sila'y pumasok sa Iglesia. Ang
gawaing pagpapalaganap na ito ay kadiwa ng mahabaging
hangarin ng mismong Makapangyarihang Diyos na ang
lahat, kung maaari, ay maligtas sa Araw ng Paghuhukom
(I Tim. 2:3-4).
Sa panig naman ng mga tumanggap ng habag ng
Diyos na makabilang sa huling gawaing ito ng pagliligtas,
ay patuloy na nagpupunyagi ang Pamamahala na sila'y
mapatibay sa kanilang pananampalataya, na alisin ang
anumang alinlangan at agam-agam, at magbagong-
buhay upang matupad ang pinakalayunin ng Diyos sa
pagsusugo sa Panginoong Jesucristo, gaya ng ipinahayag
ng Tagapagligtas, na: "At ito ang kalooban ng nagsugo sa
akin, na sa lahat ng ibinigay niya sa akin ay huwag kong
iwala ang anoman, kundi ibangon sa huling araw" (Juan
6:39).
Sa ikatutupad ng banal na layuning ito, ginagampanan
ng Pamamahala nang may marubdob at maalab na
damdamin ang kanilang pananagutan na maipangaral ang
ebanghelyo, mapangalagaan ang Iglesia, mapangalagaan
ang buhay-espirituwal ng mga kaanib, at magturo ng
buong karunungan saan man sila magtungo 0 dumalaw sa
mga kapatid- dito man sa Pilipinas 0 sa ibayong dagat-
dahil "Nais naming ipakita ng bawat isa sa inyo ang
ganoong pagsisikap hanggang wakas, para maging tiyak
ang inyong pag-asa. Hindi namin nais na kayo'y maging
tamad, kundi tularan ninyo ang mga taong nanampalataya
at nagtiis kay a nagmana ng ipinangako sa kanila ng Dios"
(Heb. 6:11-12, New Pilipino Version) .
Sa harap ng napakaraming kalayawan sa mundo
at iba't ibang lunas na ibinibigay ng mga taong lihis
ang pag-iisip sa kalooban ng Diyos sa mga suliranin
ng daigdig- na pawang umaagaw sa pansin ng mga
mapaniwalain- mayroong mga malalaking panganib na
maaaring magsinsay sa pananampalataya ng mga tunay
na Cristiano kung hindi sila magiging maingat. Dahil
dito, ginagawa ng Pamamahala ang lahat na saklaw ng
ministeryong pinaglagyan sa kanila ng Diyos upang ang
pananampalataya ng mga hinirang ay hindi mawalang-
kabuluhan sa uri, lalim at ibubunga. Kung magkagayon,
ang Pamamahala ay mayroong dahilan para magalak na
sa pagparito ng ating Panginoong Jesucristo, ang kanilang
mga pagpapagal para sa atin ay naging makabuluhan at
hindi nasayang, gay a ng ipinahayag ni Apostol Pablo:
"Kaya nga, mga minamahal kong kaibigan, tulad ng dati
ninyong pagsunod-hindi lamang kung ako'y kasama
ninyo, kundi laic na ngayong wala ako sa inyong piling-
magpatuloy kayo sa gawain ng inyong kaligtasan na may
takot at panginginig, sapagkat ang Dios ang gumagawa sa
inyo upang kayo'y magnasa at kumilos ayon sa kanyang
magandang layunin . .. Upang kayo'y maging walang
malay at malinis bilang mga anak ng Dios, na walang
kapintasan sa gitna ng isang lahing liko at masama.
Magliwanag kayo sa gitna nila, tulad ng nagniningning na
bituin sa kalangitan, habang nanghahawak kayo sa salita
ng buhay-upang maipagmalaki ko sa araw ni Cristo na
hindi ako tumakbo at nagpagal nang walang kabuluhan"
(Filip. 2:12-13, 15-16, Ibid.). ~
-RICHARD J. RODAS
Editor-in-Chief
38 JANUA RY 2 0 12' GOD'S MESSAGE - FILI P I NO SECTI O N -
L
AS NOTICIAS DE que el Hermano Erano G. Manalo,
Ministro Ejecutivo de la Iglesia De Cristo, fallecio,
resono con mucha tristeza en todo el archipielago
Filipino y en diferentes partes del mundo en donde se
encuentran los hermanos. Fue el anuncio mas angustioso
que un miembro fiel de la Iglesia pudiera ofr y 10 mas diffcil
de aceptar-pero la voluntad de Dios tiene que prevalecer.
El lfder de Su nacion, necesito descansar tambien. Y
asf termino el difunto Ministro Ejecutivo su carrera,
muchisimo como el Apostol Pablo quien declaro: " ... Se
acerca el tiempo de mi muerte. He peleado la buena batalla,
he terminado la carrera y he permanecido fiel. Ahora me
espera el premio, la corona de justicia que el Senor, el Juez
justo, me dara el dfa de su regreso; y el premio no es solo
para mi, sino para todos los que esperan con anhelo su
venida" (2 Tim. 4:6-8, Nueva Traducci6n Viviente).
Desde el principio hasta el fin de los 46 anos de su
liderazgo dimimico desde que el asumio el oficio de Ministro
Ejecutivo de la Iglesia De Cristo en el 23 de abril de 1963
hasta su partida de esta vida en el 31 de agosto de 2009,
el Hermano Erano Manalo, amorosamente y devotamente
guio y administro a la Iglesia por la cual el Senor Jesucristo
dio Su vida y la cual salvara cuando El regrese. La vida
entera del Ministro Ejecutivo y el ministerio, aun antes de
que el manto de liderazgo fuera puesto sobre sus hombros
al llegar el fallecirnicnto del Herrnano Felix Y. Manalo, el
ultimo Mensajero de Dios, fue dedicado en amar y cui dar a
todos los hermanos, asegurando que cada uno a1canzara la
salvacion prometida. Como el mensajero de Dios en estos
Traducida par ARTHUR P. AGAG
ultimos dfas, antes de el, para Ka Erdy (como con carino
Ie llamaban los hermanos), la Iglesia vino primeramente,
antes de cualquiera y cualquier cosa en este mundo.
Comprensiblemente, cad a miembro individual de la Iglesia,
joven y viejo por igual, derramo copiosas lagrimas, y
dolorosamente 11oro su muerte. Verdaderamente,la emocion
del dolor es inefable, y ninguna cantidad de palabras
pueden completamente describir la tristeza y el pesar que
ha hundido a la Iglesia al enterarse de su fallecimierito.
Pero ahora que el hermano Erano ya no esta, a pesar de
nuestra pena y gran sentido de perdida, no debemos olvidar
los labores y los sacrificios que ambos el y el mensajero
en estos ultimos dfas han hecho por nosotros. Debemos
apreciar y homar su legado por no permitir que su labor
de amor por la Iglesia terrnine en vano. Es con este fin que
los apostoles trabajaron duramente por los hermanos que
ellos administraron en la Iglesia De Cri'sto del primer siglo.
El Apostol Pedro dijo: "Por eso siempre les recordare estas
cosas, por mas que las sepan y esten afianzados en la verdad
que ahora tinen. Ademas, considero que tengo la obligacion
de refrescarles la memoria mientras viva en esta habitacion
pasajera que es mi cuerpo .. . Tambien me esforzare con
empeno para que aun despues de rni partida ustedes puedan
recordar estas cosas en todo tiempo" (2 Pe. 1:12-15, Nueva
Versi6n Internacional).
Asf como 10 que hicieron los apostoles a los hermanos
en el primer siglo, el mensajero de Dios en estos Illtimos dias
y el difunto Ministro Ejecutivo cuando aun estaban vivos,
siguieron ensenando y recordando a los miembros de la
- SPANIS H SECT ION -
JA NUA RY 2 012 GOD'S MESSAGE 39
Iglesia De Cristo que permanecieran
firmes en la verdad. Hicieron eso para
que nosotros, tambien, no olvidaremos
estas verdades aun cuando ellos no
estan mas con nosotros.
Nuestra elecci6n es segura
Una de las verdades bfblicas que
el Mensajero y el difunto Ministro
Ejecutivo siempre ensenaban y
recordaban a la Iglesia es acerca
de nuestra vocacion y eleccion. El
Apostol Pedro senalo: "Por 10 cual,
hermanos, tanto mas procurad hacer
firme vuestra vocacion y eleccion,
porque haciendo estas cosas, jamas
caereis" (2 Pe. 1:10, Reina- Valera 1995).
Nuestra eleccion divina es segura.
Como tal, debemos permanecer firmes,
no importa que prueba 0 sufrimiento
venga. Nuestra vocacion y eleccion
son firmemente fijos y tienen una base
solida. Como 10 que el Apostol Pedro
afirmo, "Tenemos tambien la palabra
profetica mas segura, a la cual haceis
bien en estar atentos como a una
antorcha que alumbra en lugar oscuro,
hasta que el dia amanezca y ellucero de
la maftana salga en vuestros corazones"
(2 Pe. 1:19, Ibid.).
La Iglesia De Cristo a la cual
pertenecemos es la verdadera Iglesia
De Cristo en estos ultimos dias y su
eleccion tiene el apoyo de numerosas
profecias biblicas. Su emergencia en
el Lejano Oriente 0 las Filipinas en
julio de 1914 mediante la funci6n
predicadora del Hermano Felix
Manalo, el ultimo Mensajero de Dios,
y la extensi6n de la Iglesia en el Lejano
Occidente empezando en julio de 1968
mediante la agencia del Hermano
Erano Manalo, es el cumplimiento de
la proecia en Isaias 43:5-6 tocante a
la emergencia de los hijos de Dios del
Lejano Oriente y su reunion del Lejano
Occidente. Y esto es s610 una de las
tantas profecfas que dan teStimonio a
la elecci6n divina del Mensajero y la
Iglesia De Cristo que el predic6. A todo
40 JA NUARY 2012' GOD'S MESSAGE
10 largo de su ministerio, el difunto
Ministro Ejecutivo incansablemente
instil6 estas verdades en nuestros
corazones y mentes a fin de que "se
nos de el pleno derecho de entrar
al Reino eterno de nuestro Senor y
Salvador Jesucristo" (2 Pe. 1:11, Dios
Habla Hoy).
Esta es la raz6n por la que el
Hermano Erano Manalo nos ensen6
incansablemente a traves de las lec-
ciones del servicio de adoraci6n y car-
tas pastorales que el prepar6 amones-
tandonos ser firmes y fijos en nuestra
vocaci6n. Su deseo noble ue llevar a
cada uno de nosotros a la perfecci6n
de fe y a la salvaci6n prometida.
No dudar de nuestra esperanza
Para probar que somos verda-
deramente firmes y fijos en nuestro
llama do divino, no debemos dudar de
nuestra esperanza para la salvaci6n
que Dios ha prometido: "Pero
deben seguir creyendo esa verdad
y mantenerse firmes en ella. No se
alejen de la seguridad que recibieron
cuando oyeron la Buena Noticia . ... "
(Col. 1:23, NTV) .
Por 10 tanto, no importa que do-
lor y aflicci6n podamos ex peri men-
tar-como nuestra pena acerca de la
muerte de nuestro querido Ministro
Ejecutivo-no debemos ser sacudidos
en nuestra fe. No debemos permitir
que cualquier cos a nos impida obede-
cer las ensenanzas de Dios. Ademas,
no debemos permitir ser desviados y
engaftados por los maestros falsos y
sus ensenanzas. El Ap6stol Pablo dio
este aviso, de este modo: "Par tanto,
de la manera que habeis recibido al
Senor Jesucristo, andad en el, arraiga-
dos y sobreedificados en el y confir-
mados en la fe, asi como habeis side
ensenados, abundando en acciones de
gracias. Mirad que nadie os engane
por medio de ftlosofias y huecas su-
tilezas basadas en las tradiciones de
los hombres, conforme a los elemen-
-SPANISH SECTJON-
tos del mundo, y no segun Cristo"
(Col. 2:6-8, RVR1995).
EI difunto Ministro Ejecutivo
tambien nos advirti6 sabre esto. Hoy
en dia, abundan los predicadores falsos
cuyas ensenanzas se basan simplemente
en tradiciones humanas y predican s610
10 que la gente quiere air, para ceder a
sus antojos y caprichos. Aftadiendo a
esto, los pensamientos err6neos y las
filosofias que se basan en principios
mundanos mas no de acuerdo con las
ensenanzas de Cristo. Nunca debemos
permitir, especialmente la juventud de
la Iglesia, ser atraidos 0 enganados por
tal clase de pensamientos yensenanzas.
Debemos siempre asegurarnos que las
palabras de Dios estan profundamente
arraigadas en cada uno de nosotros.
Porque si no, no podremos permanecer
en nuestro llamado, como ilustrado
aqui en la parabola de nuestro Senor
Jesucristo: "Las semillas sobre la tierra
rocosa representan a los que oyen el
mensaje y de inmediato 10 reciben
can alegria; pero, como no tienen
rakes profundas, no duran mucho.
En cuanto tienen problemas 0 son
perseguidos por creer la palabra de
Dios, caen. Las semillas que cayeron
entre los espinos representan.a los que
oyen la palabra de Dios, pero muy
pronto el mensaje queda desplazado
por las preocupaciones de esta vida y
el atractivo de la riqueza, asi que no se
produce ninglln fruto" (Mt. 13:20-22,
NTV).
Hubieron algunos que oyeron
el mensaje pero no pudieron man-
tenerse firmes. Los problemas y per-
secuciones desalentaron su entusi-
asmo y se salieron de la carrera 0 se
alejaron. Las preocupaciones de esta
vida ahogaron las palabras de Dios en
otros y as! se enfriaron en su fe y fuer-
on separados. Sin embargo, si exam-
inaremos la verdadera raz6n y causa
de su separacion, es que su fe es de
poca profundidad-no tiene mucha
profundidad. Lo cual es por que no
pudieron aguantar 0 hacer sacrifi-
cios por causa de su vocaci6n. Lleg6
un tiempo en su vida en que su labor
por Dios fue cada vez menos y menos
hasta que ya no tuvieron tiempo para
servirle. Por eso tenemos que asegu-
ramos, aunque el difunto Ministro
Ejecutivo ya no esta con nosotros, que
continuemos abundando en nuestras
labores 0 servicios para el Senor; y
que nuestra fe sea fuerte y profunda-
mente arraigada.
Las obras que edifican
y fortalecen
En la parabola antedicha de Cristo,
El tambien nos ensen6 la manera de
abundar en nuestro labor para el
Senor y ser aun mas fortalecidos y
edificados en nuestra fe: "Pero aquel
en quien se sembr6 la semilla en tierra
buena, este es el que oye la palabra y
la entiende, este si da fruto y produce,
uno a ciento, otro a sesenta y otro a
treinta" (Mt. 13:23, La Biblia de las
Americas).
Si verdaderamente comprendimos
y valoramos el mensaje de Dios de
salvaci6n que nos fue ensenada por
el mensajero y por nuestro difunto
Ministro Ejecutivo, debemos luego
dar fruto por medio de compartir
este mensaje con otras personas.
El mensaje por video del Hermano
Erano Manalo mostrado a nosotros
el pas ado mes de julio durante el
95avo aniversario de la Iglesia, esta
todavia fresco en nuestra memoria.
AlIi el enfatiz6 una vez mas nuestro
deber de ayudar a propagar nuestra
fe. Asi que continuemos participando
en la obra misionera por traer a
invitados a las misiones evangelicas,
estudios Biblicos, y aun a los servicios
de adoraci6n. Tomemos parte en
la distribuci6n de la revista "God's
Message" (EI Mensaje de Dios) y otras
lecturas ace rca de las ensefianzas de
la Iglesia y ayudemos a promover
nuestros programas de televisi6n
y de la radio. Al hacer estas cos as
seguramente nuestra fe se fortalecera.
Otra cos a muy importante a la
cual tenemos que ser diligentes es
nuestra dedicaci6n a nuestro servicio
de adoraci6n congregacional aDios.
Un siervo fiel de Dios describi6 su
anhelo de adorarle de esta manera:
''Como ciervo sediento en busca de
un rio, asi, Dios mio, te busco a ti.
Tengo sed de Dios, del Dios de la vida.
L Cuando volvere a presentarme ante
Dios?" (Sal. 42:1-2, DHH).
Es durante el servicio de
adoraci6n que se nos ensefian las
verdades que Dios quiere que
cumplamos en nuestras vidas diarias.
En estas ocasiones sagradas, nuestro
Senor Dios y nuestro Senor Jesucristo,
fortalecen y renuevan nuestra
esperanza a traves del Espiritu Santo
que envian en medio de nosotros. Por
eso, nunca debemos perder nuestro
fervor de servir al Senor Dios. Y para
que nuestra adoraci6n sea aceptable y
agradable en Su vista, " . .. todo debe
hacerse de una manera apropiada
y con orden" (1 Cor. 14:40, NVI) y
siguiendo el programa del servicio
de la adoraci6n, todo "... para la
edificaci6n de la iglesia" (1 Cor. 14:15,
26, Ibid.) .
Las instrucciones sobre nuestro
servicio de adoraci6n y a otras reglas
y regulaciones implementadas por
la administraci6n de la Iglesia estan
dirigidas hacia este prop6sito. Asi,
es de gran importancia que sigamos
y obedezcamos todas puesto que
tienen la aprobaci6n de Dios: "Otra
vez os digo que si dos de vosotros se
ponen de acuerdo en la tierra acerca
de cualquier cosa que pidan, les sera
hecho por mi Padre que esta en los
cielos" (Mt. 18:19, RVR1995).
Someter a su autoridad
Ahora que la tarea enorme de
administrar y de guiar a la totalidad
de la Iglesia se ha transferido a
-SPANISH SECTION -
nuestro querido Hermano, Eduardo
V. Manalo, el sucesor-hijo del difunto
Ministro Ejecutivo, la cosa correcta
y apropiada de hacer es prestar
atenci6n a la amonestaci6n del escritor
inspirado a los Hebreos: "Obedezcan
a sus dirigentes y sometanse a
elIos, pues cuidan de ustedes como
quienes tienen que rendir cuentas.
Obedezcanlos a fin de que ellos
cumplan su tarea con alegria y sin
quejarse, pues el quejarse no les trae
ningun provecho" (Heb. 13:17, NVI) .
Sigamos entonces unidos en obe-
decer las ensenanzas de Dios ensena-
das a nosotros por nuestros difuntos
lideres y en someternos a la autoridad
del sucesor Ministro Ejecutivo. Va-
mos a unir y sometemos al lider que
Dios ha designado para vigilarnos, y
para continuar administrando esta
ultima obra de salvaci6n. Como hijos
verdaderos de Dios, que la clase de
obediencia que mostramos desde el
tiempo del ultimo Mensajero, y del
difunto Ministro Ejecutivo, y que el
respeto y la sumisi6n que les con cedi-
mos, se continuen viendo en nosotros,
aunque ya no estan con nosotros. Que
siempre recordemos esas palabras de
despedida del Hermano Erano Mana-
lo, en su mensaje leido a nosotros por
el Hermano Eduardo Manalo durante
las celebraciones del 95avo aniversa-
rio de la Iglesia, que s6lo por ser "ir-
reprochables y sencilIos, hijos de Dios
sin mancha en medio de una genera-
ci6n maligna y perversa" y mediante
nuestra "firmeza ala palabra de vida,"
que el y el ultimo mensajero, como el
Ap6stol Pablo, "puedan disfrutar en el
dia de Cristo" que ellos "se regocigen
en el dia de Cristo" de que "no han
corrido en yanG ni no han trabajado en
vano" (Fil. 2:15-16, RVR1995). 8
(A translation of the article "That
they have not labored in vain" by
Ruben D. Aromin published in God's
Message, September 2009)
JANUARY 20 12 GOD'S MES SAGE 41
I i