Introduction
The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), founded in the Philippines in 1914 by Felix Manalo, claims to be the one true Church. However, many of its doctrines directly oppose biblical truth, historic Christian teaching, and the Catholic Church founded by Jesus Christ Himself (cf. Matthew 16:18). This article exposes how INC teachings mislead Catholics, distort Scripture, and deny the consistent witness of the Apostolic and Early Church tradition.
1. The INC Denial of Christ’s Divinity
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INC Teaching: Jesus Christ is a mere man, a created being, and not divine.
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Biblical Refutation:
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John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
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John 20:28 – Thomas confessed to Jesus: “My Lord and my God.”
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Colossians 2:9 – “In Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.”
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Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC):
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CCC 464 affirms Jesus Christ is “true God and true man.”
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CCC 468: “Jesus is inseparably true God and true man in the unity of His divine person.”
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Church Fathers:
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St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110 AD): Called Jesus “our God” (Letter to the Ephesians, 18:2).
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St. Athanasius (4th century): Defended Christ’s divinity against Arians who, like INC, denied Christ as God.
2. The INC Rejection of the Trinity
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INC Teaching: God is one person (the Father only); the Trinity is a “pagan invention.”
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Biblical Refutation:
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Matthew 28:19 – “Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
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2 Corinthians 13:14 – “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
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CCC References:
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CCC 253: “The Trinity is One. We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons.”
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CCC 254: “The divine persons are really distinct from one another.”
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Church Fathers:
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St. Tertullian (c. 200 AD): Coined the term “Trinity” (Adversus Praxean).
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St. Basil the Great (4th century): Clarified the Holy Spirit’s divinity.
3. The INC Claim to Be the “Only True Church”
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INC Teaching: All other Christian churches are apostate; salvation exists only inside INC.
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Biblical Refutation:
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Matthew 16:18 – Christ builds His Church, not Felix Manalo’s.
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1 Timothy 3:15 – “The Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”
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Ephesians 4:4-5 – One Church, one faith, one baptism — already existing long before INC’s founding in 1914.
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CCC References:
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CCC 816: “The sole Church of Christ which in the Creed we profess to be one, holy, catholic and apostolic... subsists in the Catholic Church.”
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CCC 830: The Church is catholic “because Christ is present in her.”
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Church Fathers:
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St. Cyprian of Carthage (3rd century): “You cannot have God for your Father if you do not have the Church for your Mother.” (On the Unity of the Catholic Church, 6).
4. The INC Rejection of the Cross and Sacred Images
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INC Teaching: The cross is a pagan symbol, and religious images are idolatry.
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Biblical & Historical Refutation:
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1 Corinthians 1:18 – “The message of the cross is the power of God.”
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Early Christians venerated the cross as victory over sin and death.
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Archaeological evidence: Christian catacombs (2nd–3rd centuries) depict the cross and sacred images.
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CCC References:
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CCC 618: “The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the ‘one mediator between God and men.’”
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CCC 2132: “Christian veneration of images is not contrary to the first commandment.”
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5. The INC Doctrine on Scripture and Authority
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INC Teaching: Only the Bible is their authority, interpreted exclusively by their leaders.
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Catholic Teaching: The Bible and Sacred Tradition, interpreted by the Magisterium, form the foundation of Christian faith.
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Biblical Refutation:
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2 Thessalonians 2:15 – “Hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.”
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CCC References:
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CCC 80: “Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture are bound closely together.”
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CCC 85: “The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God… has been entrusted to the Magisterium of the Church.”
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Comparison Table: Catholic Church vs. INC
| Doctrine | Iglesia ni Cristo | Catholic Church | Biblical & Historical Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christ’s Nature | Mere man, not divine | True God and True Man | John 1:1, Col 2:9; St. Ignatius of Antioch |
| Trinity | Denied | One God in Three Persons | Matthew 28:19; St. Tertullian |
| The Church | Founded by Felix Manalo in 1914 | Founded by Christ in 33 AD | Matthew 16:18; CCC 816 |
| Cross | Rejected as pagan | Power of God, symbol of salvation | 1 Cor 1:18; CCC 618 |
| Authority | Bible interpreted by INC leaders | Scripture + Tradition + Magisterium | 2 Thess 2:15; CCC 80–85 |
Conclusion
The Iglesia ni Cristo claims to be the one true Church, but its teachings contradict the Bible, the faith of the Apostles, the witness of the Early Church, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. By denying Christ’s divinity, rejecting the Trinity, and misrepresenting Christian history, INC departs from authentic Christianity.
As Catholics, we must remain firmly rooted in the Church that Christ Himself founded, guided by Scripture, Tradition, and the living Magisterium.
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