Men Mark A. TumandanEvanglist

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Rom. 1:16 

“Not Ashamed of the Gospel”(Issue Number 1 as of September, 2014)   Newsletter Published monthly by: 

Mountain Top Libas church of Christ  Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani Province 

 Times of Meetings Sunday Bible Study (in all ages)

– 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM 

Message – 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM Wednesday - 7:30 p.m  Preacher and Editor: Men Mark Tumandan

In this issue:

REVISED CHURCH OF CHRIST – Men Mark Tumandan

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

REVISED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Church of Christ in Spelling:Denominational in Teaching

As disobedience to the command of Apostle Paul by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in 1 Cor. 1:10 “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” and dishonoring the prayer of Jesus Christ Himself in regard to unity “..that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in US, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:21) there are many REVISED CHURCHES OF CHRIST throughout the world; church of Christ in spelling yet denominational in teaching.

There are people who think of themselves as legislators in the churches. They are revising what the Original Scripture are teachings.

The focus of this article is to study, learn and avoid those teachings contrary to the original, pure, undefiled, unadulterated and not revised “doctrine of Christ” (2 John 9) so that we are not member of “REVISED CHURCH OF CHRIST”.

EXAMPLES OF REVISED CHURCH OF CHRIST

I. Instrumental church of Christ

This so-called church of Christ is using musical instruments in worship. It see no harm in binding what the Lord is not bound.

Let us study the argument presented by this church in using Musical Instruments in worship from Brother Mike Willis, Why I Oppose Instrumental Music in Worship (2):

The Introduction of Mechanical Instruments in Worship

1. David used instruments of music in the Old Testament.

Without a doubt, mechanical instruments of music were used in the Old Testament period of worship. Psalm 150 commanded the use of trumpet, psaltery, harp, timbrel, dance, stringed instruments, organs, and cymbals in the praise of God. Many other passages could be added to demonstrate that mechanical instruments were used in the worship of the Old Testament.

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These two facts need to be considered with reference to this point:

(a) If the usage of mechanical instruments of music in worship in the Old Testament proves that they can be used today, anything else used in worship in the Old Testament can also be used today. During the Old Testament era, the following things were also practiced:

Burning Incense (Lev. 10:1-2)Observance of the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16)Daily animal sacrifices (Num. 28:1-6)Observance of the Sabbath day (Ex. 20:8)A separate priesthood (Lev.)

In addition to this, the Old Testament allowed the practice of polygamy, commanded Levirate marriage, and many other things which would not be accepted today. In Galatians 5:3, Paul wrote, "For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law." The Old Testament is not a religious smorgasbord from which Christians can pick and choose items to add to religious worship according to their personal taste. If a man is going to accept the Old Testament as his authority for one item, Paul said he is "debtor to do the whole law." One must practice either all of the Old Testament or none of it.

(b) Mechanical instruments of music were not added to the worship of the Old Testament as a matter of personal preference at the whim of the Old Testament saints. The mechanical instruments of music were added by divine commandment.

And he set the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the Lord by his prophets (1 Chron. 29:25).

The Lord commanded mechanical instruments of music in the Old Testament. Where is the similar commandment for them to be used in New Testament worship?

(2) The Bible does not say not to use mechanical instruments of music in worship. There is no express condemnation of mechanical instruments in worship. However, the Bible is not a book designed to list everything to which the Lord would object. Can you image what a book the Bible would be if the Lord had to tell us everything not to do? For example, the Lord would have had to say, "Thou shalt not put potatoes, peas, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, etc. on the Lord's supper." If the Lord omitted telling us any item, one could argue, "The Lord did not say, 'Thou shalt not use seaweed in observing the Lord's supper."' The nature of positive, divine authority is that the Lord tells us what to do. By telling us to use unleavened bread and fruit of the vine in observing the Lord's supper, the Lord prohibited the usage of anything else.

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Perhaps this chart will help:

Command Specific Addition1. Passover lamb

(Ex. 12:1ff)male lamb, one year

old,without blemish

another kind of animal:pig, goat, cat

2. For Naaman to be cleansed of leprosy (2 Kgs. 5)

dip 7 times inJordan River

another river:Abanah, Pharpar

3. Items on the Lord's table(1 Cor. 11)

unleavened breadfruit of the vine

another kind of food:corn, peas

4. Music (Eph. 5:19) singing another kind of music: instrumental

When God specified the kind of animal to be used in a given sacrifice, that eliminated every other kind of animal. When God specified that Naarnan dip seven times in the Jordan River to be cleansed of his leprosy, that eliminated every other river. When God specified the items to be used on the Lord's table, that eliminated every other kind of item which might be used. When God specified the kind of music to be used in His worship-singing, that eliminated every other kind of music. Hence, the Lord does not have to say "thou shalt not. . . " in order for mechanical instruments of music in worship to be unauthorized.

Too, there are many other religious practices which many people condemn for which there is no "thou shalt not." Here are a few of them:

A separate priesthoodA popeSprinkling or pouring for baptismReligious celebration of Easter, Christmas, etc.Burning incense and candlesUse of holy waterEcclesiastical synods, councils, associations, etc.

If the argument which says "The Lord did not say, 'Thou shalt not use instrumental music... proves that one can use mechanical instruments of music in worship, then the same argument will prove that each of the above (and many other things not mentioned above) is also acceptable.[1]

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REVIEW OF KIETH MITCHELL POST CONCERNING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND DANCING

IN WORSHIP.

Below was post by KIETH MITCHELL in his fb wall last June 16, 2013.

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Instrumental praise was first used by Miriam leading praise with both singing and dancing at the

Exodus. It was commanded in the Law when Levitical worship was set up for the Tabernacle/later

Temple.

Instrumental praise (sumphona) and praise dancing are specifically endorsed by Jesus in Luke 15

where Jesus pictures the Father's House (church of the living GOD) receiving prodigal sons into

fellowship.

For anyone wishing to really re-study the fallacies of the "a cappella praise-0nly" doctrine of men, I

will send you free my book in digital format: Ado and Psallo OR Ado and Ado?The other title is Let's

Just Praise The Lord!

This exhaustively examines the question from the Old Testament, New Testament, Linguistics and

church history. Just contact me with your email address and I will upload it as an attachment. .

God bless you,

Kieth, your 73 year old brother, 60 years in the Lord

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His reasoning in "musical instruments" and "dancing" were #1 base in Levitical worship. #2,  Jesus

allegedly specifically endorsed them in His parable in Luke 15.

Let us review this with care, candor and love. I do not want to misrepresent what he said. I have no

hard feeling to Kieth Mitchell, I just want to defend the faith what I believe to be the real pattern in

worshiping God.

1. To use the alibi that because they are part of Levitical worship is also part of New Priesthood is

direct violation in Hebrews 7:11-12 were it says "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical

priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest

should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the

priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law." 

2. And because Jesus specifically mentioned them in His parable in Luke 15 is to say He endorsed

them is very absurd in the following reasons:

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First, Jesus mentioned "candle" in Matt. 5:15, does it mean He specifically endorsed it in worship?

Second, Jesus mentioned "wine" in His parable in Luke 5:37, does it specifically endorsed to be

drunk of wine?

I would love to say that the reason the church of Christ is not using "MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS" in

worship is because it is not revealed by faith, we are to live by faith. It is not because God's people

can't afford to buy musical instruments but it is because it is NOT AUTHORIZED. We are just

following the NEW TESTAMENT PATTERN OF WORSHIP or IS THERE NO PATTERN TO

FOLLOW? If so, then we are free to add different kind of methods how to worship God. (Mike

Tumandan)

II. ONE-CUP Church of Christ

This church also is revise in teaching in regard to the Lord’s supper. This is what they believe and therefore they teach that there is only one literal container in partaking the blood of Christ.

In the website of one of this revise church of Christ, it is posted in their “ABOUT US” section:

The Lord's Supper. The communion is observed as it was when our Lord introduced it. The person attending the Lord's Table will give thanks for the bread, break it as the Lord did, and pass it on to the assembly to be eaten. This is done in remembrance of our Lord's broken body (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-24). The person attending the Lord's Table will also give thanks for the cup (singular) of the fruit of the vine and pass it on to the assembly to drink. This is done in remembrance of our Lord's shed blood.

http://www.churchofchristonecup.org/Articles.html

Let us study this by the help of Brother Johnie Edwards in his article “Binding Where God Didn’t Bind”

A failure to know just what the Bible really says causes many to bind that which God has not bound! Jesus told the apostles that they could only "bind on earth" what had been "bound in heaven" (Matt. 16:19). A good example of binding where the Lord had not bound is in the case of the word "cup" in regards to par-taking of the Lord's supper. Some think the Bible refers to a container when the word "cup" is used.

1. "And He Took The Cup." Jesus was eating the passover feast as he instituted the Lord's supper (Matt. 26:19-20). Matthew 26:27 says, "he took the cup." Just what did Jesus take when he took the cup? Does the word "cup" refer to a container or its contents? Let's see.

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2. "Gave Thanks." Jesus gave "thanks" (Matt. 26:27). For what did Jesus give thanks, a container or the contents? Whatever Jesus gave thanks for, he said, "Drink it" (Matt. 26:27).

3. "This Cup." Mark records Jesus saying, "The cup is my blood of the New Testament" (Mk. 14:23-24). What is that refers to the blood, the container or the contents? Let the Bible answer: Jesus said this cup is "the fruit of the vine" (Mk. 14:25). That ought to settle it, that the "cup" does not refer to a container but to the fruit of the vine!

4. "Divide The Cup." Luke's account says, "And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves" (Lk. 22:17). Whatever the "cup" is, it could be divided! Did they divide a container or contents of a container? We are not interested as to what men think it was. We want to know what the Lord says the cup was. Jesus said the "cup" is the "fruit of the vine" (Lk. 22:18).

5. "Drink The Cup." Paul received instructions about the Lord's supper from the Lord. Just what did the Lord tell Paul about the cup? "After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood . . . For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come" (1 Cor. 11:23-26). The "cup" was something that could be "supped" and could be drunk! Let me ask you, how would you go about drinking a cup? Just like a mother who says, "I raised my babies on the bottle." Did the babies drink a bottle or the contents of the bottle? Come on now. Don't try to tell me they drank a glass or plastic bottle! The Bible binds only one cup, the fruit of the vine. Whether we drink the fruit of the vine out of one container or a hundred, we are still just doing what the Lord said do, drinking the cup. Emphasis is put on the manner in which the Lord's supper is observed, not how many containers (I Cor. 11:27-29). [2]

III. PREMILLENNIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST

Another church of Christ that is revised in its teaching in regard to the second coming of Christ. It believe and therefore teach that Christ will come again to build His Kingdom and deliver it before the 1,000 years. But what does the scripture teach?

Let us study this through the help of Brother Leslie Diestelkamp’s article “Premillennialism and Fellowship”

In recent issues of WORD AND WORK, a magazine published by premillennial brethren in Louisville, Kentucky, Stanford Chambers has demanded a “Manifesto,” stating upon what conditions fellowship could be established. In the December issue of that paper he says: “We requested, and the situation demands, a clear, definite, affirmative statement of what specifically must be believed and taught in order that full fellowship maybe exercised.”

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It is not my purpose to write a creed. I shall, however, be glad to state conditions that prevent me fromextending fellowship.

What Must We Believe?

1. I cannot fellowship those who insist that I must believe the premillennial theories. Robert B. Boyd, ina tract entitled, “Maybe You Are Premillennial But Don’t Know It” says, “To speak where the Bible speaksis to be premillennial. To be anything other than premillennial demands a retraction from that position thatclaims to speak where the Bible speaks.” Again he said, “. . .if you are a Bible believer, you are premillennial.”

I concede that every theory peculiar to premillennialism can be “proven” (?) by scripture, but only by anabuse of scripture! Exactly the same procedure would prove that animal sacrifices are necessary and thatinstrumental music is right. In other words, when scripture is quoted in supposed proof of premillennialism,that scripture has been abused — taken out of context or misinterpreted. To actually “speak where the Bible

speaks” does not just mean to quote a verse that sounds like our theory, but it means to “handle aright the word

of truth.”

Christ’s Reign

2. I cannot fellowship those who teach that Christ will reign, after his second coming, over the earth for

1,000 years. This theory denies the completeness of the reign of Christ now. But the New Testament teaches

that: (1) Christ now rules in the Kingdom with all authority — Mt. 28:18; Ac. 2:29-36; Heb. 1:1-8. (2) He will

thus rule until the end of time on earth-Heb. 10:12,13; 1 Cor. 15:23-26.

Church — Kingdom

3 . I cannot fellowship those who deny that the church is indeed the kingdom prophesied in Daniel 2:44 (and

other places). R. H. Boll, in the book, “The Kingdom of God,” page 156, says, “Jerusalem will be His glorious

resting-place, and the center of His world- government in the age to come.” But Jesus said, “My kingdom is

not of this world . . . ” Jn. 18:36. Peter affirms in Ae. 2:17 that the events of that day were ushering in the “last

days.” The gospel dispensation began with that Pentecost day and will continue until Jesus comes again. During

that dispensation, which, remember is the “last days,” glory and honor is to be brought to God “in the church

and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever” (Eph. 3:21-R.V.). There will be no dispensation on

earth after the one which started on the first Pentecost after Christ’s resurrection and will end at his coming.

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The church, which is the kingdom (Col. 1:13,18,24) is the only manifestation of that kingdom which this earth

will ever see.

Did He Fail

4. I cannot fellowship those who teach that Jesus failed to accomplish what he came to do. Again quoting

R. H. Boll in “The Kingdom Of God,” page 86, he says, “The only thing that ever stood between Israel and

her glorious promises, kingdom and all, was her sinful condition.” (His reference here and elsewhere in the book

is to an earthly kingdom such as Israel did indeed EXPECT — but which God had not promised.) The sin of

Israel did not disrupt God’s plan. On the cross Jesus said, “It is finished.” He was there fulfilling all that God

had prophesied which included rejection, not acceptance, by the Jews!

Premillennialism Denies The Gospel

Actually, every theory that is peculiar to the premillennial beliefs is a denial of the gospel of Christ. The

gospel of the resurrection is denied when it is argued that the righteous dead will be raised at Christ’s coming

and the unrighteous dead will be raised at the end of his reign of 1,000 years on earth. Jesus said, “. . . All that

are in their tombs shall hear his voice and come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life;

and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation.” (Jn. 5:28,29). Again, in Mt. 25: 31,32 Jesus

declares that all nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them as sheep from goats-indicating

that both the good and the bad will be there. In Rev. 1:7 we are told that when he comes “every eye shall see

him, and they also which pierced him.” Even those who crucified Jesus will come forth on resurrection day.

In teaching that God still has a “land promise” to fulfill for the Jews, premillennialists deny the universal

nature of God’s covenant and promise today. Paul teaches in Rom. 2:28,29 and Gal. 3:7-29 that all have equal

advantages under the gospel of Christ, and that the real seed of Abraham today is the Christian.

Let the speculations of men cease! Further, we must “Mark them which cause divisions and offensescontrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them” (Rom. 16:17). If brethren persist in teaching

theories that deny Christ’s gospel and divide his people, they must be marked. [3]

IV. INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH OF CHRIST

This church is building and maintaining human institution as part of their so-called service to Christ and humanity. But let us study what saith the Scripture?

From my own article, “Are we Anti-church cooperation”

Are we Anti-church cooperation? (Men Mark Tumandan)

Those so-called churches of Christ who practice and support human institutions such as “orphan homes”, building “Missionary Church”, “Benevolence Society” or “Sponsoring church” and “church’s treasury can be use to render aid to not Christian” accuse us who strongly

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oppose these activities as Anti – church cooperation. Are we truly anti? If so, then in what manner we are anti?

The failure of understanding scripture is when we allow our emotions rather than what the Bible teaches. Take for example, a very emotional argument of denominations through the years about baptism “If baptism is necessary for salvation, how about a man who is about to be baptized, then suddenly died – is he saved?” But, still the word of our Lord says “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Death can’t alter the plan of God, neither also our emotion can alter what the New Testament teaches. Allowing our emotions as a source of our authority overthrows the faith of our dear brethren and sisters in Christ Jesus; divides the body of our Lord.

Our emotions feel comfortable using Musical Instruments in worship, thinking it is right – then asking us who oppose it “Who said it is wrong?”

Brethren who justify using the Lord’s money in church’s treasury to render aid benevolence even not Christian use their emotions. Accusing us of having no emotion to care for them – Are they right?

We are now going to determine if the Lord’s church is to render GENERAL BENEVOLENCE = means even not Christian are included to help. Let us get our pattern in New Testament writing of the inspired apostles not to the opinions and emotional arguments of some folks.

In Acts 11:27-30, we could read when there was a great famine throughout the entire world, those brethren (means saints) at Judea were only relieved.

Judea was composed of several churches of our Lord, 1 Thess. 2:14 “the churches of God which are in Christ in Judea”.How did the brethren at Antioch relieve the churches of our Lord at Judea? Did they send their help through “Sponsoring Church” and were there not Christian relieve?

Now let us consider this illustration below, hope this could help us as the saying says “picture can illustrate thousand words”.

NEW TESTAMENT PATTERN

A. One church helped several churches.

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Church at Judea

In Letter A Illustration, The help was sent to the “elders” of these several churches. “Elders” are congregational overseers (Acts 14:23). Those brethren (saints; Christians) who dwell in Judea were the only one relieved.

---  A. One Church Helped Other Churches In Time Of Material Need By Contributing To Relieve Those Needs - Acts 11:27-30.    1. How did the Antioch church cooperate with churches in Judea in benevolence?      a. First, a decision to help was made.      b. Collection of funds (Regulated as per 1 Cor. 16:1-2).      c. Paul & Barnabas were messengers for Antioch church.    2. v. 30 - Sent relief to "the elders." Which elders?!      a. Elders are congregational overseers (Acts 14:23).      b. Brethren in Judea constituted several churches - Gal. 1:22 (Lydda, Joppa, etc.).*    c. Sent to elders of each congregation for distribution.    3.  v. 30 - Some say "elders" means only the Jerusalem church elders (to defend sponsoring church - 12:25). Does it? NO.      -If Jerusalem a sponsoring church, autonomy (independence & equality) destroyed.      a. Acts 26:20 - When did Paul travel throughout all Judea?      b. Gal. 1:17-18 - Not 1st trip to Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-29; Gal. 1:22).      c. Acts 9:30 - Then, went to Cilicia (Gal. 1:21-22).      d. Acts 11:25 - Came to Antioch.      e. Acts 26:20 - This must be benevolence trip (only time possible).      f. Acts 12:25 - Jerusalem was their last stop; Jerusalem was not an overseeing, distributing church. (Joe Price)

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Church at Judea

Church at Judea

CHURCH at Antioch

B. Several churches helped one church.

B. Several Churches Sent Material Relief To One Church (Jerusalem).   -(Concurrent Cooperation of Churches)    1. Separate requests to help - 2 Cor. 8:10; 8:4 (Rom. 15:25-26).    2. Separate collection of funds - l Cor. 16:1-2.    3. Separate identity of funds existed (no "pooling") - 1 Cor. 16:3.    4. Separate decisions (by each church) of amount sent - 2 Cor. 8:3, 10-11.    5. Independent selection (by each church) of their messengers - 1 Cor. 16:3-4.      a. Some churches used same messenger - 2 Cor. 8:18-19, 23.      b. Messengers were individuals, not churches.     6. No pooling of funds, no convention of churches, no common oversight, funds were not sent through another church -- NO SPONSORING CHURCH.    7. Independent action of churches, concurrently achieved. (Brother Joe Price)

Now we will compare this to the

Institutional churches doing in this manner:

MODERN PATTERN PRACTICE

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Church at Antioch

Jerusalem’s churchChurch at

Philippi

Church at Corinth

CHURCH at Judea

SPONSORING CHURCH

Church at Antioch

But, now a days since 50 years ago, take for example when the churches at Judea have in need, the church that helped them send their relief to “Sponsoring Church” and to “Benevolence Society”. These “SC” and “BC” and “ORPHAN HOMES” are other corporate bodies, they have the “Board of Directors” they are the one to oversee the fund and they make RULES AND REGULATIONS. Is that the NT Pattern? Certainly not!

Now, we will study about “Taking care of the Orphan”. Should we build and maintain “ORPHAN HOMES”

Institutional churches in this manner:

How can we take care of our orphan? Relieving them, “care and food” are the “AIDS”, but to add another organization to do its work is addition to the word of God. Why? The church is to

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Church at Judea

BENEVOLENCE SOCIETY

PREACHER

ORPHANChurch at Texas

ORPHANChurch at Florida ORPHAN HOME

Church at Arizona ORPHAN

care for its own, local church is being specified to do it. Acts 2:4-6 where we could read that through the supervision of the elders, through the ministration of its own deacons, and out of the resources of its members, their needy were took care.

We can’t add another organization aside from the local church to do the work of benevolence. The local church is to do its work, very sufficient to do it. Were there no “orphans and widows” in the 1st century? Certainly there were. Did Apostle Paul group all of them from all the local churches? Certainly not, but if you could able say “yes” then where is the approved example?

A group of individual Christians may agree to put a business but to get the CAPITAL or to maintain the business through the collection in the church’s treasury is very wrong.

Folks, keep on saying we are “ANTI”, truly we are anti to the unscriptural cooperation and unscriptural activities. Are we Anti-Baptism when we are against to Infant Baptism? Certainly not! We are just anti to unscriptural baptism. [4]

V. CHURCH OF CHRIST 1914

This church was founded by Mr. Felix Manalo on 1914 here in the Philippines. Taking the literal name of church of Christ, yes church of Christ spelling yet denominational in teaching and even in the teaching to nature of Christ is different from the Bible.

It believe and therefore teach that Jesus Christ is man and not God.

Jeremy L. Sebugan, member of this church wrote on August 2011 . “God’s Message” Page 19

“What convinced me to join the church of Christ (Iglesia ni Cristo 1914, Emphasis mine, MMT) were:

1. Its name is found in the Bible;2. Its teaches that the Father is the only true God;3. Its belief on the true nature of the Lord Jesus Christ being man, not God.4. Its upholds the Biblical prohibition on worshipping graven images”

While the name church of Christ is really in the Bible yet this church, the one where Jeremy Sebugan is member of is not found in the Bible. It is church of Christ in spelling yet cult in teaching. In an article below, we are going to study the nature of Christ that is where the fundamental error of this cult church is.

Jesus Christ just a man: From Heaven or of men?

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Since the time Jesus was born on this earth till He was died, buried and resurrected and even now that He is already in heaven, many folks deny His Deity. The Jews once stoned Him for “He makes Himself equal with God” (see John 5:58). Is Jesus really a God? This question is very important for us to answer, and we should see the answer in the Bible not in human opinions and creeds. Is Jesus we believe today is the same Jesus of the New Testament? Or else we believe in another Jesus whom Apostle Paul said in his second letter to the brethren at Corinth in 11th chapter verses 1-15. They preached a real Jesus, but when we today preach another Jesus then we are “false apostles, deceitful workers….” We are subject to be accursed, for if we preach wrong Jesus, means wrong gospel also (see Gal. 1:5-8).

One of the largest religious organizations today is the so-called Iglesia ni Cristo 1914, denying the Deity of Jesus Christ. They are very well respected by the Philippine Government here. This church was established on the year 1914 by Mr. Felix Manalo as the first Chief Executive Minister and founder. Their fundamental teaching is that our Lord Jesus Christ is not God; but we could see further in this study that this is also their FUNDAMENTAL ERROR.

Who is Jesus? Jesus himself asked His disciples if who was He to them (Mt. 22:42). Many answers were wrong and many were right...Now are we in the right side or at the wrong side about Jesus Christ?

Let us first consider the prophecy concerning Jesus before He was born. Jesus was the “seed” that would “bruised the head” of the serpent through a woman. (See Gen. 3:15). Thus, when the “fullness of the time was come God… (Gal. 4:4). Prophet Isaiah also prophesied “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…..” (Isaiah 9:6). Matthew then quoted the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 “She shall bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS:” in the 1:21-23.

When Jesus was here on earth He was a man. We could read many passages in the Bible concerning the “humanity of Jesus”. Jesus had a body (see John 19:18) like we are, Jesus was tempted in all points as we are yet He was no sin. Apostle Paul also wrote in his letter to Timothy “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Tim. 3:16). Very important to note that the “one manifested was God”.

God the Father testified that Jesus was God on earth.

1. Matt. 3:17 “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

2. Matt. 17:5 “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”

3. Heb. 1:6 “Let all the Angels of God worship Him.”

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4. Heb. 1:8 “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”

God the Father said that He “pleased” Christ, to “hear” Christ, the Angels of God worship Him and then God said to the son “Thy throne, O God,”. Is this difficult for us to understand that Jesus is God?

Jesus’ Apostles also testified that Jesus was God on earth.

1. Apostle John wrote “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

2. Apostle Paul also wrote “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

3. Let not also forget what Peter’s answered “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:17)

Jesus Christ’s words concerning Himself

1. John 14:8-9 “Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

2. John 16:15-16 “ All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

Truly, Jesus is God. Jesus was man when here on earth, but not just a man because He was also Deity, Divine means God. If the one who died at the calvary was just a mere man then there is no remission of sins. The teaching that Jesus Christ is just a man is not from Heaven but of men. [5]

(Mike Tumandan)

Reference: God Was Manifest in The Flesh by Tom O’ Neal.

-Editor’s note: I have no personal motive to the so-called Iglesia ni Cristo (1914) but it is my sincere believe that their FUNDAMENTAL TEACHIING is also their FUNDAMENTAL ERROR.

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These churches mentioned above are just few of those who think of themselves members of the church of Christ yet what they are doing disobedience to the command of Apostle Paul by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in 1 Cor. 1:10 “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” and dishonoring the prayer of Jesus Christ Himself in regard to unity “..that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in US, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:21) there are many REVISED CHURCHES OF CHRIST throughout the world; church of Christ in spelling yet denominational in teaching.

I am urging those who belong to these churches to get out, repent of their sins as it is deadly sin being member of a false church believing in a false doctrine and adhering to the false salvation.

Repent and be baptized, cling only to the truth, never go beyond in what is written. Be a member of the true church of Christ. (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; 2 John 9; Matt. 16:18)

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1 [1]MIKE WILLIS, Why I Oppose Instrumental Music in Worship (2):The Introduction of Mechanical Instruments in Worship (Guardian of Truth XXIX: 19, pp. 578, 598-599) October 3, 1985

[2]Johnie Edwards, Binding Where God Didn’t Bind (Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 14, p. 6July 15, 1993)

[3] Leslie Diestelkamp, Premillennialism and Fellowship (Truth Magazine I:5, 14-15February 1957)

[4] MIKE TUMANDAN, Are we Anti-church cooperation (“Not Ashamed of the Gospel”(Issue Number 5 as of May, 2012) 

[5] MIKE TUMANDAN,