Iglesia ni Cristo << ee GLEHZ ee uh nee KREES toh >> (INC) is a Christian sect (religious group) that was established in the Philippines. The name of the sect contains Spanish and Tagalog words and means Church of Christ. The INC was founded in 1914 as Iglesia ni Kristo by Felix Manalo, whom some people believe to be a prophet. Later, the church became known as Iglesia ni Cristo. Manalo died in 1963. Since then, other members of the Manalo family have headed the church.
Felix Manalo was raised as a Roman Catholic. As a teenager, he began exploring other religious traditions, including various Protestant faiths. Manalo was ordained as a Methodist pastor. But he continued studying other Christian groups, notably the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Manalo began preaching the Iglesia ni Cristo gospel in 1913, first in Manila and later in his hometown of Taguig, both in the Philippines.
Manalo taught that the Iglesia ni Cristo was the one true Christian church. He considered himself the “last messenger” of God. Manalo believed that the true Christian church disappeared early in the history of Christianity and reappeared in the Philippines under his leadership. Manalo also believed that he and the INC were prophesied in the Christian Bible. He cited Isaiah 43:5-6 as a prophecy for the rise of his church, and Revelation 7:2-3 as a prophecy for his leadership, as an angel of God.
Since its beginning, the church has focused on evangelizing (preaching its beliefs). It has spread to other countries through Philippine emigrants and workers. The church’s popularity in the Philippines arose partly from its roots in the country’s culture. The church uses languages and music native to the Philippines in its ceremonies, thus giving the sect a strong nationalistic (patriotic) character. In addition, the INC attracts people who are dissatisfied with Roman Catholicism, the dominant religious tradition in the Philippines. Many INC members are former Roman Catholics. About 2.5 percent of the Philippine population belongs to the INC. The church has several thousand congregations and missions in more than 160 countries and territories around the world.
The Iglesia ni Cristo does not recognize other Christian denominations as legitimate. INC beliefs are based solely on the Bible, and the church teaches a largely literal interpretation of Scripture. The INC does not believe in the Trinity, the idea that God consists of three Divine Persons—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It denies that Jesus was divine but considers him the divinely chosen savior who sacrificed his life for the church. Believers are baptized as adults. Members may be excommunicated (cut off from the church) for marrying outside the church.
Iglesia ni Cristo has a strong central organization. The sect and the Manalo family have become wealthy. The sect has built numerous churches throughout the Philippines. It also plays an important role in the country’s politics as a significant unified voting group.
