” I SOLEMNLY DEPOSE AND SAY THAT WE THE MINISTERS IN-CHARGE OF EGM HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE GROUP OF THE SO-CALLED DEFENDERS THAT PROMOTES SEPARATION FROM THE TRUE CHURCH. WE FIRMLY STAND BY WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE AND PREACHED BY BROTHER FELIX Y. MANALO AND BY BROTHER ERAÑO G. MANALO THAT THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO IN THESE LAST DAYS WILL NO LONGER BE TURNED AWAY (although there are members who did and who will), BUT IT WILL UNDERGO EXTREME TRIALS LIKE THE WICKEDNESS THAT NOW PREVAIL IN THE CHURCH BROUGHT ABOUT BY ITS EVIL LEADERS. ”
Most of those who know me are aware of the fact that I avoid indulging in social media especially when it involves bashing each other and accusations against me. Nevertheless, there are defenders who truly care and send me screen shots of FB postings that intend to malign me. As far as I remember, there was only one instance that I was forced to answer allegations primarily the accusation that I am a “mole” planted by the Central administration to sow division among the defenders. Although there were bashers who did not stop immediately, I decided to ignore them for I considered it sufficient that I was already able to expose the truth and nothing but the truth. With God’s help, many were enlightened by my answer and the false accusations slowly died down until the H20 issue became a hot issue, with the same group of the so-called defenders accusing me of wanting to destroy the H20 fund. Perhaps, it is because before this issue came out, I have told those handling the H20 fund not to campaign for it during the online devotional prayers because many attendees feel that as if they are attending the worship services officiated by Owe ministers who relentlessly campaign for monetary offerings. I also told them that using 36 TS in asking for donations will create a ripple among the defenders and will be used by the OWES to accuse the TS occupants of being behind the solicitation campaign. Likewise, I told them that although I don’t want to get involved with the fund raising, there is a need for them to be transparent in handling it and that it would help their campaign if they will at least provide me with the information on how and where the fund is being used so that I can assure the donors that everything is alright. But instead of heeding my advice, they began to question my intention telling everyone in their group chat that I should not ask for a report on the expenses claiming and spreading an issue that the “siblings” themselves are the ones auditing it. Nevertheless, I decided not to answer back and even told the defenders not to get involved with the issue and and answer back the accusations. Thus, the main purpose of this article is neither to prolong the H20 fund issue nor to defend myself from accusations, but to discuss a more pressing subject that once not addressed will truly endanger the souls of many defenders.
In one of the FB postings of Liezl Diaz Deocampo, she said, “It’s time for us to leave the OWE Church behind (referring to the INC) and (to) move on to the true service expected from us by our Lord and by our God.” In one of their text blasts, they said: “It is better for the defenders to leave OWE because their worship service is abomination to God.” This is what the ministers leading them have all along been spreading, be it in their live worship services or in establishing them, and even in their FB postings. They claim that this message is an “instruction” given to them.
If what they claim is true, why is there a glaring difference between the “instruction” and what they actually say? Why is there no mention of “Church” after the word OWE in the instruction yet in their postings they emphasize that the defenders and members should leave the Church behind? What they’re doing is equivalent to apostasy. Their long cry for Church restoration has become separation from the Church. If they insist that they are still after the restoration of the Church, then they have given a new meaning to the word. Restoration (which means to repair or renovate) should be done to the Church or inside and not outside it. This is the reason we used to be united in exposing the wickedness in the Church because we all wanted changes for the Church to be restored. The reason they give for openly advocating separation is that, “the services they (the OWES) do is an abomination … (thus) members should get out of the untrue and the abominable.” Indeed, many church leaders, ministers and members are untrue and their works are abominable, but the Church which is Christ’s body remains true and clean in the sight of God having been cleansed by Christ’s blood. The premise they use to justify their action is extremely faulty, unscriptural and dangerous. Faulty, because the abomination of the OWE ministers and members does not necessarily render the only true Church false. For hundreds of years, Israel was led by evil leaders and kings who tried to mislead the Israelites, but they remained as God’s chosen people until the time that the whole Israel turned away from Him. We need to remember the doctrine that the Church is the fold or the sheep pen and what enfold the sheep are the words of God. Although there are now many “lost sheep” (the owes) led astray by their shepherds who are “hirelings” (owe ministers), it does not mean that the fold or the sheep pen has lost its value and that the remaining sheep within should be led or driven outside. What this group claim that the whole Church has been turned away from God is “unscriptural” because it goes against the doctrine of God taught by God’s last messenger, Brother Felix Y. Manalo and by Brother Eraño G. Manalo. It is written in the prophecies that the Iglesia Ni Cristo is the third group or the last of the three groups (no more 4th group) that will comprise the whole Church, thus, it will last until Judgment Day and will no longer be turned away (Zech. 13:7-9; Acts 2:39; Rev. 14:12-15). This is they reason, even the said group of defenders used to advocate restoration but now, whether they accept it or not, promotes separation. “Dangerous” indeed, because the members they have convinced (or deceived) are in danger of eternal destruction on the Day of Judgment.
They say that “Live worship service” with monetary offerings and benediction is needed because our EGMs lack these portions, thus, could not be considered a true worship or meeting of true Christians. Does it mean then that the apostles were wrong in teaching that the true Christian meeting is composed of hymn singing, prayers and preaching of God’s words (I Cor. 14:26 & 15)? Our worship of God now is like the worship rendered by the very first servants of God who did not have monetary offering yet had unblemished animals offered in their worship of God. Because of our present situation and condition, we offer to Him “our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—which is (our) spiritual worship” (Rom. 12:1). We, the ministers, may have not been raising our hands for benediction during our EGMs but we receive God’s blessings especially during our prayers as evidenced by the outpouring of His immense power felt by the attendees.
Through this article of mine, I SOLEMNLY DEPOSE AND SAY THAT WE THE MINISTERS IN-CHARGE OF EGM HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE GROUP OF THE SO-CALLED DEFENDERS THAT PROMOTES SEPARATION FROM THE TRUE CHURCH. WE FIRMLY STAND BY WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE AND PREACHED BY BROTHER FELIX Y. MANALO AND BY BROTHER ERAÑO G. MANALO THAT THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO IN THESE LAST DAYS WILL NO LONGER BE TURNED AWAY (although there are members who did and who will), BUT IT WILL UNDERGO EXTREME TRIALS LIKE THE WICKEDNESS THAT NOW PREVAIL IN THE CHURCH BROUGHT ABOUT BY ITS EVIL LEADERS.
We firmly believe that it is God who will put an end to these wicked leaders and their wicked deeds to restore the Church. We also believe that the reason God allowed us to be displaced by the present Church administration is for us ministers to take care of the spiritual welfare of the true defenders and see to it that they remain obedient and live by God’s teachings so that when the time of restoration has come, we will lead them back to the true Church to continuously prepare for salvation.
To all “silent defenders,” we do not enjoin you to separate from the Church but to defend it by means of standing by what is right and to never follow instructions from evil ministers that go against the true doctrines we have received. If you will be delisted or expelled by them for defending and standing by the truth, so be it. Believe that God allowed it to happen, however, it wasn’t Him who expelled or delisted you because it is against His law to expel those who expose the wicked and the wickedness, but only those who are evil I Cor. 5:13 Thus, believe that He will never forsake you.
To all defenders, be patient and never lose hope. Our struggle against the wickedness in the Church belongs to God, thus, we should put our complete trust in Him. He expects us to defend the Church which is why we should continue to expose the works of darkness that destroys the Church committed by the OWE ministers and members but we should never allow our actions to lead us to separation or to establishment of a separate Church. MAY OUR LORD GOD HAVE MERCY ON OUR SOULS.
– Isaias T. Samson Jr.