|
Teofilo Ora's Exodus from Iglesia ni Cristo In May 1922, Teofilo Ora, Januario Ponce and Basilio Santiago, former members a similar Philippine-based denomination, the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ; INC), gathered some members of the Iglesia ni Cristo to formally separate from the church; dubbed as "Ora's Exodus" by critics of INC.[11] This was during the time INC leader Felix Manalo was facing numerous controversies. Several months later, they established the Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus (English Translation: Church of God in Christ Jesus). That same year, Nicholas Perez became a member and preacher of this group at Maragondon, Cavite. In 1928, Nicholas Perez became its General Evangelist and soon sought the leadership of the group but was denied by Teofilo Ora. Later, Ora expelled Perez from the group. Some other members of the Teofilo Ora's exodus left and established their own churches. Ponciano Bungay established the "Iglesia Ni Cristo sa Ibabaw ng Bato" in 1932 while Basilio Santiago established the Church of God in Christ Jesus in 1949 and Salvador Payawal established the Most Holy Church of God in Christ Jesus (Tagalog: Kabanal-banalang Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus). Salvador Payawal continues to claim succession rights to Teofilo Ora. Nicholas Perez's split with Ora Nicholas Perez's Central Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan (1936) in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Philippines. In 1931, Nicholas Perez with Avelino Santiago started their group called Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan (English Translation: Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Support of The Truth). However, the reality of this event is disputed. According to Eliseo Soriano, Nicholas Perez was already preaching this Church way back in 1928 at Pulilan, Bulacan. Soriano states that Perez was expelled by Ora after a power-struggle regarding Church leadership. It was not until December 10, 1936 that the Nicholas Antiporda Perez's sect, Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan was officially registered with Securities and Exchange Commission. In 1954, Avelino Santiago, Nicholas Perez’ co-founder had a dispute with the latter, and finally left the group and established his own church, Iglesia ng Diyos na Buhay kay Kristo Hesus. Facade of the smaller Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Support of The Truth nearby (a non-stock religious society or corporation registered in 1936). Soriano's Baptism On April 7, 1964, Eliseo Soriano was baptized and became a member of the Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan where his parents were also members.[12] In 1969, Nicholas Perez, who was then the church's Presiding Minister, bestowed upon Soriano the title Minister making him the only minister in the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan at that time. Rumors were circulating that Soriano is going to be Perez's successor.[12] Transition Period (1975 - 1977) In 1975, Nicholas Perez succumbed to his illness and passed away, sending shock waves throughout the church. During Perez' death, Eli Soriano was in Angeles, Pampanga. In Pasay City, a woman named Levita Gugulan was appointed by the Board of Directors to temporarily lead the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan (Church of God in Christ Jesus, the Pillar and Support of the Truth). On January 2, 1976, Eliseo Soriano was then appointed by Levita Gugulan as one of their church’s Board of Directors. There were fifteen members of the Board. He signed on the intention of keeping the church united.[13] On February 21, 1976,[citation needed] he was expelled together with sixteen other members for inciting rebellion inside the church and teaching doctrines contrary to their beliefs. Soriano maintains that he was not expelled but voluntarily left his church as he firmly believes that a woman should not lead the church according to the Bible.[14] Majority of churches in Pampanga joined Soriano's church while majority of churches in Pasay City and Makati City joined Gugulan's sect.[13] A number of members joined Filomeno Hizon's sect called Mga Mananampalataya sa Iglesia ng Diyos Kay Kristo Hesus, Incorporated (Believers in the Church of God in Christ Jesus) which was registered only on June 20, 1984. Mga Kaanib Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan On March 30, 1977, two years after the death of Perez, followers of Soriano registered a new group and called it the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan (English Translation: Church of God in Christ Jesus, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth) claiming that the name reflects the exact translation in Tagalog of the word hedraioma [5] of 1 Timothy 3:15 [6] in the Greek Scriptures instead of the word Suhay used by Gugulan's group.[15] According to Soriano, the most exact translation of hedraioma is Ground or Saligan in Tagalog and not Support or Suhay in Tagalog.[16] The Iglesia ng Diyos na Buhay kay Kristo Hesus, Avelino Santiago's sect, became inactive. Change of Name It seemed to Gugulan that Soriano had simply substituted the word “Suhay” to “Saligan”. Gugulan’s church then filed a lawsuit against Soriano on July 16, 1979 for using a similar church name. While the case was in progress he managed to register another church name, Ang mga Kaanib sa Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas, Incorporated (English Translation: The Members of The Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Philippines, Incorporated) on January 20, 1980. Soriano's group lost in 1988 and was ordered by Securities and Exchange Commission to change its church name to one that is not similar to Gugulan's group.[17] In 1993, Levita Gugulan’s successor Maximino Nieto found out that the name Soriano registered in 1980 is almost identical to his church. Soriano, aware of the possibility of being sued, registered the church name Bayan ng Katotohanan Incorporated (English Translation: City of Truth Incorporated) in December 1993 before Nieto’s group was able to file another complaint against him. Nieto subsequently filed a complaint against Soriano's group in 1994 but while the case was still in progress. In 1995, Soriano's group lost and was ordered to change its church name not similar or identical to a name already used by Nieto's Group. The Court of Appeals denied Soriano's appeal in 1997 and Soriano was forced to change his church name to “Bayan ng Katotohanan”. The decision was finalized by the Supreme Court of the Philippines in 2001.[17] Despite the name change, Soriano maintains that they are still the Iglesia ng Dios Kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan that Nicholas Perez preached. Name changed to Members Church of God International Ang Dating Daan Central Office and Church (Sampaloc, Apalit, Pampanga. Facade, gate and the ADD Grand Convention Center. On January 13, 2004 Soriano registered and used the name, Members Church of God International claiming that the name is appropriate due to the church's international expansion and because locals were founded in the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe and in Africa. Soriano maintains that the Members Church of God International is the continuation of the past churches he led. In October 2009, Soriano's assistant Willy Santiago [18] along with certain factions led by Warly Santiago and Almer Caras left the church. Caras would later expel Santiago after the latter took a new wife despite being married. Santiago established his own sect called Members Church of God in Jesus Christ Worldwide, Inc. Almer Caras currently leads a schismatic sect called Members Church of God "Theos" Worldwide. In the same year, the splinter group of Willy Santiago divided into four[citation needed] groups because of disputes about his authority to lead the church. One of the groups called themselves as "Mga Dating Kaanib sa Iglesia ng Dios kay Jesu Kristo sa buong mundo na pinamumunuan ni BWS" (English: The Former Members of the Church of God in Christ Jesus Worldwide Presided by Bro. Willy Santiago) and separated their group from Willy Santiago's newly founded sect.[19] Currently, the Church has growing local churches and congregations in Latin America, particularly Brazil. Ang Dating Daan now airs in 73 countries worldwide including United States, Latin America, Papua New Guinea, Portugal (as "O Caminho Antigo"), Spain (as "El Camino Antiguo"), India, South Africa, Saipan and Canada.[20] Church Organization & Administration Formally, the Members Church of God International is led by a Presiding Minister (Tagalog: Tagapangasiwang Pangkalahatan). According to MCGI teachings, God the Father (through Jesus Christ) is the original founder of the church, hence the term Church of God. According to their doctrine, the Members are simply adhering to the teachings of original Christianity. The Presiding Minister supervises the entire activity of the Church and implements all policies and projects aimed for the improvement of the Congregation’s spiritual well-being. He ensures the proper and rightful execution of the duties and responsibilities of the Ministers and officials of Church ministries and organizations. He also teaches the Ministers and Workers all Church doctrines and stance on theological matters. Along with the Presiding Minister is the Vice-Presiding Minister which caters to help the Presiding Minister. Aside from this, there are other ministers assigned to oversee various church locales. These ministers are called Katulong ng Pangangasiwa (Helpers of the Administration, abbreviated as KNP) and other ministers are called Tagapangasiwang Pampook (Area Administrator) or TP, the Presiding Minister forms the Central Administration of Members Church of God International to in administering church members. The Central Office in ADD Convention Center in Sampaloc, Apalit, Pampanga is MCGI's headquarters. It was formerly located in San Vicente, Apalit, Pampanga during its early years, before moving to its present site. It houses the offices of MCGI's administration. Administration and ministerial work are delegated into Church Divisions which are led by KNP's and TP's (formerly, division's Ministers-in-Charge and Officers-in-Charge). Church divisions comprise 30 to 200 congregations (referred to as locales) on average. The Church division range is generally a single region of the Philippines; however, divisions are divided in districts which are headed by District Servant. District are also divided into zones which was administered by a zone servant. There were about 5,000 MCGI locales in more than a hundred countries. Members Church of God International is headed by the Presiding Minister, Eliseo Soriano, and Vice-Presiding Minister, Daniel Soriano Razon. Practices Church Gatherings Members Church of God, International conducts gatherings of diverse forms, from worship to worthwhile socio-spiritual assemblies. Non-members should be enjoined. Thanksgiving A pasalamat or thanksgiving is a way of offering gratitude to the Almighty God for His goodness. Those who offer thanksgiving range from individuals to groups, with varying reasons for rendering it. Presenters offer songs of praises which boast of God’s kindness (Psalms 92:1-2). In the Church, the sacrifice of thanksgiving has a discipline to ensure that those who will offer it are spiritually prepared. The process includes the registration or enlisting of oneself for thanksgiving, the orientation or consultation done to prepare the participant, and the practicing of the songs to be offered. The group in charge of organizing the presentations and orientation is called the Thanksgiving Orientation Committee. Quarterly International Thanksgiving The Quarterly International Thanksgiving celebration is the most anticipated time for brethren from all parts of the globe to come and meet to altogether offer thanksgiving unto the Lord. It is held quarterly and takes about 3 days to finish. The convention center becomes fully packed with brethren and visitors participating in and witnessing the event. Weekly Thanksgiving Held every Saturday, completing 52 weeks annually, the Weekly Thanksgiving is a whole-day affair for members and visitors, which starts at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, Philippine Time, and ends at about 12 midnight. The Weekly Thanksgiving celebration allows smaller Church groups like locales, committees, districts, divisions, even families and individuals, to offer thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Viewing An additional service provided for the brethren who are unable to attend live thanksgiving rites on Saturdays, the Thanksgiving Viewing usually starts at 11:00 in the morning of Sunday in MCGI coordinating centers. This is inspired by the admonition of St. Paul in Hebrews 10:25-26. Worship Service The Worship Service is a gathering of members on the first day of the week, which starts on Saturday at 8:30 in the morning, based on the biblical meeting done by the first century Christians recorded on Acts 20:7 and the 2nd batch for Saturday at 2:30 in the afternoon. More batches of the Worship Service are also conducted on Sunday beginning at 8:30 in the morning to accommodate brethren who are not available or were not able to attend the Saturday gathering. In this service, a 10-minute Bible reading is allotted before the main topic is delivered to the congregation. After the sermon, the members line up in front of the offertory box and voluntarily give monetary contribution that they have stored for the week. This contribution is patterned after the Christian practice written on I Corinthians 16:1-2. Prayer Meeting The Prayer Meeting is an assembly of congregants done mid-week, either Wednesday or Thursday, which usually starts at 5:30 or 6:30 in the evening, jiving with the setting of the sun in the Bible’s reckoning. During this service, members render songs of praise and worship, after which is the opening prayer. A 10-minute Bible reading is then allotted before the topic is delivered, which is the first cut of a two-part sermon, and is concluded during the worship service. It is slightly different from the worship service as brethren do not conduct the offertory ceremony. This assembly is also patterned after the commandment in Hebrews 10:25-26. The Members Church of God International is an "independent" Christian organization with headquarters in the Philippines. The organization is colloquially known through its flagship international television program, Ang Dating Daan (English translation: The Old Path). The church is Nontrinitarian, meaning that they reject the doctrine of the Trinity, which is considered the central dogma of mainstream Christianity.[9] They do not observe Christmas, Easter, or other holidays and customs they consider to have pagan origins incompatible with Christianity. Adherents commonly refer to their body of beliefs as "the truth" and consider themselves to be "in the true church preached by the apostles".[10] It is not related to the many Church of God groups that descended from the Barney Creek Meeting House revival of the late 19th century in the United States. The church originally rooted from a similar denomination, the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan (Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Support of the Truth) which was registered by Nicholas Perez in 1936. The church has Restorationist characteristics in theme but denies being part of the Restoration Movement. In 1977, the group[note 1] was registered as Mga Kaanib Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas (Members of the Church of God in Christ Jesus, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth in the Philippines) at the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission with Eliseo Soriano holding the leadership title of Presiding Minister. The church exercises Congregational disciplinary actions which include membership suspension and, for grave offenses, excommunication. Excommunication is their term for formal expulsion. Excommunicated members are barred from taking part in major liturgical services and from giving offerings. Some excommunicated members who committed grave offenses (i.e. murder) are also barred from entering church premises, depending on the decision of the Church. Suspended members may eventually be reinstated if deemed repentant after a thorough observation by Church ministers. |
About us|Jobs|Help|Disclaimer|Advertising services|Contact us|Sign in|Website map|Search|
GMT+8, 2015-9-11 21:19 , Processed in 0.259842 second(s), 16 queries .
