Members Church of God International
Encyclopedia
The Members Church of God International is an independent
Christian
organization with headquarters in the Philippines
. The Church of God International is colloquially known through its flagship international television program, Ang Dating Daan
(English translation
: The Old Path). The church originally rooted from a similar denomination, the "Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi't Suhay ng Katotohanan" which was founded by Nicolas Perez in 1936. The church has Restorationist characteristics in theme but denies being part of the Restoration Movement
.
In 1980, Eliseo Soriano
registered the group as "Mga Kaanib Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas" (Members Church of God in Christ Jesus, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth in the Philippines) at the Philippines
’ Securities and Exchange Commission
with himself
as its Presiding Minister.
The church has a Nontrinitarianism
orientation, meaning that they reject the doctrine of the Trinity
, which is considered is the central dogma of mainline Christianity, 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
.
(Church of Christ; INC), Teofilo Ora
, Januario Ponce and Basilio Santiago gathered some members of the Iglesia ni Cristo
to formally separate from the church; dubbed as "Ora's Exodus" by critics of INC. This was during the time INC leader
Felix Manalo
was attacked with numerous controversies. Several months later, they name the Church 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.
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).
, Nicholas Perez was already preaching this Church way back in 1928 at Pulilan, Bulacan
but according to INC sources, Nicholas Perez was still with the Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus founded by Ora.
It was not until December 10, 1936 that the Church of Nicholas Perez, Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan was officially registered in the Philippines
' Bureau of Commerce and Industry. In 1954, Avelino Santiago, Nicholas Perez’ co-founder persecuted Perez and finally left the group and established his own church, Iglesia ng Diyos na Buhay kay Kristo Hesus.
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.
In 1969, Nicolas 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.
After the death of Nicholas Perez, a woman named Levita Gugulan was appointed by a Board of Directors to 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) as the Church Presiding Minister. Eliseo Soriano was a signatory on July 11, 1975 to the appointment of Gugulan. A month after, he again signed a memorandum stating that anyone who opposes their Church administration will be suspended and expelled.
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. On February 21, 1976, 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.
of the word hedraioma http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=1477 of 1 Timothy 3:15 http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=1Ti&chapter=3&verse=15 in the Greek Scriptures
instead of the word Suhay used by Gugulan's group. According to Soriano, the most exact translation of hedraioma is Ground or Saligan in Tagalog and not Support or Suhay in Tagalog.
A year later, one of his members Filomeno Hizon left him and established his own church, the Mga Mananampalataya sa Iglesia ng Diyos Kay Kristo Hesus, Incorporated which was registered only on June 20, 1984. The Iglesia ng Diyos na Buhay kay Kristo Hesus, Santiago's sect, became inactive.
name
to one that is not similar to Gugulan's group.
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, Soriano reserved another name, the Iglesia ni YHWH at ni YHWSA HMSYH, Inc. (English Translation: Church of YHWH and of YHWSA HMSYH, Inc.). 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. 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.
, Canada
, Australia
, Europe
and in Africa
. Soriano maintains that the Members Church of God International is the continuation of the past churches he led.
Currently, the Church has a growing local churches and congregations in South 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
.
: Tagapangasiwang Pangkalahatan); MCGI teachings, however, state that Jesus Christ is the original founder of the church. According to their doctrine, the Members are simply adhering to the teachings of original Christianity.
alone, which can only be done through their leader Eliseo Soriano
and to the founder of the real church, Jesus Christ and his disciples. They adhere to the doctrine of Biblical inerrancy
including scientific and historical accuracy of the Bible.
They reject the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity
, as well as the doctrines of Oneness
, Original Sin
, eternal security, personal relationship with Christ, tithing
, first-day Sabbatarianism, Christmas Day (along with other Christian holidays) among others.
Indoctrination classes are required prior to joining the organization. The classes are composed of at least 7 lessons concerning church doctrines prepared by Eliseo Soriano
. Indoctrinees must wholeheartedly accept the doctrines taught during the indoctrination, before they will be baptized.
Members are expected to be modest in dress and grooming. Women are prohibited from wearing short hair, jewelry, and pants, while men are prohibited to have long hair
. They are strictly prohibited from drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, using drugs and gambling. Members are required to attend church service called Pasalamat, or Thanksgiving every Saturday/Sunday usually in Apalit, Pampanga
or in selected locales which have satellite access to the thanksgiving (elders and the disabled are excused in going to Apalit and will be required to go to the selected locales with satellite access). The service involves singing hymns, hearing sermons, offering prayers, and giving to the church. Bending the knees, facing the ground ("panikluhod") is the posture of prayer observed throughout the service.
MCGI uses radio, television and the World Wide Web
in its missionary and propagation labors. Flagship program Ang Dating Daan
is primarily hosted by Eliseo Soriano
, the Church Presiding Minister. The flagship program currently airs in 73 countries worldwide including United States
, Brazil
, Portugal
(as "O Caminho Antigo"), Spain
(as "El Camino Antiguo"), India
, South Africa
, Saipan
and Canada
.
Aside from free channels in the Philippines, MCGI airs English-format programs such as Biblically Speaking, Truth in Focus and Bible Guide through the TOP (The Old Path) Channel
, carried by satellite and direct-to-home (DTH) service provider, GlobeCast. TOP Channel is available in the United States
and Canada
.
The MCGI, through the TV program Good Morning Kuya
hosted by Vice-Presiding Minster Daniel Razon, provides various public service projects through free clinics and free bus rides. Also, Bro. Daniel Razon has been spearheading many projects for the indigent. These include "Clinic ni Kuya", a free clinic located in the UNTV studio, a free Transient house for the homeless and a free College school simulataneous in Apalit & Caloocan City
.
Non-denominational Christianity
In Christianity, nondenominational institutions or churches are those not formally aligned with an established denomination, or that remain otherwise officially autonomous. This, however, does not preclude an identifiable standard among such congregations...
Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
organization with headquarters in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. The Church of God International is colloquially known through its flagship international television program, Ang Dating Daan
Ang Dating Daan
Ang Dating Daan is a religious radio and television program in the Philippines produced by the Members of the Church of God International. It is primarily hosted by Eli Soriano. In Portugal and Brazil, it airs as O Caminho Antigo which is a direct translation for The Old Path...
(English translation
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: The Old Path). The church originally rooted from a similar denomination, the "Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi't Suhay ng Katotohanan" which was founded by Nicolas Perez in 1936. The church has Restorationist characteristics in theme but denies being part of the Restoration Movement
Restoration Movement
The Restoration Movement is a Christian movement that began on the American frontier during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century...
.
In 1980, Eliseo Soriano
Eliseo Soriano
Eliseo Fernando "Bro. Eli" Soriano is a Filipino televangelist. He is the current Presiding Minister of the Philippines-based Christian organization Members Church of God International, colloquially known through its radio and television program Ang Dating Daan...
registered the group as "Mga Kaanib Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas" (Members Church of God in Christ Jesus, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth in the Philippines) at the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
’ Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities and Exchange Commission (Philippines)
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission is a Philippine state commission responsible for securities laws and regulating the securities industry. The SEC is an agency within the Philippine Department of Finance....
with himself
Eliseo Soriano
Eliseo Fernando "Bro. Eli" Soriano is a Filipino televangelist. He is the current Presiding Minister of the Philippines-based Christian organization Members Church of God International, colloquially known through its radio and television program Ang Dating Daan...
as its Presiding Minister.
The church has a Nontrinitarianism
Nontrinitarianism
Nontrinitarianism includes all Christian belief systems that disagree with the doctrine of the Trinity, namely, the teaching that God is three distinct hypostases and yet co-eternal, co-equal, and indivisibly united in one essence or ousia...
orientation, meaning that they reject the doctrine of the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
, which is considered is the central dogma of mainline Christianity, 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
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Ora's Disputed Exodus
In May 1922, former members a similar Philippine-based denomination, the Iglesia Ni CristoIglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo also known as INC, is the largest entirely indigenous Christian religious organization that originated from the Philippines and the largest independent church in Asia. Due to a number of similarities, some Protestant writers describe the INC's doctrines as restorationist in...
(Church of Christ; INC), Teofilo Ora
Most Holy Church of God in Christ Jesus
The Most Holy Church of God in Christ Jesus , is a Christian denomination founded in the Philippines by Bishop Teofilo D. Ora in May 1922....
, Januario Ponce and Basilio Santiago gathered some members of the Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo also known as INC, is the largest entirely indigenous Christian religious organization that originated from the Philippines and the largest independent church in Asia. Due to a number of similarities, some Protestant writers describe the INC's doctrines as restorationist in...
to formally separate from the church; dubbed as "Ora's Exodus" by critics of INC. This was during the time INC leader
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo also known as INC, is the largest entirely indigenous Christian religious organization that originated from the Philippines and the largest independent church in Asia. Due to a number of similarities, some Protestant writers describe the INC's doctrines as restorationist in...
Felix Manalo
Felix Manalo
Felix Ysagun Manalo , also known as Ka Félix, was the first Executive Minister of the Philippines'-based religious organization Iglesia ni Cristo, and incorporated it with the Philippine Government on July 27, 1914. He is the father of Eraño G...
was attacked with numerous controversies. Several months later, they name the Church 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
Maragondon, Cavite
The Municipality of Maragondon is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cavite, Philippines. Maragondon is 54 kilometers away from Manila going southeast. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 33,604 people...
.
In 1928, Nicholas Perez became its General Evangelist and soon sought the leadership of the group but was denied by Teofilo Ora.
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
Most Holy Church of God in Christ Jesus
The Most Holy Church of God in Christ Jesus , is a Christian denomination founded in the Philippines by Bishop Teofilo D. Ora in May 1922....
(Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
: Kabanal-banalang Iglesia Ng Diyos).
Nicholas Perez's split with Ora
In 1931, Nicholas Perez with Avelino Santiago left and 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). The reality of this event was disputed. According to Eliseo SorianoEliseo Soriano
Eliseo Fernando "Bro. Eli" Soriano is a Filipino televangelist. He is the current Presiding Minister of the Philippines-based Christian organization Members Church of God International, colloquially known through its radio and television program Ang Dating Daan...
, Nicholas Perez was already preaching this Church way back in 1928 at Pulilan, Bulacan
Pulilan, Bulacan
Pulilan is a 1st class urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 85,008 inhabitants in 13,948 households...
but according to INC sources, Nicholas Perez was still with the Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus founded by Ora.
It was not until December 10, 1936 that the Church of Nicholas Perez, Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan was officially registered in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
' Bureau of Commerce and Industry. In 1954, Avelino Santiago, Nicholas Perez’ co-founder persecuted Perez and finally left the group and established his own church, Iglesia ng Diyos na Buhay kay Kristo Hesus.
Succession woes and Soriano's schism
On April 7, 1964, Eliseo SorianoEliseo Soriano
Eliseo Fernando "Bro. Eli" Soriano is a Filipino televangelist. He is the current Presiding Minister of the Philippines-based Christian organization Members Church of God International, colloquially known through its radio and television program Ang Dating Daan...
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.
In 1969, Nicolas 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.
After the death of Nicholas Perez, a woman named Levita Gugulan was appointed by a Board of Directors to 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) as the Church Presiding Minister. Eliseo Soriano was a signatory on July 11, 1975 to the appointment of Gugulan. A month after, he again signed a memorandum stating that anyone who opposes their Church administration will be suspended and expelled.
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. On February 21, 1976, 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.
Establishment of the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan
On March 30, 1977, two years after the death of Perez, Eliseo Soriano and followers registered his own 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 TagalogTagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
of the word hedraioma http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=1477 of 1 Timothy 3:15 http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=1Ti&chapter=3&verse=15 in the Greek Scriptures
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
instead of the word Suhay used by Gugulan's group. According to Soriano, the most exact translation of hedraioma is Ground or Saligan in Tagalog and not Support or Suhay in Tagalog.
A year later, one of his members Filomeno Hizon left him and established his own church, the Mga Mananampalataya sa Iglesia ng Diyos Kay Kristo Hesus, Incorporated which was registered only on June 20, 1984. The Iglesia ng Diyos na Buhay kay Kristo Hesus, 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 churchChurch Body
A local church is a Christian religious organization that meets in a particular location. Many are formally organized, with constitutions and by-laws, maintain offices, are served by pastors or lay leaders, and, in nations where this is permissible, often seek seek non-profit corporate status...
name
Name
A name is a word or term used for identification. Names can identify a class or category of things, or a single thing, either uniquely, or within a given context. A personal name identifies a specific unique and identifiable individual person, and may or may not include a middle name...
to one that is not similar to Gugulan's group.
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, Soriano reserved another name, the Iglesia ni YHWH at ni YHWSA HMSYH, Inc. (English Translation: Church of YHWH and of YHWSA HMSYH, Inc.). 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
Court of Appeals
A court of appeals is an appellate court generally.Court of Appeals may refer to:*Military Court of Appeals *Corte d'Assise d'Appello *Philippine Court of Appeals*High Court of Appeals of Turkey*United States courts 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
Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
in 2001. 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
On January 13, 2004 Soriano registered and used the name, Members Church of God International because of international expansion and because locals were founded in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. Soriano maintains that the Members Church of God International is the continuation of the past churches he led.
Currently, the Church has a growing local churches and congregations in South America, particularly Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. Ang Dating Daan
Ang Dating Daan
Ang Dating Daan is a religious radio and television program in the Philippines produced by the Members of the Church of God International. It is primarily hosted by Eli Soriano. In Portugal and Brazil, it airs as O Caminho Antigo which is a direct translation for The Old Path...
now airs in 73 countries worldwide including United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
, Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
(as "O Caminho Antigo"), Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
(as "El Camino Antiguo"), India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Ministers
Formally, the Members Church of God International is led by a Presiding Minister (TagalogTagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
: Tagapangasiwang Pangkalahatan); MCGI teachings, however, state that Jesus Christ is the original founder of the church. According to their doctrine, the Members are simply adhering to the teachings of original Christianity.
- Present Presiding Minister: Eliseo SorianoEliseo SorianoEliseo Fernando "Bro. Eli" Soriano is a Filipino televangelist. He is the current Presiding Minister of the Philippines-based Christian organization Members Church of God International, colloquially known through its radio and television program Ang Dating Daan...
- Present Vice-Presiding Minister: Daniel S. RazónDaniel S. RazónDaniel S. Razón is a television and radio host in the Philippines. He is also the vice-presiding minister of the Members Church of God International.-Broadcast career:...
Beliefs and Practices
The Members of the Church of God International believe that all teachings and interpretation of doctrines should be based upon the 66 books of the BibleBible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
alone, which can only be done through their leader Eliseo Soriano
Eliseo Soriano
Eliseo Fernando "Bro. Eli" Soriano is a Filipino televangelist. He is the current Presiding Minister of the Philippines-based Christian organization Members Church of God International, colloquially known through its radio and television program Ang Dating Daan...
and to the founder of the real church, Jesus Christ and his disciples. They adhere to the doctrine of Biblical inerrancy
Biblical inerrancy
Biblical inerrancy is the doctrinal position that the Bible is accurate and totally free of error, that "Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact." Some equate inerrancy with infallibility; others do not.Conservative Christians generally believe that...
including scientific and historical accuracy of the Bible.
They reject the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
, as well as the doctrines of Oneness
Divine simplicity
In theology, the doctrine of divine simplicity says that God is without parts. The general idea of divine simplicity can be stated in this way: the being of God is identical to the "attributes" of God. In other words, such characteristics as omnipresence, goodness, truth, eternity, etc...
, Original Sin
Original sin
Original sin is, according to a Christian theological doctrine, humanity's state of sin resulting from the Fall of Man. This condition has been characterized in many ways, ranging from something as insignificant as a slight deficiency, or a tendency toward sin yet without collective guilt, referred...
, eternal security, personal relationship with Christ, tithing
Tithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
, first-day Sabbatarianism, Christmas Day (along with other Christian holidays) among others.
Indoctrination classes are required prior to joining the organization. The classes are composed of at least 7 lessons concerning church doctrines prepared by Eliseo Soriano
Eliseo Soriano
Eliseo Fernando "Bro. Eli" Soriano is a Filipino televangelist. He is the current Presiding Minister of the Philippines-based Christian organization Members Church of God International, colloquially known through its radio and television program Ang Dating Daan...
. Indoctrinees must wholeheartedly accept the doctrines taught during the indoctrination, before they will be baptized.
Members are expected to be modest in dress and grooming. Women are prohibited from wearing short hair, jewelry, and pants, while men are prohibited to have long hair
Long hair
Long hair is a hairstyle. Exactly what constitutes long hair can change from culture to culture, or even within cultures. For example, a woman with chin-length hair in some cultures may be said to have short hair, while a man with the same length of hair in some of the same cultures would be said...
. They are strictly prohibited from drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, using drugs and gambling. Members are required to attend church service called Pasalamat, or Thanksgiving every Saturday/Sunday usually in Apalit, Pampanga
Apalit, Pampanga
Apalit is a Philippine municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. It is situated in the Luzon Island. According to the latest census, it has a population of 97,296 inhabitants in 15,072 households....
or in selected locales which have satellite access to the thanksgiving (elders and the disabled are excused in going to Apalit and will be required to go to the selected locales with satellite access). The service involves singing hymns, hearing sermons, offering prayers, and giving to the church. Bending the knees, facing the ground ("panikluhod") is the posture of prayer observed throughout the service.
Teachings about God
- There's God, YHWHTetragrammatonThe term Tetragrammaton refers to the name of the God of Israel YHWH used in the Hebrew Bible.-Hebrew Bible:...
(God of Israel) or God the Father who is the Creator of the universe with YHWSA HMSYH, the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. God is not omnipotent (he cannot do certain things like lying). God is not omniscient (he doesn't foreknow all future human actions and choices). God is not omnipresent (he created hell but he is not there). - Jesus Christ (Yhwsa Hmsyh) is God the Father's only begotten son (in Romanized Greek: monogenestheos). He is that Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6. He is recognized as the ApostleApostle (Christian)The term apostle is derived from Classical Greek ἀπόστολος , meaning one who is sent away, from στέλλω + από . The literal meaning in English is therefore an "emissary", from the Latin mitto + ex...
and High PriestHigh priestThe term "high priest" usually refers either to an individual who holds the office of ruler-priest, or to one who is the head of a religious caste.-Ancient Egypt:...
of the church. He is the sent savior of mankind and the way, the truth and the life. - The Holy Spirit came from the Father and part of the Godhead.
Teachings about the Church
- The Members Church of God International affiliates to the only true church of God first preached in Jerusalem during the 1st century A.D.and brings the message of salvation to the world. The church of God is the Kingdom of GodKingdom of GodThe Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven is a foundational concept in the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.The term "Kingdom of God" is found in all four canonical gospels and in the Pauline epistles...
on earth and is necessary for one's salvation. Those who have heard of the gospel and of the church must join this church in order to be saved.. - A member of the Members Church of God International can lose his salvation if he doesn't persevere until the end.
- The official name of the true church in the Bible is Church of God in Christ Jesus.
- The laws of Moses, the 10 Commandments including ShabbatShabbatShabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
and tithingTitheA tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
have been abolished and replaced with the laws of Christ in the New Testament. - Salvation can only be attained by following all the laws of Christ in the New Testament * A person may be saved even though he has not heard of the Gospel. He will be judged by God according to his conscience.
- The establishment of the Members Church of God International in the PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
is the fulfilment of Zachariah 8:3, Isaias 24:15 and among other prophecies in the Bible because geographically, the PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
is an archipelago located in the East. - Zechariah 13:7-9 was fulfilled in the Members Church of God International when the Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan, founded by Nicholas Perez, split into three groups: Levita Gugulan's group, Filomeno Hizon's group and Eliseo Soriano's group.
- Women should not be allowed to lead the church.
Anti-Catholicism
- The Whore of BabylonWhore of BabylonThe Whore of Babylon or "Babylon the great" is a Christian allegorical figure of evil mentioned in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. Her full title is given as "Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and Abominations of the Earth." -Symbolism:...
in Revelation represents the Catholic Church. The Beast of Revelation is the papacy because they said the pope's alleged title Vicarius Filii DeiVicarius Filii DeiVicarius Filii Dei is a phrase first used in the forged medieval Donation of Constantine to refer to Saint Peter, a leader of the Early Christian Church and regarded as the first Pope by the Catholic Church...
adds up to 666 and is allegedly engraved on papal tiaraPapal TiaraThe Papal Tiara, also known incorrectly as the Triple Tiara, or in Latin as the Triregnum, in Italian as the Triregno and as the Trirègne in French, is the three-tiered jewelled papal crown, supposedly of Byzantine and Persian origin, that is a prominent symbol of the papacy...
. The mark of the beast is the sign of the crossSign of the crossThe Sign of the Cross , or crossing oneself, is a ritual hand motion made by members of many branches of Christianity, often accompanied by spoken or mental recitation of a trinitarian formula....
. However, the Roman Catholic Church states that Vicarius Filii DeiVicarius Filii DeiVicarius Filii Dei is a phrase first used in the forged medieval Donation of Constantine to refer to Saint Peter, a leader of the Early Christian Church and regarded as the first Pope by the Catholic Church...
is not an official title of the pope and there's no evidence that Vicarius Filli Dei is inscribed on papal tiara. - The Last SupperLast SupperThe Last Supper is the final meal that, according to Christian belief, Jesus shared with his Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, also known as "communion" or "the Lord's Supper".The First Epistle to the Corinthians is...
is not to be commemorated literally. The bread symbolizes the teachings of Jesus and the cup of wine symbolizes the sufferings that Christians must endure. - The Bible does not condemn the hormonally imbalanced persons or the gays and the lesbians but the sodomitesSodomySodomy is an anal or other copulation-like act, especially between male persons or between a man and animal, and one who practices sodomy is a "sodomite"...
. Sodomites are heterosexuals who practice homosexual sex because of their perversion. However, homosexuals are prohibited from having same-sex intercourse. - The soulSoulA soul in certain spiritual, philosophical, and psychological traditions is the incorporeal essence of a person or living thing or object. Many philosophical and spiritual systems teach that humans have souls, and others teach that all living things and even inanimate objects have souls. The...
is a combination of spirit (breath of life) and body including the emotions, memory, faculties. When a person dies, his soul is in the hands of God and will be restored in the resurrectionResurrectionResurrection refers to the literal coming back to life of the biologically dead. It is used both with respect to particular individuals or the belief in a General Resurrection of the dead at the end of the world. The General Resurrection is featured prominently in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim...
to face judgement.
Propagation and Missionary Works
World Wide Web
The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet...
in its missionary and propagation labors. Flagship program Ang Dating Daan
Ang Dating Daan
Ang Dating Daan is a religious radio and television program in the Philippines produced by the Members of the Church of God International. It is primarily hosted by Eli Soriano. In Portugal and Brazil, it airs as O Caminho Antigo which is a direct translation for The Old Path...
is primarily hosted by Eliseo Soriano
Eliseo Soriano
Eliseo Fernando "Bro. Eli" Soriano is a Filipino televangelist. He is the current Presiding Minister of the Philippines-based Christian organization Members Church of God International, colloquially known through its radio and television program Ang Dating Daan...
, the Church Presiding Minister. The flagship program currently airs in 73 countries worldwide including United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
(as "O Caminho Antigo"), Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
(as "El Camino Antiguo"), India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Aside from free channels in the Philippines, MCGI airs English-format programs such as Biblically Speaking, Truth in Focus and Bible Guide through the TOP (The Old Path) Channel
Television channel
A television channel is a physical or virtual channel over which a television station or television network is distributed. For example, in North America, "channel 2" refers to the broadcast or cable band of 54 to 60 MHz, with carrier frequencies of 55.25 MHz for NTSC analog video and...
, carried by satellite and direct-to-home (DTH) service provider, GlobeCast. TOP Channel is available in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The MCGI, through the TV program Good Morning Kuya
Good Morning Kuya
Good Morning Kuya is a morning news-talk program conceptualized by Kuya Daniel Razon which airs on UNTV-37 every weekday morning. The show also provides various Public Services to the public by means of a Free Clinic, a Free Orphanage, Free Education, Free Transient Home, Free Legal Services and...
hosted by Vice-Presiding Minster Daniel Razon, provides various public service projects through free clinics and free bus rides. Also, Bro. Daniel Razon has been spearheading many projects for the indigent. These include "Clinic ni Kuya", a free clinic located in the UNTV studio, a free Transient house for the homeless and a free College school simulataneous in Apalit & Caloocan City
Caloocan City
The City of Caloocan is one of the cities and municipalities that comprises the Metro Manila region in the Philippines. It is a major residential area inside Metro Manila...
.
Official links
- Official Members Church of God International Website
- Official Ang Dating Daan Website
- Official Website of Bro. Eli Soriano
- Official Website of Bro. Daniel Razon
- Bro. Eli Soriano's Official Blogsite
- The Old Path TV
- Christian Community Portal
- Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel Foundation Web Site
- UNTV Channel 37