Locale Church of INC in Rome, Jerusalem and Athens Restored?

"Most memorable of the expansion works of the Church is the establishment of the local congregation of the Church in Rome; in Jerusalem in Israel on March 31, 1996, signifying the Church's return to its original home; and in Athens, Greece on May 10, 1997, signifying the extension of the Gentile mission."

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centennial Issue, p. 11 (by Isaias T. Samson Jr.)

Far East ~ the Philippines?

"...God did not only prophesy the emergence of His children from the Far East but also the gathering of His children from the Far West:

'From the far east will I bring your offspring, and from the far west I will gather you.'  (Isa. 43:5, Moffat Translation)

The World Almanac identifies the Far West as "California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii.." On July 27, 1968, this prophesy began to be fulfilled when brethren from the Philippines... migrated to Hawaii... Brother Eraño proceeded immediately to San Francisco, California to officiate the worship service... 'Gathering Work' happened when the Church Of Christ... has reached its glorious posture in the Far East as also prophesied by God: 'Till in the far west men have awe of the Eternal, and in the east they see his brilliant deeds; for his vengeance pours out like a pent-up stream, driven by a blast of wind.' (Isa. 59:19, Moffat Translation)"

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centennial Issue, p. 11 (by Isaias T. Samson Jr.)

Pasugo: INC Rome Locale was Officially Registered

"... the official registration of the Church of Christ with the Italian government and the special thanksgiving service in Rome, which was led by then Executive Minister, Brother Eraño G. Manalo... [he] signed the documents of registration, declaring that the original Church of Christ was officially restored in Rome on that particular day."

"Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, then the Deputy Executive Minister, as he accomplished the preliminary tasks pertinent to the registration of the Church [Iglesia Ni Cristo] at the Tribunale Civile Di Roma."

-PASUGO God's Message February 2014, p. 7

PASUGO Centennial Special Issue

PASUGO God's Message
July Special Centennial Issue

"... the early state of the Church Of Christ that were filled with trials and tribulations. To mention a few ... threats from internal conflicts, such as division and schisms..."

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centennial Issue, p.10 (by Isaias T. Samson Jr.)

"God had allowed His people in these last days to go through years of persecution, adversities, and various trials, to show and underscore the realization of His promise to His Messenger and to the works He had entrusted him... so many have tried relentlessly to oppose the work that God entrusted to His messenger in these last days."

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centennial Issue, pp. 10-11 (by Isaias T. Samson Jr.)

"... the glorious status of the Church. Their faith was strengthened by the fulfillment of God's promises to His messenger and to His Church from the ends of the earth:

'You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' (Isa. 41:9-10, NKJV)"

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centennial Issue, p. 11 (by Isaias T. Samson Jr.)

"...God did not only prophesy the emergence of His children from the Far East but also the gathering of His children from the Far West:

'From the far east will I bring your offspring, and from the far west I will gather you.'  (Isa. 43:5, Moffat Translation)

The World Almanac identifies the Far West as "California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii.." On July 27, 1968, this prophesy began to be fulfilled when brethren from the Philippines... migrated to Hawaii... Brother Eraño proceeded immediately to San Francisco, California to officiate the worship service... 'Gathering Work' happened when the Church Of Christ... has reached its glorious posture in the Far East as also prophesied by God: 'Till in the far west men have awe of the Eternal, and in the east they see his brilliant deeds; for his vengeance pours out like a pent-up stream, driven by a blast of wind.' (Isa. 59:19, Moffat Translation)"

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centennial Issue, p. 11 (by Isaias T. Samson Jr.)

"Most memorable of the expansion works of the Church is the establishment of the local congregation of the Church in Rome; in Jerusalem in Israel on March 31, 1996, signifying the Church's return to its original home; and in Athens, Greece on May 10, 1997, signifying the extension of the Gentile mission."

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centennial Issue, p. 11 (by Isaias T. Samson Jr.)

"...important milestone of the Church was the election of Brother Eduardo V. Manalo on May 6, 1994, as Deputy Executive Minister of the Church.  Fifteen years and three months thereafter, Brother Eduardo assumed leadership in the Church when his beloved father Brother Eraño , passed away on August 31, 2009 at the age of 84..."

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centennial Issue, p. 11 (by Isaias T. Samson Jr.)

"On July 27, 1914, at the outbreak of the First World War, when Austrian troops undertook their first invasion of Serbia after sending her startling ultimatum, in the Philippines, the Iglesia Ni Cristo was registered with the Philippine government... the Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Office of the Division of Archives, Patented Properties of Literature and Executive Office of Industrial Trade Works..."

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centennial Issue, p. 16 (by Nicanor P. Tiosen)

"... Brother Felix... set up the first central office in Tondo, Manila."

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centenial Issue, p. 16 (by Nicanor P. Tiosen)

"The first Executive Minister of the Church took upon himself all administrative and spiritual concerns... He personally took charge of the training of ministers in what was then called "Ang Klase" (The Class) in 1915."

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centennial Issue, p. 16 (by Nicanor P. Tiosen)

"...on January 28, 1953... Brother Eraño G. Manalo, the fifth child of Brother Felix and Sister Honorata, was chosen or elected to lead the Church in the event of the passing away of the Messenger of God in these last days."

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centennial Issue, p. 17 (by Nicanor P. Tiosen)

"Other notable glimpses during Brother Eraño Manalo's stewardship of the Church were the official establishment of the local congregation of Rome in Italy on July 27, 1994, signifying the full restoration of the Church in Rome; the official establishment of the local congregation of Jerusalem in Israel on March 31, 1996, signifying the Church's return to its original home; and the official establishment of the local congregation of Athens in Greece on May 10, 1997, signifying the extension of the Gentile mission."

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centenial Issue, p. 17 (by Nicanor P. Tiosen)

PASUGO April 2014 INC™ Resettlements

PASUGO God's Message

April 2014

THE TRAGEDY	THE RESETTLEMENT	THE TRIUMPH
1964 Severe religious persecution at Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac	1965 Barrio Maligaya in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija	1968 Birth of the Church's overseas mission
1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption	1997 Barangay Bagong Buhay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija	1994 The Church's official registration in Rome, Italy... 1996 ... in Jerusalem, Israel 1997 ... in Athens, Greece
2013 Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)	2014 Sitio New Era in Leyte, Philippines  -- start of construction	2014 The Church's Centennial Celebration at Philippine Arena

Source: PASUGO God's Message, April 2014, "The Tragedies that came, the Resettlements Established, and the Triumphs that followed", p. 29.

INC™ Charity of the INC™

THE TRAGEDY	THE RESETTLEMENT	THE TRIUMPH
1964 Severe religious persecution at Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac	1965 Barrio Maligaya in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija	1968 Birth of the Church's overseas mission
1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption	1997 Barangay Bagong Buhay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija	1994 The Church's official registration in Rome, Italy... 1996 ... in Jerusalem, Israel 1997 ... in Athens, Greece
2013 Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)	2014 Sitio New Era in Leyte, Philippines  -- start of construction	2014 The Church's Centennial Celebration at Philippine Arena

Source: PASUGO God's Message, April 2014, "The Tragedies that came, the Resettlements Established, and the Triumphs that followed", p. 29.

Pasugo: Bario Maligaya derived from it's founder's name Felix which means 'maligaya' or 'happy'

"In caring for the well-being of its members, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or Church Of Christ upholds a social welfare program that includes the establishment of its own resettlement communities in aid of those who need it most.

"...a place that was to be called Barrio Maligaya, after the Messenger's first name 'Felix' which means 'happy' or 'maligaya'".

"In 1994, the Iglesia Ni Cristo was registered in the city of Rome.  This was followed by the Church's official registration in two other historic cities: Jerusalem in 1996, which marked the fulfillment of a prophesied return of the true Church to its original home; and Athens, Greece in 1997, which signaled the continuation of the Church's expansion in the Gentile lands.

"Just like Barangay Maligaya and Barangay Bagong Buhay, the dawning of Sitio New Era heralds of bigger and better things to come for the Church...

PASUGO God's Message, April 2014, "The Iglesia Ni Cristo resettlement projects: Triumph after tragedy", pp. 28-31 (by Marlex C. Cantor)

Pasugo: 'children of God' (1 Jn 3:1) are the members of INC™?

"... members of the Church Of Christ are the ones being referred to as the children of God (I John 3:1,  Amplified Bible; Rom. 5:1-2, 8-9; Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation)"

"Sister Elna Rago Antonio... of Estancia, Iloilo North was reminded of the Executive Minister's lesson of her own experience in teaching her children; 'As a parent, I trained my children to be Church officers since they were young.

"... the candidates lined up by pairs as they carefully took their steps towards the podium to receive the laying on hands of the Executive Minister.

PASUGO God's Message, April 2014, "Being a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo is life's prime necessity", pp. 16, 18-19 (by Agusto Pakipak and Ed Lumbao with assistance from Markfel Serreno, Lexter John Garcia, and Kristoffer Reniel Gonzales)

Pasugo: Christ is the Savior and He has Blood

"This is what the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, emphasized in his visit to Tacloban City on March 14, 2014... [he] comforted the brethren...

"Since the Church Of Christ is what was redeemed by the Savior's blood (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation), God's people should give utmost importance to their remaining true members of the Church.

"The Executive Minister said the benediction. ...to the Iglesia Ni Cristo's new established resettlement project in Barangay Langit, Alan-alang... This housing project... intended [for] residents, members of the Church Of Christ affected by the super typhoon.

PASUGO God's Message, April 2014, "Nothing can ever take us away from God's Love", p. 12, 14-15 (by Alejandro Sino Cruz Jr., and Zaldy Petorio with assistance from Markfel Serreno and Angelo)

INC™ Last Supper Remembering the Blood of the Lord Jesus

"... Brother Dan Orosa prayed for the bread, which was then broken and distributed to all the brethren to eat together to remember the body of the Lord Jesus... Brother Mathusalem Pareja prayed for the juice of the fruit of the vine, which was distributed to all the brethren to drink together to remember the blood of the Lord Jesus..."

PASUGO God's Message, April 2014, p. 7 (by Ed Lumbao with assistance from Markfel Serreno and Kristoffer Reniel Gonzales)

Pasugo: Christ is Not God ~ Only the Father, the Creator ~ not the Savior?

"God made it known that He is the only One God... Hence, the only one true God is the Creator or Maker of all things.

"Take note of the statement of the Lord Jesus: 'He did not say, "Eternal life is to know 'Me', the only true God." What He stated was clear: "Eternal life is to know 'You'-- referring to the Father, as the only true God.  This should demolish  and bring to rest once and for all the belief in the so-called Trinitarian God, which is totally unbiblical.

"To insist, then, and believe that the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, is God is clearly to contradict the statement of God Himself, of our Lord Jesus, too, as well as that of the apostles.

PASUGO God's Message, April 2014, p.  5 (by Dennis C. Lovendino)

Pasugo: One Flock One Church is the Iglesia Ni Cristo ~Those Who Died for the Lord

"... a life of eternal and incomparable bliss awaits a faithful servant of God... yet only the true servants who remained patient and faithful in obeying the commandments of God until the end are assured and given by God the exclusive right to dwell therein: 'Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.  Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, 'Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on..'' (Rev. 24:12-13 King James Version, emphasis ours).

"The Bible is very specific as to who the blessed servants are--those "who die in the Lord."

"The sheep that Christ recognizes are His own are those who are in His flock; "and other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:16, Ibid.)

"It may seem a little harsh teaching that there is only one "flock" or one true Church and only the members thereof are recognized by Christ as His true servants, but this is the very truth recorded in the Holy Scriptures... follow the Savior by entering the flock or the fold which is the Church Of Christ: 'If anyone serves Me, let his follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also...' (John 12:26, NKJV).

"God promised that , 'A faithful man will abound with blessings' and the greatest blessing is 'the corwn of life' (Prov. 28:20, NKJV; Rev. 2:10, Ibid.)"

PASUGO God's Message, April 2014, p. 1-2 (by Isaias T. Samson Jr., Editor-in-Chief)

Pasugo: Two Lords One God Doctrine ~ Jesus God Our Savior

"The fold or flock  where those who have entered through Him are found in the Church of Christ (Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation). 

"Iglesia Ni Cristo members are guaranteed of the permanent solution to man's gravest problem – the promsed salvation from the impending doom in the lake of fire.

"Joining the Lord God and the Lord Jesus Christ in attesting to the pressing importance of seeking one's salvation, the apostle encouraged the Christians to 'run straight toward the goal...' (Phil. 3:14, Good News Bible)

"... Church Of Christ members share their faith to others greatly considering what Apostle Paul says: 'That is good.  It pleases God our Savior. (I Tim. 2:3-4, New International Reader's Version).  

"... the very truth taught by the Savior Himself that man should enter the sheepfold, which is the Church Of Christ, through Him Who is the door.

"They truly acknowledge that as they do good and, more importantly, as they become rich in good works -- like the giving of offering and sharing their faith, they are storing up a good foundation for them to take hold of eternal life (I Tim. 6;18-19, New King James Version)"
PASUGO God's Message, April 2014, "Today is the day to be saved", p. 20-22 (by Eraño G. Quinito)

PASUGO February 2014

PASUGO God's Message
February 2014

"... the official registration of the Church of Christ with the Italian government and the special thanksgiving service in Rome, which was led by then Executive Minister, Brother Eraño G. Manalo... [he] signed the documents of registration, declaring that the original Church of Christ was officially restored in Rome on that particular day."

"Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, then the Deputy Executive Minister, as he accomplished the preliminary tasks pertinent to the registration of the Church [Iglesia Ni Cristo] at the Tribunale Civile Di Roma."

-PASUGO God's Message February 2014, p. 7

"Brother Eduardo V. Manalo ... read the history of the Church Of Christ in Jerusalem ... then [he] proceeded with the homily, in which he expounded on the fulfillment of the prophesied return of God's people to their original abode, Jerusalem, as marked by the official registration of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) in the city of Jerusalem in February of that year." [1996]

-PASUGO God's Message, February 2014, p. 7

"... extreme weather conditions ... [o]n June 19, 2009, a great storm hit the area and the brethren of the Great Lakes Local Congregation found that the house of worship... had been flooded. The flood damaged many of the offices and dressing rooms of the choir..."

-PASUGO God's Message, February 2014, p. 21

Pasugo: INC was Officially Registered in Jerusalem as a corporation (1996)

"Brother Eduardo V. Manalo ... read the history of the Church Of Christ in Jerusalem ... then [he] proceeded with the homily, in which he expounded on the fulfillment of the prophesied return of God's people to their original abode, Jerusalem, as marked by the official registration of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) in the city of Jerusalem in February of that year." [1996]

-PASUGO God's Message, February 2014, p. 7

Isaiah 41:9-10 "My Servant" are the Iglesia Ni Cristo?

"... the glorious status of the Church. Their faith was strengthened by the fulfillment of God's promises to His messenger and to His Church from the ends of the earth:

'You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' (Isa. 41:9-10, NKJV)"

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centennial Issue, p. 11 (by Isaias T. Samson Jr.)

Pasugo: Persecution Against Felix Manalo as 'God's Last Messenger'

"... the early state of the Church Of Christ that were filled with trials and tribulations. To mention a few ... threats from internal conflicts, such as division and schisms..."

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centennial Issue, p.10 (by Isaias T. Samson Jr.)

"God had allowed His people in these last days to go through years of persecution, adversities, and various trials, to show and underscore the realization of His promise to His Messenger and to the works He had entrusted him... so many have tried relentlessly to oppose the work that God entrusted to His messenger in these last days."

-PASUGO God's Message Special Centennial Issue, pp. 10-11 (by Isaias T. Samson Jr.)

Pasugo: INC™ Temple Damaged

"... extreme weather conditions ... [o]n June 19, 2009, a great storm hit the area and the brethren of the Great Lakes Local Congregation found that the house of worship... had been flooded. The flood damaged many of the offices and dressing rooms of the choir..."

-PASUGO God's Message, February 2014, p. 21

Pasugo: INC™ Official Registration in Jerusalem

"Brother Eduardo V. Manalo ... read the history of the Church Of Christ in Jerusalem ... then [he] proceeded with the homily, in which he expounded on the fulfillment of the prophesied return of God's people to their original abode, Jerusalem, as marked by the official registration of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) in the city of Jerusalem in February of that year." [1996]

-PASUGO God's Message, February 2014, p. 7

Ang mga Nagpapatotoo tungkol sa Iglesia Ni Cristo

PASUGO God's Message, February 2012, Volume 2, ISSN 0116-1636, pp. 27-29
Sinulat ni Lloyd I. Castro

SA PANAHONG CRISTIANO, ibibilang tayong mga anak ng Dios kung may kaugnayan tayo sa Kaniyang Anak na si Jesucristo.  Upang magkaroon tayo ng kaugnayan kay Cristo, kailangang maging miyembro tayo ng Kaniyang Iglesia.  Ang kaanib sa Iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo ang may relasyon sa Kaniya dahil sa ang Iglesia ay katawan Niya at Siya ang ulo nito (Col. 1:18; Efe. 5:32, Magandang Balita Biblia).

Kaya, kung sinasabi ng isang tao na siya'y anak ng Diyos o siya'y may relasyon kay Cristo, kailangang mapatunayan muna niyang ang iglesia o samahang panrelihiyong kinabibilangan niya ay siyang tunay na kay Cristo sa panahong ito.  Ang Panginoong Jesucristo na tagapagtatag mismo ng Iglesia, ang mga apostol Niya, at higit sa lahat, ang Dakilang Diyos, ang mga nagpapatotoo kung alin lamang sa napakaraming iglesia at pangkatin ng pananampalataya ngayon ang iisang Iglesiang titinatag ni Cristo.

Iyon ang iglesiang dapat nating pasukan upang maging totoo at matibay ang ating pagkakatiwalang may relasyon tayo sa Panginoong Jesus, at sa gayon, tayo'y sa Ama na iisang tunay na Diyos.

Ang patotoo ni Jesus

Ayon sa Apocalipsis 19:10, "ang patotoo ni Jesus ay siyang espiritu ng hula."  Suriin natin kung ang Iglesia Ni Cristo na nagsimula sa Pilipinas ay pasado sa pamantayang ito.

Kung ang Iglesia Ni Cristo ang siya lamang Iglesiang kay Jesucristo, may patotoo ba Siya tungkol dito?  May hula (prophecy) ba Siya tungkol sa paglitaw ng Iglesia Ni Cristo sa Pilipinas noong 1914?

Ang totoo, ang pagkakatatag ng Iglesiang ito ay katuparan ng hula ni Cristo na nakasulat sa Juan 10:16 tungkol sa Kaniyang ibang mga tupa: "Mayroon pa Akong ibang mga tupa.  Sila ay wala sa kawan na narito.  Kailangan Ko din silang pangunahan.  Sila ay makikinig sa Aking tinig.  Sa  hinaharap ay magkakaroon ng isang kawan at isang pastol." (Isinalin mula sa Easy-to-Read Version).

Ipinagpauna ng Panginoong Jesus na mayroon Siyang ibang mga tupa na gagawin Niyang isang kawan.  Itatatag Niya sila bilang Iglesia Ni Cristo.

Pinatunayan ni Apostol Pablo na ang kawan ng Panginoon ay ang Iglesia Ni Cristo.  Ganito ang sinabi niya sa Gawa 20:28: "Ingatan ninyo kung gayon ang inyong mga sarili at ang buong kawan na rito'y hinirang kayo ng Espiritu Santo na mga katiwala, upang pakanin ang iglesia ni Cristo na binili niya ng kaniyang dugo" (Isinalin mula sa Lamsa Translation)

Ang patitipon sa ibang mga tupa ng Panginoong Jesus upang maging Iglesia Ni Cristo ay mangyayari sa hinaharap o sa darating na panahon.  Kaya tinawag Niya silang Kaniyang ibang mga tupa ay dahil "wala sila sa kawang narito," na ang tinutukoy ay ang Iglesia Ni Cristo noong unang siglo.

Hindi nangangahulugang dalawang Iglesia ang itinayo ni Cristo.  Ang Iglesia noong unang siglo at ang Iglesiang kinabibilangan ng Kaniyang ibang mga tupa ay iisang Iglesia Ni Cristo.  Kung paanong iisa ang ulo, si Cristo, iisa lamang ang katawan o Iglesia (Efe. 4:4; Col. 1:18).  Ang paglitaw ng Iglesia Ni Cristo sa Pilipinas ay muling pagkakatatag sa tunay na Iglesia.

Kailangan ang muling p agtatatag sa Iglesiang nagsimula sa Jerusalem noong unang siglo sapagkat ito ay naitalikod sa pananampalataya noong pumanaw na ang mga apostol (Gawa 20:29-30; I Tim. 4:1).  Kung paanong ipinagpauna ng Panginoon na ang Iglesia ay ililigaw ng mga bulaang propeta o mga huwag na tagapangaral (Mat. 24:4, 9, 11), hinulaan din Niya ang pagkakaroon ng isang kawan sa hinaharap na panahon o ang muling pagtatatag sa Kaniyang Iglesia.

Ang patotoo ng mga apostol

Nagbigay rin ang gma apostol ng patotoo na ang "isang kawan sa hinaharap" na binubuo ng ibang mga tupa ni Cristo ay ang Iglesia Ni Cristo na lumitaw sa Pilipinas.  Ito ang katuparan ng hinulaan ni Apostol Pedro na ikatlong grupo ng mga taong pinangakuan ng Espiritu Santo: "Pakatalastasin nga ng buong angkan ni Israel, na ginawa ng Dios na Panginoon at Cristo itong si Jesus na inyong ipinako sa krus... Sapagka't sa inyo ang pangako, at sa inyong mga anak, at sa lahat ng nangasa malayo, maging ilan man ang tawagin ng Panginoon nating Dios sa kaniya" (Gawa 2:36, 39, amin ang pagdiriin).

Malinaw na ang "sa inyo" ay Judio na umanib sa Iglesia noong unang siglo.  Ang tinutukoy naman na "sa inyong mga anak" ay ang mga Gentil na naging Cristiano sa pamamagitan ng pangangaral ng ebanghelyo, pangunahin na ni Apostol Pablo na isang Judio (I Cor. 4:14-15).

Kung gayon, ang "mga nasa malayo" ay hindi tumutukoy sa mga Gentil na naging kaanib sa unang siglong Iglesia.  Samantalang ang mga Gentil, kasama ng mga Judio, ay tinawag noong panahon ng mga apostol (Roma 9:24), ang ikatlong grupo naman ay tatawagin pa lamang: "sa lahat ng nasa malayo, maging ilan man ang tawagin ng ... Dios."

Tulad ng nabanggit na, iisa lamang ang tunay na Iglesia, Gayunman, ito ay binubuo ng tatlong grupo ng tao. Ang unang dalawang grupo na magkapanahon-- ang mga Cristianong Judio at Gentil-- ang bumubuo sa Iglesia noong unang siglo.  Ang ikatlong gruop ay malayo sa kanila sa panahon at dako.  Ganito ang pagkakasalin ni C.H. Rieu sa Gawa 2:39: "Sapagkat ang kaloob ay ipinangako sa inyo, at sa inyong mga anak, at sa lahat ng nasa malayong mga panahon at dako, na tatawagin ng Panginoon nating Diyos sa kaniya" (Isinalin mula sa Rieu Translation).

Ang patotoo ng Diyos

Ang malayong dako sa mula roon ay tatawagin ang ibang mga tupa ni Cristo ay ang Malayong  Silangan, ayon sa hula ng Diyos sa Isaias 43:5: "Mula sa malayon gsilangan dadalhin Ko ang iyong lahi, at mula sa malayong kanluran ay titipunin Ko kayo" (Isalin mula sa Moffat Translation).

Kabilang sa tinatawag na dako ng mga Gentil ang Roma at Gresya na kapuwa nasa Europa.  Ang mga ito ay wala sa Malayong Silangan.  Ang Far East o Malayong Silangan ay ang rehiyon sa Asya na kinaroroonan ng Pilipinas (Kenneth Scott Latourette. A Short History of the Far East, p. 209), na rito lumitaw ang Iglesia Ni Cristo sa panahong ito.

Ang binabanggit naman na "malayong mga panahon" ay tumutukoy sa ekspresyong "mga wakas ng lupa."  Sa panahong iyon tatawagin o dadalhin ng Diyos ang Kaniyang mga anak na lalake at babae na mula sa silangan, sa malayo.  Sa Isaias 43:5-6, ganito ang nakasulat: "Huwag kang matakot, sapagkat ako'y sumasaiyo; dadalhin ko ang iyong lahi mula sa silangan, at titipunin kita mula sa kanluran; sasabihin ko sa hilaga, 'Bayaan mo!' At sa timugan, 'Huwag mo silang pigilan!' Dalhin mo ang aking mga anak na mula sa malayo, at ang Aking mga anak na babae namula sa mga wakas ng lupa" (Isinalin mula sa New King James Version).

Ang wakas ng lupa ay sa Ikalawang Pagparito ni Cristo o Araw ng Paghuhukom (Mat. 24:3; II Ped. 3:7).  Ang panahon bago ang dakilang araw na iyon ay tinawag ni Cristo na "mga pintuan" na ayon din sa Kaniya ay "malapit na" (Mat. 24:33).  Kung gayon, ang "mga wakas ng lupa" ay ang panahong malapit na ang wakas.

Kabilang sa mga pangyayaring makikita ayon kay Cristo kung ang panahon ay nasa mg awakas na ng lupa ay mga digmaang ito ay mapapabalita (Mat. 24:6-7).  Ang mga digmaang ito ay mapababalita (Mat. 24:6, MB) sa buong mundo sapagkat ang mga digmaang ito mismo ay pambuong mundo.

Sa kasaysayan, may dalawang digmaang pandaigdig, Worl War I (Unang Digmaang Pangdaigdig) at World War II (Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig), na naganap halos 19 na siglo ang layo sa panahon ng Iglesiang pinamahalaan ng mga apostol.  Ang Unang Digmaang Pandaigdig ay sumiklab noong Hulyo 27, 1914.  Ito ang pagsisimula ng panahong "mga wakas ng lupa" kung kailan hinulaang tatawagin ng Diyos ang Kaniyang mga anak mula sa Malayong Silangan.  Bilang katuparan ng hulang ito, ang Iglesia Ni Cristo ay narehistro sa pamahalaan ng Pilipinas sa mismong petsang iyon.

Kung gayon, ang kawan na binubuo ng ibang mga tupa ni Cristo ay ang Iglesia Ni Cristo na bumangon sa Pilipinas noong 1914.  Ang Diyos mismo ang nagpapatotoo na ang mga kaanib ng Iglesiang ito ay ang Kaniyang mga anak.  Tiniyak ng Panginoong Jesus na sila'y Kaniyang mga tupa o mga alagad, alalaong baga'y tunay na Cristiano.  At ang pahayag ng apostol na sila'y tumatanggap ng kaloob ng Espiritu Santo ay katumbas ng rin ng patotoo na ang Iglesia Ni Cristo ay siyang bayan ng Diyos sa panahong ito (Efe. 1:13-14, MB).

Kaya, sa Iglesia Ni Cristo nararapat maging miyembro ang lahat ng nagnanais magkaroon ng relasyon sa Panginoong Jesus upang mapabilang sa mga kinikilala ng Dios na ang anak Niya.

Ayon kay Apostol Pablo, "kung mga anak, ay mga tagapagmana nga; mga tagapagmana sa Diyos, at mga kasamang tagapagmana ni Cristo" (Roma 8:16-17).  Mamanahin nila ang Bayang Banal na doon ay makakapiling nila ang Diyos magpakailanman (Apoc. 21:1-4).