Inspiring Convert Story-10
"Why I Joined The Iglesia Ni
Cristo"
By Innocent E.
Okekeh, Ph.D, Th.D.
IT WAS IN the course of my studies in the
Philippines from 1974 to 1984--during which I earned Bachelor of
Divinity from the Union Theological Seminary (1978); Master of Arts
in Education at the Philippine Christian University (1980); Doctor
of Philosophy in Educational Management at the Centro Escolar
University (1983)--when I began attending the worship services of
the Iglesia ni Cristo in places like Sampaloc, Manila, and Cavite. I
did it on my own volition. Nobody in or outside the Philippines
coerced, compelled, or even introduced me to the Iglesia ni Cristo.
So, why did I leave my former church and join the
Iglesia ni Cristo? First, I was spiritually convinced that the
Iglesia ni Cristo is the only true Church. It does not hide the
truth. It does not add to or subtract teachings from the Bible. It
is not a Church wherein the doctrines and practices are a mixture of
beliefs where anything can go in. The Iglesia ni Cristo is unique,
the only Church I have seen in my life that is biblical. I was an
Anglican and have seen a lot that I cannot express in details.
However, that I have noticed in the Iglesia n i Cristo is that there
is no discrimination among themselves, even among ministers, and
among the foreigners, that is why they have houses of worship and
congregations even in many African countries including Nigeria.
I have also noticed that the worship service of
this Church is free from showmanship. The method of worship and
thanksgiving is very orderly. Each member is well taken care of and
if any would fail to attend the worship service, he is visited by
his overseer. Pastoral visits are widely practiced, starting from
the district minister or resident minister down to the local
officers.
The Iglesia no Cristo does not worship idols or
graven images. There is nothing like human tradition imposed in
worship. During worship services, members participate actively in
singing the holy hymns, respond in prayers, listen attentively to the
sermon, and voluntarily give offerings. The whole worship service up
to the time of dismissal is short but sufficient, unlike in other
churches where people stay from 8 a.m . to 2 p.m., which is very
noticeable in some so called evangelical churches causing complaint
from their members.
Another reason why I left the Anglican Church is
because of its tolerance to unbiblical practices like divorce,
consecration of women as priest, and same sex marriage. Moreover,
the political problems and dis-unity I observe in my former
church is very discouraging.
One major component of my conversion to the
Iglesia ni Cristo is its clear and precise doctrines regarding the
true nature of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Unlike other churches
that have confusing doctrines such as the Trinity, the Iglesia ni
Cristo upholds these biblical truths. God is Spirit in His state of
being, which means that He has no flesh and bones (John 8:40; Luke
24:39). God is immortal (I Tim.1:17), while Christ experience death,
the cessation of breath (John 19:30.33); God has no beginning
(Ps.90:2), while Christ came from God (John 8:42); God does not
recognize any other God besides Himself (Isa.44:8), while Christ
recognizes the only true God as His God (Mark 15:34, John 20:17; God
does not get tired or wesry (Isa.4:28), while Christ got tired (John
4:6); and finally God is not born of any woman (Num.23:19) but
Christ was born of a woman (Gal.4:4) and He cannot perform anything
without the Almighty God empowering or enabling Him (John 5:30, Acts
10:38).
I hope I have shared enough of my testimony so
that the readers who are not yet members of the Iglesia ni Cristo,
would also join the Church like what I did.
_________________________
Editors Note:
Born in Nigeria on July 25, 1945, Brother Innocent E. Okekeh is a
former Anglican priest from Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. He
first came to the Philippines in 1974 to pursue his studies and he
learned more than he expected.
_________________________
Source:
GOD'S
MESSAGE, November 2009, p.16
Note: Some words and phrases are in italics for emphasis.