Examine the Verse
John 20:17
This verse is claimed to provide the basis of the Iglesia ni Cristo belief
that the Father in heaven is the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.

	Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’” (John 20:17,  New King James Version)
	Iglesia ni Cristo belief in God and Jesus Christ: Iglesia ni Cristo believes in the absolute oneness of God, that "the Only True God is the Father" in heaven; The Father is the Lord God Almighty, the Creator of all things. God is Spirit, eternal, immortal and invisible; He is the God and Father of Jesus Christ and His Apostles; and that of Moses, Abraham and the ancient Israelites. Iglesia ni Cristo believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. As the Son of God, Jesus is a Man.  However, Jesus is not an ordinary man but a "very special Man", who was sanctified; made Lord, Christ, Savior, Mediator and Judge by God.
	Apostle's admonition, warning and unique way of teaching: 1. No prophecy of scripture is a matter of personal interpretation. (II Pt. 1:20, NAB) 2. Do not go beyond  what is written. (I Cor. 4:6, NIV)  3. We do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths. (1 Cor. 2:13, NLT)

	Points to Consider:
	1.  Notice that In the above verses, the Lord Jesus Himself was talking to Mary Magdalene by the tomb just after His resurrection. 2.  In the verse, Jesus clearly said to Mary, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God." This is the message that Jesus wanted Mary to tell His brethren. Thus, Jesus clearly recognize the Father in heaven as His Father and His God. 3.  In the above verse, the message is very clear that Father in heaven is the "God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ". This biblical fact is also written in many verses of the Holy bible, such as: Romans 15:6;  2 Corinthians 1:3;  Ephesians 1:3;  1 Peter 1:3 4.  Please note carefully that in the above verse, Jesus is consistent in teaching that the "only true God is the Father in heaven" as this is His basic teaching that means eternal life for believers (John 17:1&3). Jesus never taught that He is God, God the Son or God incarnate as Trinitarians believe Him to be.
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	John 20:17 in other versions of the Bible:
	Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.   (King James Version) “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”    (New Living Translation) You may use other version or translation of the Holy Bible.

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Examine - consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning; Source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/examine

Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind.