Iglesia Ni Cristo 101: Centennial Facts You Should Know

The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), known as a powerful and influential church in the Philippines, celebrated what they claim as their centennial on July 27 this year. The highlight was the massive gathering of members and guests at the Philippine Arena and Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan.

Pictured above was the intense traffic
situation at the NLEX the night before the
INC celebrated their supposed 100 years.
(Courtesy of Google)

The event became a staple for media coverage. The pouring of attendants and the traffic jam in the North Expressway and minor roads in Bulacan were enough to get the attention of the press.

But in the midst of all these “centennial busy-ness” are lingering critical questions that the INC must answer and that the public deserve to know.

INC – From the Eyes of the Public

Since they started, the INC had been under fire. All criticism points to their doctrinal rigidity and political dynamics, two things the group is widely known for. As with their centennial fete, some argue that 2014 is not their 100^th but the 101th year. What they celebrated is the result of a mathematical error.

Of course strong-willed INC dismisses such ideas. They exert influence through every possible means just to minimize and possibly erase bad publicity. One such strategy is their being honey to buzzing politicians come elections. Their central worship temple in Diliman resembles the Vatican at the height of the campaign season. It becomes a shrine where politicians pay homage and promise to do anything for them – as long as the solid vote is guaranteed and eventually, the politician sits in office. Many political analysts think of this as a form of corruption – meddling with the right of every person to vote whomever they desire.

This particular INC medical mission in
Manila caused too much congestion and
traffic, stirring motorists' anger.
(Courtesy of Google)

Lately, the INC had engaged in social charity works, they say, as means to prepare for the 100 years of fruitful existence. So instead of just accepting getting labelled as “bad guys” for corrupting the inalienable right and freedom of their members to freely elect politicians, they cast an impression as underdogs in religion suffering public condemnation. Many would call this as diversion – or disguised morality, if you will.

These are just a few facts that generally tell about the INC. Read on.

INC Goes Hysterical, Not Historical

The INC was formally registered with the Philippine Government on July 27, 1914. The group considers 1914 as its founding year, because they see it as the fulfillment of a prophecy they so claim as biblical.

Here is a background.

The INC had preached that 1914 is a significant year according to the biblical timeline. Three editions of their official magazine, the Pasugo (God’s Message), claimed that 1914 was when the prophecy in Revelations 7:1-4 saw fulfillment. In brief, the verses tell us of four angels holding the four winds of the earth, and another angel coming up from the east, motioning the four not to hurt the earth and sea until the servants of God had been sealed in their foreheads, which were 144,000.

Iglesia ni Cristo explains the prophecy this way: the four angels of the Apocalypse are heads of four states trying to stop the first World War of 1914. They were Woodrow Wilson of the United States, David Lloyd George of Britain, Vittorio Emanuele Orlando of Italy, and Georges Clemenceau of France. The angel rising up from east is none other than Felix Manalo, their long-deceased founder, and the winds that the four angels are holding refer to war. These facts were summarized from the 1964, 1970, and 1976 editions of the Pasugo.

But there are a number of funny drawbacks here.

The Big Four of World War 1 were indeed the heads of four powerful states among more than twenty member countries of the Allied Forces. They met in Paris on January 1919 for the peace conference after World War I ended in 1918. The main purpose of the conference was on peace settlement among warring countries.

But no history book mentioned that these four leaders ever consulted anyone from the east or even outside of the Allied Forces on anything relating to war or peace. The smaller countries which were members of the Allied Forces are definitely at a better position to influence the trend of their decision, but for their respect to the Big Four, waived their right to do so.

Felix Manalo, INC founder, had been
esteemed by his followers as the
angel rising from the east, and the
last messenger of God. (Courtesy of
Google)

Now these questions rise: why is the INC pushing Felix Manalo to gatecrash the Allied Forces? Was he even known by these four leaders from the West? And speaking of the West, did the INC understand the verse in the book of Apocalypse that the four angels were standing on the four corners of the earth, and not just the West? Also, is the INC not aware that the five angels in the book of Apocalypse knew one another – that is why the four angels heeded the angel rising up on the east? Who is Felix Manalo to these four heads of state?

These four leaders the INC are so adamant speaking about as the four angels all converged in Paris. Paris is in Europe. Europe is in the Western Hemisphere of the earth. The four corners of the earth are the four directions – north, east, west, and south. Only someone crazy enough will say that Europe or even Paris is on all four directions. This is a case of mistaken identity and getting lost in the big world. INC should study geography.

What’s worse is the impression that the INC makes of the Big Four – that these leaders are stupid not to know the four directions of the globe.

Unfortunately too, it has escaped the notice of the Iglesia ni Cristo that even before the Big Four made a final decision that was reflected in the Treaty of Versailles, Orlando of Italy pulled out of the conference after his demands were not met. Only three leaders were left to finish the peace settlement. This fact directly contradicts what was written in the Apocalypse that four strong angels held the four winds. The Bible did not say that at least one angel withdrew from holding any of the four winds. But Vittorio Orlando did. The Big Four became the Big Three. What an epic fail! It really pays to read history so we can all learn from the lessons of the past.

If Manalo is what he and his followers claimed to be, he should have advised Orlando not to pull out from the Big Four – or he does not contribute to the fulfillment of the prophecy.

That’s not all.

How did Felix Manalo cry out loud to the four leaders to hold the war before it erupted in 1914, as he was supposedly to put a seal on God’s servants? Back in 1913, Felix was already baptizing members, but those who were baptized did not reach the 144,000 mark. War broke out on July 28, 1914 but Manalo still did not get the 144,000 (how could he in such a short span of time?). The Big Four only met in 1919 to talk about peace. So what is the INC talking about of these four leaders assembling before World War 1 in order to stop the looming war, when they only met five years after the first in the series of World War 1 pronouncements took place? What were the angels (heads of state) holding or stopping?

A historical note: the declaration of war in 1914 was not a single event in world history. Until the 10^th of November 1918, many countries rose up in arms against one another. World War 1 lasted for four years.

What about the 144,000? Who are they?

The 144,000 servants who were sealed are from the 12 tribes of Israel. It was detailed in Revelations 7:4-8. Felix was baptizing Filipinos in 1913, NOT Israelites. What about those who were not baptized into the INC before the war? Are they are all going to be doomed forever in hell?

Concerning the four winds, INC explains that the wind refers to war. They based it on Jeremiah 4:11-12, referring to the wind as “dry wind of the high places.” In Revelations 7:1, it was written “four winds of the earth.” There is a clear difference between the two expressions. The difference in word use and the context where the word "wind" is found contributes to the contrast between the two verses. What's the sense of putting them side-by-side if they do not contribute to the full understanding of both verses?

INC or Improbable Numerical Computation

Adding to the questionable historical citations supposed to support the centennial claim are more glaring evidences of mathematical inconsistencies from the INC’s own archives. Once again, two Pasugo magazines separately published on July 1989 and May 1996 are one in saying that Felix Manalo was already baptizing members during the latter months of 1913, just before World War I. The following year, Felix had the group registered in the government on July 13, 2014 – a 14-day lapse from the 27th.

Another equally curious document dating from 1918 contradicts INC's “100 year legacy.”

The document is an invitation dated December 1918, written by three officials of the INC, named Justino Casanova, Teodoro Santiago, and Federico Inocencio. The content rendered in Tagalog had these words: “Mapitagan naming inaanyayahan ang inyong kamahalan sa gaganaping pagdiriwang ukol sa PAGPAPASALAMAT sanhi sa IKALIMANG TAONG BUHAY ng “IGLESIA NI KRISTO” sa Pilipinas at PAGPAPATONG NG KAMAY sa kapatid na Felix Manalo sa tungkuling pagka Pastor at Tagapamahala ng Iglesia.” In English it says: We respectfully invite your honor to the celebration of THANKSGIVING for the FIFTH ANNIVERSARY of the “CHURCH OF CHRIST” in the Philippines and the ORDINATION of brother Felix Manalo as Pastor and Minister of the Church.

Notice the line FIFTH ANNIVERSARY? Apply simple arithmetic. 1918 less five years is 1913. It’s very simple.

If the INC insists that 1914 is the group's foundation year, are they now going to accept that they made a serious error in computing? They should go back to the classroom to revisit addition and subtraction.

Felix Manalo should have outright corrected this serious error even before he was ordained by religious leaders of other churches. These leaders were Alejandro Reyes, Victoriano Mariano, Gil Domingo, Guillermo Zarco, Nicolas Fajardo, Emiliano Quijano, and Roque Bautista.

But the funny thing about this ordination is that after Felix was ordained by these religious leaders, he blatantly called them “ministers of Satan.” (Pasugo Magazine, August 1961 p. 39) Shouldn’t we be asking now the INC this: where did Felix Manalo’s right as minister of the INC come from? If he was ordained by these men he so degradingly called "servants of the devil," what about he? Will he not be called a servant of the devil as well?

It is imperative that the INC answers these questions, issues, and challenges set forth by those who dare to think and reason in logic.

At the end of this piece, two interesting Bible verses capture the essence of counting and being knowledgeable in numbers. In Psalms 90: 12, David said, “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” It was also clearly applied in Revelation 13:18 that said “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”

Learning how to count and deal with numbers in the biblical standard is wisdom.

So what is this centennial the INC celebrated – a registration-based centennial, existence-based centennial, or memorial of World War 1?

You be the judge.

Brother Eli and the Catholic Mass Part I

Brother Eli Soriano, renowned international televangelist, was criticized in Fiat Volvntas Tua (translated Thy Will Be Done), a Catholic-based blog. It was about Brother Eli’s attack on the veracity of the Catholic Mass, which he wrote in esoriano.wordpress.com

For the sake of truth, we offer these answers in defense of Brother Eli. Please note that the issues answered here were directly lifted from the blog, including whatever errors are found.

Issue: Brother Eli Soriano is the founder of the Arian sect called the Church of God International that is primarily located in the Philippines. It is a schismatic sect of the Jehovah Witnesses and has similar teachings adopting the same evil heresies.

Answer: Brother Eli Soriano is not a founder of any sect. The word “founder” means originator or creator. In his 50 years of preaching, Brother Eli never claimed founding any church or religious organization. His present designation in the Members Church of God International or MCGI is Presiding Minister, NOT Founding Minister. Presiding means leading or directing.

MCGI is not an Arian sect. What is an Arian sect? An Arian sect is a religious organization that upholds the teachings of Arius, a presbyter (minister) of Alexandria considered a heretic during his time. Arianism, the religion founded in his name, believes: (1) The Father alone is God, only unbegotten, eternal, wise, good, unchangeable, separated by an infinite gap from man, and cannot communicate His essence. (2) The Son of God is pre-existent, "before time and before the world," and "before all creatures." He is a middle being between God and the world, the perfect image of the Father, the executor of His thoughts, even the Creator of the world. In a secondary or metaphorical sense he may be called "God." But, on the other hand, Christ is himself a "creature," the first creature of God, through whom the Father called other creatures into existence. He is "made," not of "the essence" of the Father, but "out of nothing," by "the will" of the Father, before all conceivable time, yet in time. He is not eternal, and there "was a time when he was not." Arians also assert that (3) the Son does not perfectly know the Father, and therefore cannot perfectly reveal Him. He is essentially different from the Father (heteroousios, in contrast to the Trinitarian orthodox belief, homoousios, "coequal," and the semi-Asian homoiousios, "similar in essence"). Later, the difference was more strongly expressed, calling the Son unlike the Father (anomoios). Some considered him as a human body with an animal soul, not a rational soul.

Brother Eli is not a disciple of Arianism. He says that the persons of the Father and the Son are distinct. But unlike the Arians, Brother Eli teaches through the Bible that Christ is God and has the same nature as the Father, knows the Father, and he is the only begotten of the Father, existing before the creation of the world but not a created being. Watch these videos of Brother Eli discussing the divinity of Christ, his relationship with the Father, and the trinity.

The words Arian or Arianism are not in the Bible. A quick computer search will reveal the truth.

Brother Eli teaches only the sayings of the Lord Jesus Christ, the apostles, and the prophets that are applicable to the present. In so doing, he uses the Bible to argue with the teachings of others. An example of this is during Bible Expositions. Brother Eli answers questions of people from all walks of life and faith. They ask, he answers through the Bible in real time. Everybody is welcome, even agnostics, skeptics, or atheists.

Majority of the questions in the Bible Exposition are on differences of the doctrines of MCGI from those of this church or that church. Brother Eli is used to responding to questions like those. If someone asks him about the difference of MCGI’s teachings with, say, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Brother Eli answers, a proof that he follows what I Peter 3:15 says: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”

MCGI is not a schismatic sect of the Jehovah’s Witnesses or JW. This claim has no historical or doctrinal proof. MCGI must have retained much of JW’s religious identity if it was a splinter group. Here are some of the many differences of MCGI and JW:

1. MCGI acknowledges the government. It was registered in the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines in 2004. Why? Biblically, Christians were taught to obey the ordinances of men, and this was written in Romans 13:1, Peter 2:13, and Titus 3:1. Under Philippine Law, every corporation or organization is required to be registered to the Securities On the other hand, the JW’s do not recognize human governments. Their argument is that human governments are evil. They now claim that they have changed this teaching since 1966, but they only did so because they have encountered problems, particularly with the US Federal Government. Their founder, Charles Taze Russell, was involved in a series of lawsuits regarding his violation of US state laws.

2. MCGI allows blood donation and transfusion. A proof is the regular blood donation it conducts with the Philippine National Red Cross and other Red Cross families abroad. What does the Bible say? Watch this video of Brother Eli explaining the biblical basis of blood transfusion. In contrast, JW’s do not allow it. Know why the JW does not approve of blood donation or transfusion. Judge for yourself if what the JW's say is biblically acceptable.

3. MCGI believes in a new heaven and a new earth. It is written in Revelation 21:1 – “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” JW’s say that this earth shall be inherited by those who will be saved, as written in Matthew 5:5 – “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” But Brother Eli believes it is a misinterpretation, as he does in this video.

The Jehovah's Witnesses made seven predictions
of the world's end, published in their official gazette,
The Watch Tower. Unfortunately, none of those
predictions came true, even if all forecasts were
computed using biblical and historical dates and figures.

4. MCGI never made any end-of-the-world prophecies. Since 1934 in the time of the late Brother Nicolas Perez until today that Brother Eli leads MCGI, the Church believes that the exact day and time of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the world’s end is not specified in the Bible. Only the signs were given, indicated in Matthew 24:4-51; Matthew 25:1-13; Mark 13:32; Luke 12:40-56; and Revelation 3:3. On the other hand, JW’s had made several doomsday predictions, all fallen to failure.

5. MCGI does not share any historical link with the JW’s. A quick look into the histories of both groups will lay waste to a claim that MCGI was a part of the JW's before. There is not truth to it.

There are many other differences between MCGI and JW’s. What have been mentioned are just a few.

This is only the beginning of the answers to criticisms by some who, for lack of respect towards research and reading of facts, have abandoned logical reasoning and biblical viewpoint. God willing, there will be more replies on the next article.

Dear readers, remember that it pays good rewards to be attentive of the truth and not philosophical talk. Save yourselves from the ignorance advertised by pretentious religious teachers.

Brother Eli and the Cult

Cult, for so long a time, has been confined to mean a pessimistic and underground religious movement. Thus this description, which has eventually turned into a semi-permanent belief, brought to mind a flood of ghastly images of unorthodox rituals: men veiled in black or white priest-like garbs, with heads covered by a pointy hat having only two small openings for the eyes; hair-raising voices muttering a mysterious language before an altar decked and draped with melting candles, skulls, bones, and blood of a sacrifice; and on the wall facing the altar, an emblem of the brotherhood – all these the typical iconic images of a cult’s ceremony in progress.

On the other hand, if a close examination of the term ‘cult’ will be made, a different perspective will be held. The true meaning of cult is not what many people believe and popularize it to be.

According to http://www.etymonline.com/, cult means any of the following: “worship” or “particular form of worship.” It is derived from the Latin cultus which means “care; labor; cultivation; culture; worship; reverence; to worship or give reference to a deity.”

In this regard, if being a cult is what most people think of Members Church of God International (MCGI) to be, and Presiding Minister Brother Eli Soriano a cult leader, the question is – which description of a cult fits MCGI?

This question is for you to answer. But let us help you make a decision by considering these circumstances.

MCGI is a non-profit, recognized organization duly registered in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the Philippines. It means that the Philippine Government acknowledges the presence of MCGI, and its registration records can be accessed and verified.

This privilege grants MCGI to conduct activities without getting apprehended by law. It is what makes MCGI work continuously on evangelization and charity activities in the Philippines and in other parts of the world. Visit http://www.mcgi.org/about/charities/ and http://www.mcgi.org/broadcasts/ to see and read more of the Organization’s documented charity and evangelism events.

As MCGI stretches evangelization efforts abroad, it seeks permit to operate on countries where local chapters are established. MCGI had been allowed by foreign governments to conduct charity missions, like blood donation, clean-up, and charity runs, to name a few. See again the Charities Section of www.mcgi.org for more details.

For these efforts, the Church and Bro. Eli Soriano as well, had received citations for its charitable activities and missions. Look here.

MCGI is on the Web. Internet surfers can freely visit the Church’s portal, www.mcgi.org, to find out their latest news and activities, including vital information they need to know more about the Organization.

MCGI lives within the legal norms of the society.  Members worldwide submit to the laws of their country of origin.  They are disciplined, law-abiding citizens, which is a part of their learning as Christians to be subject to the laws and ordinances of men, a doctrine written in I Peter 2:13 to 16 which says “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of men for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; (14) Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. (15) For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (16) As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke [cloak] of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” (KJV) Read here to find out more about the members of the Church.

MCGI abides by the teachings and doctrines of the Bible.  Brother Eli Soriano, Presiding Minister, teaches every member to faithfully heed God’s laws relevant to the time. He encourages members to think and do what is right before God. He invites them to converse on matters that involve their faith and continuance in God’s service, and listens to and accepts suggestions from members, especially if it will help the Congregation be more responsive Christians.

On a weekly basis, Bro. Eli shares biblical topics that teach, enlighten, and direct the MCGI congregation in dealing with life’s difficulties. Through it, the members become well-informed of their duties and obligations as Christians, dedicated to spiritual and social service.

In conducting religious gatherings, MCGI follows the practice of the first-century Christians. They follow what is written in I Corinthians 14:26 that says “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” (KJV) Read this section to find out more on church assemblies.

What about a cult’s supposed power to cure diseases?

MCGI believes primarily in the power of God to heal. The Church also appreciates the help of science in curing ailments.  Ailing members are advised to see licensed doctors.

Through Brother Eli’s biblically-based teaching that doing good must be done to all men, MCGI initiated free medical help throughout the Philippines, like rescue/ambulance services, a polyclinic with free pharmacy and on-call physicians, and a clinic-on-wheels to address the medical needs of indigent people. Both MCGI and non-MCGI members can benefit from these services. You can read this section for articles on such services.

In addition to the facts already stated, Brother Eli explained the biblical essence of a cult. In a recent Bible Exposition this year, he said that essentially a cult is good. He cited Romans 12:1 in both Spanish and Portuguese, and identified the word culto which means “reasonable or rightful worship.”

Originally in Greek, the same word was rendered “latreia” (pronounced la-tri-ah) which means “ministration of God, which means “worship, divine service.”

The Philippine language adopts and adapts culto from the Spanish and Portuguese as kulto, and the standard definition is surprisingly contradictory to what many people think of it. In the UP Diksyunaryong Filipino (UP Filipino Dictionary), kulto means “sistema ng ritwal at tuntuning panrelihiyon (a system of rituals and religious guidelines). This is the very essence of worship described in the Bible stated in Romans 12:1.

Another definition of cult in Filipino is “may natatangi o pinong pag-uugali, pag-iisip, o panlasa (having unique or refined demeanor, thinking, or taste).” Brother Eli says there is nothing wrong to be said of in this definition.

Brother Eli analyzes that the lack of understanding of many preachers, pastors, and religious ministers caused the misinterpretation of the meaning of cult for many people.

Now let’s go back to the question posed a while ago. If MCGI is a cult, which definition fits it right?

Brother Eli and his Religious Affiliation

Eli Soriano’s religious affiliation had been the subject of many debates. Read on to find out what these issues have in them.

Modest Beginnings

Brother Eli Soriano’s calling as an evangelist began 49 years ago. He was a 17-year old who quit high school at the last year and gave up his dream of becoming a scientist to pursue preaching. His parents who were already baptized in the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan (Church of God in Christ Jesus the Pillar and Ground of the Truth)[1] helped him in his spiritual pursuit. The then Bro. Nicolas Antiporda Perez[2] led that congregation.

Brother Eli’s parents shared the teachings they learned from Bro. Perez with the whole family. It was the staple in any gathering, be it meal-time or a simple bonding.

At school, whenever he and his non-Catholic classmates would gather, religious talk follows. Those events gave Brother Eli ideas about other religions, and were the modest beginnings of his comparison of the teachings of his parents’ Church with those of his classmates. His young inquisitive mind would make him question their beliefs. When he was not getting satisfactory answers, he had the impression that his parents’ belief was more credible than any others’ religion.

In time, he was baptized – April 7, 1964. Brother Eli was a very active member and would always attend batches of gatherings from morning until evening. Sooner, through the encouragement of Church elders, he entered the evangelical ministry and became a worker. He was at that time the youngest.

Setting the Issues Straight

There are claims that Brother Eli had affiliated with other religions, before or after Brother Perez’s death. All claims of such nature are false, including an allegation by the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ), a church founded in the Philippines by Felix Manalo in 1913, that Brother Eli Soriano is one of their former ministers. Brother Soriano never was and never will be a part of any religion other than the Members Church of God International, used to be called Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan (Church of God in Christ Jesus the Pillar and Ground of the Truth).

When Brother Perez was still alive, Brother Eli was the only worker in the Church whom he credited the title “Minister.” He received an identification card which bore the title. Notice the image below.

Eliseo F. Soriano is the name that is visible in the ID’s marks. 

It was signed by Bro. Nicolas Perez, the then Presiding Minister of

the Church of God in Christ Jesus The Pillar and Ground of the Truth.

How possible is it for Brother Eli to minister for another church if his own ID does not identify him with them? If the ministers from other churches that claim connections with Brother Eli are also given ID’s, those ID's will look different from the image given. Why would his ID be different?

Brother Eli was not baptized in other religious organizations. Is it not a prerequisite in any organization, that to gain a position or rank, one must become a member first? How could a non-member be given a position without undergoing membership through baptism?

Here is a confirmation addressed to the editor of a local publication, denouncing Brother Eli’s affiliation with an influential religious group in the Philippines:

In this article posted online by the Philippine Daily Inquirer

on September 2, 2013, Atty. Fredelino Tudio, Brother Eli's legal consultant,

clarifies that the former is not an ex-INC minister. The phrase

"[they] never have had any connection, in whatever capacity,

with the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC)" is clear and understandable enough.

Let the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) prove that Brother Eli was indeed their former minister, supported with documents they are willing to display in public. However, these documents must be certified authentic and legal to the time they claim that Brother Eli was affiliated with them, and later, a declaration that he was expelled. The documents should have aged naturally with time, and not something that have been made to appear old.

It is strange for some religious organizations to claim of a past association with a person they now consider as a threat to their religious leadership. Whatever ties these groups claim to have had with Brother Eli Soriano will never be proven unless they will present solid evidence to justify that he had been with them.

There is a Philippine adage that suits this situation. In English it reads, “A tree that is laden with fruit is stoned.” It means that when people are envious of you and there is no way that they could do what you are doing, the next thing to do is venture upon insult. So it is not surprising if Brother Eli gets hit with false accusations like this because he is envied.

Any religious group can claim that Brother Eli for a time became their disciple, but proving that he had learned from them is a different thing.

---

[1]The Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan (Church of God in Christ Jesus the Pillar and Ground of the Truth) is a Christian denomination established in the Philippines in 1934. It is now known as Members Church of God International and is presided by International Evangelist Bro. Eli Soriano. (More discussion on the Church's history on http://www.mcgi.org/about/history/)

[2]Brother Nicolas Antiporda Perez was the acknowledged presiding minister of the former Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan (Church of God in Christ Jesus, the Pillar and Support of Truth), now known as Members Church of God International. His death in 1975 was a tragic loss to the Church, and he left no clear successor. The lone minister he appointed years before his death, Brother Eli Soriano, along with a few brethren, continued preaching and doing town missions despite accusations that he had an ambition to be the presiding minister. It was later discovered by some Church elders of that time that those who were accusing Brother Eli of usurpation were the ones desperate to attain power and control over the congregation. (More of this on www.elisoriano.com/biography)