Martes, Abril 23, 2013

Ang Pangalang Itinatawag sa mga Alagad ni Cristo



Juan 10:3 ""Binubuksan siya ng bantaypinto; at dinirinig ng mga tupa ang kaniyang tinig: at TINATAWAG ANG KANYANG SARILING MGA TUPA SA PANGALAN, at sila'y inihahatid sa labas."" (AB)


Batay sa talata, tinatawag SA PANGALAN ang mga tupa ni Cristo. 
Ang mga tupang tinutukoy sa talata ay hindi  literal na mga tupa, kundi sila ay mga TAO ng Dios o mga alagad ng ating Panginoong Jesu Cristo. Ito ang nakasulat sa Biblia:

Ezekiel 34:31  ""
At kayong mga tupa ko, na MGA TUPA SA AKING PASTULAN AY MGA TAO, at ako'y inyong Dios, sabi ng Panginoong Dios.""

Maliwanag sa mga  talata sa itaas NA MAY PANGALANG ITINATAWAG SA SARILING MGA TUPA o ALAGAD ng ating Panginoong Jesu cristo. 
Alin ba ang pangalang itinatawag sa mga tupa o sa mga alagad ng panginoong JesuCristo? 

James 2:7 ""
Do they not insult the holy name of Christ by which you are called?"" (CCB)

Santiago 2:7 ""Hindi ba't dinudusta nila  ang BANAL NA PANGALAN NI CRISTO, NA SA INYO'Y ITINATAWAG?""


Maliwanag na pangalan ni Cristo ang itatawag sa mga alagad ni Cristo. 
Gaano ba kahalaga ang pangalang Cristo na ibinigay ng ating Panginoong Dios na itinatawag sa kanyang mga tupa o mga alagad?

Gawa 4:12 ""Kay JESUCRISTO lamang matatagpuan ang kaligtasan. Sapagkat sa silong ng langit ANG KANYANG PANGALAN LAMANG ang ibinigay ng Dios sa ikaliligtas ng tao.""


Maliwanag ayon sa talata kung ano ang pangalang ibinigay ng Dios at kung gaano ito kahalaga. Ito ay dahil sa kay Cristo lamang matatagpuan ang kaligtasan. 
Paano ba itawag ang pangalang Cristo sa kanyang mga tupa o Alagad?

Acts 20:28
 “"Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the CHURCH OF CHRIST which he has purchased with his blood.”" (LT)


Gawa 20:28 ""
Ingatan ninyo kung gayon ang inyong mga sarili at ang buong kawan na rito’y hinirang kayo ng Espiritu Santo upang maging mga katiwala, upang pakanin ang IGLESIA NI CRISTO na binili niya ng kaniyang dugo.” (LT)


Samakatuwid, hindi tunay na Iglesia at hindi siyang ililigtas ni Cristo kung hindi ito tinatawag sa pangalan ni Cristo o sa pangalang IGLESIA NI CRISTO.

Huwebes, Abril 18, 2013

Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ)



  • The Bible : The words of God are written only in the Bible. The Bible should be the only basis of service to God. This is the truth which will teach man salvation from punishment on Judgment Day. Thus, each member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo should give value to the teachings of God written in the Bible by fulfilling them in his life.
  • The true God : The Father Who created all things is the only true God. There are no three persons in one God; thus, reject the belief in the Trinity.
  • The Lord Jesus Christ, Part I : Christ should be highly honored and worshipped by members of the Church of Christ because this is the will of God (Phil.2:9-11). Christ should be recognized as the Son of God (Mt.3:7), Lord (Acts 2:36), Saviour (Acts 5:31), Mediator (1Tim.2:5), a holy man who did not commit sin (1 Pet.2:21-22). The attributes mentioned here give no indication to His nature which we believe is of a man (Jn.8:40); He is not the true God. (Ezek.28:2) Man should also renounce the belief that Christ is true God and true man (Hos.11:9)
  • The Lord Jesus Christ, Part II : The clear distinctions of Christ from God are proofs that the true God is not Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ possesses attributes surpassing the ordinary man but this does not mean that He is God. God has attributes which we do not find in Christ. If Christ can do wonders such as miracles, all these are done by God through Him as God's instrument. On His own powers alone, Christ cannot do anything. Christ Himself states, "I can of my own do nothing."
  • The Lord Jesus Christ, Part III : Teachers of the "Christ is God" doctrine also use the Bible. But we should not allow ourselves to be deceived by them because we cannot read any text in the Bible where Christ says He is the true God. If that is the case, why do they have biblical texts to prove their contentions? Those biblical texts have been given erroneous interpretations (Jn.1:1,14; Isa.9:6) or wrong meanings (1 Jn.5:20) or even based on verses wrongly translated (Rom.9:5).
  • The true religion : The belief that all churches belong to God is false. Christ founded only one true Church - the Church of Christ (Iglesia ni Cristo). Therefore, we value the Church because herein are we able to do the kind of service acceptable to God and through which we shall be saved.
  • The Church of Christ : The Church of Christ is the Church that Jesus will save (Acts 20:28 Lamsa) because He made this Church His body and heads it Himself - before God, the Church and Christ are one new man (Eph.2:15 NKJV; Col.1:18 NKJV). This is the reason why Christ is able to answer for the sins of His Church without violating God's law, that whoever commits a sin, the same must die for that sin (Dt.24:16). Hence, false is the belief that salvation can be attained by means of faith in Christ alone even without membership in the Church of Christ. The Church is necessary not because it saves but because it is the entity that Christ will save (Eph.5:23 TEV).
  • History of the church built by Christ in the first century : The Church built by Christ during the first century was apostatized (Acts 20:29). This was led away by false prophets which arose in the Church after the time of the Apostles (Mt.24:11 RSV), and those who remained firm in the faith were slain by ravenous wolves (Mt.7:15). The fulfillment of the prophesied false teachers who will lead the Church away are the Catholic priests. They introduced false teachings (1 Tim.4:1,3) into the Church until the Church became the Catholic Church - a church essentially different from the Church of Christ as described in the Bible.
  • Proofs that the apostasy of the first century Church of Christ took place : The apostasy of the Catholic Church from the Church established by Christ in the first century took place with their turning away from the teachings of God taught by Christ and His Apostles (Worship of Images, Mass, Popes and Priests as vicars or successors of Christ, Mediator Saints, Purgatory). Therefore, the apostasy takes place whenever there is a teaching of God the Catholic Church violates. In view of this, all the doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church should be rejected.
  • The origin of other churches : We should not be surprised at the number of churches today that are not of Christ. It is not Christ who established them but the enemy or the devil (Mt.13:24-30,36-39 NKJV). These churches that do not belong to Christ are the Catholic Church and her offsprings, the various Protestant denominations and sects. Only one Church belongs to Christ, the Church of Christ.
  • Not by faith only : Many Protestant groups uphold the belief that faith alone in Christ is sufficient for salvation. They have excluded other conditions such as baptism (Mt.16:15-16), Church Membership (Jn.10:9,Acts 2:47, 20:28 Lamsa), suffering for Christ's sake (Phil.1:29), works (Js.2:14,17,20), preaching by the messenger of God (Acts 16:32-33), remaining in the true church (Jn.15:5-6), holding firm and obey Gospel (1 Cor.15:1-2 NIV), enduring & remaining till end (Mt.24:13). Their faith-alone concept of salvation is in direct conflict with the Bible where we can find pronouncements that man is not justified by faith only (Js.2:24).
  • One organized church : One should not deny the necessity of one organized church as the Church of Christ.
  • The Church of Christ in the Philippines : The Church of Christ which emerged in the Philippines (a country in the Far East) in these last days was established by virtue of the fulfillment of the prophecies of God (Isa.43:5 Moffatt) and of Christ (Jn.10:16;Acts 20:28 Lamsa). This is the third group (Acts 2:39) of people in the Church established by Christ. This arose in these last days after the apostasy of the Church built by Christ in the first century as a result of the work done by false prophets. Even the spread of this Church in the Far West (Isa.43:4-6;59:19 NKJV) is a fulfillment of God's prophecy written in the Bible.
  • Brother Felix Y. Manalo - God's Messenger in the last days : The messenger of God (Rom.10:15 NKJV) in these last days (Isa.43:6) is Brother Felix Y. Manalo (Rev.7:2-3). It was not he who built the Church of Christ but it was Christ Himself (Mt.16:18) by virtue of the fulfillment of the prophesy (Jn.10:16). Brother Felix Manalo was only utilized by God as His instrument to preach the pure Gospel of salvation in these last days. His authority as God's messenger is clearly stated by various prophecies in Scriptures (Is.41:9-10; Is.46:11-13; Rev.7:2-3). Hence, it behooves man to have faith in the commissioning of Brother Felix Y. Manalo.
  • The promise for those who endure persecution : Persecutions cannot be avoided because overcoming it serves as basis for inheriting the kingdom of heaven (Mt.5:10-12). Thus whatever kind or extent of persecution a member of the Church of Christ may face, he should not falter or withdraw. He should instead pray to God for assistance in order to overcome religious persecutions.
  • Membership in the Church of Christ : The proper way of joining the Church of Christ is that which is done because of faith (Rom.5:2) in God and in Christ (Jn.14:1-2) as well as the recognition and acceptance of the Church and of God's commissioning of His messenger in these last days (Jn.6:29). If the motive for joining the Church of Christ is pure and proper, the man who joins the Church would be able to perform all the commandments and Church disciplines, the performance of which proves that he is a true member of the Church of Christ. He does not easily discouraged and neither does he drew back. Instead, he remains firm in his election.
  • Leading a new life : It is not enough for man to join or become a member of the Church of Christ to be saved. He should lead a new life, too. Members who lead a new life are truly of Christ and of God. Thus, all sinful ways should be renounced and he should live by the teachings he has received.
  • Worship services : Each member of the Church of Christ believes that constant attendance in worship services is one of his obligations. Great blessings accrue to those who constantly attend worship services while great sins are committed by those who disregard this responsibility.
  • Our voluntary contribution : The Church of Christ believes that it is God who gave the command to contribute and give thanksgiving offerings to support the needs of the Church. To fulfill these obligations is to lay up a good foundation for the attainment of eternal life.
  • The brotherhood : The Church of Christ believes that it is the will of God for us to love one another as true brothers and sisters. Hence, if anyone has sinned against us, we should forgive him and we should reconcile with those who are mad at us.
  • Other prohibitions : The members of the Church of Christ believe that it is God who forbids the eating of blood and prohibits marriage with those of other faiths. Elopement is an act of disrespect for parents and this is a sin in the eyes of God.
  • On baptism : The Church of Christ believes that baptism is necessary for one to become a disciple of Christ and for the attainment of eternal salvation. But this should be done in accordance with the teachings of the Bible.
  • Missionary work and praying : The Church of Christ believes that each member should do missionary work or share his faith with others. Each one should learn how to pray to God so that he would not weaken in faith and thus be able to resist temptations.
  • The Church Administration : Each member should submit to the Administration placed by God in the Church by means of total agreement with the teachings and rules observed in the Church of Christ.
  • Unity : The Church of Christ believes that unity is God's teaching and that division within the Church is an evil thing. This unity is implemented by the Church of Christ not only during election time but also in all its works in the service of God.
  • Judgment Day : The Church of Christ believes that God has determined the Day of Judgment which will take place on the second coming of Christ. This is the great day when the Church of Christ will receive the reward promised by God -- the everlasting home for God's chosen people.

Miyerkules, Abril 17, 2013

INC Core Values

Bible as Basis of Faith


The Iglesia ni Cristo also regards the Holy Scriptures as the sole basis of its faith and practice. Some of its fundamental scriptural teachings are as follows:

  • Absolute oneness of God the Father. The Church believes in the teaching of Christ and the apostles that the Father, the Creator, alone is the true God. (John 17:1, 3; I Cor. 8:6)
  • Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Iglesia ni Cristo believes in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. God made Him Lord and Savior. He is the only Mediator of man to God. Jesus Christ is holy and a very special man but not God. (Matt. 3:17; Acts 2:36; 5:31; I Tim. 2:5; John 10:36; 8:40; Acts 2:22, Easy-to-Read Version).
  • The Church of Christ. The faithful firmly believe that the Church of Christ is the one Christ established for the salvation of mankind. It is for the Church that Christ gave His life and thus, it is this Church that He will save on Judgment Day. (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Lamsa Translation; Eph. 5:23, 25)
  • Judgment Day. The Church of Christ believes that God appointed a day when He will judge all people through Christ. This is the day of the Second Advent of Christ, which is also the end of the world. (Acts 17:31; Jude 1:14-15; II Pet. 3:7, 10)
  • Baptism. The Iglesia ni Cristo observes the biblical way of baptism, which is immersion in water. Receiving baptism in the Church of Christ is necessary for one to become a disciple of Christ, to be forgiven of sin, and to have hope for salvation (Acts 8:38; John 3:23; Rom. 6:3-5; Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15-16)
  • Resurrection. The resurrection of Christ is the main proof that the dead will rise. Those in Christ will rise first to be with Him forever in the Holy City. Those who are not of Christ will rise a thousand years after the first resurrection to be cast into the lake of fire. (I Cor. 15:12-13; I Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:5-10; 21:1-4)

Unity


The Church of Christ is one in faith and practice. Its unity remains intact through a centralized form of administration that ensures the adherence of all members and congregations to the same Bible teachings and Church rules.


Morality and Holiness


The Iglesia ni Cristo strives to maintain a high moral standard. It regards the teaching of the Bible as a way of life. It promotes purity of life among its members by means of instructions, reminders, and, when necessary, corrective or disciplinary measures.


Peace and Order


The Church of Christ helps maintain peace and order by teaching its members to respect and observe rules and regulations governing such. They are dissuaded from joining unions and organizations that resort to violence or extra-legal means to advance their causes.


Lawfulness and Discipline


The Church puts a premium on lawfulness and discipline. It complies with the apostolic teaching to submit to human authority, that is, the duly constituted government, and abide by its laws (Titus 3:1; I Pet. 2:13). But over and above any law, its members obey the laws of God for Christians in our time as written in the Bible.


Brotherhood and Equality of Members


The Iglesia ni Cristo promotes Christian brotherly love. All members are deemed equal in the sight of God (Gal 3:26, 28). Gender, racial, social, educational, and economic discriminations are strongly discouraged.


Sanctity of Marriage


Marriage in the Church of Christ is regarded as sacred and inviolable. It is God Himself who instituted marriage and he does not allow the separation of the husband and wife whom He joined together (Matt. 19:4-6). Thus, the Church of Christ does not subscribe to divorce, annulment, or legal separation as a solution to marital problems in the same way it opposes live-in relationships and same-sex marriage.


Stability of the Family


The Church of Christ acknowledges the importance of family as the basic unit of its organization and of society as a whole. The stability of every family contributes to the stability of the entire Church. The home is where religious education begins so Christian parenting and the proper love of children are taught and reinforced at every opportune time.


Separation of Church and State


The Church of Christ upholds the democratic ideal of separation of Church and State. It advances through peaceful and legal means the right and freedom of its members and congregations to conduct worship and other religious activities as provided for and protected by the fundamental law of the land.

Source: 
http://incmedia.org/inc/core-values.html

INC History


The Iglesia ni Cristo congregation in WaipahuHawaii, United States


Beginnings

The Iglesia ni Cristo was first preached by the late Brother Felix. Y. Manalo in the Philippine capital city of Manila. Its first local congregation was established in Punta, Sta. Ana. On July 27, 1914, the Church was registered with the Philippine government.

In 1915, Brother Felix Manalo, as the first Executive Minister of the Church, started training ministers to assist him in the propagation of the gospel. By 1918, ministers and volunteer preachers were being sent to provinces around Manila. In its tenth year, the first ecclesiastical district was organized in Pampanga province.


Domestic growth


By 1939, the Church had already expanded to as far as Ilocos Norte province in Northern Luzon to Cebu province in the Visayas with the addition of 14 districts. It reached farther south in Mindanao in 1946 with the establishment of a district in Cotabato. When Brother EraƱo G. Manalo assumed overall administration in April 1963, the Church had established districts in more than half of all Philippine provinces.


Overseas


On July 27, 1968, the incumbent Executive Minister officiated at the first worship service of the Church outside the Philippines. This gathering held in Ewa Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii marked the establishment of the Honolulu Congregation, the first overseas mission of the Church. The following month, the Executive Minister was in California to establish the San Francisco Congregation and lead its inaugural worship service.


The Americas


In 1971, the Church set foot in Canada. In June 1987, the US Main Office (USMO) was set up in Daly City, California to assist the Central Administration in supervising the then 11 districts of the Church in the West.

The first local congregation in Latin America was established in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1990. The following year, the Church reached Mexico and Aruba. From 2000 and beyond, congregations rose in the Central and South American countries.


Europe


The first local congregation in Europe was established in England in 1972. The Church came to Germany and Switzerland in the mid-70s. By the end of the 1980s, congregations and missions could be found in the Scandinavian countries and their neighbors.


Mediterranean


The Rome, Italy Congregation was established on July 27, 1994; the Jerusalem, Israel Congregation in March 1996; and the Athens, Greece Congregation in May 1997. The predecessors (prayer groups) of these full-fledged congregations began two decades earlier. Meanwhile, the mission first reached Spain in 1979.


Africa


The first mission in northern Africa opened in Nigeria in October 1978. After a month, the King William’s Town Congregation, in South Africa was established.


Asia, Australia, and Oceania


A congregation was organized in Guam in 1969. In Australia, congregations have been established since mid-1970s. The Church first reached China by way of Hong Kong, and Japan through Tokyo also in the 1970s. Missions have also opened in Kazakhstan and Sakhalin Island in Russia.

In Southeast Asia, the first congregation in Thailand was established in 1976 and missions have already been conducted in Brunei since 1979. In addition, there are also congregations in Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Martes, Abril 16, 2013

The Iglesia Ni Cristo


The Central Office, Central Temple and Tabernacle of the Iglesia ni Cristo located in Quezon City, Philippines


The Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) is a Christian religion whose primary purpose is to worship the Almighty God based on His teachings as taught by the Lord Jesus Christ and as recorded in the Bible.

The
Church of Christ is a church for every one who will heed the call of God and embrace its faith — regardless of his or her nationality, cultural background, social standing, economic status, and educational attainment.

Christian


The Church of Christ adheres to the unadulterated teachings of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ written in the Bible. The faithful firmly believe that this Church is the fulfillment of biblical prophecies that the Church established by Christ would re-emerge in these last days for the salvation of humankind.


Religious


The Church's major activities include worship service, missionary works, and edification.
The 

Worship service


This solemn gathering of the faithful is usually held on Thursdays and Sundays by every local congregation inside the house of worship. It consists of hymn-signing, prayers, and study of God's words for proper applications in daily living.


Missionary works


The members gladly fulfill their duty to share the faith. They invite all people to attend Bible study sessions and worship services. The Church also uses mass media in spreading its message of hope to a broader audience.

  • The Pasugo: God's Message, the monthly official magazine of the Church, carries mainly religious articles and Church news and features.
  • DZEM (954 kHz) broadcasts programs that discuss Bible teachings. These programs are aired by about 60 other radio stations all over the Philippines and several more in the US and Australia.
  • GEM TV-49, as well as major cable stations in the Philippines and some channels in the US Direct TV ch 2068, telecast the Church's religious programs featuring biblical teachings.
  • Live streaming and video on demand of Iglesia ni Cristo Programming at www.incmedia.org

Edification

For the spiritual welfare of the members, prayer meetings are held weekly by each group of neighboring households for further instructions in the faith and announcements about Church projects and activities.

Pastoral visitations to the brethren are conducted regularly by the Church officers for prayer and spiritual counseling.

Through its Christian family organizations (Buklod, KADIWA, and Binhi) the Church of Christ undertakes projects to strengthen the family, to guide the single members in right living and in proper conduct, and to assist the youth in their studies. The Buklod (bond) is the organization of married members. The KADIWA (acronym of a Filipino phrase meaning “Youth with a Noble Intent”) is for the single members 18 years and older, and the Binhi (seed) is composed of 13-17-year old members.


Independent


The Iglesia ni Cristo is not a denomination or sect. It is neither affiliated to any federation of religious bodies nor itself an assembly of smaller religious organizations. The Iglesia ni Cristo is Christ's one true Church today.


Source:

The Holy Spirit


The importance of the right knowledge concerning the Holy Spirit


Knowledge and right understanding concerning the Holy Spirit is important. The Bible has this to say:


John 14:17 ""The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."" (NKJV)

 According to Jesus Christ:, the Holy Spirit dwells only to those who know Him but to those who do not know the Holy Spirit, they will not receive Him.

Knowing the Holy Spirit.

The Guide of God's people into all the Truth.

John 16:13 ""Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.""
(NKJV)


The Comforter whom the Father will send in the name of Christ.

John 14:26 ""But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,  whatsoever I have said unto you."" (KJV)

The Comforter whom Jesus will send for the benefit of God's servants.

John 15:26 ""But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:"" (KJV)

The power of God.


Acts 1:8 ""But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.""
(TEV)


Let us all adhere to this teachings written in the Bible. Beliefs concerning the Holy Spirit that were not founded on the Bible should be disregarded.  

Sabado, Abril 13, 2013

Jesus Christ: the Son of God




According to God, Jesus Christ is His Beloved Son:


Matthew 3:17 ""And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”"(NKJV)

This verse attests that Jesus Christ is not God. He is the Son of God but not God the Son as others believe.

According to Christ Himself, He is man:

John 8:40 ""But now you seek to kill me, a man who was told you the truth which I heard from God.""(RSV)


This proves that
He is not God since God is spirit and has no flesh and bones unlike man.

John 4:24 ""God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.""(KJV)

Luke 24:39 ""Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.""(KJV)


Not an ordinary Man.

Jesus Christ is not an ordinary man, but a very special man bestowed by God with qualities not found in ordinary man.

Acts 2:22 ""
My fellow Israelites, listen to these words: Jesus from Nazareth was a very special Man. God clearly showed this to you. He proved it by the miracles, wonders, and miraculous signs he did through Jesus. You all saw these things, so you know this is true.""(ERV)



We should worship Jesus not because He is God but because He was exalted by God and commanded to be worshiped for God’s glory:

Philippians 2:9-11 ""Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."" (NKJV)

God gave Christ all authority in heaven and on earth.

Matthew 28:18 ""Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."" (NIV)

God made Him Lord:

Acts 2:26 "“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”" (NIV)

God also made Jesus a Saviour:

Acts 5:31 ""Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.""(KJV)

Jesus is the mediator between one God and mankind:

1Timothy 2:5 ""
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,""

The One True God: the Father


A very clear pronouncement made by Jesus Christ concerning the One True God.


The One True God according to our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 17:1-3 ""After Jesus finished saying this, he looked up to heaven and said, “FATHER, the hour has come. Give glory to your Son, so that the Son may give glory to you....And ETERNAL LIFE MEANS TO KNOW YOU, THE ONLY TRUE GOD, and TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST, WHOM YOU SENT.""


The Lord Jesus Christ made these pronouncements as He prayed to the Father.

According to Him, Eternal life means:

  • To know You (the Father), the Only True God
=======Jesus categorically pointed out that the Father in heaven is the "Only True God".
  • To know Jesus Christ whom you (the Father) has sent.
=======By Jesus saying that He was sent by the Father, Jesus Himself made it clear that He is distinct or a separate being from God, the Father. Thus, Jesus' statement about the Father as the only true God, clearly imply that Jesus Himself is not the true God.

This single verse is indeed very clear in the teachings about God,  that there is only one true God---the Father.