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continuation...
The same thing is true with the Iglesia ni Cristo of Mr. Manalo. Their church had been registered as “Iglesia
ni Cristo,” and they spell “Cristo” with a letter C. They (the INC) are very particular about this. But in the beginning,
their organization was called “Iglesia ni Kristo”, and they spelled “Kristo” with a K. That is why its former acronym was
INK, whereas today, it is now INC. And definitely, they must have a reason for making this change.
This was also done by different religions here in the country. There was this particular organization, which was
originally registered as “Simbahan ng Maykapal”
(Church of the Almighty), but after several years, they decided to change it to “Iglesia ng Dios”. However, their
petition to change the name of their group was denied since there were many organizations bearing the name “Iglesia ng
Dios.”
Do you know what they did? They changed it to English—to “Church of God”, and their petition was granted. These
are some illustrations, or proofs, that the choice of a name, to serve as the official name of an organization, is
prompted by different motives.
We do not cite these to criticize anybody. Instead, we are giving you an opportunity to see for yourselves the
conflicting views about the rightful name of the organization of people who are serving God.
Let us find out from the Holy Scriptures the correct name that God taught the Apostles. By this name also, the
organization that is of God must be called.
Let us consider first the views of the early servants of God on how an organization of God’s people must be
called.
One verse in the book of the prophet Daniel says (9:19)--
“O Lord, hear: O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and
thy people are called by thy name.”
This verse clearly tells that God’s city and God’s people will be called by His name. In other words, the
people of God … the organization that is of God … the city of God … will be called by His name. And, it is proper that it
shall be called by the name of God.
Did God agree that His people and His city be called by His name? In II Chronicles 7:14, it says--
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn
from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.”
In this particular verse, God, Himself, attested that His people are called by His name. In fact, God even
said that, if His people, which are called by His name, shall humble themselves, then, He will hear them from heaven.
From the start then, God’s people were really called by His name. For this reason, God’s people cannot just be
claimed by any other god, a fact that a lot of people today are not aware of.
During the time of the Israelites, the 7 nations that surrounded Israel worshipped different gods. But it was
against God’s will that His people would even utter the names of those gods. This shows that only the people of God have
the exclusive right to be called by His name.
What could be the reason why God’s people must be called by His name? This is what Isaiah 43:7
says--
“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yes, I have made
him.”
What did God say in this verse? He said,“Every one that is called by my name; for I have created him for my
glory. I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” It states that everything that is called by God’s name belongs to
Him. The name signifies God’s ownership. That is why, His creations, His glory, and everything that He formed, are all
called by His name, because they belong to Him. The creator’s name is inseparable from his creation. Before anything can
be called by God’s name, it should first be a creation of God. Therefore, it follows that not everything can be called by
His name.
However, there are people who use God’s name even though they do not really refer to God. Psalms 139:20
says--
“For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.”
In other words, the proofs that a particular group of people are of God are: first, they are called by His
name, and second, they are his creations. Read Isaiah 43:7 again--
“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him …”
It is clearly stated that those who are of God are called by His name and cannot be called by other names.
And everything that is of God is also called by God’s name, for He is their creator. Everything that is called by His
name, and everything that He created, belongs to Him. Why then the need for us to understand this point? There are people
and things which are called by God’s name, yet, He was not the one who created them. They only pretend to be of God; they
are impostors.
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Bible
Finding
the True Religion
