Why Felix Y. Manalo is the shepherd in Jonh 10:16 part 1
November 4, 2001 (Sunday)
Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ)
Worldwide Worship Service Lesson
Q: What is the John 10:16 prophecy?
A: "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd." (John 10:16 New King James Version)
EGM: This is the prophecy concerning the election of Felix Y. Manalo as the shepherd of Christ that will be called apart from those already in the fold.
(NOTE: FALLACY OF EGM: Felix Y. Manalo is one among the crowds of cults that is claiming this verse. In order to know who this other sheep is, we have to analyze what is written therein.
According to the verse, there are two groups of sheep namely:
- Sheep already in this fold, and
- Sheep not yet in the fold (other sheep)
Take note that the first group is singular because it says, "this fold". We know that this group pertains to the Jews fold only because at the time Jesus Christ was preaching, he prohibited His apostles to go to the Gentiles (Matt. 10:5).
Regarding the second group or the sheep not yet in the fold, described as "other sheep," we know that this group pertains to the Gentiles because they were called after Christ's crucifixion. Apostle Paul was called by Jesus Christ to be the apostle to the Gentile world (Acts 13:47). There are requirements specified by John 10:16 to properly know this "other sheep." Let us enumerate them:
- They are already sheep;
- Christ Himself will bring these sheep;
- It will be Christ's voice that will be heard by these sheep;
- There will be one flock;
- There will be one shepherd.
Regarding Requirement 1, the sheep are already the sheep of Jesus Christ because His Father has given them to Him. Only those given by His Father can be the sheep of Jesus (John 10:29). Felix Y. Manalo does not have authority to call a sheep.
Regarding Requirement 2, FYM is disqualified again because it will be Christ Himself who will bring the sheep.
On Requirement 3, FYM did not qualify because while alive, never did he teach that he heard the voice of Jesus Christ.
On Requirement 4, the Iglesia ni Cristo does not qualify because Manalo teaches they belong to an unauthorized third group. The Bible teaches only two groups, namely, the Jews and Gentiles (Rom. 9:24). The Iglesia ni Cristo third group is out of the Bible.
On Requirement 5, the Iglesia ni Cristo does not qualify because in the Iglesia, there are many shepherds (ministers, deacons, deaconesses, other officers). The verse say, "..one shepherd." Felix Manalo can not claim he is the one head shepherd because that will be taking the title of Christ who is the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)).
Q:Who is King David's shepherd?
A: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Ps. 23:1 NKJV)
Q: Why is God a shepherd of His sheep?
A: "For thus says the Lord God: "Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down," says the Lord God." (Ezek. 34:11-15 NKJV)
EGM: God is a shepherd because He takes care of the sheep. He seeks out His scattered sheep, He gathers them and feeds them.
(NOTE: FALLACY OF EGM: The shepherd according to the verse makes the sheep lie down ostensively to give rest to the sheep. The Manalo shepherd, however, don't give rest to the sheep. His command is, "Work brethren, work!" Nights of Mondays through Wednesdays are for indoctrinations or devotional prayers. Thursdays are for worship service. Fridays are for Bible expositions. Saturdays are for meetings and indoctrinations. Sundays are for worship. Felix, the shepherd won't give rest to members.)
Q: Who would possess this pastoral objective of taking care of God's people?
A: "I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking," says the Lord." (Jer.23:4 NKJV)
EGM: Shepherds are set up by God to protect and care for the sheep.
(NOTE: FALLACY OF EGM: sheep are supposed to have no more fear, nor dismay, nor be lacking. Unfortunately, Manalo, the alleged shepherd, instills fear always to members by telling its members, "You are not saved, yet!" The members are dismayed everytime Manalo discounts members, "You are immature, useless members, if you don't do your duties!" Moreover, many of its members are lacking in needs. Manalo rather wants members to pray. Hey, in such case, there is no need for this Manalo shepherd.)
Q:Were the shepherd able to fulfill their objective of taking care of God's people?
A: "Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: "You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings," says the Lord." (Jer. 23:2 NKJV)
EGM: The shepherds of Israel did not fulfill their duties of caring for the sheep.
(NOTE: FALLACY OF EGM: Through increased controls by Manalo, the sheep are being scattered and driven away due to increased duties and responsibilities. This week: 12 duties. Next week: 15 duties. Next month: 18 duties. Next year: 30 duties. Therefore, God will attend to this evil deeds of this Manalo shepherd.)
Q: What was the remedy done by God to the shepherd who didn't fulfill the duty of being a shepherd?
A: "As I live, says the Lord God, "Surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was not shepherd, nor did My shepherd search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock"---'therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord!' Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them." (Ezek. 34:8-10 NKJV)
EGM: Israel's shepherds were relieved because they did not fulfill their duties.
(NOTE: FALLACY OF EGM: EGM is being a hypocrite. If Israel's shepherds have been feeding on the sheep, Manalo shepherd is doing the same--feeding and feasting on the members. Shepherds who are found eating the sheep or members should deserve punishment. How does Manalo eats members? Requiring members to contribute labors without pay is equivalent to rip offs or taking advantage of the sheep).
Q:Whom did God place as a shepherd to replace the Israel shepherds?
A: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." (John 10:11 NKJV)
EGM: It is Jesus Christ who is called the good shepherd.
Q: Did Christ possess the pastoral spirit of God in caring for the sheep?
A: "But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matt. 15:24 NKJV)
EGM: Christ has the same pastoral spirit of looking for the lost sheep.
Q: Is Jesus Christ the only shepherd in the first century Church of Christ?
A: "and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away." (2 Pet. 5:4 NKJV)
EGM: There are other shepherds because Christ is the Chief Shepherd.
(NOTE: FALLACY OF EGM: The notion that the first century Christians are members of the Church of Christ is a big lie. Nowhere can we find the name, "Church of Christ" written in any Bible. What is written in Lamsa is "church of Christ", a common noun and is not a name of a particular church. The first century Christians were members of the "Way" (Acts 9:1-2 NKJV).
Q: Who else are the shepherds placed by God?
A: "These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying, "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matt. 10:5-6 NKJV)
EGM: The twelve apostles are also shepherds placed by God.
(NOTE: Of course, they are because they were appointed by Jesus Christ. But not with Felix Y. Manalo).
Q: When Christ was gone, did the apostles continued tending the flock?
A: "So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more then these? "He said to Him, "Yes, Lord: You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord: You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep." (John 21:15-17 NKJV)
EGM: The Apostles returned to their occupations of being fishermen.
(NOTE: What will be the occupation of Felix Y. Manalo had he stopped being an alleged messenger of God?)
Q: Were there shepherds during the time of the apostles
A: "It was he who gave gifts to mankind;" he appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers. He did this to prepare all God's people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ." (Eph. 4:11-12 TEV)
EGM: Officers in the Church of Christ are considered shepherds.
(NOTE: EGM FALLACY: There are different offices or gifts but why is it that all members in the Iglesia ni Cristo are all inviters to the Iglesia bible expositions? What's the evangelists position are for? Rightaway, we know how Manalo has been deceiving its members into doing something contrary to what the body parts are for. Every part has its own function. If all parts have the same function of inviting people, the Iglesia is a one body part monster.)
Q: What are the other purposes of electing the shepherds?
A: "And so we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God; we shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ's full stature. Then we shall no longer be children, carried by the waves and blown by every shifting wind of the teaching of deceitful men, who lead others into error by the tricks they invent. Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, who is the head under his control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love." (Eph. 4:13-16 TEV)
EGM: If every member is doing his responsibility, the body of Christ will grow. Let all members become mature so that they will not be tricked by the devil. The Iglesia ni Cristo is being attacked by the devil, especially in the internet. Don't fall to the lies posted in the internet.
(NOTE: FALLACY OF EGM: Apostle Paul was talking to the believers to come together to have oneness in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. This faith is faith in Jesus Christ and not faith in Felix Y. Manalo. Also the goal of the gathering of the believers is knowledge about Jesus Christ. What the Manalo worship service is about, however, is oneness in faith in Felix Manalo and knowledge about the Iglesia ni Cristo. There is nothing else. The tricks mentioned in the verse applies to the Iglesia ni Cristo tricks. Is it not a trick to change "church" into "Church"? Is it not a trick to repeatedly teach the John 10:16 is a prophecy of the Iglesia ni Cristo? Is it not a trick to use Lamsa just for that Acts 20:28 verse?).
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