A very common assertion of the INC that the official name of the Church is "Iglesia ni Cristo" was written in an article from the unofficial blog of the INC. Upon reading the assertion, I commented the article with a verse from the Bible:
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED.” (Acts 4:12 NKJV, emphasis mine)
After they read my comment, the blogger immediately responded and wrote an article about it.
After I read the article, I think a common person would be easily convinced about his article. But for me, I can point out a lot of errors in his arguments. So let's find it out first in a simple reference. What is "Christ?"
Christ (/kraɪst/; Ancient Greek: Χριστός, Christós, meaning "anointed") is a translation of the Hebrew מָשִׁיחַ (Māšîaḥ) and the Syriacܡܫܝܚܐ (M'shiha), the Messiah, and is used as a title for Jesus in the New Testament. (Zanzig, Thomas (2000). Jesus of history, Christ of faith. p. 33.)
1. LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT IS NOT THERE.
The angel said to Joseph that “She (Mary) will have a son, and you will NAME HIM JESUS…” Nowhere in the verse that says “Christ is an office, not name,” “Christ’s name was Jesus,” and that “NO OTHER NAME refers to Jesus.” It’s non sequitur.
Obviously, he is looking for something that cannot be found there. This verse only implies that name was given to the Son of God was Jesus. And if the Son of God was named "Jesus" then it only means the "no other name" refers to Jesus.
2. CALLED VS NAMED
This shows gross ignorance of the Bible. He uses Matthew 1:21 (but as we have seen, he erroneously used the verse), however, he missed the verse just five verses away from it. This is what we can read in Matthew 1:16:
“And Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born JESUS, WHO IS CALLED CHRIST.” (Matthew 1:16 NIV, emphasis mine)
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) translated Matthew 1:16 as follows:
“And Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was begotten Jesus, who is named Christ.” (Matthew 1:16 YLT)
YLT is right in using the term “named” because the Greek term used here is “legomenos”:
Let's check the usage of the word "legomenos".
Englishman's Concordance
λεγόμενος (legomenos) — 12 Occurrences
Matthew 1:16 V-PPM/P-NMS
GRK: Ἰησοῦς ὁ λεγόμενος Χριστός
NAS: was born, who is called the Messiah.
KJV: Jesus, who is called Christ.
INT: Jesus who is called Christ
GRK: Ἰησοῦς ὁ λεγόμενος Χριστός
NAS: was born, who is called the Messiah.
KJV: Jesus, who is called Christ.
INT: Jesus who is called Christ
Matthew 10:2 V-PPM/P-NMS
GRK: Σίμων ὁ λεγόμενος Πέτρος καὶ
NAS: Simon, who is called Peter,
KJV: Simon, who is called Peter, and
INT: Simon who is called Peter and
GRK: Σίμων ὁ λεγόμενος Πέτρος καὶ
NAS: Simon, who is called Peter,
KJV: Simon, who is called Peter, and
INT: Simon who is called Peter and
Matthew 26:14 V-PPM/P-NMS
GRK: δώδεκα ὁ λεγόμενος Ἰούδας Ἰσκαριώτης
NAS: of the twelve, named Judas
KJV: of the twelve, called Judas
INT: twelve who being called Judas Iscariot
http://biblehub.com/greek/legomenos_3004.htm
The greek text abandoned the assertion of this INC member. The greek word Legomenos is defined both "named" and "called". He even asserted
"YLT is right in using the term “named” because the Greek term used here is “legomenos”"
See how useless his assertion was. Trying to disregard the NIV which uses the word "called" and praising YLT because it uses the word "named" when the fact is greek word translates both "called" and "named. "He added,
GRK: δώδεκα ὁ λεγόμενος Ἰούδας Ἰσκαριώτης
NAS: of the twelve, named Judas
KJV: of the twelve, called Judas
INT: twelve who being called Judas Iscariot
http://biblehub.com/greek/legomenos_3004.htm
The greek text abandoned the assertion of this INC member. The greek word Legomenos is defined both "named" and "called". He even asserted
"YLT is right in using the term “named” because the Greek term used here is “legomenos”"
See how useless his assertion was. Trying to disregard the NIV which uses the word "called" and praising YLT because it uses the word "named" when the fact is greek word translates both "called" and "named. "He added,
It is also the same word used in Matthew 9:9 which also translated as “named”:
”Kaí parágon ho Iesoús ekeíthen eíden ánthropon kathemenon epí tó telo¡nion, Maththaíon legómenon, kaí légei auto: akoloúthei moi. kaí anastás ekoloúthesen auto.” (Matthew 9:9 Nestle-Aland 27, trasliteration)
Matthew 9:9 is translated in English as:
“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him.”
Everyone can see that legomenos is different from legómenon but even so, let's check it's definition:
Englishman's Concordance
λεγόμενον (legomenon) — 10 Occurrences
Matthew 4:18 V-PPM/P-AMS
GRK: Σίμωνα τὸν λεγόμενον Πέτρον καὶ
NAS: Simon who was called Peter,
KJV: brethren, Simon called Peter, and
INT: Simon who is called Peter and
GRK: Σίμωνα τὸν λεγόμενον Πέτρον καὶ
NAS: Simon who was called Peter,
KJV: brethren, Simon called Peter, and
INT: Simon who is called Peter and
Matthew 9:9 V-PPM/P-AMS
GRK: τελώνιον Μαθθαῖον λεγόμενον καὶ λέγει
NAS: He saw a man called Matthew, sitting
KJV: he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting
INT: tax booth Matthew called and says
GRK: τελώνιον Μαθθαῖον λεγόμενον καὶ λέγει
NAS: He saw a man called Matthew, sitting
KJV: he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting
INT: tax booth Matthew called and says
Matthew 26:36 V-PPM/P-ANS
GRK: εἰς χωρίον λεγόμενον Γεθσημανί καὶ
NAS: with them to a place called Gethsemane,
KJV: unto a place called Gethsemane, and
INT: to a place called Gethsemane and
As we can see it, they have more like have the same DEFINITION and they are not solely defined as "named" but both "called" and "named". See how pointless his arguments?
3. THE 1-2 COMBOThe phrase “a man named Matthew” means that this man is called in the name “Matthew.” It is not wrong to conclude that this phrase proves that “Matthew” is a name. The Bible also explicitly said, “Jesus, who is NAMED Christ.” Based on this fact, it is also not wrong to conclude that this man, Jesus, is also called in the name “Christ.”
Granting that the word translation "named" is the correct one, he fail to recognized the uses of the word "named". Is it in favor of his assertion? Let's check the dictionary
GRK: εἰς χωρίον λεγόμενον Γεθσημανί καὶ
NAS: with them to a place called Gethsemane,
KJV: unto a place called Gethsemane, and
INT: to a place called Gethsemane and
As we can see it, they have more like have the same DEFINITION and they are not solely defined as "named" but both "called" and "named". See how pointless his arguments?
3. THE 1-2 COMBOThe phrase “a man named Matthew” means that this man is called in the name “Matthew.” It is not wrong to conclude that this phrase proves that “Matthew” is a name. The Bible also explicitly said, “Jesus, who is NAMED Christ.” Based on this fact, it is also not wrong to conclude that this man, Jesus, is also called in the name “Christ.”
Granting that the word translation "named" is the correct one, he fail to recognized the uses of the word "named". Is it in favor of his assertion? Let's check the dictionary
name
verb (used with object), named, naming.
verb (used with object), named, naming.
to designate for some duty or office; nominate or appoint:
I have named you for the position.
So the verse he used earlier was actually in reference to the name "Jesus" and his office "Christ"
“And Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was begotten Jesus, who is named Christ.” (Matthew 1:16 YLT)
Thus, the reason why Apostle Peter said:
“If you are reproached FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.” (I Peter 4:14 NKJV, emphasis mine)
Clearly, those who say that the name “Christ” is “not a name” contrdicts what the Bible explicitly teaches and show gross ignorance of those written in the Bible.
The phrase "in the name of Christ" or "for the name of Christ" is not a gain a name of a person, but an appeal to authority.in the name of,
The phrase "in the name of Christ" or "for the name of Christ" is not a gain a name of a person, but an appeal to authority.in the name of,
- with appeal to:In the name of mercy, stop that screaming!
- by the authority of:Open, in the name of the law!
- on behalf of:to purchase something in the name of another.
- under the name or possession of:money deposited in the name of a son.
- under the designation or excuse of:murder in the name of justice.
Let us again quote Matthew 1:16:
“And Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was begotten JESUS, WHO IS NAMED CHRIST.” (Matthew 1:16 YLT, emphasis mine)
Mary’s Son was indeed called “Jesus,” but the Bible explicitly said, “Jesus, who is NAMED Christ.” Thus, if we are going to ask Jesus Himself, this is what He says about His “name”:
“For many will come IN MY NAME, claiming, 'I am the CHRIST,' and will deceive many.” (Matthew 24:5 NIV, emphasis mine)
Again, "In my name", "in the name" refers the the authority. The verse implies that many will come and claim his authority as Christ, his title as the Messiah.
This is again based on opinion and a gross ignorance of the Bible. The Bible clearly says that “Jesus” is the name that Joseph gave to Mary’s son:
“She will give birth to a son, and YOU ARE TO GIVE HIM THE NAME JESUS, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21 NIV, emphasis mine)
Who is mumbling about opinions now? was it Joseph or God?The Birth of Jesus Foretold
…29But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.…
Who is mumbling about opinions now? was it Joseph or God?The Birth of Jesus Foretold
…29But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.…
Angels are the messengers,they are the messengers of God, what the angel told to Mary was the message of from God, therefore, the name under heaven GIVEN AMONG MEN by which we must be saved is "JESUS". For you not to be bothered, read the text prior to that one to know what name Peter was talking about,
Acts 4:11-12New Living Translation (NLT)
11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,
12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Peter clearly mentioned the name "Jesus"
This is the name “Christ”:
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36 NIV)
He is clearly reading without understanding. "this Jesus" refers to the person named "Jesus" and "both Lord and Christ" are his offices. Everyone can understand what this means, and how come this blogger is so blind?
He is clearly reading without understanding. "this Jesus" refers to the person named "Jesus" and "both Lord and Christ" are his offices. Everyone can understand what this means, and how come this blogger is so blind?
Thus, the Church established by Christ is called “Church of Christ”:
“For just as the human body is one and yet has many parts, and all its parts, many as they are, constitute but one body, so it is with the Church of Christ.” (I Corinthians 12:12 NTME)
Even Catholic authorities agreed and prove that the Church established by Chist is called “Church of Christ”
“5. Did Jesus Christ established a Church?
“Yes, from all history, both secular and profane, as well as from the Bible considered as a human document, we learn that Jesus Christ established a Church, which from the earliest times has been called after Him the Christian Church or the Church of Christ.” Cassily, Francis B., S.J. Religion: Doctrine and Practice for use in Catholic High Schools. 12th and revised edition. Imprimi Potest: Charles H. Cloud, S.J. Provincial of the Chicago Province. Imprimatur: George Cardinal Mundelein, Archbishop of Chicago. Chicago: Loyola university Press, 1934, p. 442-443.)
That is an idiotic way of quoting our book. Does the text "Church of Christ" refers to your church? No! blind man, it refers to the Catholic Church. Here's how Catholics call our church "Church of Christ"
Paragraph 3. THE CHURCH IS ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, AND APOSTOLIC
811 "This is the sole Church of Christ, which in the Creed we profess to be one, holy, catholic and apostolic."256 These four characteristics, inseparably linked with each other,257 indicate essential features of the Church and her mission. the Church does not possess them of herself; it is Christ who, through the Holy Spirit, makes his Church one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, and it is he who calls her to realize each of these qualities.
816 "The sole Church of Christ [is that] which our Savior, after his Resurrection, entrusted to Peter's pastoral care, commissioning him and the other apostles to extend and rule it.... This Church, constituted and organized as a society in the present world, subsists in (subsistit in) in) the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the bishops in communion with him."267
822 Concern for achieving unity "involves the whole Church, faithful and clergy alike."287 But we must realize "that this holy objective - the reconciliation of all Christians in the unity of the one and only Church of Christ - transcends human powers and gifts." That is why we place all our hope "in the prayer of Christ for the Church, in the love of the Father for us, and in the power of the Holy Spirit."288
Each particular Church is "catholic"
832 "The Church of Christ is really present in all legitimately organized local groups of the faithful, which, in so far as they are united to their pastors, are also quite appropriately called Churches in the New Testament.... In them the faithful are gathered together through the preaching of the Gospel of Christ, and the mystery of the Lord's Supper is celebrated.... In these communities, though they may often be small and poor, or existing in the diaspora, Christ is present, through whose power and influence the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church is constituted."312
837 "Fully incorporated into the society of the Church are those who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, accept all the means of salvation given to the Church together with her entire organization, and who - by the bonds constituted by the profession of faith, the sacraments, ecclesiastical government, and communion - are joined in the visible structure of the Church of Christ, who rules her through the Supreme Pontiff and the bishops. Even though incorporated into the Church, one who does not however persevere in charity is not saved. He remains indeed in the bosom of the Church, but 'in body' not 'in heart.'"321
870 "The sole Church of Christ which in the Creed we profess to be one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, . . . subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the bishops in communion with him. Nevertheless, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside its visible confines"(LG 8).
2105 The duty of offering God genuine worship concerns man both individually and socially. This is “the traditional Catholic teaching on the moral duty of individuals and societies toward the true religion and the one Church of Christ.” [30] By constantly evangelizing men, the Church works toward enabling them “to infuse the Christian spirit into the mentality and mores, laws and structures of the communities in which [they] live.” [31] The social duty of Christians is to respect and awaken in each man the love of the true and the good. It requires them to make known the worship of the one true religion which subsists in the Catholic and apostolic Church. [32] Christians are called to be the light of the world. Thus, the Church shows forth the kingship of Christ over all creation and in particular over human societies. [33]
The INC authorities have no shame in using our books and use it as their doctrinal support.
Even so, the truth remains that the given under the heaven which we must be saved is Jesus.
Nice job Gab!
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