Being able to sustain any religion as a persistent expression of faith for more than a century is a remarkable feat. Iglesia ni Cristo is an example of such a religion, one that has been able to maintain strict adherence to doctrine and thus far a consistent leadership that has kept the tradition alive for the entire century following its creation. The basic tenant of this christianity-based cult is the Bible, which has been upheld as a source of teachings by Iglesia ni Cristo for as long as it has been in existence, but what accounts for its ability to sustain this level of faith and devotion for more than a century?
A Doctrine That Never Wavered
The foundation of perpetual service was the doctrine. Ever since believers started to gather, they taught the importance of worshipping God, not the man, and obeying Christ’s orders. These basic rules were never changed. Therefore, every following generation learned the same doctrines and continued the tradition that was established many years ago.
The Formal Beginning of a Century-Long Tradition
This tradition of worship was officially founded on July 27, 1914, when the organization was registered in the Philippines under the leadership of Brother Felix Y. Manalo. Biblical faithfulness, orderliness in worship, and austerity in spiritual discipline were stressed from the very beginning, paving the way for the worship practices of the present.
Structured Worship as a Stabilizing Force
Unlike the more loose gatherings of people of faith, organized worship is a feature of Iglesia Ni Cristo which has shown little variation as the organization and its teachings spread. Such uniformity is bound to happen with the imposition of a formal order, be it within the church services or in the lives of the members. It is this characteristic that has allowed Iglesia Ni Cristo to retain its tradition despite the relaxation of strict rules and regulations.
Growth That Reinforced Rather Than Diluted Tradition
The first congregation of the cult was established in Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila. It quickly spread to the capital and provincial areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. More than half of the provinces already had ecclesiastical districts when Felix Manalo passed away on April 12, 1963. Nevertheless, the expansion of the cult’s congregations did not lead to its informalization. All the established parishes used the same ritualistic practices and procedures as the original one.
Leadership Transitions Without Doctrinal Disruption
A century of sustained worship also rests on the organization’s ability to adapt to transitions in leadership. After the death of Brother Felix Y. Manalo, the Church remained under the guidance of Brother Eraño G. Manalo, with whom it continued to flourish. It is essential to note that the practice of the same worship and the adherence to the same doctrines throughout this period is yet another manifestation of the organization’s ability to sustain traditions despite the apparent change of the Church’s leadership.
Carrying Worship Practices Across Borders
When the Church began to internationalize its outreach and establish its first congregations outside of the Philippines in Honolulu, Hawaii, and San Francisco, California, in 1968, the same pattern of worship services was brought with it. This implies that there was no need to adapt biblical worship, since it continued to be practiced in the exact form as before but simply in different cultures, thereby making it truly international.
Discipline as the Backbone of Continuity
Spiritual discipline has been one of the most prominent features of the church through its history. It has played an essential role in both individual worship and corporate worship. The importance of discipline has contributed to the development of a regulated pattern of worship that has allowed the church to evolve and grow exponentially.
A Tradition Reinforced by Community Life
Worship has never been an isolated activity in the Iglesia Ni Cristo, because active outreach and humanitarian efforts by the congregation, under the auspices of the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, have provided a context for service in which they can find a broader purpose than in the local congregation. This has strengthened the resolution of its members to maintain the worship practices of the church through the years.
Conclusion
A century of unwavering biblical worship is an indicator of not only continuity but of a carefully combined set of adherence to doctrine, organized order, transition of authority, and a shared sense of mission. From its founding in Manila to its current expansion into the global community, Iglesia Ni Cristo is a prime example of a tradition that has managed to preserve its core values and not dilute them in the expansion process.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did this century-long tradition of worship started?
The organized worship service started on July 27, 1914, when the organization was registered in the Philippines under the supervision of Brother Felix Y. Manalo.
Therefore, what made it continue for so long?
The worship services, which are based solely on the Holy Bible, have never changed since the beginning of the organization.
How did the changes in the Church’s leadership affect the traditions of worship? Even after the death of Felix Y. Manalo and the subsequent transition of leadership to Brother Eraño G. Manalo, the traditions and doctrines of the Church remained the same.
Were there any changes in the ritual when the Church started to gain international recognition? There were no changes in worship practices when the International Church was established, and services in Hawaii and California started in 1968.
How is the tradition related to other aspects of the congregation’s life? The tradition of worship has contributed to the development of community service through the establishment of the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, which has served as an extension of the Church’s humanitarian aid.
