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{{For|other organizations with the same name|Church of God International (disambiguation)}}
{{For|other organizations with the same name|Church of God International (disambiguation)}}
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{{Other uses2|Church of God}}
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{{Infobox Christian denomination
{{Infobox Christian denomination
| name = Members of the Church of God International
| name = Members of the Church of God International
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The MCGI Central Headquarters is located in Sampaloc, [[Apalit, Pampanga]]. It houses the [[ADD Convention Center]] which was opened in 1997, can accommodate up to 100,000 persons.{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} The Convention Center serves as the main venue of church services and major gatherings. The Central Administration Office, [[La Verdad Christian College]], dormitories for church workers and officers, a small hospital and orphanages are also located here. From the MCGI Headquarters, administration and ministerial work are delegated into Church Divisions which are led by KNP's and TP's (formerly, division's Ministers-in-Charge and Officers-in-Charge). Church divisions comprise 30 to 200 congregations (referred to as ''locales'') on average. The church Division range is generally a single region of the Philippines; however, Divisions are divided in Districts which are headed by District Coordinators. Districts (a district is generally a single province in the Philippines.) are also divided into Zones which is administered by a Zone Coordinator. There are about 5,000 MCGI locales in more than a hundred countries.<ref>[https://addherent.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/ang-dating-daan-members-cry-foul-to-gma-docu-against-bro-eli-soriano/]</ref>
The MCGI Central Headquarters is located in Sampaloc, [[Apalit, Pampanga]]. It houses the [[ADD Convention Center]] which was opened in 1997, can accommodate up to 100,000 persons.{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} The Convention Center serves as the main venue of church services and major gatherings. The Central Administration Office, [[La Verdad Christian College]], dormitories for church workers and officers, a small hospital and orphanages are also located here. From the MCGI Headquarters, administration and ministerial work are delegated into Church Divisions which are led by KNP's and TP's (formerly, division's Ministers-in-Charge and Officers-in-Charge). Church divisions comprise 30 to 200 congregations (referred to as ''locales'') on average. The church Division range is generally a single region of the Philippines; however, Divisions are divided in Districts which are headed by District Coordinators. Districts (a district is generally a single province in the Philippines.) are also divided into Zones which is administered by a Zone Coordinator. There are about 5,000 MCGI locales in more than a hundred countries.<ref>[https://addherent.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/ang-dating-daan-members-cry-foul-to-gma-docu-against-bro-eli-soriano/]</ref>

==Practices==

===Gatherings===
The church conducts gatherings of diverse forms, from worship to worthwhile socio-spiritual assemblies. Non-members are free to join.

The regular prayer service involves singing hymns, reading the Bible, hearing sermons, offering prayers, and giving to the church. Bending the knees, facing the ground ("panikluhod") is the posture of prayer observed throughout the service.

{{quotation|We believe that all Christian believers should always attend the divine service executed by the administrator of the members of the church or of the congregation every first day of the week, wherein they should sing hymns, hear sermons, offer prayers and alms which is always voluntary according to one’s faith (Hebrew 10:25; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 14:28: Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 16:3; 2 Corinthians 9:7-8, 12-13).|Section 7, Article 2 of the MCGI by-laws}}

===Prayer===
Prayer is a basic doctrine in the Members Church of God International. All Church gatherings, either spiritual or socio-civic, begin and end with prayers. MCGI observes 'tithemi' praying in horizontal position facing the east. The doctrine on prayer may be heard and learned in the two-week indoctrination process.

===Evangelism===
[[File:ADD Phase 1.jpg|thumb|left|Ang Dating Daan (MCGI) Coordinating Center in Phase 1, Caloocan City.]]

In the [[Philippines]], broadcasts programs that discuss Bible teachings over the radio through its program [[Ang Dating Daan]] was first heard in October 1980. In 1983, the church launched its first television broadcast through Intercontinental Broadcasting Network (IBC 13). This program was aired by more than 100 radio stations all over the [[Philippines]] (i.e. UNTV Radio La Verdad 1350&nbsp;kHz) and in around 100 countries. Now through UNTV-37, as well as major cable stations in the Philippines and in many television networks abroad, telecast the MCGI’s religious programs. These programs can also be seen in the Internet via the website www.angdatingdaan.org

During late 1990’s, the church has been publishing [[Ang Dating Daan]] Magazine in both Filipino and English. In 2007, the church launch a new magazine titled ‘The Blog’ which also discusses different biblical topics.

MCGI holds religious gatherings called bible expositions regularly which aim to attract more followers through its question and answer format that many parts of the Philippines. On 2003, MCGI launched Worldwide Bible Exposition where visitors in different parts of the globe simultaneously can ask biblical queries.

==Doctrines and Beliefs==

===Christology===
{{quotation|We believe in the Almighty God, the Father, the Creator of the universe, in Christ Jesus, the Father’s Begotten Son, a true and Mighty God, the only Savior of mankind and the only way to the Kingdom of God in heaven (cf Acts 14:15; 1 Corinthians 8:5-7; John 14:6; 14:1). We believe that Christ descended on earth from the bosom of the Father, suffered for the redemption of sin, died on the cross, resurrected after three days, ascended to heaven and sat on the right side of God.|Section 1 & 6, Article 2 of MCGI By-Laws}}

God of Israel or God the Father who is the Creator of the universe with Christ, the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. God cannot lie,<ref>[http://www.angdatingdaan.org/biblicaltopics/bib_issues_13.htm Ang Dating Daan - Biblical Topics<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> God is not [[omniscient]] (he doesn't foreknow all future human actions and choices), and God is not [[omnipresent]] (he created hell but he is not there).

Jesus Christ is God the Father's only begotten son (in Romanized Greek: ''monogenestheos''). He is the Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace referred in Isaiah 9:6. He is recognized as the [[Apostle (Christian)|Apostle]], [[High Priest]] and Mediator of the church. He is the sent savior of mankind and the way, the truth and the life.<ref>[http://www.angdatingdaan.org/about/about_doctrines.htm Ang Dating Daan - About Us<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

The Holy Spirit came from the Father and part of the Godhead.

===The Bible===
{{quotation|We believe that only the Bible or the Holy Scriptures, composed of 66 inspired books, teaches the full wisdom of God for the salvation of man and that no other book should be used as basis for serving God and Christ Jesus (Romans 1:16-17; 2:16; Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-9; John 20:31; Isaiah. 34:16; John 5:39).|Section 2, Article 2 of MCGI By-Laws}}

===The church===
MCGI members believed that their church affiliates to the only true church of God first preached in [[Jerusalem]] during the 1st century AD and brings the message of salvation to the world. The church of God is the [[Kingdom of God]] on earth and is necessary for one's salvation. Thus, those who have heard of the gospel and of the church must join this church in order to be saved. They also claimed that the official name of the true church in the Bible is just ''Church of God''.<ref>[http://www.angdatingdaan.org/biblicaltopics/bib_religion_2.htm Ang Dating Daan - Biblical Topics<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> According to them, salvation may only be promised by following all the laws in the New Testament. However, a person can be saved even though he has not heard of the Gospel. He shall be judged by God according to his conscience.

{{quotation|We believe that God the Father sent His son Jesus Christ, instrumental in the establishment of the CHURCH OF GOD , the congregation of the Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, and others; first planted in the city of Jerusalem, and later on scattered, and preached in by the Apostles in different places of Asia Minor (Matthew 16:18; Acts 8:1; Galatians 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 2:14). We believe that the Gentile nations, including the Philippines, are partakers of the promise, of ETERNAL LIFE through belief in Christ Jesus and the Gospel, and are not authorized by God TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN CHURCH, but are members associated with the same body or Church written in the Gospel by accepting and executing the doctrines written by the Apostles (Ephesians 3:6; Colossians 1:18; 1 John 2:25; 1:3-4; I Corinthians 12:27; Psalm 127:1; 1 Timothy 3:15). We believe that God is calling His people with determination to serve Him, bringing them in His fold, teaching them righteousness after baptism for their sins to be covered by the priceless blood of Christ poured in Mount Calvary, for the redemption of sin, to make them qualify for life eternal in heaven (1 Corinthians 1: 9, 2; Ephesians 4:1,10,14; Acts 2:38; Philippians 1:27; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1).|According to the Section 3, 4 & 5, Article 2 of MCGI by-laws}}

Adherents believe that some of the laws of Moses, the [[10 Commandments]] including [[Shabbat]] and [[tithe|tithing]] have been abolished and replaced with the laws of Christ in the New Testament. They also believe that women are forbidden to lead the church.<ref name="woman">[http://angdatingdaan.org/biblicaltopics/bib_apostle_2.htm Ang Dating Daan - Biblical Topics<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

MCGI also cites several passages in the bible to claim that their church has been prophesied. They said that the establishment of the Members Church of God International in the Philippines is the fulfillment of Zachariah 8:3, Isaias 24:15 and among other prophecies in the Bible because geographically, the Philippines is an archipelago located in the Southeast. They further stated that Zechariah 13:7-9 was fulfilled in the Members Church of God International when the ''Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan'', founded by Nicholas Perez, split into three sects: Levita Gugulan's group, Filomeno Hizon's group and Eliseo Soriano's group.

===Membership===
[[Baptism]] is a key part in MCGI doctrines, but rejects infant baptism. Membership is conferred through immersion [[Believer's baptism|baptism of adults]]. Indoctrination classes are required prior to joining the organization. The classes are composed of 9 lessons concerning church doctrines prepared by the Presiding Minister [[Eliseo Soriano]]. Indoctrinees must fully accept the doctrines taught during the indoctrination before they can be baptized.<ref>http://www.mcgi.org/en/teachings_and_works/beliefs/</ref>

Members who are not living in accordance with the church's teachings may be excommunicated or expelled from the Church.<ref>http://www.mcgi.org/en/welcome/visitor_information/visitor_q_and_a/</ref> Members are required to be modest in dress and grooming. Women are prohibited from cutting their hair and wearing expensive jewelry, and [[jeans|denim pants]], while men are prohibited to have long hair. They are strictly prohibited from drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, using drugs, and gambling.

The MCGI keeps its formal number of members but does not openly reveal it, a policy that can also be found in [[Iglesia ni Cristo]]. MCGI claims that they have thousands of local chapters (known as Coordinating Center) that are scattered throughout the Philippines and abroad. They said that their church is increasing in number of membership through mass baptisms which gained an average of 5,000 monthly.<ref>http://addherent.wordpress.com/page/3/</ref>

===Miscellaneous Beliefs===
*Adherents of the church commonly refer to their body of beliefs as "the truth" and consider themselves to be "in the true church preached by the apostles". <ref>Church of God - Hymn #107: "Ang Pananampalataya Ko'y Tunay" or ''My Faith is Genuine/True''</ref>
*The [[Last Supper]] should not be commemorated literally. The bread symbolizes the teachings of Jesus and the cup of wine symbolizes the sufferings that Christians must accept.
*The Bible does not condemn the hormonally imbalanced persons or the [[gays]] and the [[lesbians]]. However, homosexuals are prohibited from having intercourse. The Sodomites are [[heterosexuals]] who practice homosexual sex due to their perversion.
*The [[soul]] is a combination of spirit (breath of life) and body including the emotions, memory, faculties. When a person dies, his soul is in the hands of God and will be restored in the [[resurrection]] to face judgement.
*Jesus had [[Brothers of Jesus|younger brothers and sisters]].

==Propagation, Missionary and Charity Works==
[[File:McGi website.jpg|200px|thumb|Different logos of the Members Church of God International's programs and services.]]
[[File:Laverdadjf.JPG|thumb|left|175px|La Verdad College, [[Apalit, Pampanga]].]]

The church uses radio, television and the internet in its missionary work. The flagship program ''Ang Dating Daan'' is primarily hosted by [[Eliseo Soriano]], the church's Presiding Minister. The flagship program currently airs in 73 countries worldwide.<ref name="saipantribune.com"/> Soriano also hosts his own [[Livestream]] channel, where he broadcasts his Bible preaching shows.

Aside from free channels in the Philippines, MCGI airs English-format programs such as Biblically Speaking, Truth in Focus and Bible Guide through the TOP (The Old Path) Channel, carried by satellite provider [[Globecast]] available in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]].

Through the Ang Dating Daan Foundation International or ADD Foundation, MCGI does various social work. MCGI maintains several residential institutions including orphanages, senior citizen homes, and a transient home.

MCGI established the [[La Verdad Christian College]] in [[Caloocan City]] and [[La Verdad Christian College]] in [[Apalit, Pampanga]] to offer scholarship to poor, yet deserving students.
Free education, free meals, free uniforms, and free books, among other benefits, are given to students. Other assistance given include livelihood programs and financial aid.<ref>[http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=497896&publicationSubCategoryId=70 Daniel Razon's second album out - Philippine Star]</ref><ref>[http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=450486 Free Bus Ride of UNTV]</ref><ref>http://www.untvweb.com/program/good-morning-kuya/</ref>
<ref>http://www.mcgi.org/en/teachings_and_works/charities_and_outreaches/</ref>

In its effort to save lives, MCGI is now the number one blood donor in the Philippines acknowledged by the [[Philippine National Red Cross]].<ref>http://www.redcross.org.ph/news/230</ref>


==Criticism==
==Criticism==

Revision as of 07:59, 5 February 2015

For other organizations with the same name, see Church of God International (disambiguation).

Template:Other uses2

Members of the Church of God International
File:Members Church of God International - Logo.png
Seal
AbbreviationMCGI
ClassificationNontrinitarianism
Presiding MinisterEliseo Soriano
RegionPhilippines with few chapters worldwide
HeadquartersADD Convention Center, Sampaloc, Apalit, Pampanga, Philippines
FounderEliseo Soriano
OriginMarch 30, 1977 start of missionary work
1980 registered as Mga Kaanib Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas
Pampanga, Philippines
Separated fromIglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus Haligi't Suhay ng Katotohanan
Congregations1,300 coordinating centers[1]
Other name(s)Ang Dating Daan, ADD, MCGI
Official websitewww.mcgi.org

Members Church of God International is a Philippine-based Christian religious organization that started in 1977 with Eliseo Soriano as its founder and presiding minister. It is colloquially known in the Philippines as Ang Dating Daan (English: "The Old Path"; abbreviated as ADD) which is the name of its flagship television program.[5]


History

An MCGI coordinating center

Eliseo Soriano, born in April 4, 1947, was born and raised as a member of a church called "Iglesia ng Diyos kay Cristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan" which was led by Nicolas Perez (the church's presiding elder). In 1969, Soriano became a minister of the church. Soriano, as a minister of the church, became one of the candidates to become the next presiding elder. After the death of Perez in 1975, Levita Gugulan, a female minister in the church, ascended to post left by Perez. Soriano countered the authority of Gugulan. In February 21, 1976, Soriano, together with 16 other members was separated in the church and began a new church organization called "Mga Kaanib Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas" (translated as "Members Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Support of Truth in the Philippine Nation").[6]

In April 20, 1980, the new church was officially registered in the Philippines with Soriano as its presiding minister. Missionary works was first made in the towns of Pampanga and then, the neighboring provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, and Metro Manila. In the last quarter of 1980, the church launched the radio program Ang Dating Daan (ADD). Through the local radio station DWWA 1206 Khz, ADD was heard in many parts of the Philippine Archipelago. The program became popular in the Philippines because of its live question and answer portion. In 1983, the program kicked off its national television appearance through Intercontinental Broadcasting Channel 13. Ang Dating Daan as a program in radio made its stint in RJTV 29, PTV 4, SBN 21, and now UNTV.

In 2005, the church changed its name to "Members Church of God International". On January 7, 2006, the first live Bible exposition in the United States was held in Los Angeles, California. In 2008, Bible Expositions were conducted in the continent of Oceania bringing forth the first congregation in Papua New Guinea. In the same year, congregations were established in Ghana, West Africa as a result of a series of Bible studies in Africa. The early months of 2009 saw the Church introduced in Latin America.[7]

Church Organization & Administration

Formally, the Members Church of God International is led by a Presiding Minister (Tagalog: Tagapangasiwang Pangkalahatan). According to MCGI teachings, God the Father (through Jesus Christ) is the original founder of the church, hence the term Church of God. According to their doctrine, the Members are simply adhering to the teachings of original Christianity.

The Presiding Minister supervises the entire activity of the Church and implements all policies and projects aimed for the improvement of the congregation’s spiritual well-being. He ensures the proper and rightful execution of the duties and responsibilities of the Ministers and officials of Church ministries and organizations. He also teaches the Ministers and Workers all Church doctrines and stance on theological matters.

Along with the Presiding Minister is the Vice-Presiding Minister which caters to help the Presiding Minister. Aside from this, there are other ministers assigned to oversee various locale congregations. These ministers are called Katulong ng Pangangasiwa (Helpers of the Administration, abbreviated as KNP) and other ministers are called Tagapangasiwang Pampook (Area Administrator) or TP, the Presiding Minister, Vice Presiding Minister and all ministers, forms the Central Administration of Members Church of God International in administering church members.

The MCGI Central Headquarters is located in Sampaloc, Apalit, Pampanga. It houses the ADD Convention Center which was opened in 1997, can accommodate up to 100,000 persons.[citation needed] The Convention Center serves as the main venue of church services and major gatherings. The Central Administration Office, La Verdad Christian College, dormitories for church workers and officers, a small hospital and orphanages are also located here. From the MCGI Headquarters, administration and ministerial work are delegated into Church Divisions which are led by KNP's and TP's (formerly, division's Ministers-in-Charge and Officers-in-Charge). Church divisions comprise 30 to 200 congregations (referred to as locales) on average. The church Division range is generally a single region of the Philippines; however, Divisions are divided in Districts which are headed by District Coordinators. Districts (a district is generally a single province in the Philippines.) are also divided into Zones which is administered by a Zone Coordinator. There are about 5,000 MCGI locales in more than a hundred countries.[8]

Criticism

Main article: Conflicts between Iglesia ni Cristo and Members Church of God International

Since 1980, there have been conflicts between religious organizations Iglesia ni Cristo ("Church of Christ", INC) and the Members Church of God International (MCGI) when MCGI Presiding Minister Eliseo Soriano started his radio program Ang Dating Daan (ADD). Through his program he discussed biblical issues and "exposed" what he believes are wrong doctrines of other religious groups, including those of INC. In 2001, after twenty-one years of reticence, the INC launched its own program, Ang Tamang Daan, as a direct response for the first time to Ang Dating Daan, featuring video footages and recordings of ADD hosts as issues were tackled.

Notes

References

  1. ^ Soriano, Eliseo. "Twitter: @BroEliSoriano". twitter.com/BroEliSoriano. Twitter. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ [2]
  4. ^ To Serve not just to Be Served - Philippine Star
  5. ^ "Ang Dating Daan". angdatingdaan.org. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  6. ^ "STORY OF ELISEO SORIANO AND HIS CHURCHES". http://thetruthaboutreligions.blogspot.com/. Retrieved 5 February 2015. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  7. ^ "HISTORY OF THE CHURCH". mcgi.org. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  8. ^ [3]

External links

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