Expulsion of Children

Some of you may have been wondering where I’ve been, to be honest there were a number of reasons:

1. Holy Supper is finally done
2. No video Worship re-runs (which makes a lot of people happier)
3. And I’ve been waiting for some of these readers to reply clearly (preferably in English) on some of the issues I’ve brought up.

So let me take on one issue at a time so as not to cloud the content. Let’s talk about Family expulsion. The Iglesia Ni Cristo Leadership insists there are no changes in the doctrine and to “prove” this the Ministers will start the sermon by stating that the lesson was “prepared” or “outlined” by either Brother Felix or Brother Eraño Manalo when they were still alive.

That is a silly point really because that’s just like some other Church who will claim they are Christians because they use the Bible. Of course they are! But where do the changes come? In the application of what they read.

So with regards to the expulsions. They say it is not a new thing to expel entire families. One reader who tried to defend it said: “children were expelled before because their parents were expelled. How will they be able to attend worship services?”

This is why we need to be truly aware and alert to these subtle little changes and lies slowly being put in. Let me explain by reviewing our doctrine we were previously taught

Whom does God command to be expelled? 1 Corinthians 5:13 states:

“God will judge those outside. ‘Expel the wicked person from among you’.”

Those who are wicked. What wickedness have children done? None.  That is why the INC does not even baptise infants.

So what happens when parents are expelled?

The children (in previous Administrations) were NOT expelled along with parents. They were delisted IF there were no other options that they could not attend children’s worship services.

Expel: force to leave or move out; remove from a position or office

Delist:to remove from a list

What is the difference? Expulsion, you get kicked out for wickedness. Delistment, is simply being removed from the registry maybe because they are hindered by employers and are unable to attend church anymore.

Why aren’t children expelled if parents commit sins or doing wickedness?

Deuteronomy 24:16 says this: “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.”

In short, each answer for their own sins.

What is the proof that children are not (supposed to be) expelled? Look at part of the “expulsion form” where it asks about the children. It asks: Date child was offered/Should the child be delisted?/Reason/Guardian/Religion of Guardian

In short, even if the parents are expelled, the children could still attend even if the guardian is a former member or even of another religion. If there are those who could be brought to worship service then they are not delisted. But nowadays, as this particular form shows, all is needed is ONE mighty signature of the General Secretary Cortez, and the entire family is automatically expelled – parents and children alike, including their pet pomeranian. No need to answer and fill up the forms, just a stroke of one mighty pen.

Never in the past Administrations have there been announcements where children were expelled. It is unbiblical to expel children. Even more so in the Philippines where young children actually just walk or take a tricycle to the nearby chapel by themselves. Outside the Philippines the Administration used to ask first, is there anyone who could bring the children to church? Is the grandmother willing to take them to Church? Not anymore. Nowadays, as we often hear in the announcements, “…so and so AND family are expelled…”

What did Jesus say?

“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”