The last few years have been spent by the Church of Christ leadership trying to convince its members that the doctrines have not changed – everything has been the same since the time of the last Messenger, Brother Felix Y. Manalo. But on the first weekend of September, the lesson that was taught by the Ministers about the giving of donations sounded quite odd. What does that have to do with new doctrines? The Minister clearly told us that DONATION is NOT A NEW DOCTRINE.

I thought to myself, if it is not new, then why is everyone wondering about it? Brethren are wondering about it so much that the Administration felt the need to EXPLAIN it. Obviously then, if it needs to be explained, it is SOMETHING NEW.

Why is it that brethren were NOT AWARE that DONATION was a church doctrine? Because we were not pushed to do it before as it is being done now. Again, because it means it is SOMETHING NEW.

What does DONATION actually mean? Let’s look it up:

noun

an act or instance of presenting something as a gift, grant, or contribution .

or instance something as a gift, grant, or . a gift, as to a fund; contribution.

Origin of donation

1375–1425, for an earlier sense; late Middle English < Latin dōnātiōn- (stem of dōnātiō), equivalent to dōnāt(us), past participle of dōnāre to give (dōn-, stem of dōnum gift, + -ātus -ate1) + -iōn- -ion

In other words, it is just a another way of saying CONTRIBUTION which is what we have already been doing. The Church leaders are merely finding NEW VERSIONS of the Bible where the world DONATION is used instead of Contribution. So is it a new doctrine to contribute? NO it is not. What is new? Well, aside from our contributions of monetary offering for building chapels, we are now constantly being pressed to DONATE materials to build and renovate chapels.

WHERE ARE THE CONTRIBUTIONS we have already been giving? That, my friends, like the Holy Trinity, is a MYSTERY.

The problem these days, as I have previously mentioned in the past, is that the PROCESS of constructing buildings of worship and other edifices have been turned backwards. What do I mean?

With the previous Administration, as it was taught in the Bible, you…

The Church members CONTRIBUTE SAVE up the offerings Make sure you have ENOUGH for your plans. Then you build, knowing that you HAVE the FUNDS.

Take note of how the Temple was PREPARED to be BUILT:

King David (the leader said): “With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God”

“I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple” 1 Chron. 29:2-3

It was the leader who gave. David the King gave all his personal treasures. Who else gave?

“Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly.”

How much did the officials give?

“…five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron.”

What about the rest of God’s people? Were they pressured to give as much as David or the other leaders?

“Anyone who had precious stones gave them…”

In short, don’t make us feel like the burden is all on the people. IT IS THE KING AND THE LEADERS who gave. The others merely chipped in what they had.

How do we know this? Read verse 9…

The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. (NIV)

Not convinced? Here are other versions:

The people were very happy because their leaders were willing to give so much. The leaders had given freely to the Lord from good hearts. (ETRV)

“The people rejoiced to see their leaders give so gladly” (EXP ver)

So tell us, why are the church members pressured to give so much when it is actually the leaders who are supposed to give willingly?

WHY DON’T YOU DONATE BROTHER MINISTERS? Maybe your wife can donate some of those designer handbags and shoes.

Now what else is the proof that you gather the money first before you even start construction? King DAVID was the one who gathered all that was necessary for the Temple. But it was not built until the time of SOLOMON. They did not start construction and then along the way, pressure people to provide. That is INCORRECT and NOT ACCORDING TO DOCTRINE.

What is further proof that it is not right to start construction and then try to squeeze the money out of the people? JESUS is the one who taught:

“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you”. Luke 14:28

So WHY then are these chapels being constructed and renovated and then the Ministers keep campaigning to SUPPORT the CONSTRUCTION?? The MONEY SHOULD BE THERE ALREADY!

PROPHECY?

Let me move on to a more OBVIOUS change in our doctrine. Let’s see how this is explained by your Resident Minister. I suggest to ask,call, send by mail or email or slide under the door of your Resident Minister.

Here is one of the verses used in the Worship Service lesson in the first week of September:

“Clear lots of ground for your tents!

Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big!

Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep.

You’re going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family.

You’re going to take over whole nations; you’re going to resettle abandoned cities.

Don’t be afraid—you’re not going to be embarrassed.

Don’t hold back—you’re not going to come up short.

Isaiah 54:2-3 Message Translation

What about it, you ask? I have heard 2 Ministers mention it in their sermons that these verses are tasks entrusted to the PRESENT ADMINISTRATOR. So are they now saying there is a PROPHECY FOR THE BELOVED BROTHER EDUARDO V. MANALO??

Is this not considered a NEW DOCTRINE? Was this ever taught by Brother Felix? Was there ever a lesson taught by him saying “my grandson will be the fulfillment of this prophecy”?!?! CERTAINLY NOT!

If that is the case, why should we accept it when it is a DOCTRINE that was not ever taught before?

These verses are now being used to JUSTIFY why the Administration continues to campaign for more money. “Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big!” The explanation? We have to build more chapels

You’re going to take over whole nations; you’re going to resettle abandoned cities. Explanation? That’s why we are purchasing old ghost towns like Johnsonville and Scenic SD! Therefore… GIVE GIVE GIVE!!

This, my dear readers, is what we call how apostasy begins. Apostasy is not an instant thing. It is not like 100 new doctrines are introduced one day and the old teachings are thrown out. Apostasy is a very slow and gradual process. Just like how it was done in the first century Church. It took generations for it to become obvious. The doctrine about the deity of Jesus was not instantaneous. It was a gradual thing that happened over hundreds of years.

I am not saying that there will be a complete apostasy, the true Christians must remember the real teachings and we must not allow ourselves to be confused with anything different. If there are doctrines that we have not heard before, do not be like MINDLESS SHEEP that merely follow. Weren’t we taught to follow? Yes, if the teachings are correct, but Apostle Paul also taught: “They must stick to the true message they were taught, so that their good teaching can help others and correct everyone who opposes it.”

Stick to the true message we were taught.

Don’t allow ourselves to become lost.