This article critiques the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s (INC) teaching that individuals cannot understand the Bible without the help of an ordained minister, focusing on their interpretation of 2 Peter 1:20. The article argues that the verse refers specifically to prophecy, not all scripture, emphasizing that prophecy holds absolute meaning as it is divinely inspired, not subject to personal interpretation. It highlights that Peter, in the surrounding verses, attributes the authority to interpret prophecy to eyewitnesses of Christ, rather than contemporary figures like INC leaders. Therefore, the INC’s claim of exclusive authority to interpret scripture is unfounded, and the article encourages individual engagement with the Bible.
The Iglesia Ni Cristo does not teach that all verses in the Bible cannot be understood without the need for a messenger. Many verses in the Bible are written in straightforward language and convey clear messages that can be easily understood by a wide audience. While some passages are clear, others can be difficult due to complex theological concepts, prophetic texts and their fulfillments, symbolic language, and apocalyptic messages. These teachings require the guidance of a messenger authorized by God.
2 Peter 1:16-19 does not teach that a person must be an eyewitness to Christ to be God’s messenger. In this passage, Peter emphasizes the reliability of his message about Jesus Christ because he and others were direct witnesses to Christ’s majesty, specifically recalling the Transfiguration event. Peter’s point is to affirm the truth and authority of the apostolic witness concerning Christ, not to set a requirement that all future messengers of God must be eyewitnesses of Christ.
Instead, the passage highlights the credibility of the apostles as authoritative interpreters of prophecy because they were present during key moments of Jesus’ ministry. However, it does not imply that only those who physically witnessed Christ can be messengers of God. Throughout the Bible, many individuals served as God’s messengers without physically witnessing Christ, especially in the Old Testament, and even in the New Testament after Christ’s ascension, people were called to be messengers through the Holy Spirit.
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