The article argues the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s interpretation of Romans 16:25, which they claim supports the idea that the Bible is shrouded in mystery and can only be understood through ministerial explanation. The author argues that Romans 16:25, in context, refers specifically to the gospel—the good news of Christ’s redemptive plan—as the mystery that was once hidden but has now been revealed, not the entire Bible. By examining the next verse, Romans 16:26, the author contends that the gospel has been disclosed to all, challenging the INC’s view and asserting that scripture is accessible and understandable to believers.
While it is true that the mystery of God’s redemptive plan has been revealed, the Bible shows that this revelation was primarily made through the preaching of God’s messengers rather than personal discovery through reading alone.
Firstly, Romans 10:14-15 emphasizes that faith comes through hearing, specifically through preaching. Paul asks how people can believe in Christ if they have not heard of Him, and how they can hear without someone preaching. This passage highlights the importance of preachers in conveying the gospel. It implies that understanding the mystery of salvation is not solely dependent on individual study but requires the proclamation of the message by those sent by God.
Secondly, in Ephesians 3:8-9, Paul makes it clear that he was given the responsibility to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and reveal the mystery of God’s plan. This suggests that the mystery was not something people could easily discover on their own, but that it needed to be brought to light through the apostolic ministry. Paul’s role as a preacher was central to making the hidden plan known.
Additionally, Colossians 1:25-26 reinforces this idea, as Paul describes himself as a minister tasked with making the Word of God fully known, specifically the mystery hidden for ages. This indicates that God entrusted specific individuals with the responsibility of revealing the gospel to others, implying that the preaching of these messengers was essential for understanding the mystery of Christ.
Lastly, 1 Corinthians 1:21 makes it clear that God, in His wisdom, chose to reveal His plan through what might seem like the “foolishness” of preaching, rather than through human wisdom or individual discovery. This further supports the idea that the gospel message and the mystery of salvation were not intended to be discovered solely through personal Bible reading but were revealed through the preaching of God’s messengers.
In conclusion, while the Bible can be understood and is accessible to readers, the scriptural evidence points to the necessity of preaching as the primary means through which the mystery of the gospel was revealed. The author’s claim that people do not need ministers to explain the Bible overlooks these passages, which show that God’s chosen method of revelation involved sending preachers and apostles to reveal His redemptive plan to the world.
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