Félix Manalo

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Felix Manalo on the cover of Pasugo

Félix Ysagun Manalo (born Félix Manalo Ysagun May 10, 1886 - April 12, 1963) was the first Executive Minister of the religious organization Iglesia ni Cristo, and incorporated it with the Philippine Government on July 27, 1914. He is also the father of Eraño G. Manalo, the current Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

Due to the fact that there were no precursors to the registered church, external sources and critics of the Iglesia ni Cristo refer to him as the founder of the Iglesia ni Cristo and describe him as such.^[1]

The official doctrines of the church do not state that Felix Y. Manalo is its founder, and professes that he is the last messenger of God, sent to reestablish the first church founded by Jesus, which the INC claims to have fallen into apostasy following the death of the Apostles.

[edit] Biography

Félix Ysagun was born in the Philippines to Mariano Ysagun and Bonifacia Manalo, but later had his last name changed to Manalo after his mother's death, in reverence for his mother, historians claim, and also to fortify his ministry, the name Manalo meaning 'to win' in Tagalog. Others claim the change was an attempt to leave obscurity, Manalo being a more prominent name than Ysagun (the "Y" is prounounced as an "ee").^[2]

Manalo joined and left many religious organizations as a young adult.^[3] He was baptized a Roman Catholic, but at a young age went through a succession of faiths. He joined the local spiritist cult, and was an atheist at one point, but later joined the Methodist Episcopal Church after witnessing a debate. He attended their seminary and became a pastor. ^[4] He later joined the Christian and Missionary Alliance, attracted to the way their converts were baptized, which was by immersion.^[5] During his time at the Christian and Missionary Alliance, a letter from Leslie Wolfe, a noted Philippine missionary claims that Manalo was expelled due to abusing his spouse and fathering an illegitimate child. ^[6]

His ministry led him into a debate with L.V. Finster of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was defeated, and convinced into joining the Adventists. He then left the Adventist church after a disagreement regarding scripture.^[5]

After he finished reading the Bible in-depth (for what sources say was three days with neither food nor rest from sunrise to sundown only), he proclaimed God gave him a mission to preach the gospel and reestablish the first church founded by Jesus.^[5]

Manalo propagated his message within his local area, growing the Iglesia ni Cristo and converting members of other religions. As membership increased, he delegated others to spread the teachings of the INC and it eventually spread throughout the Philippines and to other countries.^{[citation needed]}

It has been reported that the INC's considerable political clout began under Felix Manalo's leadership, when Manuel Quezon, the former president of the Philippines, referred to him as "bishop" and sought support from the church. ^[7]

Manalo was married to Tomasa Sereneo,^{[citation needed]} with whom he had a child who died in infancy.^{[verification needed]} Tomasa herself was afflicted with tuberculosis and died as well. He later married Honorata de Guzman, a fellow former Adventist. Their fifth child, Eraño G. Manalo, is now the present Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo, while his grandson Eduardo is deputy Executive Minister. Felix Manalo was afflicted with an intestinal disease and died on April 12, 1963.^{[citation needed]}