Declaration of Faith

and Articles of Religion of the

Iglesia Filipina Independiente

A. DECLARATION OF FAITH

    We, the Bishops, Priests and lay members, delegates to the General Assembly of the Philippine Independent Church (Iglesia Filipina Independiente), held in the City of  Manila on the 5th day of  August, A.D. 1947, do reiterate our Faith and publicly declare that:
 

WE BELIVE IN

1.    The Holy Trinity
    One God, true and living, of infinite power, wisdom and goodneess; the Maker and Preserver of all things visible and invisible. And that in the unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power and eternity: the Father who is made of none, neither created nor begotten; the Son who is of the Father alone, not made nor created, but begotten, the Holy Ghost who is of the Father and the Son, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.
 2.    Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God
    Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, very and eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took man's nature in the womb of blessed Virgin, after she had conceived by the Holy Ghost. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge both the living and the dead.
 
3.    The Holy Spirit
    The Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son: Who with the Father and the Son together we worship and glorify.
 
4.    One Catholic and Apostolic Church
    The Church, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic, which is the Body of Christ, founded by Christ for the redemption and sanctification of mankind, and to which Church He gave power and authority to preach His Gospel to the whole world under the guidance of His Holy Spirit.
 

B. ARTICLES OF RELIGION

1.    Salvation
    Salvation is obtained only through a vital faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as Lord and Saviour. This faith should manifest itself in good works.
 
2.    Holy Scriptures
    The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation, and nothing which cannot be proved thereby should be required to be belived.
 
3.    The Creeds
    The Articles of the Christian Faith as contained in the Ancient Creeds known as the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds are to be taught by this Church and accepted by the faithful.
 
4.    The Sacraments
    The Sacraments are outward and visible signs of our faith and a means whereby God manifest His good will towards us and confers grace upon us.

    Two Sacraments Baptism and Holy Communion commonly called the Mass ordained by Christ Himself, are held to be generally necessary to salvation.

    Baptism is necessary for salvation. It signifies and confers grace cleansing from original sin as well as actual sin previously commited; makes us children of God and heirs of everlasting life. It effects our entrance into the Church of God. It is administered with water in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

    Confirmation, whereby, through the imposition of the Bishop's hands, anointing and prayer, baptized Christians are strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit and confirmed in the Faith.

    Penance, the confession of sins as commanded by Jesus Christ.

    The Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, taken and received by the faithful for the strengthening and refreshing of their bodies and souls.

    Holy Unction, whereby the sick, especially one in danger of death, is annointed with oil with prayer. He receives, if necesarry, remission of sins, the strengthening of his soul, and if it be God's will, restoration to health.

    Holy Orders, a Sacrament by which Bishops, Priests and Deacons are ordained and receive power and authority to perform their sacred duties.

    Holy Matrimony, a sacrament in which a man and a woman are joined together in the holy estate of matrimony.
 

5.    The Holy Eucharist
    The Holy Eucharist, commonly called the mass, is the central act of Christian worship. It is the sacrament of our redemption by Christ's death. those who partake of it receive the Body and Blood of Christ. All who purpose to make their communion should diligently try and examine themselves before they presume to eat that Bread and drink of that Cup. For as the benefit is great, if with a true penitent heart and lively faith a man receives the Holy Sacrament, so is the danger great if he receives the same unworthily.

    The Mass is to be said in the official language of the Church in such a way that it can be heard by worshippers.

    The authorized Order for the celebration of the Mass is that set forth in the Prayer Book adopted by this Church.
 

6.    Sacred Ministry
    From apostolic times there have been three Orders of Ministries in the Church of God; Bishops, Priests, Deacons. These Orders are to be reverently esteemed and continued in this Church. And no man is to be accepted as a lawful Bishop, Priest, or Deacon in this Church, or permited to execute any functions pertaining to these Orders, except he be called, tried examined, and admitted thereunto according to the Canons of this Church, and in accordance with the Order prescribed by this Church for making, Ordaining and Consecrating Bishops, Priests and Deacons or hath had Episcopal Consecration or Ordination.
 
7.    Celibacy of the Clergy
    Bishops, Priests, and Deacons are not commanded by God's Law to marry or to abstain from marriage therefore they are permitted to marry at their own discretion as they shall judge the same to serve better to godliness.
 
8.    Church Buildings
    Churches for the worship of God are to be erected and seperated from all unhallowed, wordly, and common uses that men may reverence the Majesty of God and show forth greater devotion and humility in His service.
 
9.    The Altar
    The altar is the most sacred part of the Church because there Jesus is sacramentally present. It symbolizes Mt. Calvary, and therefore, if images of saints are used for adornment, care is to be exercised that such ornaments may not distract the minds of worshipers from the Person of Jesus Christ.
 
10.    Worship, Rites and Cermonies
    Only such Orders of Service as have been authorized by this Church shall be used in public Worship, provided, however, that the Diocesan Bishop or Supreme Council of Bishops may authorize Orders of Service for special occasions.
 
11.    Language of Public Service
    All public service shall be conducted in the official language of the Church, or in any other language the Supreme Council of Bishops may prescribe.
 
12.    Purity of  Life
    Holiness, altruism, obedience to God's Commandmends, and a zeal for His honor and glory are incumbert upon Clergy and Laity alike, therefore all should be trained in a clean and disciplined life, not neglecting prayer, study, and exercise of moral discipline.
 
13.    Knowledge
    All truth is of God; therfore the Church should promote sound knowledge and good learning. No books except those detrimental to good morals are to be prohibited.
 
14.    The Blessed Virgin
    The Virgin Mary was chosen by God to be the Mother of Jesus Christ. As Jesus Christ is truly God and Mary is the Mother of Jesus Christ, she is the Mother of God in His human generation. She whom God honored is to be honored above all.
 
15.    The Saints
Persons universally recognized for their holiness of life, loyalty and courage, especially the Blessed Virgin and the New Testament Saints, are to be held in reverent remembrance. Veneration of Saints is not contrary to God's commandments as revealed in the Scriptures; but their deification is condemned by the Church as a monstrous blasphemy. Veneration of the Saints must not obscure the duty of the faithful to direct approach to God through Jesus Christ. Honor rendered the saints must in no wise detract from the honor due the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity.
 
16.    Miracles
Holy Scriptures teach us that events take place in the natural world, but out of its established order, which are possible only through the intervention of divine power, like the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. So-called miracles, based not on well-authenticated facts but or merely fantastc rumors, are repudiated. Belief in unsubstantiated miracles leads to pagan fanaticism and is to be condemned as destructive to the true faith.
 
17.     Attitude Towards the Roman Church
    When this Church withdrew from the roman Catholic Church, it repudiated the authority of the Pope and such doctrines, customs and practices as were inconsistent with the Word of God, sound learning and a good conscience. It has no intention of departing from Catholic doctrine, practice and discipline as set forth by the Councils of the undivided Church. Such departures as occured were due to the exigencies of the times, and are to be corrected by official action as opportunity affords, so that this Church may be brought into the stream of historic Christianity and be universally acknowledged as a true branch of the Catholic Church.
 
18.    Attitude Towards Other Churches
    Opportunity is to be sought for closer cooperation with other branches of the Catholic Church, and cordial relations maintained with all who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
 
19.    Church and State
    This Church is politically independent of the state, and the State of the Church. The Church does not ally itself with any particular school of political thought or with any political party. Its members are politically free and are urged to be exemplary citizens and to use their influence for the prosperity and welfare of the State.
 
20.    Doctrine and Constitutional Rules of the Church and the Fundamental Epistles
    The Doctrine and Constitutional Rules of the Philippine Independent Church, adopted on October 28th, 1903, and susequently amended, and the Fundamental Epistles of the Philippine Independent Church, are henceforth not to be held as binding either upon the Clergy or Laity of this Church in matters of Doctrine, Discipline or Order, wherein they differ in substance from Declaration of faith and Articles of religion contained herein. They are to be valued as historical documents promulgated by the Founders of this church when they were seeking to interpret the Catholic Faith in a manner understood by the people. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the Church has sought to eradicate such errors of judgment and doctrine as crept into its life and official documents in times past.
 
21.    Additions, Amendments, Repeal
    The declaration of faith shall not be altered, amended or repealed. Howerver, the Articles of Religion may be amended, repealed or added to by an absolute majority of the delegates to the General Assembly having the right to vote. Such action before it becomes binding upon the Church must be ratified by the Supreme Council of Bishops and approved by the Supreme Bishop.
 

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we set hands on August 5, 1947:

(Sgd.) Isabelo de los Reyes, Jr. Obispo Maximo, Bp. Gregorio Felipe, Bp. Jose Recoleto, Bp. Luis B. Jardino, Bp. Evaristo Palmos, Fr. Teodulfo P. Antejos, Bp. Macario V. Ga, Bp. Mariano C. Blanco, Bp. Toribio G. Ilao, Bp. Segundo Gatdule, Bp. Alejandro Remollino, Bp.Manuel N. Aguilar, Bp. Juan P. Kijano, Bp. Gregorio Gaerlan, Bp. David O Villanueva, Bp. Cirilo Sumangil, Mr. Footunato Menez, Bp. Gregorio A. Balda, Bp. Gerardo M. Bayaga, Bp. Emiliano reyes, Mr. Carlos de Castro, Fr. Eliseo Ver, Fr. Diosdado Vidal, Mr. P.GodinezMr. Deogracias de la Paz, Mr. Vicente D. Dinoso, Fr. Jose Montenegro, Mr. Gil Octaviano, Mr. Esteban Parul, Mr. Elias foronda, Mr. Roman Duque, Fr. Emilio Avila, Fr. Simon Abaquita, Fr. Ramon C. Espino, Fr. Simean Quiaoit, fr. juan B. de Guzman, Ms. Felisa Dolendo, fr. Federico Rico, Mr. Godofredo Tuson, Mr. Primo Cabrera, Mr. Amado Estanislao, Ms. Angela Goyena Vda. de Quizon, Mr Clemente Mitra, Fr. Christian Alcantara, Fr. Pelegrino Santiago.
 
 
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