The Church of God Ministerial of Jesus Christ International:
History, Doctrines and Biblical
Deviations
1. ️ Origin and History
Founders:
·
María
Luisa Piraquive –
Considered “the prophetess” and the main doctrinal and spiritual leader of the
movement.
·
Luis
Eduardo Moreno – Her
husband and co-founder, who passed away in 1996. He was the first senior
pastor.
Foundation:
·
The church was
founded in Bogotá, Colombia, in 1972, under
the name:
Church of God Ministerial of Jesus Christ.
It later adopted its current full name.
Expansion:
·
Through
campaigns, testimonies, and digital media, the church has spread to more
than 60 countries, especially in Latin America, the U.S., Europe, and
recently in Asia.
·
It has millions
of followers who recognize it as “the only church where God speaks directly
through prophecy today.”
2. Main doctrines and practices
The IDMJI
presents itself as a restored Christian church that combines biblical teachings
with current revelations through the gift of prophecy. Let's
examine its key doctrinal points:
✦ 2.1 Fundamental beliefs
|
Doctrine |
IDMJI Teaching |
|
Yes: Father, Son and
Holy Spirit are three divine persons. |
|
|
Contemporary
prophecy |
God speaks
directly to believers through present-day prophets, especially María
Luisa Piraquive. |
|
Maria Luisa |
She is considered a
“doctor,” prophetess, and exclusive channel of divine revelation for
the Church. |
|
Tongues and miracles |
They are a sign of
the presence of the Holy Spirit. Glossolalia is common in their cults. |
|
Bible |
It is used, but is subordinated
to contemporary prophetic revelations. |
|
Salvation |
By faith and
obedience, but conditioned to remain within the organization. |
|
Worship |
Very emotional, with
an emphasis on testimonies, prophecies, and personal revelations. |
✦ 2.2 What its practice focuses on:
·
Personal
prophecies to each member,
where it is stated that “God” speaks directly, using ministers as channels.
·
They teach that
the true church must have visible supernatural manifestations:
tongues, healings, and visions.
·
María
Luisa Piraquive has been
exalted to an almost messianic level: in songs, speeches, and treatises she is
called “doctor, spiritual guide, perfect servant of God.”
3. ❌ Why does this church not
represent the true Church of God?
Let's look at doctrines and practices
that clearly distance it from the biblical model:
✦ 3.1 Exaltation of a human leader
·
The Bible
teaches that only Christ is the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18).
·
A woman
prophetess is never given
a title or doctrinal authority as the sole and central leader.
·
The fact that the
church revolves around Maria Luisa as the "exclusive
channel of revelation" borders on a cult of personality,
something the Bible condemns (Acts 10:25-26, Rev. 19:10).
✦ 3.2 False or dubious prophecies
·
1 John
4:1: “Beloved, do not
believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God...”
·
Many prophecies
given in the IDMJI are generic, emotional, or unfulfilled,
which is a sign of a false prophet (Deuteronomy 18:20-22).
·
Bible
prophecy is always
subject to the Word of God, not above it (Isaiah 8:20).
✦ 3.3 Doctrine of the Trinity
·
They teach the Trinity,
but this doctrine is not found anywhere in the Bible nor was
it taught by Jesus or the apostles.
·
John 17:3
says that the Father
is the only true God, and Jesus is his sent Son.
·
The Holy
Spirit is the power of God (Acts 1:8), not a third divine person.
✦ 3.4 Misuse of the gift of tongues
·
They teach that speaking
in tongues is evidence of having the Spirit, but 1 Corinthians 12:30
makes it clear that not everyone speaks in tongues, and 1
Corinthians 14 sets clear limits on the use of that gift.
·
Glossolalia
without interpretation and edification is spiritual disorder,
not a sign of holiness.
✦ 3.5 Lack of fidelity to God's law
·
Although they
insist on “obeying God,” they do not keep the Sabbath or the biblical
festivals (Leviticus 23).
·
They adopt Sunday
as a day of worship, a tradition imposed by Rome.
·
The true Church
of God keeps the commandments (Revelation 14:12), it does not conform
to popular religious custom.
✦ 3.6 Reliance on subjective
revelations
·
The emphasis on personal
prophecy and emotions leads to:
o
Doctrinal
deviations
o
False
hopes
o
Dependence
on human leaders instead
of the written Word.
Jesus warned:
“Many false prophets will arise and deceive many.” (Matthew 24:11)
4. How does it compare to the Church that Christ
founded?
|
Feature |
IDMJI |
|
|
Founder |
Christ |
Luis Eduardo
Moreno and María Luisa Piraquive |
|
Head |
Christ (Ephesians
1:22) |
Maria Luisa (de
facto) |
|
Doctrine |
Subjected to the
Scriptures |
Subject to personal
disclosures |
|
Holy Spirit |
Power of God (Acts
2:17) |
Divine person who
speaks through prophets |
|
Day of worship |
Sabbath and Biblical
Feasts (Exodus 31, Lev. 23) |
Sunday |
|
Teaching |
Biblical,
Christocentric |
Experiential,
emotional, personal prophecies |
✅ Conclusion
Although
the International Church of God Ministerial of Jesus Christ has
fervor, organization, and a global presence, its doctrinal foundations
and spiritual structure are far from the true biblical model. Its
emphasis on the exaltation of a human leader, subjective
prophecy, and false Trinitarian doctrine place it outside
the path established by Christ.
The true Church of God is:
·
Faithful to the
whole Word of God
·
Obedient to his
commandments
·
Guided by the true
Spirit
·
Centered on Christ
as the only mediator
·
Waiting
for the literal Kingdom of God on earth
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