Examine the Verse
1 Peter 1:3
This verse is claimed to provide the basis of the Iglesia ni Cristo belief
that the Father in heaven is the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.

	Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3,  New King James Version)
	Iglesia ni Cristo belief in God and Jesus Christ: Iglesia ni Cristo believes in the absolute oneness of God, that "the Only True God is the Father" in heaven; The Father is the Lord God Almighty, the Creator of all things. God is Spirit, eternal, immortal and invisible; He is the God and Father of Jesus Christ and His Apostles; and that of Moses, Abraham and the ancient Israelites. Iglesia ni Cristo believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. As the Son of God, Jesus is a Man.  However, Jesus is not an ordinary man but a "very special Man", who was sanctified; made Lord, Christ, Savior, Mediator and Judge by God.
	Apostle's admonition, warning and unique way of teaching: 1. No prophecy of scripture is a matter of personal interpretation. (II Pt. 1:20, NAB) 2. Do not go beyond  what is written. (I Cor. 4:6, NIV)  3. We do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths. (1 Cor. 2:13, NLT)

	Points to Consider:
	1.  Notice that the above verse was part of Apostle Peter letter to the early Christians who were exiles of the dispersion scattered abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 2.   In the verse, Apostle Peter clearly said " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead". Thus Apostle Peter also clearly teaches the the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ must be praised (blessed) for giving them a living hope through Jesus Christ. 3.  Please note carefully, that according to Apostle Peter, the Lord Jesus Christ has indeed a God and Father, thus confirming Christ's own declaration in John 20:17 "I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God."
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	1 Peter 1:3 in other versions of the Bible:
	Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  (King James Version) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (American Standard Version} Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,   (New International Version) You may use other version or translation of the Holy Bible.

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Examine - consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning; Source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/examine

Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind.