Apollo Quiboloy is the founder and leader of a religious movement called the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KOJC). He was born on April 25, 1950 in Davao City, Philippines. Quiboloy claims that when he was 17 years old, God revealed to him in a series of dreams that he would become the “Appointed Son of God” – the fulfillment of biblical prophecies about the Second Coming of Christ.
According to Quiboloy and his followers, he is the human incarnation of Jesus Christ. They believe the first coming of Jesus was in the form of a “Son of God”, but the second coming is fulfilled in Quiboloy as the “Appointed Son of God”. Quiboloy teaches that salvation can only come through him, not through the Jesus of the Bible. He claims he is the mediator between God and humanity.
The KOJC movement originated in 1985 and is based in Davao City in the Philippines. It claims to have 6 million members in about 200 countries worldwide. The church has been controversial due to its claims about Quiboloy, its solicitation of donations, and legal issues surrounding the church and its leader.
Quiboloy interprets the Bible in unorthodox ways to support his claim to be the Appointed Son. For example, he cites verses that refer to the Son of God or the Son of Man as prophesying his identity as the Appointed Son. He claims the “kingdom nation” promised in the Bible will be established through KOJC. Quiboloy also teaches a “New Jerusalem” will come down from heaven to the Philippines.
Mainstream Christianity rejects Quiboloy’s teachings as heretical and a distortion of Scripture. The Bible warns against false prophets and teachers who will come claiming to be Christ (Matthew 24:23-24). It teaches Jesus will return physically and visibly to establish his kingdom, not through any appointed human successor (Acts 1:11, Revelation 1:7).
Quiboloy was born into a poor family and claims he had a vision at age 7 where God called him to preach. He dropped out of school in grade 6 to preach. In 1982, he graduated from a Bible college in Davao City. During the 1980s he ministered as an itinerant preacher. In 1985, Quiboloy says he had a series of visions revealing his identity as the Appointed Son of God.
Quiboloy then launched KOJC, establishing a compound in Davao City that would become the church’s headquarters. KOJC theology and practice is centered around Quiboloy as God’s appointed mediator. Adherents must accept him as the Son of God and Their “advocate” to receive salvation. Quiboloy interprets the Bible based on his claimed revelation.
KOJC has faced controversy for soliciting donations, with Quiboloy urging members to give to the church over meeting their own needs. Many former members claim the church uses intimidation and exploitation to keep members obedient and giving money. Quiboloy lives an extravagant lifestyle as church leader.
In 2019, Quiboloy was indicted in the US for allegedly running a sex trafficking operation where church members were coerced into acts for his benefit. He denied the charges. In 2022, he was designated by the US Treasury as connected to human trafficking and placed on the Specially Designated Nationals list.
The teachings of Quiboloy and KOJC show key signs of being an unbiblical cult:
- Quiboloy claims exclusive authority as God’s appointed representative on earth
- Salvation is only through complete allegiance and obedience to him
- The Bible is interpreted based on his claimed divine revelation
- Cult-like control and abuse of members is reported
- Wealthy lifestyle at members’ expense
- Rejection of orthodox Christian doctrine about Jesus
The Bible warns there will be false teachers who arise seeking followers and prophesying falsely in Jesus’ name (2 Peter 2:1). It says that in the last days “false christs” will come claiming to be Christ (Matthew 24:24). Christians are exhorted to test every spirit and teacher to see if they align with Scripture (1 John 4:1).
Based on these biblical standards, Apollo Quiboloy fails doctrinal and lifestyle tests to be considered a true prophet or minister of God. His organization displays characteristics of an unhealthy, controlling cult built on unbiblical teachings for the benefit of its founder. Christians should exercise great caution in evaluating his claims in light of Scripture.
In examining Quiboloy, there are several red flags that he may not be the true Son of God he claims to be:
- No corroborating miracles, signs, or fulfilled prophecies
- Questionable integrity – lavish lifestyle, legal accusations
- Undermines Jesus and the Bible’s teachings about Christ’s return and salvation
- Followers manipulated and exploited
- Originated in dreams and visions – not supported in Scripture
Quiboloy’s Background
Apollo Carreón Quiboloy was born on April 25, 1950 in Davao City in the Philippines. He was the fifth of nine children born to a poor family. His parents converted to Christianity and became members of the United Pentecostal Church. Quiboloy claims he experienced a vision at age seven where God called him to be a preacher.
He only attained a sixth grade education before dropping out of school to focus on preaching. As a teenager, he would preach to students outside his former school. At age 17 in 1967, Quiboloy states he had a series of dreams over six months revealing his identity as the “Appointed Son of God.”
In 1982 at age 32, Quiboloy graduated from the Mindanao University of the Pentecostal Church of God in Davao City with a bachelor’s degree in theology. During the early 1980s, he worked as an itinerant preacher and revivalist in the Davao region of Mindanao. He claimed to work miracles like healing the sick.
In 1985, Quiboloy left the Pentecostal church he was part of to launch his own movement – the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. He stated God had called him to preach the gospel of the appointed Son of God. This was based on his dreams years earlier that he claimed revealed his identity and mission.
Founding of KOJC and Growth
In 1985, Quiboloy founded the religious organization called the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name or KOJC. He began preaching what he claimed was the “gospel of the appointed son”, referring to himself. The church was formally registered in the Philippines in 1995.
Quiboloy interpreted Biblical passages about the Son of God and related terms to be prophecies about him as the fulfillment of the Son in the end times. He claimed salvation was only through knowing him as the appointed Son. Based on claimed continued divine revelation to “Pastor Apollo”, he developed unique KOJC doctrines.
The church grew rapidly, spreading outside the Philippines to Asia, North America, and Europe. Quiboloy claimed in a 2018 interview to have six million members in 45 countries worldwide. However, scholars state the membership is likely smaller, estimating tens of thousands of followers concentrated in Davao City.
KOJC has an array of media and business ventures used to promote Quiboloy’s teachings and generate revenue. These include the Sonshine Media Network International TV station, The Kapisanan ng Mga Broadcasting operators in the Philippines, various broadcast affiliates internationally, and businesses like a restaurant chain called Apollo Burgers.
Teachings and Practices
Quiboloy teaches a message centered around him as the “Appointed Son of God.” Salvation can only come by accepting Quiboloy as the Son and giving total obedience to him as God’s representative on earth. He is considered the “new Christ” and only way to the Father.
His followers consider him the human incarnation of Jesus, the mediator and advocate between God and humanity. Quiboloy claims his coming fulfilled the Second Coming of Christ prophesied in the Bible. But instead of Jesus coming on the clouds, his coming was fulfilled in the birth of Quiboloy as the appointed Son.
KOJC doctrines and practices include:
– Sunday worship services focused on Quiboloy’s preaching
– Mandatory attendance at twice weekly Bible studies
– Recruitment of new converts called “pastoral conquesting”
– Collections of cash donations and member offerings
– Vegetarian diet for members
– Gender specific dress codes
-Arranged marriages set up by Quiboloy
Quiboloy’s followers consider him equal to Jesus in authority and power, able to forgive sins. He is referred to as the “Almighty Father”, “Savior, Owner of the Universe”, and other divine titles. They believe the biblical “New Jerusalem” will be established in Davao City.
Quiboloy interprets the Bible to support his claims as the Son. He cites Old Testament passages about the Son of God as prophecies of the appointed Son’s coming. New Testament verses mentioning the Son of Man or Son of God are also seen as evidence of Quiboloy’s status.
However, mainstream Christian theology rejects Quiboloy’s teachings as heretical. The Bible teaches Jesus alone is the divine Son of God who offers salvation (John 3:16, Acts 4:12). It warns of false christs arising, but teaches Christ will return bodily to establish his kingdom (Matthew 24:23-27).
Controversies and Criticisms
Quiboloy and KOJC have faced various controversies and criticisms over the years, including:
- Legal issues – In 2019, Quiboloy was indicted in the U.S. for allegedly running a sex trafficking ring exploiting church members. He denied the charges. In 2022, he was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury over human trafficking links.
- Authoritarian practices – Former members allege church leaders control members through intimidation, public shaming, and restricting contact with family/friends who leave.
- Financial exploitation – Pressure on followers to give offerings, sell possessions, and even take loans to donate to the church. Quiboloy lives lavishly from church funds.
- Unorthodox doctrines – Teachings like Quiboloy being the new Christ/Son of God and only path to salvation rejected as heresy by mainstream Christianity.
- Personality cult – Church built around idolization and obedience to Quiboloy. Services focus on him, not Jesus.
Critics argue Quiboloy displays key traits of a dangerous cult leader such as:
- Claims of unique authority as God’s “appointed” representative.
- Financial manipulation for personal gain.
- Human rights abuses/illegal acts justified for the cause.
- Rewriting doctrine and Scripture to solidify control.
- Exploitation and manipulation of followers.
- No accountability and isolation from outside input.
Evaluating Quiboloy’s Claims Biblically
How should Christians evaluate Quiboloy’s claims in light of Scripture? Several biblical principles can assess his legitimacy as a leader and teacher.
1. Test the spirits (1 John 4:1) – Christians are told to test every spirit to see if they align with orthodox doctrine about Christ.
2. Beware of false prophets (Matthew 7:15) – Jesus warned false Christs and lying prophets would come to deceive people.
3. Christ’s bodily return (Acts 1:11) – The Bible teaches Jesus will return physically/visibly to establish his kingdom, not through any “appointed” successor.
4. Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) – Quiboloy’s alleged lifestyle and actions seem contradictory to the fruits of the Spirit like love and self-control.
5. Christ the only way (John 14:6) – Scripture teaches salvation is through Christ alone, not any additional human mediator.
Based on these key biblical standards, the evidence suggests Quiboloy fails crucial tests of integrity, doctrine, lifestyle, and spiritual fruits. While he claims to be God’s appointed End Times Son, a biblical analysis finds this unsubstantiated and contradicting core Scriptural teachings.
Christians should exercise discernment in examining the claims of any who portray themselves as God’s unique messengers. Scripture warns to beware of false teachers who arise and twist biblical truth (2 Peter 2:1).
Conclusion
In conclusion, Apollo Quiboloy is the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church based in the Philippines. He claims to be the “Appointed Son of God” – the human incarnation of Jesus and necessary mediator between God and man.
However, upon close examination, there are many red flags with Quiboloy’s legitimacy according to biblical standards. His questionable lifestyle, legal issues, authoritarian leadership, distorted theology, and personality cult suggest he falls far short of meeting the biblical criteria for a true prophet or minister of God.
The Bible warns that in the end times many false christs will arise to deceive people. Christians should stay rooted in Scripture and exercise caution in following any self-proclaimed prophets like Quiboloy who contradict the Bible’s teachings about Jesus Christ and sound doctrine.
