How long does it take to be saved?
The "Iglesia Ni Cristo" often says that today is the day to be saved. Is this really what they believe?
When we examine the practices of the INC, we see that they do not really believe that today is the day of salvation, but that one must typically endure a process that spans months in order to be saved.
The INC requires church membership for salvation.
The INC teaches that church membership is required for salvation. By this, they do not mean that by merely trusting in Christ does one become part of his body. They mean that one must be registered with the human administration of their church.
It is true that one must be in the body of Christ to be saved, but that body of Christ is not defined by a human administration. It is the collection of all who believe. Additionally, membership in a local church is something we are commanded to do, but nowhere in the Bible is called a requirement of salvation.
Attending the 27 Bible studies is a requirement of church membership.
In order to join the INC, one must undergo the 27 lessons. If one attends one study a week, this will take over 6 months.
Having a firm understanding of the faith is a good requirement for local church membership, but imposing a set of lessons as a partial requirement for salvation is unbiblical.
Baptism is a requirement of church membership in the INC.
In order to join the INC, one must be baptised. Baptism is an event that must be scheduled, often as a group event. This means that there could be weeks between the time one is done with their lessons and when they are able to be baptised.
Baptism is a good requirement for membership in the local church, but imposing baptism as a requirement for salvation is unbiblical.
Today is the day to be saved.
The fact of the matter is, as the INC says, today is the day to be saved.[1] There is nothing that should prevent anyone from receiving salvation immediately upon putting their faith in Christ.
Conclusion
The fact that salvation in the INC takes many months demonstrates that the INC does not truly believe that today is the day to be saved. Instead, they believe that today is the day to start working on being saved. INC members should repent and believe the true gospel.
[1] This phrase comes from 2 Corinthians 6:2.