DOCSLIB.ORG

The Government of God – Understanding Offices and Duties

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Government of God – Understanding Offices and Duties THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD UNDERSTANDING OFFICES AND DUTIES by David C. Pack All photographs and illustrations are from private collections and are property of The Restored Church of God. THIS BOOK IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE AND IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST BY THE RESTORED CHURCH OF GOD. It is made possible by the voluntary, freely given tithes and offerings of the mem- bers of the Church and others who have elected to support the work of the Church. Contributions are welcomed and gratefully accepted. Those who wish to voluntarily aid and support this WORK OF GOD around the world are gladly wel- comed as co-workers in this major effort to preach the gospel to all nations. Copyright © 2006-2012, 2016 The Restored Church of God® All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America The Church of God— the biblical Body of Christ— is not divided, and is the only place where the GOVERNMENT OF GOD is present, the only organization Christ leads. He has placed offices and assigned special duties within His Church. All of the splinters have rejected God’s government! This has led to mass confusion about these God- ordained offices and duties. What exactly is a deacon?—a local elder?— a preaching elder?—a pastor?—an evange- list?—a prophet?—an apostle? What about “teachers”? Who are the “messengers” to the seven Churches in Revelation 2 and 3? What do they do? Where will the Two Witnesses come from? How does the “watchman” of Ezekiel 33:7 function in this age? How do all these work and serve, and in UNITY? Who holds AUTHORITY to ordain today? Are splinter ordinations valid? Which office(s) can “bind and loose”? Can anyone add truth or traditions to the Church? Who is authorized to make Church- wide administrative judgments? Who supervises all congregations? This vital book answers all of these questions— and many more! TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE ............................................................................. 7 INTRODUCTION ................................................................ 9 CHAPTER ONE – IDENTIFYING THE GREAT QUESTIONS ............................................... 19 CHAPTER Two – A TIME WITHOUT PARALLEL ...................................... 27 CHAPTER THREE – SPLINTERS IN CHAOS .................................................... 53 CHAPTER FOUR – ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE ................................ 89 CHAPTER FIVE – THE RESTORATION ...................................................... 105 CHAPTER SIX – DEACONS ........................................................................ 127 CHAPTER SEVEN – ELDERS ........................................................................... 139 CHAPTER EIGHT – PASTORS ......................................................................... 157 CHAPTER NINE – EVANGELISTS ................................................................ 173 CHAPTER TEN – PROPHETS ...................................................................... 187 CHAPTER ELEVEN – APOSTLES ....................................................................... 199 CHAPTER TWELVE – APOSTOLIC DUTIES ..................................................... 219 CHAPTER THIRTEEN – FALSE APOSTLES .......................................................... 241 CHAPTER FOURTEEN – ADVISORY COUNCIL OF ELDERS ............................. 253 CHAPTER FIFTEEN – “WATCHMAN” TO ISRAEL .......................................... 263 CHAPTER SIXTEEN – “MESSENGERS” TO ERAS ........................................... 279 CHAPTER SEVENTEEN – THE TWO WITNESSES ................................................. 289 CHAPTER EIGHTEEN – POWER AND AUTHORITY ........................................... 297 CHAPTER NINETEEN – THE MEMBER’S ROLE ................................................. 311 CHAPTER TWENTY – HARD QUESTIONS ........................................................ 319 THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD 7 PREFACE wenty years ago, destroyers rose up within the Church of God (John T10:10). While many have at least understood this much, they seem oblivious to what these men hated most. The majority have focused on the other doctrines thrown away by the apostates. Of course, every doc- trine of God is important. But the very biggest receives almost no attention. The GOVERNMENT OF GOD is central, and essential, to the Church of God. It simply cannot function without it. Think of all that is at stake within this colossal doctrine: how Christ structured His ministry—how to distinguish true ministers from false—the functions and duties of each office—through whom Christ does and does not lead His Church and Work—through whom He announces the kingdom of God to the world and warns the modern nations of Israel—what is the Church—unity in the Church—how Christ protects it, gives it truth and traditions, and feeds it—and so much more! This fascinating book presents a truly compelling story and offers facts more interesting than could be imagined. You will find it to be among the most crucial you will read for the rest of your life, outside the Bible—and you will not be able to put it down. Mr. Armstrong repeated time and again that “Government is everything,” and this book explains why! At 339 pages, it is the most comprehensive volume on God’s gov- ernment ever written. Only those who read it cover-to-cover will appreci- ate this statement. 8 THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD This large book to the splinters is SUPREMELY IMPORTANT to all of God’s people! Every person with God’s Spirit should read it. However, every deacon, deaconess, local elder, preaching elder, pastor and evange- list in every Worldwide Church of God offshoot should read it twice. The first read will tell them why. If you anoint your eyes, with vision restored, you will be able to seek—and find!—the GOVERNMENT OF GOD! INTRODUCTION 9 INTRODUCTION ntil 1986, and for some years after, the Worldwide Church of God U(WCG) operated under what was commonly referred to as the “gov- ernment of God.” This was a term that carried special meaning in the minds of every member of the Church— over 150,000 people— across the world. This government looked and worked a certain way. The min- istry and membership were in accord under it, all understanding their role. Dissent was uncommon and dissidents relatively few. Seemingly everyone understood that God’s government was intrinsic to His Church and that its correct and orderly function, in all its working parts, enabled the Church and Work of God to grow immense in size and to be able to remain wonderfully productive. This volume is about that government, how the New Testament describes it and how the Church once experienced it in effective opera- tion. Other parts of the Splinter Explanation Packet have referenced and discussed God’s government and how Christ leads His Church. This book, however, is different. The sections of the other books devoted to government generally discussed the overall fact that Jesus Christ has a government that is undi- vided, and that He is leading one, unified, organized Church and Body from the top down, and always beginning with one man. This takes a different and more in- depth look at how that government F UNCTIONS— and always functioned in the past—including how it was carefully structured by God to work “decently and in order” in every matter. It will necessar- 10 THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD ily refer to some of the same elements covered elsewhere, but it is intended primarily as a kind of “textbook” explaining the working machinery of that government when all parts are in place and operating correctly. It is much more than a basic primer. Recognize at the outset then that The Government of God – Understanding Offices and Duties has not been specifically written to prove that God’s government is, and has always been, from the top down, under one man. Other sermons I have given carefully cover and prove the hierarchical nature of God’s government—Old Testament and New— straight from the Bible. Of course, the fact that God’s government is hierarchical cannot be avoided in any description of it. Must Be Practiced God’s people were told over and over by Herbert W. Armstrong that they must be practicing the GOVERNMENT OF GOD in the Church if they— you!— hope to be part of it in the kingdom of God. Further, we were told time and again the Church was the kingdom of God in embryo, meaning members were God’s government being formed— daily prepared— in the womb of the Church, begotten but not yet born into God’s kingdom. All of this instruction was always personalized to include how the individual Church member had his or her responsibility. Here is but one statement from Mr. Armstrong saying this in his own words. Because of its thoroughness and strength of language, one quote is enough to pound this point home. Read carefully—remember!—and do not miss how Mr. Armstrong ties vital principles together regarding God’s government, its role in the Church, His Work— and you. It speaks without ambiguity— he leaves no room for confusion (all emphasis his): “God’s people are in the time of final trying and testing— like taking final exams to determine whether we graduate.” “Brethren, CAN YOUR MIND COMPREHEND THE TRANSCENDENT MAGNITUDE OF [GOD’S] SUPREME PURPOSE? The entire UNIVERSE to be put under subjection to you? That means you are to RULE over it all— IF you are submissive, obedi- ent to God and His government over you NOW!” “Do you want to let resentment against God’s government over you NOW disqualify you— snatch you from God’s GRACE and PURPOSE for you, and cast you into a lake of fire? God’s PURPOSE for us is
Load more

Recommended publications
  • What Motivated Terry Ratzmann's Shooting Spree in the Living
    What Motivated Terry Ratzmann’s Shooting Spree in the Living Church of God? Peter Ditzel On March 12, 2005, 44-year-old Terry Ratzmann walked into the services of the Living Church of God. They were being held in the Sheraton Hotel near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ratzmann stood near the back of the room where he was spotted by 12-year-old Robert Geiger. The boy later described Ratzmann, whom he had known most of his life, as looking enraged, and "his eyes were real dark." Robert also saw Ratzmann’s gun. Ratzmann opened fire with a 9mm handgun. He fired 22 shots, immediately killing four people. One bullet was intended for Robert, but the bullet whizzed past his face. Ratzmann ended the shooting spree by killing himself. Three more people died in hospital. Police have still not figured out Ratzmann’s motive. At first, they focused on the possibility that Ratzmann was about to lose his job. This now turns out not to be the case. He was near the end of a temporary assignment through an employment firm, and would likely have received a new assignment. Police and media at first assumed the Living Church of God to be an evangelical church. But both have now finally realized that the Living Church of God is no ordinary church. They now believe that Ratzmann’s motives were directly connected with the church. The Living Church of God is one of the most extreme of the many offshoots of the Worldwide Church of God, a church founded in the 1930s by the late Herbert W.
    [Show full text]
  • Seven Restorations of the Work of the Church of God
    SEVEN RESTORATIONS OF THE WORK OF THE CHURCH OF GOD Version 3 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith to the churches” Note: we must take note of what the spirit says to the churches (plural). However, we must also take notice of what it is saying to one’s current church phase. Which phase are we entering NOW? And just what is the spirit saying to us? How do phases of the Church’s Work commence and how does this impact YOU? [this paper should be read in conjunction with the paper Roots of Our Beliefs] Seven Restorations of the Work of the Church of God Prologue 5 Introductory Remarks 5 The Candlestick Symbolism in the Old and New Testaments 6 Seven Restorations of the Work 8 A Modern Example of Restoration 10 The Increase in Biblical Knowledge (Dan 12:4) 15 The Doors opened to Philadelphia (Rev 3:8) 16 The 6th Era Proclaims a Warning to the House of Israel 18 A Seventh Restoration Now Forming 19 The Future of Laodicea - who is the Daughter of Zion in 21 Prophecy? Concluding Remarks 23 Appendix 1: Extract from Mystery of the Ages by Herbert W 26 Armstrong, Chapter 6 – The Mystery of the Church Appendix 2: Chart - Possible Relationships to Church Eras 28 Appendix 3: Revelation 2 & 3 29 Appendix 4: Some examples of works by Protestants and others 31 who are rediscovering Bible Law and Hebraic Truth References 32 Suggested Reading 32 2 Seven Restorations of the Work of the Church of God "Still, if you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed, if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not so costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival.
    [Show full text]
  • Foundation Institute Class of 2019-2020 Arrives Journeys and Reflections Larry and Judy Salyer
    OneAccordOctober/November 2019 2019 CYC Overview Journeys and Reflections Larry and Judy Salyer Foundation Institute Class of 2019-2020 Arrives personal from the president Retirement In the early days of my ministerial career, retirement you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among was a negative word. A minister was encouraged to you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish work until he couldn’t work anymore. The example you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their we had was Herbert Armstrong, who worked right work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves” up until his death in 1986 at the age of 93. One term (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). that we heard often in those early years was “the gun We are admonished to “esteem them very highly lap,” which conveyed the idea of a runner coming to in love for their work’s sake.” We have not always the final lap of a race when a gun would be fired to let been good in the Church at recognizing those who everyone know that this was indeed the last lap. While have served us tirelessly for many decades. These Iwe must all live our lives as though Christ will return are couples who have moved dozens of times, today, the concept of the gun lap was to inspire us to sometimes to a different country, leaving family do more work because the end was coming soon. behind to serve a new congregation. I don’t write the above to criticize our past, but In my position as president, one of my goals is to simply to acknowledge that maturity and experience make sure that all the men retiring from the full- have taught us something different.
    [Show full text]
  • Sabbatarian Groups a Scattered and Little Flock
    SABBATARIAN GROUPS A SCATTERED AND LITTLE FLOCK By C M White Version 2.2 The Church of God sabbatarian groups have always been a scattered into various remnants. However, this century, due to the nature of organised nations and governments, and to enable it to do an end-time witness, it is essential for the Church of God to be united. Yet there have always been various branches and eras of the Church. This century, the WCG stood out and proclaimed a major Work. Yet it is now more important than ever to do a Work, yet the remnants of this group just refuse to cooperate. The genesis of this era are particularly interesting and serves to give us insights into the early WCG. Sabbatarian Groups. A Scattered and Little Flock Ever since the scattering of God’s sabbatarian church (Acts 8:1), it has not been one composite organisation, but has consisted of many groups related to one another. Some of those groups have died out; some seem spiritually without life; but some are alive and well, doing a Work to bring many to salvation. This article is about some of these groups today. The Historical Links Between Adventists and Churches of God Both Adventists and Churches of God are familiar with their roots and beginnings last century. With the formation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, some individuals and fellowships either never joined and remained outside of the SDA Church, withdrew in 1863 or withdrew in 1866 (see Linden, 1844 and the Shut Door Problem, pages 80-81; Bjorling, The Churches of God, Seventh Day.
    [Show full text]
  • THE AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY of David C. Pack
    THE AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY OF david c. pack VOLUME TWO This book was prepared by the editorial staff of The Restored Church of God and others. Contributing writers, researchers, editors and graphic artists include: Jeffrey R. Ambrose, Frank Crowl, Jennifer L. Denee, Kevin D. Denee, Charles E. Herzog, Darnitra D. Jackson, Robert W. Pack, Shirley M. Pack, Vernia I. Pack, William R. Pack, Justin T. Palm, Stacey L. Palm, Bruce A. Ritter, Paula C. Rondeau and David C. Pack Copyright © 2009, 2012 The Restored Church of God® All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America David C. Pack has held a variety of leadership roles throughout his dynamic, event-filled life: author of more than 20 books, scores of booklets and a vast array of articles— Pastor General of The Restored Church of God—voice of The World to Come pro- gram—founder of Ambassador Center—and publisher/editor-in-chief of three magazines. The Authorized Biography of David C. Pack tells the life story of a man who was care- fully prepared by God for a unique position. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE Spotlight on the Family ...................................................... 9 CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX Descent into Apostasy ...................................................... 19 CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN Startling Developments .................................................... 39 CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT Truth—and Consequences ............................................... 57 CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE The Global Church of God ............................................... 79 CHAPTER FORTY Growth and Priorities .................................................... 101 CHAPTER FORTY-ONE Deeper in Global ............................................................ 127 CHAPTER FORTY-TWO United Church Forms—House of Health Inc. ................ 159 CHAPTER FORTY-THREE Growing GCG Problems ................................................ 185 CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR Demoted—Gaining Business Experience ...................... 211 CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE House of Health Provides Unique Opportunity ............
    [Show full text]
  • Remaining Steadfast— Why Christian Biblical Church of God?
    Remaining Steadfast— Why Christian Biblical Church of God? Transcript Book By Fred R. Coulter www.truthofgod.org www.churchathome.org www.afaithfulversion.org 2019 Fred R. Coulter Christian Biblical Church of God P. O. Box 1442 Hollister, California 95024-1442 All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes, no part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner. This includes electronic and mechanical photocopying or recording, as well as the use of information storage and retrieval systems. DOCUMENT of COMPLETION THIS ACKNOWLEDGES THAT I HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED Remaining Steadfast Series of 6 sermons by Fred R. Coulter Signature Date Repentance and Resignaiton Date completed __________________ Invisible Idol/Visible Man I Date completed __________________ Invisible Idol/Visible Man II Date completed __________________ Invisible Idol/Visible Man III Date completed __________________ The Rest of the Story I Date completed __________________ The Rest of the Story II Date completed __________________ Remaining Steadfast Contents Transcript Book PAGE Repentance and Resignation ------------------------------------------------------------- 1 – 11 Invisible Idol/Visible Man I -------------------------------------------------------------- 12 – 25 Invisible Idol/Visible Man II ------------------------------------------------------------- 26 – 39 Invisible Idol/Visible Man III ------------------------------------------------------------- 40
    [Show full text]
  • There Came a FALLING AWAY
    THERE CAME A FALLING AWAY by David C. Pack THIS BOOK IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE AND IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST BY THE RESTORED CHURCH OF GOD. It is made possible by the voluntary, freely given tithes and offerings of the mem- bers of the Church and others who have elected to support the work of the Church. Contributions are welcomed and gratefully accepted. Those who wish to voluntarily aid and support this WORK OF GOD around the world are gladly wel- comed as co-workers in this major effort to preach the gospel to all nations. Copyright © 2008-2012, 2016 The Restored Church of God® All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America Herbert W. Armstrong led the Worldwide Church of God for 52 years, teaching hundreds of true doctrines. He proved them from the Bible and told us to do the same. His successors changed them all. Do you think some changes were right? Do you realize ALL were wrong? Have you recognized them? Here they are! TABLE OF CONTENTS PROLOGUE ................................................................................... 7 AUTHOR’S STATEMENT ........................................................... 13 BIOGRAPHICAL FOREWORD ................................................... 23 SECTION I – HOW THE SEDUCTION SUCCEEDED ................................ 33 SECTION II – WHY SO MANY CHANGES ARE INCLUDED .................... 47 SUMMARY LIST OF CHANGES ........................................... 49 TOPICAL INDEX OF CHANGES ........................................... 59 SECTION III – DOCUMENTATION OF 280 DOCTRINAL CHANGES ....... 73 SECTION IV – PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE LITERATURE ........................ 415 THE NEW WCG VIEW OF HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG .. 421 POLICY CHANGE OVERVIEW .......................................... 423 DEDICATION The final edition of this book is dedicated to Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, who would have wanted someone to pre- serve the truth that God established through him—and to the sheep he so faithfully served, who needed a shep- herd’s help in retrieving what had been stolen from them.
    [Show full text]
  • Download PDF Version of Vol. 118 No. 6
    Ethical Record The Proceedings of the Conway Hall Ethical Society Vol. 118 No. 6 £1.50 July 2013 BARBARA SMOKER’S 90th BIRTHDAY PARTY Photo: Andrew Philippou Sunday , 2 June 2013, being Barbara Smoker’ s 90th birthday, and in recognition of her 62 years active membership (during which time she had been elected to all its major posts) of the Ethical Society , it s GC offered to fund a celebration for her in Conway Hall ’s main hall. As a result, a splendid buffet luncheon was prepared by members of the Society and by members of the Shaw Society (which she had joined even earlier – in Shaw’ s own lifetime ). Among the 158 guests there were three former chairmen of SPES — four if we include Barbara herself. Pasted along one wall were two-dozen photographs (selected from our archives by our librarian and enlarged ) of Barbara, with various notables including Michael Foot, Hermann Bondi and Harold Blackham. The display of birthday cards, standing side by side, reached right across the stage, wh ile long strands of glittery letter Bs hung down from the balcony. When Barbara made the first incision in the big iced cake, everyone sang “Happy Birthday”. (see page 17) WHEN RELIGIONS FALL APART - THE FRAGMENTATION OF A SECT David V Barrett 3 SURVIVING CREATIONIST SCHOOLS Jonny Scaramanga 7 THE RISE OF THE LAPTOP LIZARDS: THE NIGHTINGALE COLLABORATION Alan Hennessy 10 ONE LAW FOR ALL – CAMPAIGNING AGAINST SHARIA AND RELIGIOUS LAWS Anne Marie Waters 15 TRIBUTES AT BARBARA SMOKER’S 90TH BIRTHDAY PARTY 17 FORTHCOMING EVENTS 24 CONWAY HALL ETHICAL SOCIETY Conway Hall Humanist Centre 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL.
    [Show full text]
  • COG Timeline Adventism's Birth
    COG Timeline Failed Prophecy silenced.co Birth/Death Publication Schism Criminal and Corrupt Activities Deaths and Violence Milestone Adventism’s Birth Adventism Starting 1831 and leading up to 1844, evangelistWilliam Miller promotes his doctrine of a pre-millennial Second Coming of Jesus Christ. His followers became known as eitherMillerites or Adventists.In the beginning, there was no Sabbatarian element. 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 Evangelist Gilbert Cranmer accepts William Miller’s Advent doctrines. 1844 Rachel Oakes Preston, a Seventh Day Baptist, convinces Adventist minister Frederick Wheeler to keep a Saturday Sabbath. They start meeting with other Adventists on Saturday, the first recorded meeting of Seventh Day Adventists. (Wikipedia: Adventists) March 21 Miller's apocalyptic prophecy for March 21, 1844 fails. Christ did not return. This is known as “The Great Disappointment” 1844 and was one of the first major failed prophecies in COG history. It would not be the last. October 22 Following The Great Disappointment, evangelistSamuel S. Snow, a Miller associate, recalculates Christ's return for October 1844 22. This prophecy too fails, Adventism's major uniting factor disintegrating. 1845 Cranmer begins observing a Saturday Sabbath. Ellen G. Harmon and James Springer White marry in August. Shortly thereafter, the Whites start observing a seventh-day Sabbath. 1846 July The Present Truthmagazine is launched by the Adventist church, its first issue advocating seventh-day Sabbath observance. 1849 December 22 William Miller dies. 1849 Church of God (Seventh Day) Seventh-Day Adventist Church (COG7) (SDA) 1858 The Whites deny Cranmer a license to preach in the Adventist church.
    [Show full text]
  • WORLDWIDE CHURCH of GOD: CRISIS and LESSONS by Samuele Bacchiocchi Divided the Worldwide Church of God, Give Rise to Two Ques- a Ph
    Vol. 2, No. 2 A newsletter for servants of the Almighty Eternal Creator, wherever they may be February 1996 WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD: CRISIS AND LESSONS By Samuele Bacchiocchi divided the Worldwide Church of God, give rise to two ques- A Ph. D. and Professor of Theology and Church tions: (1) What factors contributed to this sudden split in the History at Andrews University (Seventh Day Adventist) WCG? (2) What lessons can we Seventh-day Adventists learn from the sad experience of a church that has shared The Worldwide Church of God (WCG) has lost about with us such beliefs as the Sabbath, clean and unclean meats, 50,000 members and 500 pastors during this past year as a and the importance of obedience to God’s law? result of doctrinal changes in such areas as Sabbath keeping, To find answers, I contacted some of the leaders of the holy days, distinction between clean and unclean meats, and newly formed United Church of God. During this past year tithing. The church’s top administrators introduced these it has been my privilege to become acquainted with most of changes to bring their church more in line with the Protestant their pastors, since they mainstream. Enormous financial losses have followed, called me from across the causing the suspension of the church’s telecast, The World country to order sup- Tomorrow, the reduction in circulation of their outreach plies of my three magazine, The Plain Truth, from seven million to less than Sabbath books to Church half-a-million, and a substantial drop in enrollment at their meet the chal- Ambassador University in Big Sandy, Texas.
    [Show full text]
  • Continuing History of the Church of God from the 1St to 21St Centuries
    Continuing History of the Church of God from the 1st to 21st centuries By Bob Thiel, Ph.D. Copyright © 2014-2020 by Nazarene Books. Edition 5.1. Produced for the Continuing Church of God and Successors, a corporation sole. 1036 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach, California, 93433, U.S.A. ISBN # 978-1-64106-072-1. Photograph on front cover is of the remains of ancient Philadelphia taken in 2008 by Joyce Thiel. Back cover photograph is part of the original Church of God building in Jerusalem taken in 2013 by Dr. Bob Thiel. The Book of Revelation mentions a continuing group of seven churches that are Christian, plus an eighth (including her daughters) that is part of the synagogue of Satan. Do you know how the Bible and church history points out the differences between true and false churches? There are many churches that claim to be Christian, yet they often disagree on major points of doctrine. Where is the true Christian church today that kept the original faith? What would it look like? What has it looked like throughout history? Do you really know? Who changed doctrine? Who continued with the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3)? Could the small (by worldly standards) Continuing Church of God currently be the most faithful continuation (Hebrews 13:1) and remnant of the Philadelphia portion of the true church (Revelation 3:7-13)? If so, how might its existence impact the 21st century? All who wish to truly be faithful Christians really need to know what happened to the church that Jesus founded.
    [Show full text]
  • OIU Newsletters
    Outsider's Inside Update™ Newsletters of Understanding "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." ~Ephesians 5:11 Within two years the Worldwide Church of God (founded by Herbert W. Armstrong) divided its multi-million dollar corporate empire, leaving a myriad of splinter groups and walking wounded in its wake. What caused this highly publicized, destructive group to divide and conquer certain counter-cult apologists? Why have they joined with the ecumenical movement? There are reasons behind the events. Doctrine has been exploited as a massive propaganda tool by the WCG (GCI), which in turn provides gross distraction to what is actually occurring within the organization and has been used as a way to elicit control and obtain specific behavior from spiritually minded individuals that have paid extreme amounts of money into the organization. The OIUs look behind the scenes at the real activities and associations pertaining to the "transformation" of the WCG and their New Age agenda. OIU Newsletters™ FIVE and SIX are detailed reports surrounding the Ecumenical Movement (EC) and the current EC strategy involving the Worldwide Church of God conglomerate. Those interested in researching the "reasons behind the events" and activities of the Worldwide Church of God and its extension groups; i. e., United Church of God, Global Church of God (today the Living Church of God), Philadelphia Church of God, Restored Church of God and other splinters, will find these two Volumes helpful, thought-inspiring and possibly shocking. These OIUs were written by ESN founder, L. A. Stuhlman and originally snail-mailed to those who requested them.
    [Show full text]