Since the November 1998 takeover of the old GCG by the board in the U.S., those once with GCG went to many places. Nearly 80% ultimately went with the Living Church of God (LCG), 8-15% went with the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship (CGCF) and smaller percentages went with David Pack's Restored Church of God (RCG), Harold Smith's Church of God Fellowship, Northwest (CGFnw), and other groups (at least one which is outside the U.S. uses the term Global Church of God). On July 1, 2001, eight ministers resigned from CGCF and formed the Church of the Eternal God (CEG), similar in name, but not related, to the Eternal Church of God (ECG--founded by a minister removed from the original GCG ministry for impropriety) about a month later CGCF (USA) dissolved and most still with it ended up in the United Church of God (UCG). One former GCG minister (Ronald Laughland) became pastor of the Wholeworld Church of God. One group that split from UCG (and never was part of GCG or LCG), then COGaic, called Church of God, Established in Modesto (COG-eim, Steve LeBlanc) has some former GCG members and maintains a relationship with the GCG Belgians (who had supported the original GCG takeover); in 2002, COG-eim split, and its leading minister (Don Billingsley) formed a new group called COG-Faithful Flock (COG-ff). In 2004, Raymond McNair, having been in GCG, CGCF, LCG, then went on his own and formed Church of God, 21st Century (COG21). Don Haney, once in GCG/LCG, formed the Church of God In Peace and Truth. In 2005, Ben Faulkner, who was in GCG and LCG, formed the Church of the Sovereign God (CotSG). In 2006, Charles Bryce who was in GCG and LCG left, and formed the Enduring Church of God (En COG). (More news specifically on LCG is at the News of the Living Church of God page.) A couple of people, like Norman Edwards (Servants' News), left GCG well before the 1998 takeover. As in this writer's opinion none of these non-LCG groups are part of the remnant of the Philadelphia Church era (though a few of their members might be), history has shown that they have accomplished relatively little of value and hence this page mainly is intended for those who went with the non-LCG groups (or who may be thinking about going to them) to realize that those groups are not part of the remnant of the Philadelphia Church era. Website links can be found (for most of those that have websites) at the COGlinks page.
04/29/08 a.m. ECG posted:
The Eternal Church of God
Weekly Scripture
I Thessalonians 5:21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Getting to know a local congregation, a new minister asked one man in the church, "What do you believe?" "Well, I believe the same as the church" the man said. "And what does the church believe?" the minister asked. "Well, they believe the same as me" the man answered. Seeing he was getting nowhere, the minister said, "And what is it that you both believe?" "Well, I suppose the same thing" the man replied.
God’s Church has been rocked by apostasy. It has been shaken by betrayal. Faithful Christians have been either cast out, or forced to leave for conscience sake. Today, many are still feeling aftershocks of these events.
Some brethren feel triumphant and even superior to others, simply for doing their duty. Others feel relieved, and have decided to relax—step back and take a breather. The Church of God is becoming muddled with dozens of splinter groups, many of which feel that they alone have the right doctrines and are the only group through which God is working.
Because of this, many are now letting down and losing understanding of what they truly believe.
While we in LCG do not believe that we are the only group through whom God is working, I would state that LCG is the only group that is carrying on the Philadelphia era work. LCG is the only group that always placed its top priority on proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom to the world as a witness while also holding fast to the 18 truths that Herbert W. Armstrong stated that God had him restore to the Philadelphia Church.
Documented articles that demonstrate this would include:
The 18 Restored Truths: Do You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made? Some have said healing, others other subjects, but probably the first change had to do with eliminating being part of the Philadelphia era. This article documents what those changes were and compares the Tkach list of restored truths to Herbert W. Armstrong's list of restored truths. It contains many quotes from Herbert W. Armstrong.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now essentially the Living Church of God.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says?
What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists? There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
04/18/08 a.m. In his latest newsletter, CGFnw's Harold Smith began it with:
It seems that time has kicked into high gear.
However, I am not aware of any "high gear" work that CGFnw is doing. It has no radio or television presence that I am aware of. And as of this afternoon, quantcast.com reported the following about it:
< 2,000 is the lowest amount that quantcast shows.
This shows a church that has significantly less impact than, let's say, the cogwriter.com website, (which is a part-time effort of mainly one person), whose US Reach per quantcast was 27,259 a couple of minutes ago. It is sad that most of those once affiliated with GCG (actually, all, but LCG) have chosen to not place their top priority on proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom to the world as a witness.
Two articles of possibly related interest this Passover season may include the following as people should examine why they fellowship where they do:
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says?
What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
04/16/08 a.m. As of this morning, RCG still has not put its "download counter" back on its new page since I reported the fact that it shows that RCG's reported "downloads" had dropped for the first quarter of 2008.
Hopefully, those associated with RCG will realize that they have been manipulated and those that have not yet provided their assets to RCG will think twice before actually doing it (regarding the asset requests, please see the previous news of those once affiliated with GCG or the news item David Pack of the Restored Church of God Declares: “Go get those assets and get them here”). Focusing on building projects, in my view, seems to be a distraction. RCG is NOT part of the remnant of the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God--I consider that it is, at best, part of Laodicea (see Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees?).
An article of related interest may include Why Not the Restored Church of God?..
04/10/08 a.m. At its website, EnCOG has an article titled Talk is Cheap by its Charles Bryce which states:
Remember the phrase “Talk is cheap”? Perhaps you have heard these questions asked: “Do you know the Lord?” “Have you given your heart to the Lord?” “Do you love the Lord?” Millions of people would answer all of those questions with a resounding, “Yes! Amen! Praise the Lord!” But what does the Lord say? Read the words of Jesus Christ in Luke 6:46: “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”...
Mr. Herbert Armstrong taught, “Knowledge is of no value unless applied.” You can have knowledge about many things and talk about them endlessly, but if you do not put that knowledge to use, it is of no value. It produces nothing. Talk really is easy and cheap!...
God will do the things we cannot do, and He will help us do our part. But we do have our part to do.
You cannot “go it alone”
If you feel like you are spinning your wheels, maybe you are trying to do it on your own...
Knowing the truth and agreeing with it is not sufficient: “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified” (Rom. 2:13). Talking until we are blue in the face is meaningless of and by itself. We have to combine it with action...
Talk, of and by itself, is cheap and produces nothing of lasting value. However, hearing and talking and doing all combined produce rich dividends which will ultimately last for ever and ever!
You would think that by this time, those that supported this "go it alone" small split would realize that their talk is cheap as EnCOG has made no significant impact on proclaiming the gospel in order to try to fulfill Matthew 24:14. Yet, it still has supporters. The Laodiceans simply do not realize that Jesus condemns them because they did not heed His instruction to hold fast to the Philadelphia work.
However, those who realize that CAN and SHOULD repent (and not wait, please see There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra).
Some articles of related interest may include (see also 3/14/08 post on this page):
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the Living Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era was predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. Non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees? Discusses similarities of the Sadducees and Pharisees to various COGs in this end-time.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
04/06/08 a.m. RCG just removed its download counter (I suspect the fact that I pointed out that it shows that RCG is not doing that well was the reason). Instead it wants to focus attention on its building and other projects and just posted the following:
Headquarters Campus: Groundbreaking for an absolutely beautiful, three-story (plus lower level), 40,000 sq. ft. world Headquarters Hall of Administration building—the first of almost certainly several!—will now happen in as little as five months!...
Two-year Training School: With a campus environment now on the way, the Church can formally announce a school (or college) that will begin in early January 2009. And with 25 to 30 courses envisioned, this school will reflect the kind of liberal arts education Ambassador College...
Full-time Ministry: We have previously announced plans to hire ministers around the world, beginning in the regions and areas of most crucial need...
TV Studio: Construction of our television studio, similar in quality and presentation to Mr. Armstrong’s, nears completion...
I believe that RCG is in the process of over spending right now and then imploding. We will see if its finances will enable to go on once it uses up the money it got last November (when David Pack asked for the assets of his membership, please see the previous news of those once affiliated with GCG or the news item David Pack of the Restored Church of God Declares: “Go get those assets and get them here”).
An article of related interest may include Why Not the Restored Church of God?.
04/02/08 a.m. RCG's David Pack his 1/19/08 sermon, RCG 2008: The Great Turning Point. Well, so far, something seems at RCG to be wrong with this turn.
As regular readers of this page are aware, I have long thought it was questionable for RCG to have its estimated "Download Counter" at its webpage. But now it may be telling a story of interest. Here is what it stated around 6:30 PDT today:
2000 to 2006: |
14,161,480** |
2007 Total: |
+11,661,725 |
2008 to Date: |
+ 1,642,041 |
Since Launch: |
27,465,246 |
* Includes actual downloads through February 29, 2008, plus a projected March rate.
Well, there are two problems. The first is that they still have not adjusted it for actual "downloads" for March 2008.
And the second is that RCG's trend is currently down. The average monthly downloads for 2007 would be 971,910 (11,661,725 divided by 12 months). Thus, just to be even, RCG should have estimated download for the first three months of 2008 of 2,915,430 (971,910 times 3 months). Instead, it reported 1,642,041 through this morning.
Additionally, there have been no news posts on the news page since 02/01/08. Clearly, RCG is not putting the attention on this page that one would think. And while this may all change, the fact is that so far, 2008 has been a negative turning point for RCG.
Also, a review of quantcast also showed a downward trend for theRCG.org--it seemed to have peaked in November 2007 (when David Pack asked for the assets of his membership, please see the previous news of those once affiliated with GCG or the news item David Pack of the Restored Church of God Declares: “Go get those assets and get them here”)--and while he still gets a lot of visits, the trend seems to be down since November 2007. And although it is a flawed ranking system, his "Alexa" ranking is also down significantly.
This would not seem to be the turning point RCG has hoped for. An article of related interest may include Why Not the Restored Church of God?.
03/28/08 a.m. In today's update, CEG announced:
On March 29, 2008, Rene Messier will give the sermon, titled, "Hierarchical Government."
Jesus said that you will know them by their fruits, and the fruits of those who opposed the type of hierarchical government that GCG was supposed to have when those associated with CEG, etc. took it over in 1998, prove, to me at least, that their attempts around this type of governance have not yet been successful.
A relatively new article (it is not completely done yet, but I put many of the pieces together a week or so ago) to consider may be Herbert W. Armstrong and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government.
03/21/08 a.m. This morning, I noticed that the Church of God at Northeast Ohio now has a link on its main page to COG-eim. Church of God at Northeast Ohio once had affiliation with GCG and if I recall correctly, had issues with David Pack. Its website is mainly a source of some HWA/WCG publications and other related information.
03/15/08 a.m. CG-ff's Don Billingsley posted the following:
It is sad to find some members who have been faithful for years to suddenly be influenced by Satan with the thought of seeking their own recognition by leaving the true body of Jesus Christ and begin their own group.
It has been said to me personally by some Church members: “I intend to separate myself from the faithful flock and be a scattered member for now.” Another one told me: “I intend to walk alone for now!”
They do NOT realize the very grave danger they are bringing on themselves by such reasoning. This is exactly the way Satan wants them to think! His task of seeking their destruction comes to be much easier without a true ordained pastor there to help them (Ephesians 4:11-16).
These members can be thought of as stragglers who become easy targets for snipers during warfare.
Sadly, he has done what he is accusing other independents of doing as he basically told me the same thing about himself several years ago.
03/14/08 a.m. In an article at its website today, EnCOG states:
Helping other people is a part of seeking the Kingdom. Doing the Work is a part of seeking the Kingdom. Overcoming and growing—anything that God says we are to do—ties in with seeking the Kingdom and His righteousness, directly or indirectly.
On 04/06/07 I posted and commented on something from Charles Bryce:
...Charles Bryce that states:
Mr. and Mrs. Syd Hull have decided to come with the Enduring Church of God. We are thrilled to know that they are totally committed to what Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong did and taught. They are happy and excited about helping all of us finish the work God started through the Armstrongs. Mr. Hull and his wife Dot serve in the nation of South Africa. For decades they have dedicated their lives to serving God and His people and we love and respect them very much.
I would suggest that Syd Hull's September 2006 departure letter into RCG documented that Syd Hull, and not the work of God, is what Syd Hull was dedicated to. Some information on that is included in the article Why Not the Restored Church of God? (which eventually I will update again related to Syd Hull's apparent departure).
All should understand that En COG has shown that it is in no hurry to "finish the work God started" or place its top priority on proclaiming the Gospel to the world as a witness, nor do I anticipate it becoming effective in that area.
On 03/09/07 I posted:
EnCOG is not a place for Philadelphians (please read the article Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees?). It simply will not have the fruits and is not destined to be the spearpoint for the Philadelphia work. I hope all will realize this.
To date, I have not seen that En COG is fulfilling what we commonly call the first commission. I warned about this when En COG formed and sadly my warnings about En COG have proven to be correct. People who think that they should be Philadelphian and doing the work of God should know by now that En COG is NOT representative of the Philadelphia portion of the Church.
Notice what Jesus said those whose work was not hot,
14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' " (Revelation 3:14-22).
An article of related interest may include Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work?
03/10/08 a.m. I received an email about two weeks ago from someone who informed me that it seemed that the "downloads" at RCG's website were reporting lower results thus far in 2008 than in 2007. I have since checked twice (plus looked at another source) and it does appear that RCG's website is becoming less popular as the average was about 60% higher last year (I only have the annual figure for 2007 so I divided that total by 12 for a monthly average and compared it to the first 2.3 months for this year).
This is not to say that the site does not have a lot of visits still, but only that the trend has not been up.
It may be of interest to note that the last news item posted there is dated 02/01/08 and one of the claims RCG makes in it is:
...further plans for a stunning Headquarters building to provide for an ever-growing staff, major advancements of our websites...
And that may well be. However, so far in 2008 it does not seem to be the case. An article of possibly related interest may be Why Not the Restored Church of God?
03/07/08 a.m. In today's newsletter, CEG reported:
... And the Pope Is to Host a Summit With Muslims
AFP wrote on March 5:
"Pope Benedict XVI will host a ground-breaking 'summit' of Catholic and Muslim leaders in November, the Vatican said Wednesday. The 'Catholic-Muslim Forum' from November 4 to 6, will bring together 24 dignitaries from each faith on the theme of 'love God, love your neighbour,' it said... The statement was signed by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, head of the Vatican council for dialogue between religions, and Sheikh Hakim Mourad, who led a delegation of Muslim officials in talks in the Vatican on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Vatican Secretary of State... has underlined the pontiff's 'complete willingness' to meet with Muslim leaders 'to see what unites us, without minimising or ignoring our differences.'"
The Pope is trying to unify with the Orthodox and Lutherans (see today's post at the COG News page), while he is also probably setting the stage for the agreement in Daniel 9:27 for the King of the North to make a deal with the King of the South that will also fulfill Psalm 83 to prepare to destroy the USA and the British-descended peoples.
02/29/08 a.m. I noticed this morning that the last newsletter posted at CGFnw's website was dated March 2007. There apparently is not much still going on of significant importance with Harold Smith's group. But that is typical of most that supported the GCG takeover.
02/22/08 a.m. In in ad in The Journal, Don Billingsley wrote:
Aside from the United Church of God, whose leadership is voted into office by the elders (see—Mystery of the Ages, page 242), there are other large churches with God’s form of Government within them. However, all of them I am knowledgeable of are headed by ministers who have strayed and are disobedient in other doctrinal teachings. Virtually all of them will NOT put into place in their churches the ruling made by Mr. Armstrong on makeup!
This is another example of how COG-ff does not get it.
While it is true that UCG rejected the restored truth about governance, other than LCG and possibly COGaic, the other "large" groups that "claim" to accept governance (PCG comes to mind) do prohibit makeup.
However, COG-ff itself has rejected the authority of all the evangelists ordained by Herbert W. Armstrong and rejected the necessity to proclaim the gospel until relatively recently.
But for the record, let me once again repeat that one can be part of the Living Church of God and not wear makeup, yet one cannot be part of any of the anti-makeup groups and be part of the main remnant of the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God that is doing the work that Herbert W. Armstrong and the Bible teaches it would be doing.
Several articles of possibly related interest may include:
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees?
Makeup and the Philadelphia Era of the COG
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God?
02/18/08 a.m. RC Meredith reported:
2/15/08
Greetings from Charlotte! Mr. Apartian suggested that I send this additional “update” information to you immediately. We heard just a few hours ago that Mr. Jean Carion passed away during the early morning hours there this morning. He had been taken to hospital after a fall, but died peacefully in his sleep. The funeral will be this coming Wednesday and we solicit your prayers for the family.
Dr. Douglas Winnail actually arrived there just yesterday morning, and we are so sorry he was not able to see Mr. Carion before he died. However, he will be spending some time with Rees and Fanny Ellis—Mr. Carion’s daughter and son-in-law who will be carrying on the work there. Dr. Winnail will be staying for the funeral on Wednesday and returning here on Friday. He states he is in good health regardless of the long trip he has been taking. I want you to know that all of us are well here in Charlotte. We need to continue to pray for each other and all of God’s people so His Work may continue to move forward with increasing urgency as these events in the world and in our own personal lives seem to be speeding up as time goes on. May God watch over, guide and encourage all of you and your families.
Although Jean Carrion and most of the Belgians supported the GCG takeover, I have long felt that part of the problem was because of miscommunications. Perhaps things will improve over there.
02/12/08 a.m. In its latest newsletter, CEG reported:
The Associated Press reported on February 4:
"The record $3.1 trillion budget proposed by President Bush on Monday would produce... a huge jump in the deficit to $410 billion this year and $407 billion in 2009, the White House says, just shy of the record $413 billion set four years ago.
"But even those figures are optimistic since they depend on rosy economic forecasts and leave out the full costs of the war in Iraq. The White House predicts the economy will grow at a 2.7 percent clip this year, far higher than congressional and private economists expect, and the administration's $70 billion figure for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan is simply a placeholder until the next president takes office.
"'There was an assumption that in the short term... the budget would start to correct and that we could balance in the short term,' said Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, top Republican on the Budget Committee. 'But with the stimulus package and with the continuing war costs, that's not going to happen. In fact it's going to get very serious when you're hitting $400 billion deficits.'...
Now, debt held by the public - including foreign governments - is expected to reach $5.4 trillion this year and $5.9 trillion in 2009... Some $2.3 trillion is foreign held."
America's terrible financial state of affairs should not be surprising to Bible scholars.
The Bible does tell of blessings for obedience but warns against violating God's law. It was sobering to see on the news last night that the USA is actually importing wheat--a commodity that it was the world leader in exporting. The US and its English-speaking allies are in for a horrible time of trouble. Including nuclear attack when weak--for more details please see the article Who is the King of the North?
02/09/08 a.m. RCG announced:
Giant projects are underway! These two articles announce new developments in the Work, including a small school or college, building a state-of-the-art television studio (underway) to produce high-definition videocasts, many books soon available in bookstores, further plans for a stunning Headquarters building to provide for an ever-growing staff, major advancements of our websites, an absolutely incredible explosion of regular and special income—and so much more!...
2007 Income: The Restored Church of God’s 2007 income grew by over 77% above 2006, far exceeding our projection of just under 40%!
This continues a pattern of increase: 2002 saw 45% growth—2003 was 3%—2004 was 43%—2005 was 23%—and 2006 saw a 41% increase. In nearly every case, these were well above projections. Of course, and this is the oft-forgotten factor of sustained growth over multiple years, each year’s percentage is derived from a much larger base figure—meaning the long-term raw number growth is phenomenal.
What RCG failed to report is that the rate of increase is unsustainable unless they greatly increase membership as RCG has been systematically using up the tangible assets of its membership. RCG is in a sense doing what the USA has done--obtained high "prosperity" through debt acquisition--and this is not biblically desirable (please see Deuteronomy 28:44) nor is it ultimately sustainable (see Habakkuk 2:7). Going into debt is not the way of the Bible.
I strongly believe that David Pack fulfills the following prophecy:
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber (2 Peter 2:1-3).
Thus, I believe that time for its growth etc. is numbered. For more information, please also see the article Why Not the Restored Church of God? .
02/05/08 a.m. In another bizarre twist, Norman Edwards sent out a mass mailing endorsing a presidential candidate. Note, I have removed the name of the candidate from his email below and replaced it with the characters "X X":
The Chance of a Lifetime: Vote for X X in the Primaries
Until this year, I have never sent a mass e-mail about a political candidate before. Then, there has never been such a candidate, with the ability to win, running for President of the USA since I have been old enough to vote. This is "Super Tuesday", and may of you can vote in the Presidential Primary. If you have not heard of X X, do not be surprised. The American media, beholden to big business and big government, gives him very little coverage...
It is about honest, limited government, and the issues before us today. In previous years, I have been a member of the Constitution Party (called the Taxpayer's Party in Michigan). When I first learned about X X running as a republican, I wondered whether I should support him or the Constitution party with which I agreed so much. I was pleasantly surprised to find the Constitution Party actively working to help X X win the nomination. This is about what is right for all of the people-not about power for a party.
X X appeals to people of all parties and especially to people who have not voted in decades. In many of the past elections, there was almost no difference between the major candidates. Now, there are some major differences!...
I reject the idea that "our government is a corrupt and nothing we do will make it different". I believe that God holds those in authority accountable for what they do, just as both the Jewish leaders and Pilate were held accountable for putting Jesus to death (John 19:11)...
Please contact your county or township clerk if you have any questions about registration or when or where to vote...
Thank you. (This is a once or twice message. You have not been added to any mailing list.)
--Norman Scott Edwards
Yes, I have heard of the candidate that he is endorsing. The particular candidate is also pro-abortion if I recall correctly--and that is something that I believe Norman Edwards still opposes as do others in the COGs (please see the article Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman's Right to Choose). He also may want to read the comments I posted on Saturday from Mark Armstrong essentially warning people against becoming emotionally swayed by one of the candidates (please see ICG's Mark Armstrong on the USA Presidential Race ).
Norman Edwards has once again rejected sound doctrine to get involved in politics--this is something that we in the Living Church of God do not do. Notice from LCG's Statement of Beliefs:
SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD
The Bible teaches that Satan the devil has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9), that God’s people need to be separate from the world’s systems (John 15:19; Revelation 18:4).
This separation means that those called of God live a different way of life and that we are in a real sense Ambassadors of God’s government (Ephesians 6:20; 1 Peter 2:9-10). Thus, historically, the Church of God has taught its members not to participate in secular juries or worldly politics.
Historical information is also included in the article, Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare?,which shows that those that professed Christ have long attempted to avoid intertwining's with the world's politics.
Regarding voting specifically, an article of related interest would be Should a Christian Vote?
02/02/08 a.m. COG-eim's Steve LeBlanc wrote:
The Pope, leader of the Catholic Church, wields tremendous influence over the Church’s one billion members. The Pope’s titles give us insight as to his wide reaching authority. His titles include the following: Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Christ, Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Servant of Servants of God, Sovereign of Vatican City State and Archbishop of the Roman Province...
the current Pope, Pope Benedict XVI, celebrated Sunday Mass with his back turned on the congregation. This was a symbolic gesture that sent a clear message to discerning Catholics. The message sent was that the old rituals are returning to the Church...
What Pope Benedict did last week was to send out a signal that it is OK for Catholics to go back to their more conservative Catholic roots...
Actually, if the Catholics were truly to return to their claimed original conservative roots, they would see that their early leaders held mainly to doctrines still held be the Living Church of God. An article of related interest showing that is Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God?
01/22/08 a.m. RCG's David Pack has announced some of what he intends to do with the money his church is receiving as a result of his "clarion call" sermon in November 2007. Here is some of what he teaches in his nearly three hour RCG 2008: The Great Turning Point sermon:
I've been waiting a long time...for the phase of the work that is now upon us...the work will grow large...this next phase begins this year...
Every aspect of our website...will be remodeled...We are going to spend a lot of money. Well into the six-figures...
We are the largest religious publishers in the world...
A new building is now necessary...A new world headquarters' building for God's work...We are planning to break ground this year...We proposed phasing four buildings in our plan...
The campus does the work of God...it will also make a powerful statement to the splinters...
We are going to have a building fund...it is part of the grand pattern of the past.
The website and building announcements are no real surprise. I had to listen to his "We are the largest religious publishers in the world" twice to be certain that he actually made that seemingly outrageously inaccurate claim.
He also reported that ignoring Kenya, membership was up just over 20%. I would again remind everyone that it was RCG who made a big deal about the numbers in Kenya, indicated that I (and LCG) were wrong about it, and now wishes to ignore the impact of what happened with Kenya--I suspect that including its losses in Kenya that RCG's membership was probably flat or even down in 2007 compared to 2006.
On the other hand, its income is up. In that sermon, David Pack stated, "I'm not going to give you raw numbers", but then stated that RCG's 2007 income was up about 76% over 2006 and that he is expecting it to be up nearly 80% in 2008, basically because of his "clarion call" sermon where he told his members to cash out their assets and send the money to RCG (see 12/07/07 p.m. on the Previous GCG News page).
Two articles of possibly related interest may include Why Not the Restored Church of God? and Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders?
01/19/08 a.m. The following was written by LCG's RC Meredith and is in the booklet Do You Believe the True Gospel?:
Gospel "OF" Christ or "About" Christ?
At the end of the Old Testament, God inspired the following prophecy: "Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight" (Malachi 3:1). According to Mark 1:2-4, the first messenger mentioned here refers to John the Baptist who prepared the way before Christ's First Coming. Christ is referred to next as "the Lord… even the Messenger of the covenant." So Jesus Christ was sent as a "Messenger." A messenger bears a message from someone else-and so Jesus did, as He made plain by stating, "the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me" (John 14:24).
God the Father sent Christ to announce a message from Him. What kind of message was it? The word "gospel" originates from the Old English word godspell, meaning "good news" or "announcement of glad tidings." The New Testament translators used "gospel" for the Greek noun euaggelion. The English word "evangelism"-preaching the Gospel-is derived from it. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John have come to be known as "the four Gospels" because they relate four separate accounts of Christ delivering His announcement of Good News!
What was this Good News all about? Let God's Word answer! Open your Bible and turn to Mark 1:14-15." Read what God inspired Mark to write: "Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.'" This is THE Gospel. There is only one-and it is about the Kingdom of God. Some will attempt to deny the prominence of the "the kingdom of God" in the Gospel by pointing out that Mark 1:1 mentions the "Gospel of Jesus Christ." It is also referred to as the "Gospel of God" because it was a message from God. But the New Testament overwhelmingly calls it "the Gospel of the Kingdom of God." That is what the Gospel is about! Look at what one scholarly work attests:"There is clear agreement among the synoptic Gospels [Matthew, Mark and Luke] that the kingdom of God was the PRINCIPAL THEME within Jesus' message…. In aggregate, they present some fifty sayings and parables of Jesus concerning the kingdom…. It is, then, a matter of consensus within the canon that the kingdom constituted a PRIMARY FOCUS of Jesus' theology"[Oxford Companion to the Bible, 1993, p. 408].
Do not blindly believe this booklet-or any commentary or Bible study aid. Believe your Bible-believe God! People have gone off track spiritually by relying solely on men. God's Word commands you to "prove all things" (1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV). Check up on this and examine it for yourself. Suspend your prior opinions and just read what God says. It will soon be clear in your mind that the Gospel of Christ is His Message, from the Father, about the Kingdom of God. Jesus affirmed this after teaching in the city of Capernaum by saying, "I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent" (Luke 4:43). Matthew 9:35 testifies that this is exactly what He did: "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom."
According to Jesus, what should life's primary focus be? "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). In what has come to be known as the "Lord's Prayer," Jesus said, "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come" (vv. 9-10). The Gospel that Christ brought is indeed the Good News of this coming Kingdom. That is the Message Jesus preached. He sent His disciples out preaching that very SAME message. And they did preach it-the rest of their lives!
The booklet is available online at http://www.lcg.org/cgi-bin/tw/booklets/tw-bk.cgi?category=Booklets1&item=1104096912. All who truly wish to see should be able to see that those who make the Protestant gospel changing charge against LCG are ignoring the facts and are in error.
01/18/08 a.m. Since supporters of at least three non-LCG groups I cover on this page have falsely accused LCG of changing the gospel to include parts that Herbert W. Armstrong supposedly did not include, this would perhaps be a good time to remind people what actually Herbert W. Armstrong wrote.
The following is from Herbert Armstrong's What is the True Gospel? booklet:
Which Gospel Did Jesus Preach?...
Notice, Jesus said, "Believe THE GOSPEL!"
WHAT Gospel? the one He was proclaiming—"the Gospel of the Kingdom of God."
But, one may ask, don't we need to believe on Jesus? Of course. Other scriptures teach that. but at this particular time Jesus said we must believe Him --believe what He said—believe the Gospel of the Kingdom of God!
Some believed on Jesus, but did not believe Jesus --did not believe what He SAID (John 7:31; 8:30, 31, 46).
What About the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
But if the one and only TRUE Gospel is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, what about the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Is that a false gospel?
Not at all. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Gospel He brought as God's Messenger—the Gospel He proclaimed is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ IS NOT man's gospel ABOUT THE PERSON of Christ. It is CHRIST'S Gospel—the Gospel Jesus PREACHED—the Gospel GOD SENT by Him, and therefore it is also called, in Scripture, the Gospel of God. The Gospel of God is God's GOSPEL—His Message—His Good News which He sent by Jesus.
Also the Gospel of Jesus Christ is Christ's Gospel—the Gospel Christ brought from God—the Gospel He proclaimed.
We hear a great deal today of the gospel of MEN about the PERSON of Jesus Christ—confining the message solely to the things ABOUT Jesus. As a result, millions believe on Christ, who do not BELIEVE CHRIST! But Jesus' Gospel IS HIS MESSAGE!...
Conditions of Entering
Now, HOW do we enter into that glorious KINGDOM? Jesus came preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, "REPENT," and "BELIEVE THE GOSPEL."
Just TWO things we do—REPENT, and BELIEVE. We must BELIEVE the Gospel, and that means also believing on JESUS CHRIST, the KING of the Kingdom of God, and coming KING of kings over all the families of the earth. It means believing in Him as personal SAVIOUR, as High Priest now, and as coming KING.
But to repent is to completely CHANGE THE MIND in respect to SIN, and "sin is the transgression of the LAW" (I John 3:4)—the law of God by which God RULES the Kingdom.
It means a total, complete CHANGE OF MIND AND OF LIFE. It means we REPENT of transgressing the rule, the will, the laws, of GOD. What did Jesus say to the young man who asked Him HOW to inherit eternal life? He said, "IF thou wilt enter into life, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS" (Matthew 19:17) (Armstrong HW. What is the True Gospel? WCG booklet, 1972, p.6).
HWA clearly taught that Jesus was part of the message even in the booklet that RCG cites. Furthermore, LCG does teach that Christians do need to do what Christ taught--LCG clearly teaches the ten commandments--hence to suggest that LCG is somehow Protestant is in clear error.
Notice that what HWA taught in 1972 is the same as what LCG teaches.
In many writings HWA explained the gospel had various parts of Jesus' involvement. Notice:
Jesus constantly preached the good news about the coming Kingdom of God (Matthew 4:23; 6:10; 7:21; Mark 1:15; 4:11; 14:25; Luke 4:43; 8:10; 9:2, 11, 62, etc.). He pictured Himself as the young nobleman going away (to heaven) to be coronated, and to return to earth (Luke 19:12-27). Repeatedly Jesus said He would return to earth (Matthew 24:27, 30-31, 42; 25:13; Mark 13:26; Luke 12:42-43; 17:24; 18:8; 19:12; 21:27; John 14:3, etc.). "If I go and prepare a place [position, office, habitation] for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:3). He will then be on the earth -- Zechariah 14:3-4 with I Thessalonians 4:16. The living Christ is coming in all the power and glory of Almighty God, as "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:11-21), to put down the rebellion of warring nations (Revelation 17:14), and establish God's world-ruling Government over all nations (Daniel 2:44; 7:9,13-14, 18, 22, 27; Isaiah 9:7) (Armstrong HW. The Wonderful World Tomorrow What it Will be Like. Everest House, New York, 1979 p. 100).
And, according to Herbert Armstrong, it involved our personal conversion and keeping Jesus' works:
The Purpose of the Christian Life
WHY do people not understand the very Gospel Jesus Christ taught? He taught the Kingdom of God. So did the apostles, including Paul. Jesus spoke mostly in parables. Take a quick look at one or two. Notice what Jesus revealed. Notice the awe-inspiring TREMENDOUS potential that is ours.
Take the parable of the nobleman going to a far country, later to return. It is in Luke 19:11-27. Jesus is the Nobleman. He was going to a far country -- to the heaven of God's throne, seat of the government of the entire universe...
Back to Luke 19. On his return, his servants, to whom he had given the money -- that is, the beginning unit of GOD'S SPIRIT at conversion -- are to be called to an accounting, "that he might know how much each man had GAINED" while he was gone. This means each Christian is expected to GROW spiritually -- in spiritual KNOWLEDGE and grace (see II Peter 3:18). The Christian life is a life of spiritual GOING TO SCHOOL -- of training for a POSITION IN GOD'S KINGDOM, when and after we shall be changed from mortal to immortal -- when we shall be no longer flesh-and-blood humans, but composed of SPIRIT, with eternal life inherent...
The nobleman (Christ) said to him, "Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in very little, have thou AUTHORITY over TEN CITIES.
He had qualified to RULE. He had been obedient to God's commands -- God's government. We have to BE RULED before we can learn to RULE.
The second servant had increased his spiritual stock of goods five times. He had qualified, in this life, for HALF as much as the first servant. He was given HALF the REWARD.
The Kingdom of God...
Jesus said: "And he that overcometh, and keepeth MY WORKS unto the end, to him will I give POWER over the nations: and he shall RULE THEM with a rod of iron (Revelation 2:26-27) (Armstrong HW. Just What Do You Mean...Conversion? WCG Booklet, 1972, pp.8-11).
In addition, in various writings, HWA made it clear that the gospel of the kingdom of God included more than simply proclaiming that God's governing kingdom would be established upon the earth. Notice what Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:
I say Christ's gospel - the message He brought from God - was the advance good news of the establishment of the Kingdom of God. But just what does that include?...
Actually, Christ's message of God's coming Kingdom is directly concerned with world conditions as they are - with human nature - its source and origin - with world evils, suffering, unhappiness - with world peace. It's concerned with government - with the reason present human governments fail to be the benefactors of their peoples they are supposed to be. His message hits directly at the very roots of individual personal happiness and at the awesome transcendent potential of each human life. It is concerned with the CAUSES of present conditions that affect every human and with the WAY that will solve all problems.
But it is concerned with far, far more. It is concerned with God's tremendous, overwhelming, over-all purpose as Creator of the entire universe. It's concerned with the entire vast universe, filled with its uncountable galaxies, nebulae, suns, stars, planets, and with God's purpose for them...
God's message is concerned with overall truth. What has been covered so far should be considered as merely the introduction to the entire story of Christ's gospel message (Armstrong HW. Incredible Human Potential. Everest House, New York, 1978, pp.20-21).
What is Christ's Gospel? What is the message God sent to mankind by Jesus Christ? It is the GOOD NEWS of the KINGDOM OF GOD!...Of course that power-filled message INCLUDES THE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE SAVIOR, High Priest and coming King! Of course, it INCLUDES the true way of salvation, which the churches seem to have lost! (Armstrong, HW. Good News, Jan. 1980, p. 9).
Now, HOW do we enter into that glorious KINGDOM? Jesus came preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, "REPENT," and "BELIEVE THE GOSPEL."
Just TWO things we do—REPENT, and BELIEVE. We must BELIEVE the Gospel, and that means also believing on JESUS CHRIST, the KING of the Kingdom of God, and coming KING of kings over all the families of the earth. It means believing in Him as personal SAVIOUR, as High Priest now, and as coming KING.
But to repent is to completely CHANGE THE MIND in respect to SIN, and "sin is the transgression of the LAW" (I John 3:4)—the law of God by which God RULES the Kingdom.
It means a total, complete CHANGE OF MIND AND OF LIFE. It means we REPENT of transgressing the rule, the will, the laws, of GOD. What did Jesus say to the young man who asked Him HOW to inherit eternal life? He said, "IF thou wilt enter into life, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS" (Matthew 19:17) (Armstrong HW. What is the True Gospel? WCG booklet, 1972, p.6).
We must believe the GOSPEL, and THAT MEANS ALSO believing on JESUS CHRIST, the King OF the Kingdom of God, and coming King of kings over all the families of the earth. IT MEANS believing in Him as personal Saviour, as High Priest, now and as coming King" (Armstrong HW. What is the True Gospel? 1972 booklet, p.10.)
If those who claim to preach a gospel of SALVATION understood and proclaimed WHAT salvation really is...it might be A PART OF the gospel" (Armstrong HW. Incredible Human Potential, 1978 hardback edition, page 16)
I must call the reader's attention again at this point to the fact that a full and complete understanding of the MESSAGE sent by God TO ALL MANKIND, by His Divine Messenger Jesus Christ, involves a vast comprehension of God's great purpose, and of events, prehistoric, historic, present and future. "I might say it means an overall understanding of EVERYTHING!" (ibid, p.15).
The true GOSPEL, when viewed with ALL THAT IT EMBODIES---the reason for it, the prehistoric truth of earth's first inhabitants, the reason humans were created and put on earth, the CAUSE of all the earth's evils and sufferings, the nature of the human mind, the need for spiritual salvation and what it is, the coming world tomorrow of peace, what lies on beyond, and man's ultimate incredible potential---becomes the MOST ALL-ENCOMPASSING SUBJECT that can enter the mind of man (ibid, p.11).Jesus' gospel was the KINGDOM OF GOD. Does that have anything to do with afterlife - with spiritual salvation? It has everything to do with it. BUT THE WHOLE WORLD is DECEIVED and ASLEEP! The gospel of the KINGDOM OF GOD has to do basically with TWO themes - government and spiritual salvation...
Notice it! Not only is Christ to rule - but the saints - that is, converted true Christians - those begotten as sons of God - are to take and possess the Kingdom! They are to rule under and with Christ! In the New Testament it is recorded that converted saints are co-heirs with Christ!
...The commission He had given the CHURCH was to preach His gospel to all the world. They were to receive the Holy Spirit, begetting them as saints - as Christians - putting them into God's CHURCH. This would infuse them with the power to carry out the mission of the Church (ibid, chapter 13).
Notice clearly that the Kingdom of God has two themes according to HWA. And thus, the part about spiritual salvation is obviously intended to be part of the gospel that is to be preached to all the world.
Notice what HWA really considered to be the false gospel:
For 1,900 years traditional Christianity has failed to preach about Jesus as coming KING and world ruler in the coming kingdom of God to replace Satan on the throne of the whole earth (Armstrong HW. Are We Living in the Last Days?).
Jesus' true gospel had been suppressed and supplanted with a false gospel--not the gospel of Christ (the kingdom of God) but man's false gospel about a Christ who did away with his Father's commandments (Armstrong HW. Mystery of the Ages, Chapter 7, 1985).
The plain truth is that LCG does teach about the Kingdom of God, understands that Jesus is part of the Gospel message, and that the ten commandments need to be kept. Here is LCG's official position on the ten commandments, lest there be any doubt on that point:
THE LAW OF GOD
God’s basic spiritual law is summed up in the "Ten Commandments" (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 4:13; 10:4). In the "Sermon on the Mount" and elsewhere, Jesus magnified God’s law (Matthew chapters 5-7; Isaiah 42:21), showing His followers that they must obey both the letter and the "spirit." "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good" (Romans 7:12). It is practicing this way of life—through Christ living in us (Galatians 2:20)—that makes one a true "saint" (Revelation 14:12) (Living Church of God. Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs).
LCG clearly has not done away with the ten commandments.
The claims against LCG on this gospel point are just another example of how those against us do not really understand what HWA and the Bible actually teach.
It is precisely true that what LCG teaches is NOT a departure towards Protestantism, but simply a clear version of what HWA and the Bible actually teaches. It is those who falsely claim that LCG has changed it that actually have subtly twisted the gospel message.
Notice what the Bible shows that the Apostle Paul taught:
For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Romans 1:16).
It is sad that those who attack LCG on including the entire gospel message simply seem opposed to having us declare "the whole counsel of God". The attackers act like we in LCG should be ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Those who do so really need to pray and study their Bibles more.
The above and more is included as part of Appendix A in the article Why Not the Restored Church of God? An article of related interest may include There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God?
01/17/08 p.m. Someone who visited an alleged "LCG forum" told me that someone there took exception to what I wrote about CG-FF. Since someone attacked what I wrote, as well as LCG, let me give a few facts:
The sad truth is that many groups do not really accept the restored truth about governance and their supporters often seem to like to reason around it.
01/14/08 a.m. In an ad in the Connections section of The Journal, CG-FF's Don Billingsley wrote:
We should also remember what Jesus Christ said about His Church that is made up of a collective body of individual Christians over which He has placed His ministry for the edifying and unity of the faith:“For as the BODY is ONE and has many members . . . For BY ONE SPIRIT we were all baptized into ONE BODY . . . But now God has set the members, each one of them, IN THE BODY just as He pleased. . . . Now you are THE BODY of Christ, and members INDIVIDUALLY. And God HAS APPOINTED these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers . . . (I Corinthians 12:12-13, 18, 27-28; E p h e s i a n s 4:11-13).
Although, like most ministers, Don B. can quote scripture, he and his group have trouble living by it. While the ad indicates that there is one true church and it supposedly is his church, Don Billingsley fails to point out that he refused to accept the authority of any evangelist over him and is a cause of the very division the rest of the ad seems to refer to.
Since his ad referred to Ephesians 4:11-13 let's actually look at it for a minute:
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (NKJV).
Thus, if Don B. was truly faithful in all things, it would include the acceptance of church governance under a properly ordained evangelist. Instead, he seems to label groups like LCG "corporate churches" and thus continue to be divisive (his claims indicating real doctrinal changes at LCG are bogus as well--speaking of doctrine, perhaps he might wish to tell the public in an ad that he got the correct list of the 18 truths that HWA restored to the Philadelphia era by copying my writings and never giving me credit for putting it together). His group has also been ineffective in public gospel proclamation. How long will they refuse to live by every word of God?
It is sad. But perhaps paying for attack ads in The Journal makes his group feel that they have a work. He and those in his group may wish to read the following articles:
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
6. The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now LCG.
7. The Laodicean Church Era was predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. Non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
Independent Members of the COG: Herbert W. Armstrong Comments, Plus Questions and Answers What did Herbert W. Armstrong teach about being independent of the organized Church? Should independents who claim to accept Herbert W. Armstrong's teachings be part of LCG?
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
01/12/08 a.m. This morning, I noticed that the "Statement of Faith" of Ben Faulkner's Church of the Sovereign God states:
We believe the Church is a spiritual organism, the Body of Christ, which is comprised of those who are begotten by God’s Holy Spirit, not limited or bounded by the confines of any manmade corporate structure. Members of the Body have been placed there as it pleases God the Father and are subject to the Head, Jesus Christ, in all things.
The above statement, while true, indicates an unfortunate emphasis of groups like SCG. Little COGs often like to refer to larger ones as "corporate churches". But, the larger COGs, like (LCG and UCG) also teach that the true church is a spiritual organism not limited to any human organization. Perhaps, SCG should read what Herbert W. Armstrong wrote about being an independent group (please see the article Independent Members of the COG: Herbert W. Armstrong Comments, Plus Questions and Answers).
01/01/08 a.m. Late Sunday, Charles Bryce finally got his website up. It states:
We are committed to continuing on the path laid down by God through the doctrines, teachings, practices and traditions taught by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong—as proven from the Holy Bible—Old and New Testaments. By faith, we are going through every door God opens to us to preach the Gospel, the good news of the Kingdom of God, to all the world as a witness. By faith, we are going to train ministers and raise up churches to guide and nourish the brethren so that together we can earnestly contend for the faith once delivered and hold fast the faithful word as we have been taught. Our goal is to carry out this two-fold commission, of preaching the gospel and feeding the flock, that we may fulfill our calling from God and grow unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, and at His coming, be a glorious church, holy and without spot or wrinkle or blemish.
The above site came about a year after it was promised, but it finally did come. For more on EnCOG refer to previous GCG news.
Click here for the previous news of those once affiliated with GCG
COGwriter, 2008