Let’s look at the supposedly 22 ‘false teachings of Bob Thiel’ posted at Banned by HWA

Some of Satan’s allies at Banned by HWA website continue to post lies about me and others in the Continuing Church of God (CCOG).

Someone challenged a falsehood there. This got combined in the following comment that was put at that website today:

Anonymous said…

2:01 Anonymous HWA said…
“Thiel has proven himself to be a liar and a false teacher.”
Prove it.

Here are just a few of the false teachings of Bob Thiel:

God told him to start anew church
God gave him a double portion of the Holy Spirit
God has set him apart as a prophet for the end times
He is fulfilling the role of Elisha, Elijah, Amos, Habbakuk, Daniel, Joshua
God speaks to him in dreams
He teaches tithing
He teaches the holy days are required
HE preaches that the Sabbath is a new covenant command
He teaches Petra
He teaches his little group is the only church to know when it will be time to flee
He preaches about clean and unclean meats
He ignores Jesus
He ignores grace
he ignores justification
He embraces legalism
He teaches Moses over Jesus
He says the Old Covenant is still required
That he is a Christian
That HWA was Elijah
That he knows more than Rod Meredith
He preaches he is being persecuted
That he is a world-renown religious scholar

October 22, 2020 at 12:31 AM

Before going further, notice something that the Apostle Peter was inspired to write:

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (1 Peter 3:15-16)

So, for those who wonder about the truth, this post contains “a defense,” a true response to each of the assertions from one trying to falsely portray me as an evildoer.

Now, let’s look at each of the 22 supposed assertions that are supposedly “the false teachings of Bob Thiel.”

1. God told him to start anew church

I never stated the above–hence that was a false assertion from the defamer. However, I do believe I was led by God’s Spirit to separate from my prior COG.

As far as one of the reasons why, consider that the Bible teaches:

10 Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord deceitfully, (Jeremiah 48:10)

When my prior church confirmed that it was going to teach errors that it had previously stated it would correct, it was biblically obvious that it could not be the group God would use to lead The Final Phase of the Work. For more details on why I left that group, check out the article: Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God.

Jesus taught:

16 You will know them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:16)

The fastest growing xWCG in the 21st century, that would provide support that God has blessed, is the Continuing Church of God (CCOG).

2. God gave him a double portion of the Holy Spirit

On December 15, 2011, LCG minister Gaylyn Bonjour, while laying hands on me, was moved by the Holy Spirit to pray that God would grant me a “double portion” of His Spirit, which he said was reminiscent of the passing of the mantle from Elijah to Elisha as recorded in 2 Kings 2:9-13.

On November 28, 2019, Gaylyn Bonjour stated that he believed that God answered his prayer regarding Him granting me a double-portion of His Spirit. Furthermore, on that same date, Gaylyn stated that he tells those who ask:

I have known Bob Thiel since 1986. He has always been honest, dedicated, and sincere.

And that includes what I have written about him and the prophet matter. My teaching about what happened is accurate and not false.

3. God has set him apart as a prophet for the end times

I have never directly stated the above. Gaylyn Bonjour and I have, however, referred to the following scripture:

28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? (1 Corinthians 12:28-30)

As the above shows, one becomes a prophet by God’s appointing.

4. He is fulfilling the role of Elisha, Elijah, Amos, Habbakuk, Daniel, Joshua

I have never stated the above. However, we in the CCOG have restored more details about church history, doctrinal understandings, and prophetic teachings. Whether or not those are part of the fulfillment for a future Elijah, for example, will be something God determines.

5. God speaks to him in dreams

Yes, I believe that I have had a couple of dreams from God. Like Jeremiah (who was unsure about a message until it was confirmed, see Jeremiah 32:6-8), I did not conclude that the messages were from God until they were confirmed.

The Bible shows that God most often works with prophets through a dream:

5 Then the Lord came down in the pillar of cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam. And they both went forward.

6 Then He said, “Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision;
I speak to him in a dream.” (Numbers 12:5-6)

Notice that the above says that God’s plan is that He will speak to His prophets in a dream.

Now consider something that Jeremiah was inspired to write:

28 The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream. And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. (Jeremiah 23:28)

Some do not want to hear about dreams, but the word of God says that God’s prophets should truthfully tell them. Some are critical of me telling about them.

Yet, notice the following:

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:29-32)

In these times, Christians still ought to obey God and not men. And when it comes to proclamation, also be witnesses of what has happened.

That is something we in the Continuing Church of God are doing.

Furthermore, at least six other people associated with the Continuing Church of God, several of which I did not know before they had dreams, had CCOG-related dreams that were confirmed (for details, check out the article Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God).

6. He teaches tithing

Yes, that is true. Jesus (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42), as well as early Christians, taught tithing (see Tithing Questions and Some Answers).

That being said, neither my wife nor I take a salary from the CCOG. Nor have we, as other critics at Banned have falsely claimed, “lived off the backs of the tithe-payers.”

This seemingly grates against many at Banned who have falsely put forth the view that the Church of God is all about money to support the lifestyles of the ministry. So, in my view, that is one of the reasons that I am so often a subject of their ridicule, inuendos, and lies.

7. He teaches the holy days are required

What I have taught is that Jesus kept them, as did the Apostles, and Christians should. So did the Apostle Paul (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1, Acts 18:21). Early Christians did as well (see the free online booklet: Should You Keep God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?).

8. HE preaches that the Sabbath is a new covenant command

Well, the New Testament teaches the Sabbath as a commandment, as did the Old Testament.

Notice what the New Testament Book of Hebrews teaches using four Protestant (including two ‘literal’), one Eastern Orthodox, and three Catholic translations:

3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.'” And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.” 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.” 6 It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience…9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, NIV).

3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS”; 5 and again in this passage, “THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.” 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience,.. 9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, NASB)

3 for we do enter into the rest — we who did believe, as He said, ‘So I sware in My anger, If they shall enter into My rest — ;’ and yet the works were done from the foundation of the world, 4 for He spake in a certain place concerning the seventh [day] thus: ‘And God did rest in the seventh day from all His works;’ 5 and in this [place] again, ‘If they shall enter into My rest — ;’ 6 since then, it remaineth for certain to enter into it, and those who did first hear good news entered not in because of unbelief … 9 there doth remain, then, a sabbatic rest to the people of God, 10 for he who did enter into his rest, he also rested from his works, as God from His own. 11 May we be diligent, then, to enter into that rest, that no one in the same example of the unbelief may fall, (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, Young’s Literal Translation)

3 For those having believed enter into the rest, as He has said: “So I swore in my wrath, ‘they shall not enter into My rest.’”a And yet the works have been finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken somewhere concerning the seventh day in this way, “And on the seventh day God rested from all His works.” 5 And again in this passage. “They shall not enter into My rest.” 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter into it, and those having received the good news formerly did not enter in because of disobedience, … 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one having entered into His rest, he also rested from his works, as God did from the own. 11 Therefore we should be diligent to enter into that rest, so that no one should fall by the same example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, Berean Literal Bible)

3 However, we who have faith are entering into that rest, even as God said: As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest. And yet, the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 Somewhere [else], God said this about the seventh day: God rested on the seventh day from all his works. … 9 There must still be, then, a Sabbath rest for God’s people, 10 and anyone who has entered into his rest has also rested from his [own] works, just as God did. 11 Therefore, let us do our utmost to enter into that rest, for fear that anyone should fall according to the same pattern of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:3-4, 9-11. THE EASTERN / GREEK ORTHODOX BIBLE NEW TESTAMENT. The EOB New Testament is presented in memory of Archbishop Vsevolod of Scopelos † 2007 https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/assets/uploads/books/18204/Eastern_Orthodox_Bible-New_Testament.pdf)

3 We, however, who have faith, are entering a place of rest, as in the text: And then in my anger I swore that they would never enter my place of rest. Now God’s work was all finished at the beginning of the world; 4 as one text says, referring to the seventh day: And God rested on the seventh day after all the work he had been doing. 5 And, again, the passage above says: They will never reach my place of rest. 6 It remains the case, then, that there would be some people who would reach it, and since those who first heard the good news were prevented from entering by their refusal to believe … 9 There must still be, therefore, a seventh-day rest reserved for God’s people, 10 since to enter the place of rest is to rest after your work, as God did after His. 11 Let us, then, press forward to enter this place of rest, or some of you might copy this example of refusal to believe and be lost. (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, NJB)

3 For we, that have believed, shall enter into their rest; as he said: As I sware in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: and truly the works from the foundation of the world being perfected. 4 For he said in a certain place of the seventh day thus: And God rested the seventh day from all his works … 9 Therefore there is left a sabbatisme for the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, the same also hath rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Let us hasten therefore to enter into that rest; lest any man fall into the same example of incredulity. (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, The Original and True Rheims New Testament of Anno Domini 1582)

3 For we who believed enter into [that] rest, just as he has said: “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter into my rest,’” and yet his works were accomplished at the foundation of the world. 4For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner, “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works”; 5 and again, in the previously mentioned place, “They shall not enter into my rest.” 6 Therefore, since it remains that some will enter into it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience,… 9 Therefore, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God. 10And whoever enters into God’s rest, rests from his own works as God did from His. 11 Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.(Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, New American Bible)

Thus, the New Testament clearly shows that the command to keep the seventh day Sabbath is in the New Testament. It also shows that only those who will not observe it because of their disobedience argue otherwise. And that is why Paul observed it.

Even Origen of Alexandria (late second century) understood some of this as he wrote:

But what is the feast of the Sabbath except that which the apostle speaks, “There remaineth therefore a Sabbatism,” that is, the observance of the Sabbath, by the people of God…let us see how the Sabbath ought to be observed by a Christian. On the Sabbath-day all worldly labors ought to be abstained from…give yourselves up to spiritual exercises, repairing to church, attending to sacred reading and instruction…this is the observance of the Christian Sabbath (Translated from Origen’s Opera 2, Paris, 1733, Andrews J.N. in History of the Sabbath, 3rd editon, 1887. Reprint Teach Services, Brushton (NY), 1998, pp. 324-325).

As it turns out, at least 20 Protestant translations make it clear that Hebrews 4:9 is pointing to the weekly seventh-day Sabbath (ASV, BLB, BSB, CSB, DBT, ERV, ESV, GNT, HCSB, ILB, ISV, JMNT, Jubilee 2000, NASB, NETB, NHEB, NIV, WEB, WNT, YLT).

Furthermore, early Christians kept the Ten Commandments (see The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast) and that included the one about the Sabbath (see The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad).

People who believe the Bible should be keeping the Sabbath.

9. He teaches Petra

Presumably, that is supposed to mean that I teach that Petra is the place of safety–the place of protection in the wilderness of Revelation 12:14-16. That is not entirely accurate.

What I have taught for years is that Petra is in a biblical possible location, but that it may not be the place. This is detailed in a long article, which the accuser could have looked at (but apparently did not) titled There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra.

10. He teaches his little group is the only church to know when it will be time to flee

What I teach is that if other COGs do not correct certain prophetic errors in understanding, many of which are detailed in the article Do You Hold to Any of These Laodicean Prophetic Errors?, they will not know when it is time to flee.

I also teach that Christians should pay attention to Zephaniah who wrote:

1 Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together,
O undesirable nation,
2 Before the decree is issued,
Or the day passes like chaff,
Before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you,
Before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you!
3 Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth,
Who have upheld His justice.
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
It may be that you will be hidden
In the day of the Lord’s anger. (Zephaniah 2:1-3)

Related to the above, we put together the following video: Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy.

I have never taught that all with the CCOG would flee or that none currently part of CCOG will flee.

11. He preaches about clean and unclean meats

So does the Bible–and so did early professors of Christ. For details, check out the article: The New Testament Church, History, and Unclean Meats.

12. He ignores Jesus

That is an oft-repeated lie by those who refuse to look at what the CCOG actually teaches.

Jesus taught:

43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God. (John 8:43-47)

As far as lies go, consider the following:

A big lie (German: große Lüge) is a propaganda technique and logical trick (fallacy). The expression was coined by Adolf Hitler, when he dictated his 1925 book Mein Kampf, about the use of a lie so “colossal” that no one would believe that someone “could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously”. …

Various sources, both popular and scholarly, attribute the following passage to Goebbels. However, it is not currently known which piece of writing this is attributed to and when it was written, or if it even was Goebbels who authored it:

If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.

(Big Lie. Wikipedia, accessed 12/06/19)

The big lie that we ignore Jesus overlooks the fact that Jesus is referred to in almost every sermon or sermonette in the CCOG.

Furthermore, we have taken steps to teach EVERYTHING Jesus taught.

Need more proof?

The following contain sermons that cover every verse in the New Testament that Jesus is reported to have taught:

MATTHEW Here are links to twelve sermons covering the 28 chapters of Matthew: Matthew 1-2: Greek or Aramaic, Jesus, and the Star?, Matthew 3-5: John the Baptist, Temptations, and the Beatitudes, Matthew 6-7: Charitable Deeds, the Rosary, Prayer, the Golden Rule, and Faith, Matthew 8-10: Married Clergy, Faith, Coming Persecution, and the Ecumenical Agenda, Matthew 11-12: John the Elijah, Sodom, Unpardonable Sin, & 3 Days and 3 Nights, -14: Parables, Mustard Seeds, Birthdays, and Faith, Matthew 15-16: Tradition, Signs of the Times, and The Rock & Peter, Matthew 17-18: Transfiguration, Elijah to Come, Taxes, and Forgiveness, Matthew 19-20: Transgender? Divorce? Purgatory? The first shall be last?, Matthew 21-23: ‘Palm Sunday,’ Come as You Are?, and the Greatest Commandments, Matthew 24: Temple Destruction, Sorrows, Tribulation, and the Return of Jesus, and Matthew 25-28: Midnight Cry, False Christians, Resurrection, & Teaching what Jesus Taught.
MARK Here is a link to a sermon covering all of Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Mark: What did Jesus teach in the Book of Mark? Here is a link to six sermons covering all the verses in the Gospel of Mark: Mark 1-2: Author, Prophecy, & Miracles, Mark 3-5: Healing, Demons, and Parables, Mark 6-9: Tradition, John’s beheading, Elijah, and Restoration, Mark 10-12: Marriage, Divorce, Needle Eye, Greatest Command, & Taxes, Mark 13: Temple, Four Horsemen, Troubles, Great Tribulation, and Gospel Proclamation, and .
LUKE Here are links to eight sermons covering the entire ‘Gospel of Luke’: Luke 1-2: John the Baptist, Mary, and the Census, Luke 3-6: John the Baptist, Jesus’ genealogy, Satan’s Influence, and the Sermon on the Mount, Luke 7-9: Miracles, Purpose of Parables, Kingdom of God, and Women Supporting the Ministry, Luke 10-11: The 70, Doing the Work, the Good Samaritan, Prayer, and Signs, Luke 12-13: Priorities, Delayed Fruit Bearing, Little Flock, Prophecy, and the Narrow Way, Luke 14-16: The Lost Sheep, the Prodigal Son, the Rich Man and Lazarus, Luke 17-20: Faith, the Kingdom, Gathering, Prayer, & Rewards, and Luke 21-22: Giving, Sorrows, Persecution, Tribulation, Fig Tree, and Violence. The last sermon also covers Jesus’ words in the Book of Acts.
JOHN Here are links to a seven-part sermon series covering the entire ‘Gospel of John’: John 1-3: Anti-unitarian, Wine, Being Born Again, & Heaven, John 4-6: Jesus and the Samaritan Woman, Miracles and the Bread of Life, John 10-12: Sheep, Hirelings, Lazarus/Soul Sleep and ‘Palm Day’, John 13-15: Footwashing and the Words of Jesus, John 16-18: Truth, Trinity, and Pontius Pilate, and John 19-21: Do not only try, do what God wants.
ACTS Here is an article: The Book of Acts. Here is a link to related sermons: Book of Acts 1-2: Jesus Left, New Testament Church Began, Acts 3-5: Miracles, Trials, Proclamation, and Persecution, Acts 6-9: Widows, Stephen, Saul, and Simon Magus, Acts 10-12: Visions, Dreams, and Gentiles, Acts 13-16: Prophets, Poisoning, and Proclamation, Acts 17-19: Travels, Anointed Cloths, & the Gospel of the Kingdom, Acts 20-22: James, Sunday, and Prejudice, and Acts 23-25: Vows, Secrets, Cults, & Criticisms, and Acts 26-28: Shipwreck, the Kingdom of God, & Amen.
REVELATION This is a link to a sermon covering words Jesus spoke as recorded in the Book of Revelation and in first and second Corinthians: Revelation: Jesus’ Final Words.

Furthermore, when we published the book, Proof Jesus is the Messiah, it was the longest book we had produced up to that time. We also covered that entire book in a sermon series. Here are links to seven related sermons: Proof Jesus is the Messiah, Prophecies of Jesus’ birth, timing, and death, Jesus’ prophesied divinity, 200+ OT prophecies Jesus filled; Plus prophecies He made, Why Don’t Jews Accept Jesus?, Daniel 9, Jews, and Jesus, and Facts and Atheists’ Delusions About Jesus. Plus the links to two sermonettes: Luke’s census: Any historical evidence? and Muslims believe Jesus is the Messiah, but … These videos cover nearly all of the book, plus have some information not in the book. We also have the book translated in the Spanish PRUEBA de que JESÚS es el MESÍAS and French PREUVES QUE JÉSUS EST LE MESSIE languages.

We, of course, teach about what Jesus taught in other books, booklets, and sermons.

The claim I ignore Jesus is easily and provably false.

13. He ignores grace

That is not true.

Here is some of what is in the Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God:

SALVATION IS BY THE NAME OF JESUS BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH AND HE WILL RETURN

“Jesus Christ of Nazareth … for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:10,12). “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). This is God’s gift by grace (favor) through faith in Jesus Christ (Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 2:15; Romans 5:10).

God is merciful (Exodus 34:6; Luke 6:36) and wants all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), yet because of various difficulties, few will find salvation in this age (Matthew 7:14; Luke 13:23-24; Romans 11:6-7; 2 Corinthians 4:4). Upon repentance and baptism, God justifies repentant Christians from their past sins. Christians then begin an ongoing process of “being saved“ as we grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18) and having Christ live in us (Galatians 2:20). Salvation for those Christians in this age will be complete at the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:50-54); “Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). All will have a fair chance of being saved (Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation and Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism).

That last book mentioned is one of our longest and has many comments about grace. Grace is also covered in some depth in our other publications such as Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism and Is God Calling You?, as well as various articles (e.g. God’s Grace is For All and John Calvin, Calvinism, TULIP, and What is Predestination?) and sermons.

Sadly, the critic at Banned has chosen to ignore that I do not ignore grace.

14. he ignores justification

That is not true.

Here is some of what is in the Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God:

FAITH, REPENTANCE, ACCEPTING OF JESUS, JUSTIFICATION, RECONCILIATION, AND BAPTISM

Other than being drawn/called by God (John 6:44; Matthew 22:14; see also the booklet Is God Calling You? and/or watch the animation Is God Calling You?), the first clear step in becoming a Christian is to hear (which can include reading as opposed to literal hearing) as “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Then one must believe in Jesus with all one’s heart “the Way” He is taught about in the word of God (Acts 8:37, 24:14). Thus, only those capable of developing faith from understanding the word of God can properly be considered to be baptized as truly Christian (though, young children of at least one Christian parent, however, are designated as “holy” per 1 Corinthians 7:14).

Accepting the message of Jesus leads to “repentance from dead works and of faith toward God” (Hebrews 6:1) which means to change past ways of living that are contrary to God’s law (e.g. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11), baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38), and the “laying on of hands” (Hebrews 6:2; cf. Acts 8:14-17) so “you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). God’s Holy Spirit is given to those that “obey Him” (Acts 5:32).

Christians are “justified by His blood” (Romans 5:9) and “reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:10). …

God is merciful (Exodus 34:6; Luke 6:36) and wants all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), yet because of various difficulties, few will find salvation in this age (Matthew 7:14; Luke 13:23-24; Romans 11:6-7; 2 Corinthians 4:4). Upon repentance and baptism, God justifies repentant Christians from their past sins. Christians then begin an ongoing process of “being saved“ as we grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18) and having Christ live in us (Galatians 2:20). Salvation for those Christians in this age will be complete at the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:50-54); “Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). All will have a fair chance of being saved (Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation and Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism).

Other literature and messages also have covered justification.

Sadly, the critic at Banned has chosen to ignore that I do not ignore justification.

15. He embraces legalism

No, I have pointed out how the Pharisees were condemned by Jesus, not for keeping the Ten Commandments (see the free online book The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast), but from reasoning around them as many improperly do today (see also Were the Pharisees Condemned for Keeping the Law or Reasoning Around it?).

Like the Apostle Peter (cf. Acts 5:29-32), I teach obedience to God, not Pharisaical legalism.

16. He teaches Moses over Jesus

I have written no books about Moses, nor have I done a sermon series on him. But I have about Jesus (see responses to item 12 above).

17. He says the Old Covenant is still required

No, I never have taught that. I specifically teach that the animal sacrifices and other rituals associated with the Old Covenant were done away with by the sacrifice of Jesus (Hebrews 9-10)–see also Which Laws were Superceded? Which Remain?

But, like Jesus, the Apostles, and early Christians, I do teach that Christians are to strive to obey the Ten Commandments (see the free online book The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast).

18. That he is a Christian

But, I am. Notice what the Apostle Paul stated:

14 “But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets.

(Acts 24:14, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.)

Although critics refer to original Christianity a cult, I will continue to strive to live that way. More on that can be found in two booklets I wrote: Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian and Continuing History of the Church of God.

19. That HWA was Elijah

That is false. I teach that although Herbert W. Armstrong sometimes thought that he was the coming Elijah, that his own writings show that he could not be.

This has been my position for at least two decades. It has been covered in COGWriter posts as well as the following article and related sermons:

The Elijah Heresies Does the Bible teach that there will be a future Elijah? Must it be Herbert W. Armstrong? Two related sermons are available Elijah: Prophecies and Heresies and Elijah, Herbert W. Armstrong, and CCOG.

How the Banned critic got this wrong again points to ignorance of what I actually teach.

20. That he knows more than Rod Meredith

Although in the Summer of 2005, Dr. Meredith appointed me as an advisor to the LCG doctrinal committee on doctrine and prophecy, I have never stated that.

Perhaps the Banned comment is directed towards something I wrote, related to Dr. Meredith, in our free online book Continuing History of the Church of God:

Roderick Meredith once wrote:

In II Kings 2:8-15, we find the account where the great prophet Elijah was taken up into heaven—turning his office and mantle over to Elisha…he asked for a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit to be upon him. As Elijah ascended up to heaven, his mantle fell on Elisha. …

Today, you should personally awake to the fact that the mantle and power of Elijah will be manifested among God’s true servants in this age. For as John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17), so God says of our day:

Unlike Herbert Armstrong who restored truths to the Philadelphia era, and Bob Thiel who added many more details to those truths and restored more that was lost regarding church history, prophecy, and doctrine, Dr. Meredith never not claimed to do that. Nor did he fulfill the prophetic office. Yet, he wrote that someone had to. He died on May 18, 2017.

Consider also, even after I left LCG, an email from LCG evangelist Douglas Winnail sent to me on January 7, 2013 stated, “we made comments to you that ‘you may be a prophet.’”

Again, this was another assertion at Banned that is false as I have never stated/taught that I knew more than Roderick Meredith as we all have different strengths, knowledge, and experiences.

As far as some details, etc., restored, though, I wrote the following books and booklets with them:

21. He preaches he is being persecuted

Jesus prophesied:

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:10-12)

Those at Banned and various other places have regularly been fulfilling that prophecy and saying all kinds of things falsely against me and CCOG.

The posted listed of 22 supposedly false teachings of mine was just another aspect of the persecution those who do not have sufficient love of the truth, again have done.

22. That he is a world-renown religious scholar

Actually, I never made that claim, but a publicist I worked with did.

The fact that I have written numerous religious books which have been translated into over 100 languages, have done hundreds of radio interviews, and our church (CCOG) has members on all inhabited continents on earth shows at least some appreciation for my writings and scholarship.

No, I am not a false teacher. But those supporting Satan do not care.

Anyway, the Bible shows that those who keep God’s commandments will be blessed, whereas those who believe and love lies will be outside the coming holy city unless they repent:

14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:14-15)

Jesus taught:

44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:44-45)

Those who spread lies about me and others in CCOG are in my prayers.

The Book of Proverbs teaches:

16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can answer sensibly. (Proverbs 26:16)

Which is more sensible? The truth or rants from accusers of the brethren?

As far as supernatural grace goes, the fact is that Continuing Church of God has the most confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18 of any claimed COG. For details, check out the article: Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?

But people who do not really believe the Bible or that God is actively working through His Spirit today will not accept that.

Can you accept the truth or do you prefer the “big lie” from sites like Banned By HWA?

Related to the falsehoods about CCOG evangelist Evans Ochieng, we put together the following video:

16:17

Dispelling Lies About Evangelist Evans Ochieng

Continuing Church of God (CCOG) evangelist Evans Ochieng was originally a Seventh-day Adventist before becoming part of the old Worldwide Church of God. After the apostasy hit the old WCG, he became a host in the old Global then Living Church of God, before going elsewhere. In November 2013, after reviewing CCOG websites and literature, he asked to be part of CCOG. He came in with 260 people and now oversees 4,000 in Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Sudan, Zambia, Tanzania, and Uganda. Yet, various ones, such as some connected to the anti-COG Banned by HWA website have promoted lies about him. What do scriptures say about addressing claims of fools? In this sermonette video, Dr. Thiel dispels some of the lies that have been falsely stated about Evans Ochieng and provides truth for those interested in it.