There are Many COGS: Why Support the Living Church of God?

By COGwriter

There are many who call themselves "Church of God" (COG) these days. And while their are Protestant/Pentecostal groups that call themselves COG, they are not part of this article. This article is defining COGs as groups that once had ties to the old Church of God Seventh Day or the old Worldwide Church of God (WCG).

Some think that all those groups are about the same. Others suggest they fall into two categories: those that are somewhat 'independent' and those that are 'corporate Churches'. Most COGs claim that they are in some way special or unique from other COGs.

This article will attempt to explain what truly is different about the Living Church of God (LCG) as well as why people interested in the Church of God may wish to consider supporting it.

But first this article will mention a few differences between the COGs and "mainstream Christianity".

What Are Some of the Major Differences Between the Churches of God and Other Groups That Profess Christ?

The Churches of God (COGs) are not Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, nor Protestant, nor do we trace our history through any of these groups. The COGs strongly believe that they rely more on the Bible than tradition than those groups do.

Unlike most Protestant churches, the COGs do not claim to have ever been affiliated with Rome--we preceded the formation of the proven Roman bishoprics and hence actually predate the Roman Catholic Church (please see the article What Does Rome Actually Teach About Early Church History?). We also believe that the historical record shows a different view of apostolic succession than the Roman or Eastern Orthodox Catholics normally portray.

Like the Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholics, we in the COGs do not consider that Martin Luther was faithful to the Bible (please see the article Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible?), and we hold many doctrinal positions that differ from his writings (please see the article The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert Armstrong).

Unlike most Protestant churches, the COGs believe that humans are intended to keep all ten of the commandments and that God will ultimately call nearly everyone, so that nearly everyone will be saved (please see the article Hope of Salvation: How the COGs differ from most Protestants).

Unlike the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant churches, but somewhat like the Jehovah's Witnesses, we do not accept Sunday, Christmas, Easter, or other such non-biblical religious holidays (although the Jehovah's Witnesses do meet on Sunday). Instead we observe the biblical holidays, like Passover, that were also observed in the early Christian church.

Unlike the Jehovah's Witnesses, we believe that Jesus is God.

Like the Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and Protestants, we believe that there have been major apostacies among those who profess Christ. However, unlike those groups, we believe that we can essentially identify many who made up the true Church throughout history (from Acts 2 to present) and who were never part of the Greco-Roman confederation now known as the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches (please see The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3, Location of the Early Church, and History of Early Christianity).

Like the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant churches, we do believe in the biblical observance of Pentecost, but we have a more expanded understanding of what it represents.

Unlike the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox Churches, we in the COGs do not accept idols, the sacramental focus for the ministry, or the necessity for celibacy for any of the ministry. Although the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox scholars admit that the early church leaders taught millenarianism (called chiliasm in Greek), those churches no longer do, but the COGs still do.

Unlike the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant churches, we in the COGs do not accept that God is a trinity (which was a concept not fully accepted by them until the third or fourth centuries), but believe that both the Bible and early Christian history prove that the original Christian church held a binitarian view. Thus, the true COGs also disagree with unitarian groups, like the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Like the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches we claim to have the teachings of the original apostolic church. Unlike the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, we can document how they changed many of those teachings while we retained them. This is documented in the articles Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Church of God? and Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Church of God.

Similar to, but not the same as the Eastern Orthodox, we do not trace the main early Christian church through Rome, but through Asia Minor (please see the article Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome). Also like the Eastern Orthodox, we in the COGs believe that God intends to save most of humankind, that there is no purgatory, and that the Protestant concept of being born-again is in error. An article of related interest may be Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Church of God.

What Does the Church of God Basically Teach?

At risk of repeating some of what is discussed above, perhaps a brief overview will help people better understand that the COGs are all about.

Basically, the COGs have a different, but exciting, perspective on Christianity than what passes for mainstream Christianity.

We believe that the Bible teaches that God made everything and it was “very good” (Genesis 1:31).  And that God made humans upright (Ecclesiastes 7:29), but that humans felt that they could decide to disobey God’s commands (Genesis 3:6).  Because of that disobediance, God stopped humans from having immediate access to the tree of life on their own (Genesis 3:22; John 6:44)–even though He had a plan of redemption from before “the foundation of the world” involving Jesus (Revelation 13:8, plus see the article Universal Salvation? There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis).

We in the COGs believe that God gave humans 6,000 years to live their own way (please see the article Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism and a 6000 Year Plan?).  And that humans will mess things up so bad, “unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved” (Matthew 24:22).

But because God has a plan for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 13:38) and a God of love (1 John 4:8,16; John 3:16), that He will intervene and send Jesus to establish a millennial kingdom on earth (Revelation 11:15; 20:4).  During this 1000 year reign the world will become beautiful again (Isaiah 35:1-10).

After this thousand year reign, all who ever lived will be resurrected. When those resurrected see how humans started out with a very good and beautiful earth and messed up and nearly completely destroyed it in their 6,000 years, they will realize that humankind that distanced itself from the true God cannot properly govern itself.  However, when those resurrected see how when starting with a messed up and nearly completely destroyed earth at the end of the 6,000 years, that it was restored to being very good again because people obeyed the King of Kings, then nearly all who ever lived will repent of their ways, accept Jesus as the Christ, and will live God’s way of life.

Since God is love, we in the COGs believe that His plan will result in nearly everyone who ever lived, no matter what their religion or background was, to be saved.   And that there are hundreds of verses in the Bible that show this (documentation is in the article Universal Salvation? There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis).

This differs greatly from much of what passes for mainstream Christianity as the Catholics and Protestants normally teach that most who ever lived are such horrible people that God will torture them for all eternity.

We believe that the biblical Holy Days reveal God’s loving plan of salvation (see article Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible?), yet because most who profess Christ keep non-biblical days such as Christmas and Easter, they simply do not understand that God has a plan which will result in nearly everyone who ever lived to be saved.

We believe that since God is a God of love that He wanted to reproduce Himself and share His joy to all that He could and that His plan of salvation accomplishes this.  This concept of God “reproducing Himself” for us to be truly part of His family is not totally foreign to what passes for mainstream Christianity as even the Catholic and Orthodox “Saint” Athanansius (fourth century) taught of Jesus, “For He was made man that we might be made God” (Athanasius. On the Incarnation of the Word, Chapter 54, Verse3).

We believe that we in the COGs are the 21st century remnant of the original apostolic church and that our doctrines and practices are those of the Bible and early post-apostolic church.  But unlike others affiliated with Christianity, we believe that we can prove it (for some initial documentation, please read The History of Early Christianity).

We in the Living Church of God strive to preach the true gospel of the kingdom to the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14) as Jesus taught.  We urge repentence in this age, explain the love of God, and warn the world of the results of its sins and God’s ultimate judgment.

Would you like to support that?

Please study your Bible and check out what we teach.  For truly God is a God of love and has an exciting plan of salvation (two other articles of possibly related interest may include Hope of Salvation: How the COGs differ from most Protestants and Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Church of God?).

What is Fundamentally Different About the Living Church of God?

LCG, like many (but not all) of the COGs, believes that the book of Revelation reveals a succession of seven churches, sometimes called "church eras", which show certain characteristics of the true church throughout history.

However, regarding other COGs, LCG is unique.

LCG has taken up the 'Philadelphia mantle' (Revelation 3) by placing its top priority on proclaiming the Gospel while also teaching the18 truths that Herbert W. Armstrong (HWA) claimed were restored to that era--no other COG does both (others have changed the work, while some will not teach all the 18 restored truths).

Here are some quotes from LCG teachings on these points:

The Living Church of God is the remnant of the Philadelphia Church continuing into the Laodicean era (Winnail, D. Lessons from Revelation 2 & 3. Sermon, DVE 407. March 7, 2007, Charlotte, NC).

'Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown' (Revelation 3:11). Mr. Armstrong wrote that he restored to the Church of God at least 18 truths that the previous era had lost (Mystery of the Ages, p. 251). Philadelphians are the ones who hold to those truths (as well as all other biblical truths)-including governance-and will be able to have a crown and to rule!

Philadelphians have 'kept My command to persevere' (Revelation 3:10). Holding fast to Truth, while putting a priority on proclaiming the Gospel, is what sets the Philadelphian Church apart...

The Living Church of God cannot claim that all its members are Philadelphian, but we do believe we are a uniquely Philadelphian remnant. Can one find a larger or more effective 'corporate body' which retains the Truth as taught by Mr. Armstrong, without adding non-biblical "revelations" or diverting its members from making their top priority the Great Commission of proclaiming the Gospel as established by Jesus Christ? No! One can expect that Philadelphians, who care about doing an effective Work and holding fast to the Truth, will naturally support the Living Church of God. Of course, simply attending with the Living Church of God does not make one a Philadelphian; individual members must do their part, and must not allow their lives to be cluttered by the cares of this world so that they themselves become lukewarm (Laodicean) (What is a Philadelphian? Living Church News, July-August 2001).

Dear brethren, I hope that all of you will 'catch the vision' and join with us in fulfilling this SEVENFOLD commission. Of course, it could be worded or structured differently, but these key elements of Christ's Commission to His Church--as outlined above--do break down into seven parts:

1. Preach the Gospel of the Kingdom and the true name of Jesus Christ.
2. Preach the END-time prophecies and the Ezekiel warning to the Israelitish peoples.
3. Feed the flock and build all our members to the stature of Jesus Christ as best we can.
4. Be EXAMPLES to the Church at large and to the world of Christ's way of life.
5. Learn and practice Servant Leadership in all our dealings with others.
6. Restore Apostolic Christianity and all that this implies.
7. Build an atmosphere of radiant FAITH within God's Church.

Again, 'WHY are we here? What is our Work and our Commission all about?'

I hope that the above explanation will help and inspire all of us to understand WHY we exist and what we ought to be doing as the Living Church of God. Let us then move ahead on all fronts and honor God and our Savior Jesus Christ as we zealously fulfill these vital elements of the Great Commission.

Please study, meditate and pray about these points and ask God to help you build them into your daily lives. If we all do this, the Work of God will go forward with a zeal and POWER never experienced in modern times" (Meredith, Roderick. Our Mission as a Church. Living Church News. May-June 2001, p.20).

Regarding the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), LCG's Tomorrow's World is on over 200 television stations and 18 radio stations, plus has hundreds of churches and small groups in over 40 countries.

Those Who Left Prior to Herbert Armstrong's Death

The groups that left the WCG prior to the death of Herbert Armstrong often do not believe in Church eras nor accept all the 18 truths that were restored to the Philadelphia Era of the Church of God. Thus, they generally do not teach they are part of the Philadelphia era of the Church of God.

For information on several at one time related leaders and groups that left prior to HWA's death, please read the articles on the Church of God, International (Garner Ted Armstrong and Ronald Dart were once part of this group, as was David Antion), Church of God of Southern California (David Antion), Intercontinental Church of God (Mark Armstrong), and Christian Educational Ministries (Ron Dart).

Another group to also leave prior to HWA's death, but was not related to CGI, is the Christian Biblical Church of God (Fred Coulter) and they also have changed certain teachings.

The United Church of God (UCG) is the largest group to form after Herbert Armstrong's death. Its teachings allow for the belief in Church eras, but this subject is considered a matter of interpretation by UCG. UCG does not teach that it is the remnant of the Philadelphia era of the Church, but rather that it is a continuation of the Church of God.

UCG has specifically repudiated one of the 18 truths (governance), says that part of one is no longer necessary (third tithe though some in its leadership support it), and will not clearly officially teach at least two others (upon conversion one is begotten by the Holy Spirit and born-again at the resurrection). UCG does not place its top financial priority on proclaiming the Gospel and nearly every year since it formed has spent more money on its form of governance than on 'public proclamation'. For detailed documentation of UCG changes, please study the article Differences Between the United Church of God and Living Church of God.

To the best of my knowledge, none of the other groups whose members were at one time primarily affiliated part of UCG ( COGaic, COG Big Sandy, etc.) puts their top financial priority on proclaiming the Gospel either. Also, most of the groups descended from UCG do not have clear enough doctrinal statements to show what they believe on the 18 truths. An article of related interest may be Church of God, an International Community (COG aic)--this is the group led by David Hulme, who was the first UCG president. Another article of possible interest may be In Their Own Words: Doctrinal Differences Between the old United Church of God and the old Global Church of God which mainly compares some of UCG's original changes, while David Hulme was its president, with the old Global Church of God.

The largest other COG is the Philadelphia Church of God (PCG)--it is the third largest (LCG is the second largest). Unlike UCG, PCG does, at least publicly claim to teach the 18 truths that were restored to the Philadelphia Era of the Church of God (though I am not sure that it knows what they are as its earlier writings seemed to have been based on the Tkach list--though its later writings acknowledge that the Tkach list dropped at least two of the truths).

For actual quoted documentation, please read the article Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God.

Smaller COGs Who Claim to Be Faithful

There are many, many small groups who claim to be a part of the Philadelphia era of the Church of God. These groups tend to make the same types of errors. They are normally one-pastor operations (though some have other elders and support staff, and at least two have evangelists--like Charles Bryce's Enduring Church of God) that are unwilling to accept governance under another COG. All the ones I am aware of have at some point 'reasoned around' placing their top priority on proclaiming the gospel to the world as a witness. Instead, they tend to emphasize less critical matters.

They tend to place a their higher priority on supposedly 'being faithful' or 'feeding the flock' than in proclaiming the gospel. Any who have that opinion should read the article, Should the Church's Top Priority be on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert Armstrong Change that Priority? Or one can simply read Jesus' words in Matthew 28:19-20.

Two areas where some of them tend to emphasize are 1) make-up and 2) the identity of Herbert Armstrong as Elijah.

The truth is that Herbert Armstrong changed his position on make-up multiple times (not just twice as they allege--I have lived within driving distance of Pasadena (the location of the old WCG) since 1976 and seem to be aware of some matters that these groups simply do not know). Please read the article Make-up and the Philadelphia Portion of the Church of God.

The other truth is that while Herbert Armstrong did do an 'Elijah-type work', he privately expressed reservations that he may not have been 'the' Elijah and never taught that there could be no one in the future to fulfill that role.

In addition, publicly, Herbert W. Armstrong specifically wrote,

"Also Malachi 4:5-6 pictures the Elijah to come at the very end of the Church age" (Mystery of the Ages. 1985, p. 349).

All should understand that the Church age has not ended--thus LCG's teachings are consistent with Herbert Armstrong's actual beliefs on this subject (an article of interest may be The Elijah Heresies).

These COG's tend to forget that what Herbert Armstrong actually did was to be used to raise up the Philadelphia era of the Church of God. He taught that this era had two primary distinctions--the at least 18 restored truths and the emphasis on proclaiming the gospel:

At least 18 basic and essential truths have been restored to the True Church since" the year 1933 (Mystery of the Ages, Dodd & Mead, 1985, p. 251).

It's been seeming more and more to me, as the years go by, that the Bible was written primarily for the Philadelphia Era of the Church. Today's mission of the Church you will find in Matthew 24:14. And this gospel of the kingdom…that is the same gospel that Jesus preached, shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come...This gospel of the kingdom has been restored and shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations (Armstrong HW. Mission of the Philadelphia Church era. Sermon 12/17/83).

After HWA listed the restored truths in a sermon he stated,

Well, brethren, all those things have been restored and there is a mission for this Church that never applied, and has never been done by any other Church (Armstrong HW. Mission of the Philadelphia Church era. Sermon 12/17/83).

It is important to note that Herbert Armstrong in December of 1983 still felt that part of the mission of the Church was to insure that the Gospel still needed to be preached as a witness. Also in his last letter he wrote,

Remember brethren, this is not the work of Herbert W. Armstrong...The greatest work lies ahead...Never before in the history of the Church has it been possible to reap so great a harvest. It has only been made possible through modern technology, beginning with the printing press, radio, television...Each of you must commit yourself to support God's Work...God's work must push ahead as never before. God is opening up new doors in television (Armstrong HW. Letter, 1/10/86).

The small 'faithful' COGs do not want to accept those teachings. For further documentation, please see the articles It's Not Stedfast (Arlen Berkey), Why Not the Restored Church of God (David Pack), and God's Church, Worldwide (GCW) (the late Robert Elliot).

Other small COGs (like CG21, Raymond McNair who also changed governance, please see his written statements in the article The Elijah Heresies) seem to make the same basic errors (simply check out their websites as they tend to have documentation that proves my point).

Here are a few quotes from these groups:

GCW states,

"THE TRUE GOSPEL... HAS NOW GONE IN POWER INTO EVERY NATION..." (Herbert W. Armstrong, Mystery of the Ages, page 291 hardcover.) Did you believe these words when Herbert W. Armstrong wrote them in 1985?... The Purpose of God's Church, Worldwide Herbert W. Armstrong completed his commission of taking the true gospel to the world as a witness. Only after the gospel had gone to the world, could the end come. As of January 1986 we have entered into the end-time. The Great Task before us is to get the Bride of Christ ready for Christ's return during this Laodicean Era" (GCW website, 4/16/02).

Perhaps GCW should re-read the 01/10/86 letter from Herbert Armstrong (note: they seem to wish to rely on some later statements from Aaron Dean, which I believe they misunderstand--Aaron Dean's comments are addressed in the article What Herbert Armstrong actually did was to be used to raise up the Philadelphia era of the Church of God).

Stedfast claims,

We are a part of God’s Church who are holding fast to all the doctrines, "major" and "minor" instilled into the Church by God through Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong...Our Goals 1) To reach the Church with a warning message about it's condition. But, more importantly, we want to show the Church why it is in the Laodicean condition and how to come out of it. Most groups do not believe they themselves are in a Laodicean condition, but all the other groups are. The Bible says the majority are in this condition and they don't even realize it.(Rev. 3:17) We desire to help as many as possible repent of the Laodicean condition before the tribulation, and return to the full truth which we had been taught through Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong. We wish all would repent, but scriptures reveal this probably won't happen. They still need to be warned although the scriptures reveal the majority will not repent at this time. Getting the Church back on track and unifying once again should be the priority for the leaders of the Church at this time (SCG website 4/16/02).

Whereas Restored claims,

The Restored Church of God is dedicated to holding fast to the full truth of God taught to us through Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong. We were taught hundreds of distinct doctrinal truths. We are absolutely determined to uphold all of them in their exactness and precision (RCG website 3/29/02).

While these statements have an appeal to some who claim to be faithful to HWA's teachings, the truth is that HWA taught that the Philadelphia era of the Church of God was faithful to the at least 18 restored truths and places its top priority on proclaiming the Gospel--this is clear from The Mystery of the Ages as well as his sermon Mission of the Philadelphia Church Era. Furthermore, while he was alive, I personally heard him warn people not to be distracted by minor points--he said to stick to the trunk of the tree. Perhaps I should also add here that in spite of claims of "precision of doctrine" RCG itself has major problems understanding the Philadelphia work and even the complete gospel as its many inaccurate charges against LCG demonstrate (please see the article Why Not the Restored Church of God).

Remember that Laodicea means the 'people decide' or 'rights of the people' so it is no wonder that various groups have come up with their own (not the Bible's nor HWA's criteria) for what they should be about. Actually the other amazing thing about these types of groups (including PCG) is that they all claim to believe in the restored truth about governance, but everyone of them has rejected the authority of all the evangelists that HWA ordained--apparently they do not feel that even one evangelist has been faithful--I disagree.

Other Groups

There are groups such as the Church of the Great God (John Ritenbaugh), Church of the Eternal God (Norbert Link), Eternal Church of God (Art Braidic), Church of God-Faithful Flock (Don Billingsley--who has since declared that the door to preach the gospel was closed, but is now open for him), Church of God Fellowship Northwest (Harold Smith), and some others who basically believe most (and possibly all) of the restored truths, but who also do not make the priority of proclaiming the Gospel to the world as a witness as their top priority for a variety of reasons (normally finances are considered too tight, there is a teaching that the two witnesses will take care of that, or they are afraid their group will break up if they merged with LCG). They all also have rejected that any evangelist has authority over them (though two of those groups 'co-operate' with an evangelist). Church of God-Established in Modesto (Steve LeBlanc) claims to place its top priority on proclaiming the gospel, but it has a history of rejecting the authority of any evangelist and its members, on several occasions, have defended the use of the Tkach list of restored truths to me via emai as opposed to using Herbert W. Armstrong's list (an article of related interest may include The 18 Restored Truths: Do You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made?)--it less clear now, however, what list they use.

I, of course, disagree with those groups and would suggest all read the article, are you in the COG for the right reason Unity, What COG for You?

There are a lot of independent individuals and small groups claiming to be part of the COG; no doubt many are. However, nearly every doctrine has been changed by one or more of them. Some of the more obvious are sacred name groups (such as Worldwide Assembly of Yahweh), calendar groups (such as Church of God, In Truth) and even some that teach against the deity of Jesus (Christian Churches of God); Ron Weinland has declared himself to be one of the two witnesses and even denies that Christ existed prior to the incarnation (Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God).

Norman Edwards, publisher of Servant's News, has done away with tithing (as have many independents). Although some independents have some internet impact, I am aware of none that are having much of an impact in other media. In addition, Legacy Institute (Leon Sexton) has essentially stated that the COG has always misunderstood that it is the Gentiles who mainly should be being called today, but with this being financed by those who are descendants of Israel.

Without going into all of the details here, let me state that many of the groups other than LCG that came from the old Global Church of God (RCG, CEG, CGFnw, GCG-uk) do not teach what the old WCG taught about the future king of the South. They also tend to have other prophetic misunderstandings.

This is also true of PCG and to a degree apparently UCG.

All of this is documented in the article Is There A Future King of the South?

LCG has the largest television presence of any COG. The question is, is this effective in meeting the criteria that Jesus set for the true church?

According to Jesus, the criteria was fruits. Notice what Jesus stated:

You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them (Matthew 7:16-20 NKJV).

Also notice what Herbert Armstrong wrote:

...this small remnant of the original true Church of God began to take on new life as the Philadelphia era… This era of the Church was to produce fruit…" (Armstrong H.W. Mystery of the Ages, pp. 289-290).

And what are the fruits?

LCG's Wayne Pyle reported:

We are also watching the spiritual seeds coming to fruition, with more than 800 baptisms in North America from the telecast alone since its launch in January 1999, of which 414 of these baptisms originated directly from the Tomorrow’s World telecast.  (Pyle W. MEDIA. The World Ahead Weekly Update. November 30, 2006).  

As of 11/09/07, our member files now show more than 2,600 baptisms from all sources in our U.S. and international Living Church of God congregations since January 1999 (Pyle W. Telephone update with Dr. Thiel. November 20, 2007).

LCG probably has the highest percentage of people baptized in the past 9 years of any COG. And the highest number of people baptized who did not have a prior COG background.

Also notice this report by R.C. Meredith:

The Tomorrow’s World telecast brought in over 200,000 responses this past year—our biggest year ever. This count brought our total response-count since the Tomorrow’s World television program began nine years ago to over one million as of this month, for which we are deeply thankful. To date, the telecast in dozens of countries around the world has now been watched by nearly 14 million households, and these households comprise more than 35 million individuals whom we think have been positively affected in some way or the other by the gospel of Jesus Christ. And this is just from television, let alone the millions we can reach on the Internet and hundreds of thousands who read our publications (Meredith R.C. Co-Worker Letter, January 15, 2008).

How do LCG's responses compare to those that HWA got? Notice what HWA reported:

Since the beginning of 1985, we have averaged around 13,000 telephone responses per program (Armstrong HW. Recent History of the Philadelphia Era of the Church of God. Worldwide News. June 24, 1985).

LCG's tv responses continue to improve. On a per member basis, LCG's responses are now much higher than those attained by HWA's WCG. Specifically, when WCG had around 130,000 people keeping the Feast of Tabernacles, it received 13,000 calls per week, or about 1 call for every 10 attendees; LCG has around 7,000 people keeping the Feast of Tabernacles or which is more than 1 call for every 2 attendees per week.

LCG is clearly doing an effective work by the standards that HWA set.

On December 15, 2006, LCG's R.C. Meredith reported the following in a co-worker letter:

LCG puts out 338,753 copies of its Tomorrow's World Magazine and is on 219 television stations (Meredith RC. Member and Co-Worker Letter, October 15, 2007). Based on an attendance of about 7,000 people, this means that LCG puts out around 48 magazines per attendee. And while LCG's still is a little bit lower on a per attendee basis, not only is LCG continuing to increase this, LCG also has many who simply go to its websites to read its magazines and other literature (internet literature was not available from the old WCG), and hence is reaching as many with its writings on a per attendee basis.

The following was a report on ONE of LCG's three websites for March 2007:

Internet Update

In March of 2007 the TomorrowsWorld.org website set an all-time record of 62,757 unique visitors! The previous high was in January 2007, which recorded 58,947 (Ogywn C. News on April 4, 2007. www.cogl.org).

Thus, many thousands are reading LCG's materials on-line, and most of those are in addition to those who are magazine subscribers. LCG does have the same type of Philadelphia work that HWA's WCG did have.

Complaints Against LCG are Basically Irrelevant

Throughout the years I have heard the most non-biblically based reasons that many give for not being part of LCG from those in other COGs. Other than the Elijah and make-up excuses (which were discussed earlier), most fall into one of nine categories:

Those who use this logic (and there are many in the COGs in this group) fail to heed Jesus's admonition to the Philadelphia era,

Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown (Revelation 3:11).

They also seem to misunderstand what Paul wrote,

For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife? But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches (I Corinthians 7:16-17).

Those who hold to this logic simply did not understand HWA's messages or those of the Bible. Jesus makes it clear that the Laodiceans have a different work than that of the Philadelphians (different Laodiceans have different works, but none of them truly have the Philadelphia work).

LCG strives to have the same Philadelphia work as the old WCG did under HWA. And in terms of impact and baptisms, on a per member basis, LCG is slightly more effective than the old WCG was. Thus it is clear for any with eyes to see that LCG meets the standard of having the Philadelphia work.

Those who think that the church should focus on taking care of the bride, forget that this makes a selfish bride. Since Philadelphia means "love of the brethren", Philadelphians differ from Laodiceans as their focus is on helping others, and not just themselves.

Those who are confused about what HWA really taught on this subject (including what Aaron Dean has stated as well) and who wish to see more than a couple of out-of-context "sound bites" may wish to read the article Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work?

4) I have heard bad things about Roderick Meredith (plus HWA did not appoint him to take over the Church).

The fact that God allowed HWA to appoint someone who was not faithful to the true doctrines of the Church of God, does not in any way disqualify Dr. Meredith. Samuel was a man of God too, and even he did not know who God wanted to lead Israel (I Samuel 16:6-7).

The other fact is that if one looks at what happened in both the Old and New Testaments, God has allowed events to occur that involve His true believers that outsiders sometimes feel that God would not have (e.g. Aaron and the golden calf, Isaac lying, Samuel's sons being corrupt, Paul and Barnabas arguing, etc.).

Now the fact that one does not like aspects of the leading minister is not a biblical reason for non-support--look what Paul wrote,

"Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ's, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ's, even so we are Christ's. For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed-- Lest I seem to terrify you by letters. "For his letters," they say, "are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible" " (II Corinthians 10:7-10),

Thus some vocal ones did not care for Paul either.

The same could be said of Jesus, Moses, and many other biblical leaders;

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD'S doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'?" (Matthew 21:42).

Is not interesting to note that Jesus says the following in the next verse,

"Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. " (Matthew 21:43).

Or in other words, there are some who think they are God's people, yet have rejected God's representative, so Jesus is teachings that God will not use them but someone other than else to produce the fruits from proclaiming the Gospel.

Please do not have the type of attitude that could allow the kingdom to be taken from you!

5) I have heard that some member(s) or minister(s) in LCG has (have) made one or more mistakes.

Undoubtedly true, though many who say things like this often do not have the whole story. The plain truth is that LCG has much less of these types of problems than WCG did while HWA was alive. Those who truly use reason 5 would have left WCG 21 or more years ago if that is the standard they once had.

6) I do not believe in hierarchical governance and LCG has one of those.

Those who state this clearly do not accept the 18 truths that HWA stated were restored to the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God, hence I would not expect them to support LCG.

HWA himself taught:

In founding God's Church, Jesus worked primarily through one man, Peter, even though He originally chose His 12 disciples. Few have ever noticed that Peter was the real leader. Acts 15: Here is the crux chapter, not generally understood... The Jerusalem conference showed that PETER was preeminent over even Paul, although Paul was the ONE MAN God worked through primarily in the ministry to gentiles... This crucial crux chapter has been misunderstood, twisted and distorted. I have tried to take space to MAKE IT CLEAR in this article" (Armstrong, Herbert W. Originally published in Worldwide News article 2/19/78 and quoted in the Living Church News. Jan-Feb 1999; p.7).

The PURPOSE for which Christ built the Church exemplifies its WORK...1) To ANNOUNCE to the world for its witness the coming Kingdom of God...2) To prepare the people to whom God adds to the Church...God has always worked with humans. He has worked with O N E  M A N at a time...The WORK consists of proclaiming the Gospel, by radio, by television, in print (Armstrong HW. JUST WHAT IS THE WORK? PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT - VOL.3, NO.6 February 6, 1981).

But to go on with the things that have been restored...The government of God has been restored to the Church, and the government of God has been placed in the Church. You read that in Ephesians 4 and I Corinthians 12. Christ is the head of the Church and under Christ in the administration of the government are an apostle or apostles, then evangelists, then pastors, then all are called elders, all ministers all the way up clear down to the lowest. So then there are teachers and elders both speaking elders and preaching elders, deacons and deaconesses. And the Church is restored in that form of government. The Sardis Church even didn't have the right form of government (Armstrong HW. Mission of the Philadelphia Church Era. Sermon, 12/17/83).

The government of God is of necessity government from the top down. It cannot be 'government by the consent of the governed' (Armstrong HW. Mystery of the Ages. p.49).

Similarly, LCG teaches:

It is clear that God's government throughout the Old Testament--AND in the soon coming World Ahead--was (and will be) a hierarchical government under God's direction, based on the Holy Scriptures...Throughout the New Testament, we find the Living Christ directing His servants to follow the same pattern of government he had inspired over the previous 1,300 years...Again God's Word states 'Without counsel plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established' (Prov. 12:15)...A dedicated servant of the Living God will always try to seek the counsel of at least several qualified individuals before making any major decision. Also, a true servant of God will spend much time in thoughtful fervent prayer to God--asking HIS WILL to be made clear--before making an important decision...A key distinguishing attitude of God's true servants is that they do regard themselves as that--servants...(Matt. 20:25-28). All authority in God's Church should have this attitude of service--and should act accordingly. (Meredith, Roderick C. What is the Biblical Form of Church Government? Global Church News. Sept-Oct 1995; pp:5,7,8)

Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote about Jesus' idea of governance:

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 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; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:11-16).

People who wish to live by every word of God should realize that God supports a hierarchical governance.

7) LCG is not nearly as large as the old WCG, so it is not obvious to me that it is the true replacement.

There are several problems with that assessment.

The first is that if one believes that we are now living in the Laodicean era of the COG, then one would realize that the remnant of the Philadelphia era would not be as large as the old WCG was.

The second is that there is no other COG that meets the two criteria that HWA interpreted that Jesus set for the Philadelphia portion of the COG. LCG has taken up the 'Philadelphia mantle' (Revelation 3) by placing its top priority on proclaiming the Gospel while also teaching the18 truths that HWA claimed were restored to that era--no other COG does both.

The third is that LCG's gospel efforts on a per member basis are no less effective than those of the old WCG--actually in certain areas they are quite a bit higher. If those who cling to objection 7 would actually support LCG, then LCG would be larger (and presumably even have more impact) than we do at this time.

8) LCG has old leaders and will not be around long enough to support it.

While it is true that LCG is led by one of the five people originally ordained as an evangelist by the late Herbert W. Armstrong, it currently has 143 other elders and evangelists.

Furthermore, LCG has had programs in place for years to develop future leaders.

In addition, to insure that there will be sufficient future leaders, LCG's R.C. Meredith announced the following new program:

In addition to our media growth, we are also busily preparing to launch an on-line university this coming autumn! This will be an outstanding opportunity for thousands of young people—and for some of you “older” ones—to obtain more “in-depth” training in theology and in the liberal arts than most of you have ever had. Many of you know that I, personally, was used by Christ to teach more theology classes at Ambassador College than any other man. Along the way, I was blessed in obtaining a doctorate in Theology from Ambassador College. I thank God for those opportunities which I did not deserve, but which He provided. I sincerely want to share much of that knowledge and teaching experience with thousands of additional students by personally teaching a number of the Theology classes offered by the Living University. Other classes will be taught by another very experienced Theology teacher from Ambassador College, Mr. Richard Ames—very familiar to most of you as the other major presenter on Tomorrow’s World program.

Many of the liberal arts classes will be taught by our Director of Church Administration and major writer for Tomorrow’s World magazine, Dr. Douglas Winnail. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Mississippi. Taking the lead in the entire program, and also teaching a number of classes, will be Dr. Michael Germano—who holds an Ed.D. from the University of Southern California and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of La Verne. Other very qualified faculty are being lined up now.

This “on-line” university (many prestigious universities are beginning to offer on-line classes) should truly enable us to impart much more in-depth knowledge of the Bible and of true education in the liberal arts to all who wish to enroll. More information will be forthcoming on the website (www.livinguniv.com) within a few weeks. Questions can be sent to the email address university@lcg.org. This is an exciting development! It should genuinely strengthen God’s people and God’s Work. It should help prepare more leaders for the future of God’s Work as it grows. Your prayers are solicited that God will guide and bless this exciting endeavor (Meredith RC. Co-worker letter. March 13, 2007).

9) I have heard that LCG has changed the gospel to a false one, so its proclamation efforts do not count.

This is essentially a charge from RCG and some who were once affiliated with LCG/GCG and left. The charge is untrue. Those who make that charge simply do not know what the Bible or HWA actually taught. Going into all the details would require an additional article, but I will provide details some here.

First, here is what LCG officially and actually teaches (note that these are not recent changes):

THE GOSPEL

The Gospel of Christ is the "Good News" of the forgiveness of our sins through Christ’s sacrifice, and of the soon-coming Kingdom and government of God. Christ’s Gospel of the Kingdom of God reveals the means by which we are to be qualified by God to be ruling members of His Kingdom (Acts 2:38-39; Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 24:14; Acts 8:12; 17:7; 28:30-31; Revelation 2:26-27). (Living Church of God. Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. November 2002--also the same as the current version).

THE CHURCH, ITS NAME AND ITS MISSION...

1. To preach the true Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14; Matthew 24:14; Ezekiel 3 and 33), and the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12) to all nations as a witness (Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. Living Church of God).

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 in that booklet. 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 close too or actually teaching a false gospel is in 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 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...

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 (Armstrong HW. Incredible Human Potential. Everest House, New York, 1978, pp.20-21 and chapter 13).

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).

Sadly, some who have left us have subtly changed the gospel to attempt to remove Jesus more from it. HWA clearly did not teach that.

LCG has responded to this charge before and stated:

Notice how the following scriptures define the Gospel: 

Mark 1:14-15 – Jesus said the Gospel was about the coming Kingdom of God
Mark 16:15 – Jesus commissioned his disciples to preach the Gospel to the world
Acts 8:12 – Philip preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ  
Acts 20:20-27 – Paul preached the “whole counsel of God” including repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ, the Gospel of grace and the Kingdom of God (grace involves forgiveness, unmerited pardon)
Acts 28:23 – Paul preached about the Kingdom of God and about Jesus
Acts 28:30-31 – Paul preached of the Kingdom of God and things concerning Jesus Christ
I Corinthians 2:2 – Paul’s main focus was on “Jesus Christ and Him crucified”
I Corinthians 15:1-8 – Paul preached “the gospel…by which you are saved…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures…and that He rose again on the third day”
Ephesians 1:13 – Paul wrote of trusting in Christ “after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation”

These scriptures clearly indicate that the Gospel includes not just a message about the coming Kingdom of God, but also the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins.   That sacrifice, when accompanied by repentance and spiritual growth on our part, will result in our ultimate salvation—receiving eternal life in the Kingdom and family of God (see John 3:16, etc.).   The Gospel is also about the exciting news that Jesus Christ is going to return to this earth as King of kings to establish the Kingdom of God and bring peace and justice to all (Isaiah 9:6-7; Revelation 11:15).  To separate the Gospel of the Kingdom of God from the good news of the opportunity for salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is simply not biblical or factual. 

What the critics of the LCG doctrinal statement also overlook is the fact that Mr. Armstrong understood the Gospel encompassed more than what he addressed in certain writings that critics have chosen to quote.  Notice these statements from the Good News, December 1984, p. 5 – “The Gospel of Christ is Christ’s own Gospel—not a story about His person… The Gospel of Christ ‘is the power of God to salvation’ (Romans 1:16)… What is Jesus Christ’s Gospel?… It is the Good News of the Kingdom of God!... It is the message of divine government—government by God’s Laws!... Of course that message includes the knowledge about the Savior, High Priest and coming King!  Of course, it includes the true way of salvation, which the churches have lost! [Emphasis ours].  And it includes also knowledge of the location of the territory to be ruled over by the King of the coming Kingdom—the fact it is this earth and not heaven.”   Mr. Armstrong clearly understood that the true Gospel included much more than just a story about the person of Jesus Christ.  However, he also clearly understood the Gospel included that Jesus was the promised Messiah who came to give his life as a sacrifice for mankind and to explain the way of salvation that is outlined in the great plan of God pictured by the Holy Days.  When we study all the scriptures on the subject, there is no need to be confused about the Gospel.  Even the critics should remember that Mr. Armstrong repeatedly stated, “Don’t believe me, believe your Bible.”  The Bible must be our ultimate authority in this vital subject.  (Confused Critics Limit the Gospel. The World Ahead Weekly Update  December 14, 2006).

LCG teaches what the Bible teaches and what HWA actually taught. The fact that HWA specifically taught that the gospel includes belief in Jesus and His role in our salvation as well as His role as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

So what is the false gospel that some have charged that LCG teaches?

Well according to HWA, it is NOT including Jesus Christ as part of the Gospel. HWA taught that the false gospel was ONLY teaching about the person of Christ, WITHOUT teaching about the Kingdom of God, while ALSO doing away with the ten commandments. The gospel of Christ, the kingdom of God, includes understanding who the King of the Kingdom actually is. 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 some associated with the Laodicean Church era do not really understand what HWA and the Bible actually teach. Nor do I expect any of the Laodicean groups to significantly and fully proclaim the gospel of the kingdom to the world as a witness, which is what LCG does powerfully on television and radio throughout the world.

It is precisely true that what LCG teaches is NOT a departure towards Protestantism as some have charged, but simply a clear version of what HWA and the Bible actually teaches.

I believe that the "gospel changing charge" is simply an excuse that many non-Philadelphians use to persuade themselves that the real reason why they are not part of LCG (which probably varies by individual) is a valid one.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? (II Corinthians 6:14).

Jesus similarly taught that,

Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (Matthew 7:22-23).

Thus, one should not be part of a group that practice (or teaches lawlessness).

Jesus also taught,

And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:27).

Thus one probably should not chose one fellowship over another because one seems 'easier' to bear. The Bible indicates that financial reasons are also unacceptable (Matthew 13:22). The fact that one likes the preaching style of one minister (or group) more than another also does not seem to be biblically sanctioned (I Corinthians1:12-13), nor does the fact that one does not like aspects of the leading minister (II Corinthians 10:10).

It should be added that those of us in the COG who still believe the Bible teaches Church eras, believe that there will be at least four different broad groups (not limited to any particular corporations) during the end time.

One puts up with paganism (Thyatira, Revelation 2:20-22). One that has a name that it is alive, but is dead (Sardis, Revelation 3:1), another who keeps Jesus' command to persevere (Philadelphia, Revelation 3:10), and the final one that is lukewarm where, apparently, the people rule (Laodicea, Rev 3:14,16; note 'justice of the people' is how Smith's Bible Dictionary translates Laodicea)--and they flat-out do not have the same type of work that the Philadelphia Church did.

I believe I was called to support the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God. I am in LCG because I believe that it is clear for all with with eyes to see and ears to hear that it is the COG which meets both the biblical criteria established by Jesus Christ and Herbert W. Armstrong for that era.

LCG is the logical home for those who believe they are part of the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Do You Believe God Used Herbert Armstrong to Raise Up the Philadelphia Era of the Church of God?
What is a True Philadelphian?
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work?
The Thyatira Church Era
The Sardis Church Era
The Philadelphia Church Era
The Laodicean Church Era
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees?