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Ecumenical News published the following:
Pope Leo has met with Lutheran leaders in the Vatican on the 500th anniversary of Augsburg
October 6, 2026
Pope Leo XIV has met with a delegation from the Lutheran World Federation, expressing his appreciation for how Catholic-Lutheran relations have “matured both spiritually and theologically over the decades.”
Among those Leo met at the Oct. 1 meeting was Rev. Anne Burghardt, the Federation’s General Secretary and an ordained pastor in the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church.
They discussed the upcoming 500th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession.
The Augsburg Confession, published in 1530, is the Lutheran Church’s primary confession of faith and one of the most important documents of the Protestant Reformation.
After the meeting, Burhardt said in an interview with Vatican News, “We’re now moving towards celebrating 500 years of Augsburg Confession, which the Pope mentioned in his speech, expressing his hope for the ecumenical potential of this process. https://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/pope-leo-has-met-with-lutheran-leaders-in-the-vatican-on-the-500th-anniversary-of-augsburg/61422.htm
Yes, Pope Leo XIV, like several pontiffs before him, wants full ecumenical unity with the Lutherans.
The Augsburg Confessions, which contains parts that the Church of Rome mainly agrees with, were in many ways anti-Church of God as they condemned various Church of God doctrines. Here is some information from our free eBook Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism:
The followers of Martin Luther made the following official condemnation of those whose views were more faithful:
They condemn the Anabaptists, who reject the baptism of children … (Melanchthon P. The Augsburg Confession of 1530, Article IX).
Other Protestant Reformers, like Ulriucus Zuinglius and John Calvin supported infant baptism and also condemned those who disagreed:
Zuinglius, who, when questioned regarding the fate of certain Anabaptists, replied, ”Drown the Dippers” (Davis, Tamar. A General History of the Sabbatarian Churches. 1851; Reprinted 1995 by Commonwealth Publishing, Salt Lake City, p. 106).
John Calvin wrote, “We see that the practice which we have of baptizing little children is impugned and assailed by some malignant spirits, as if it had not been appointed by God, but newly invented by men, or at least some years after the days of the Apostles” (Calvin J. Works, Volume 51. Calvin Translation Society, 1846, p. 351)
Notice that John Calvin claimed something contrary to Peter’s baptismal instructions (cf. Acts 2:38) was supposedly appointed by God—he could not admit it was a false tradition that was not based on the scriptures. People who felt that infant baptism was invalid were called Anabaptists (re-baptizers).
The Bible shows that those who received John the Baptist’s baptism had to be ‘re-baptized’ to be Christian (Acts 19:3-5). The Bible also shows that those baptized needed to repent and accept Jesus (Acts 2:38) and obey Him to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:31-32)–which is something that Infants cannot do. …
Why Do Protestants Keep Sunday?
Since the Bible enjoins the seventh-day Sabbath for services, where did most Protestants get Sunday?
Despite Martin Luther’s rallying cry of sola Scriptura, they did not get it from the Bible itself. They accepted traditions/pronouncements of the Church of Rome.
Notice that the Lutherans, in 1530, admitted that the Greco-Roman bishops changed the Sabbath command:
30] It is also debated whether bishops or pastors have the right to introduce ceremonies in the church and to make laws about eating meat, celebrating holy days, about the various levels or types of ministry, and so on. 31] Those who say that bishops have this right, refer to this passage, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But … the Spirit of truth … will guide you into all truth” (John 16:12,13).
32] They also refer to the example of the apostles, who commanded Christians not to eat blood and animals that had been strangled (Acts 15:29). 33] They say that the Sabbath Day was changed into the Lord’s Day, although this seems to be contrary to the Ten Commandments. There is no example they make so much of as this changing of the Sabbath Day. The power of the church is very great, they say, since it has done away with one of the Ten Commandments! (The Augsburg Confession of 1530. Article 28, subsections 30-33)
Despite the above, the Lutherans accepted ‘the Lord’s Day’ instead of the Sabbath. Therefore, they are guilty of doing away with the same commandment that they complained the Greco-Roman bishops did! And the bulk of Protestantism has gone along with this—as well as eating biblically unclean animals!
Notice also the following admissions on the Sabbath:
Dr. Edward T. Hiscox, author of “The BAPTIST MANUAL,” … went on to say: “Earnestly desiring information on this subject, which I have studied for many years, I ask, Where can the record of such a transaction (from seventh day to the first day) be found? NOT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, ABSOLUTELY NOT. THERE IS NO SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE OF THE CHANGE OF THE SABBATH INSTITUTION FROM THE SEVENTH TO THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.”
What an admission!
Now a quotation from the LUTHERAN CHURCH. “THE OBSERVANCE of the Lord’s day (meaning Sunday) IS FOUNDED NOT ON ANY COMMAND OF GOD, but on the authority of the church,” states the “Augsburg Confession,” part 2, chapter 1, sec. 10. Also we discover the following statement in Article 28 of the “Augsburg Confession”: “They [Catholics] allege the Sabbath changed into Sunday, the Lord’s day, contrary to the Decalogue, as it appears; NEITHER IS THERE ANY EXAMPLE MORE BOASTED OF THAN THE CHANGING OF THE SABBATH DAY. GREAT, SAY THEY, IS THE POWER AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE [Catholic] CHURCH SINCE IT DISPENSED WITH ONE OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.”
Next, let us hear from a PRESBYTERIAN source, “The Christian at Work,” April 19, 1883, and January, 1884. “SOME HAVE TRIED TO BUILD THE OBSERVANCE OF SUNDAY UPON APOSTOLIC COMMAND, WHERE AS THE APOSTLES GAVE NO COMMAND ON THE MATTER AT ALL… The truth is, as soon as we appeal to the LITERAL WRITING OF THE BIBLE, THE SABBATARIANS [Sabbath keepers] HAVE THE BEST OF THE ARGUMENT. (McNair R. The TRUTH About Sunday Observance. Good News, February 1961)
The Archbishop of Reggio (Gaspar [Ricciulli] de Fosso) said the following at the last opening session of Trent, (17th Session) reconvened under Pope Pius IV) on the 18th of January, 1562:
The Protestants claim to stand upon the written word only. They profess to hold the Scripture alone as the standard of faith. They justify their revolt by the plea that the Church has apostatized from the written word and follows tradition. Now the Protestants claim, that they stand upon the written word only, is not true. Their profession of holding the Scripture alone as the standard of faith, is false. PROOF: The written word explicitly enjoins the observance of the seventh day as the Sabbath. They do not observe the seventh day, but reject it. If they do truly hold the scripture alone as their standard, they would be observing the seventh day as is enjoined in the Scripture throughout. Yet they not only reject the observance of the Sabbath enjoined in the written word, but they have adopted and do practice the observance of Sunday, for which they have only the tradition of the Church. Consequently the claim of ‘Scripture alone as the standard’, fails; and the doctrine of ‘Scripture and tradition’ as essential, is fully established, the Protestants themselves being judges. (as cited in Fifield GE. The Sabbath, the Fathers, and the Reformation. Signs of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 47, Nov. 22, 1899, pp. 6-7)
The adoption of Sunday was a major proof to the Church of Rome that the Protestant Reformers really did not believe in sola Scriptura.
Let it be understood that although many Protestants claim that the New Testament did away with the Sabbath and/or replaced it with Sunday, this is simply not true. Interestingly, a Roman Catholic publication called The Catholic Mirror went through pretty much all the usual Protestant scriptural arguments against Saturday, as well as for Sunday, in the late 19th century and correctly concluded that the New Testament was not the reason Protestants do not keep the seventh-day Sabbath. …
The Bible teaches that the millennial reign will be a fantastic time and that the law will be taught then (Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-4) with reminders given by God’s teachers to observe it (Isaiah 30:20-21). The Sabbath is a weekly reminder that God’s millennial kingdom will come.
Followers of Martin Luther condemned the Anabaptists (called “they” below) for believing in the millennial Kingdom of God:
Article XVII: Of Christ’s Return to Judgment.
1] Also they teach that at the Consummation of the World Christ will appear for judgment, and 2] will raise up all the dead; He will give to the godly and elect eternal life and everlasting joys, 3] but ungodly men and the devils He will condemn to be tormented without end. 4] They condemn the Anabaptists, who think that there will be an end to the punishments of condemned men and devils. 5] They condemn also others who are now spreading certain Jewish opinions, that before the resurrection of the dead the godly shall take possession of the kingdom of the world, the ungodly being everywhere suppressed. (Melanchthon P. The Augsburg Confession. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH which was submitted to His Imperial Majesty Charles V at the Diet of Augsburg in the Year 1530. Loki’s Publishing, 2018, pp. 13,20,21)
Some, but not most, of the Anabaptists held to Continuing Church of God doctrines.
Specifically like the Anabaptists, we do not believe that punishment is never ending. We also do believe that Christians will be part of the first resurrection and reign with Jesus on the earth for 1,000 years per Revelation 20:4-6. …
Worldly Politics
Early Christians looked to the Kingdom of God as the answer to the problems facing the world and did not place their hopes in worldly politics. However, Christians are to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-3). And we in the CCOG do that.
In 1530, the followers of Martin Luther, however, endorsed worldly politics and condemned people for opposing that:
Article XVI: Of Civil Affairs.
1] Of Civil Affairs they teach that lawful civil ordinances are good works of God, and that 2] it is right for Christians to bear civil office, to sit as judges, to judge matters by the Imperial and other existing laws, to award just punishments, to engage in just wars, to serve as soldiers, to make legal contracts, to hold property, to make oath when required by the magistrates, to marry a wife, to be given in marriage. 3] They condemn the Anabaptists who forbid these civil offices to Christians. (The Confession of Faith: Which Was Submitted to His Imperial Majesty Charles V. At the Diet of Augsburg in the Year 1530. By Philip Melanchthon)
In general, Protestants encourage military service, voting, jury duty, and other aspects of worldly politics. Modern Baptists generally agree with Protestants on these points (in the 20th century, Baptist Jimmy Carter also became President of the United States) and not with their claimed Anabaptist ancestors.
The following seems applicable to any Protestants who are militaristic, sexually immoral, and/or providing false teachings:
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity. (Isaiah 59:2-3)
The Apostle Paul wrote that Christians are to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Ambassadors do not take part in the direct affairs of the countries they are living in, and certainly not the wars of the nations they are in. Paul also wrote that Christians were to be separate (2 Corinthians 6:17), whereas the Apostle John warned against loving the world and its systems (1 John 2:15-17). CCOG members do not swear oaths per Jesus’ statements against such in Matthew 5:33-37. …
Mistranslations of it and the words hades and tartaroosas have led to misunderstanding about annihilation among the Greco-Roman-Protestants. The word Gehenna represents “the Valley of HINNOM which lay just outside of Jerusalem and was the place where refuse was constantly being burned up” (The Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course, Lesson 6, 1977). The word hades refers to the grave—it, of itself, is not a reference to “the lake of fire” (cf. Revelation 20:14).
The area of Gehenna is first referred to in scripture in Joshua 15:8. It was also associated with pagan fire practices in 2 Kings 23:10; 2 Chronicles 28:3, 33:6; Jeremiah 7:31-32, 19:2-6, & 32:35. Trash, filth, the dead bodies of animals, and DESPISED CRIMINALS were thrown into Gehenna. Ordinarily, everything thrown into this valley was DESTROYED by fire. Christ used it to picture the terrible fate of UNREPENTANT SINNERS! Please understand that JESUS USED THE WORD GEHENNA 11 TIMES IN THE TEXTUS RECEPTUS (the text that the KJV was translated from). Jesus knew what it meant! But instead, various Protestant leaders do not want people to comprehend what Jesus was really teaching. For more details, check out Lesson 15 of the STUDY THE BIBLE COURSE of the Continuing Church of God, available online at www.ccog.org.
Despite Jesus’ teaching on annihilation, as mentioned earlier, the early followers of Martin Luther condemned the annihilation view:
XVII: … They condemn the Anabaptists, who think that there will be an end to the punishments of condemned men and devils. (The Confession of Faith: Which Was Submitted to His Imperial Majesty Charles V. At the Diet of Augsburg in the Year 1530. By Philip Melanchthon, 1497-1560)
Notice more scriptures from the New Testament:
13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:13-15)
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)
The second death is not like physical death—it is a permanent annihilation.
Ignatius of Antioch taught:
Seeing, then, all things have an end, these two things are simultaneously set before us — death and life; and every one shall go unto his own place. (Letter to the Magnesians, Chapter 5).
Let us not, therefore, be insensible to His kindness. For were He to reward us according to our works, we should cease to be. (Letter to the Magnesians, Chapter 10).
Annihilation, the second death, eliminates future suffering.
Annihilation is what Jesus taught and that is what we in the Continuing Church of God teach.
Furthermore, the purpose for all not annihilated is to give love in a unique way so that eternity will be better for all. …
Pronouncements of Men
Although Articles XV and XXVI of the Lutheran Augsburg Confessions of 1530 take exception to bishops being able to tell what meats people should eat, the reality is that it has been asserted by the Church of Rome that one of its bishops made a determination that people did not need to obey the dietary restrictions in the Old Testament, despite Jesus pointing to their validity in the New Testament (cf. Matthew 7:10; Luke 11:11).
History shows that in order to be allowed back into the city of Jerusalem after the Jewish Bar Kochba revolt in 135 A.D., Roman soldiers said that the professors of Christ needed to eat unclean animals like they did (Pines S. The Jewish Christians of the Early Centuries of Christianity according to a New Source. Proceedings of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Volume II, No.13; 1966. Jerusalem, pp. 14-15). The compromisers who followed the lead of ‘Bishop Marcus’ of Jerusalem did so in order to be able to live in Jerusalem.
Also, in Alexandria, the falsely named Epistle of Barnabas (the biblical Barnabas did not write it) came out around 135 A.D. and advocated an allegorical interpretation of scripture and said since the Bible was allegorical unclean animals could be eaten. Around the same time, it appears that the apostate Justin (who was uncomfortable with the Ten Commandment keeping Christians in Asia Minor and went to Rome) also ate unclean meat. Probably because he grew up eating it.
The Protestant saint Irenaeus endorsed not eating unclean meats in the late 2nd century (Irenaeus. Adversus haereses, Book V, Chapter 8, Verse 4). However, shortly thereafter, according to the Church of Rome, its Bishop Eleutherus made a pronouncement that all animal flesh could be eaten (Kirsch J.P. Pope St. Eleutherius/Eleutheros. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume V). This is interesting as it shows that even in Rome about 150 years after Jesus’ resurrection, many professors of Christ did NOT believe that Jesus cleansed unclean animals to make them food. Should Protestants accept a Roman bishop’s pronouncement contrary to scripture on this? Well, the vast majority of Protestants do.
Church of God Christians, however, continued to avoid consuming unclean animals as the 3rd century testimony from Pionius (a successor to Polycarp) supports (The Martyrdom of Pionius and his Companions, Chapters 3,6, & 9. Text from H. Musurillo, The Acts of the Christian Martyrs (Oxford, 1972), 137-167).
Furthermore, after Church of God Christians moved back to Jerusalem, they refused to eat unclean animals. To try to change that in the 4th century, Emperor Constantine ordered the death penalty for those who would not eat pork (Bagatti, The Church from the Circumcision, pp. 13-14). The Bible tells that “those who had been slain for the word of God” (Revelation 6:9) and the truly faithful (as well as some not faithful) have been subject to that throughout history.
Those called Nazarenes by 4th and 5th century Greco-Roman writers would have avoided unclean meat.
Various Sabbath-keeping Celts in the early Middle Ages did not eat unclean meat (Hardinge, p. 196).
Sabbath keepers in the 12th century also reportedly avoided eating unclean animals (Mosheim, p. 333).
In 1402, Sabbatarian John Seygno said that swine were unclean to eat (Ball, p.33).
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Sabbatarians in the area now known as Hungary did not eat biblically unclean animals and also kept the Holy Days (Bacher W. The Sabbatarians of Hungary. The Jewish Quarterly Review, Volume 2. Macmillan, 1890, p. 473).
Church of God Sabbatarians in England taught against eating biblically unclean meats in the 17th and 18th centuries and kept Passover on the 14th (Ball, pp. 9-10,15,49,153).
Throughout history, faithful Christians would not intentionally eat things like pigs, shrimp, bats, dogs, shellfish, snakes, snails, or other creatures prohibited in Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14, or Matthew 7:9-10.
Even the last book of the Bible, in Revelation 16:13 and Revelation 18:2, confirms that frogs and certain birds are still unclean.
We in the Continuing Church of God do not eat biblically unclean animals.
Anyway, many of the statements the Lutheran’s Augsburg Confessions had, were opposed to the original faith.
The fact that both the Lutherans and the Catholics of Rome do not hold to many teachings of the original Christian church.
So, they are alike in that way.
Over the past several decades, the Catholics of Rome have held a lot of ecumenical meetings. This includes important ones with the Eastern Orthodox and various Protestants, as well as those involved with the Lutherans and Anglicans. The basis of these meetings is not biblical, though that is not something that is properly admitted.
As far as unifying with those who will not accept the original and true faith, Christians are warned:
4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities…” (Revelation 18:4-5)
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”17 Therefore
“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 ‘I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
Real Christians will be separate from those that truly will not be set apart by the truth of the Bible (John 17:17).
The type of Christian unity that the Bible speaks of will NOT happen until after Jesus returns.
Jesus did NOT come to bring worldwide unity in this age:
51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. (Luke 12:51)
The Apostle Paul taught that true unity of faith would not happen until after Jesus returns:
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; (Ephesians 4:13)
Those who believe this unity comes prior to Jesus’ return are in error. We are not ‘perfect’ until after He comes (cf. 1 John 1:8). The prophesied unity of faith does not happen prior to Jesus’ return.
The Bible shows that a false ecumenical unity will come (Revelation 13:4-8).
Notice also:
6 “Up, up! Flee from the land of the north,” says the Lord; “for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,” says the Lord. 7 “Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.” (Zechariah 2:6-7)
Notice that even true believers are warned to get away from this. The next few verses tell about the timing and that God will cause this:
8 For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. 9 For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me.
10 “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord. 11 “Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. 12 And the Lord will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!” (Zechariah 2:8-13)
So, the Bible is saying that GOD will bring unity–and that is after Jesus returns.
Also, the Bible also teaches that when Jesus actually returns, He will destroy the unity of nations that are against Him (Revelation 11:15-18, 19:6,19-21).
Thus, no true Christian should endorse the ultimate goal of the reconciliation of the 500th anniversary of what is considered to be the start of the Reformation. These people do not truly believe the Bible and we are to realize that we must remain spiritually-separate from them.
The Continuing Church of God, which is NOT Protestant, traces its history from the apostolic church established in Acts 2 and holds to the original, biblical, doctrines that the early Christians had (see Continuing History of the Church of God).
Many biblical doctrines that early Christians held to are NOT held to by Protestants today. Nor the Church of Rome or the Eastern Orthodox for that matter.
Those interested in the truth can prove this if they are willing.
Some items of possibly related interest to help you do this may include:
Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? See also World Council of Churches Peace Plan.
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History; The First Protestant, God’s Command, Grace, & Character; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God’s Plan; Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?; Millennial Kingdom of God and God’s Plan of Salvation; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats; The Godhead and the Trinity; Fleeing or Rapture?; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences.
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differs from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background. As far as some changes affecting Protestantism, watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware! [Português: Esperança do salvação: Como a igreja do deus difere da maioria de protestantes]
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the genuine Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example? Here is a related sermon video: Martin Luther and Herbert Armstrong: Reformers with Differences.
Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare or Encourage Violence? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians? A related sermon would be: Christians, Violence, and Military Service.
The New Testament Church, History, and Unclean Meats Are foods considered to have been unclean in the Old Testament considered to be food in the New Testament? This article discusses this from the perspective of the New Testament. It also has a list of clean and unclean animals. It also answers the question, is pork healthy or is pork dangerous? There is also a sermon-length video on this: Christians and Unclean Meats; four short videos are also available: Did Jesus declare all animal flesh food?, Should Christians Eat Insects?, COVID, Pandemics, and Unclean Meat, and Unclean Meat and True Christianity.
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L’Histoire Continue de l’Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.