{"id":81615,"date":"2023-07-03T00:01:17","date_gmt":"2023-07-03T08:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=81615"},"modified":"2023-07-03T07:34:27","modified_gmt":"2023-07-03T15:34:27","slug":"independence-and-laodiceans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/doctrine\/independence-and-laodiceans\/","title":{"rendered":"Independence and Laodiceans"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
\nHerbert W. Armstrong
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n

Tomorrow is USA Independence Day.<\/p>\n

Many in the USA will celebrate it.<\/p>\n

But what about being independent of the world?<\/p>\n

The Apostle John wrote:<\/p>\n

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world \u2014 the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life \u2014 is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The world and its ways will pass away and be gone.<\/p>\n

But being a true Christian allows one to abide forever.<\/p>\n

Regarding the Church, the late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:<\/p>\n

Jesus Christ said: \u201cI will build my Church.\u201d What IS that Church \u2014 human organization, or spiritual organism? Of whom composed? How does one become a member? Does it have a divine Commission?\u2014and if so, WHAT? \u2014 and HOW carried out? By organization, or by individuals acting independently? <\/span><\/p>\n

MANY ARE CONFUSED about the nature of the Church founded by Jesus Christ. How shall we know? WHO or WHAT is the AUTHORITY to give us the right answer?
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

It was Jesus Christ who said, \u201cI will build my Church.\u201d He is the \u201cWORD\u201d of God (John 1:1-3) in person \u2014 the Spokesman. The Bible is the Word of God in writing \u2014 the Maker\u2019s Instruction Book for mankind. The Bible, therefore, is the Authority. <\/span><\/p>\n

HOW One Becomes a Member<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The first place the word \u201cchurch\u201d is used following the inception of that Church (Pentecost, 31 A.D.) is Acts 2:47: \u201cAnd the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.\u201d This immediately gives insight into the means by which one enters the Church as a member. God adds each one. It is God who puts each one into the Church as a member.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body\u201d (I Cor. 12:13). The word \u201cbaptized\u201d means immersed \u2014 put into. So, again, it is GOD who puts one into His Church. And HOW? By His Spirit! When God bestows within one His Holy Spirit, that puts the believer into the Church.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

So note it well! One cannot enter the true Church by putting him{her}self in \u2014 by \u201cjoining. One may join a social club, a sports team, or a secular group \u2014 but NOT the Church of God. Incidentally, is it not significant that so many of this world\u2019s \u201cchurches\u201d have become, virtually, just social clubs?
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Notice, too, the Church is here referred to as \u201cone body.\u201d In several passages the Church is referred to as \u201cthe body of Christ.\u201d I Corinthians 12:12 says: \u201cFor as the body is one, and hath many members. \u2026
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

How the \u201cBody of Christ\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

The twelve disciples became the twelve original apostles. But HOW did they, with the other disciples, become \u201cthe BODY of Christ\u201d?
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

While Jesus was starting the Work of God, He said, \u201cI can of mine own self do nothing,\u201d and again, \u201cThe Son can do nothing of himself,\u201d and again, \u201c\u2026 but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.\u201d
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

It was the power of God\u2019s Holy Spirit, dwelling in His individual human body, doing THE WORK OF GOD.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Without this same Spirit dwelling in them, His disciples would be utterly impotent. The very night before His crucifixion He said to them: \u201cAs the branch [of a grapevine] cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

I am the vine, ye are the branches\u2026 without me ye can do nothing\u201d (John 15:4, 5). It is sap flowing from the vine into the branch that produces grapes. It is the Spirit of God and of the living Christ, flowing into the collective Body that is the Church that produces results.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

After His resurrection, just before ascending to God\u2019s throne in heaven, Jesus commanded these apostles: that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father\u2026\u201d \u2014 that is, for the Holy Spirit, the same power that did the Work of God in Jesus\u2019 human body.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

On the day of Pentecost, 31 A.D., this POWER of God did come and enter into the COLLECTIVE BODY \u2014 the Church \u2014 that now was to carry on the Work of God.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Head of God\u2019s Church<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Jesus ascended to the throne of God (the Father of the divine creating \u2014 ruling \u2014 governing Family) in heaven, He became the Head of the Church. Notice Eph. 1:22, 23: \u201cAnd hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body.\u201d
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

The CHURCH is composed of those who are the begotten CHILDREN OF GOD \u2014 of the FATHER of the divine Family. One becomes a begotten SON of God upon receiving within him{her} the Holy Spirit of God.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

This Spirit comes from the very Person of God \u2014 it is, first of all, the impregnating LIFE of God \u2014 divine, eternal, ever \u2014 living LIFE. As the physical sperm cell from the body of a human father begets a human embryo that develops into a fetus and later is born a human child, so the Spirit of God begets us into a state by which we are called, even now in this life, sons of God (I John 3:2).<\/span><\/p>\n

Of What Composed<\/strong><\/p>\n

And thus it is that the CHURCH is composed of those who are the children of God. That is why the CHURCH is the Church of GOD, even as the Old Testament Church was called \u201cthe congregation of Israel\u201d \u2014 the human children of Israel.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

That is why, also, one CANNOT PUT HIM{HER}SELF into the Church by \u201cdeciding to JOIN.\u201d When he becomes a son of GOD, by having and being led by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:14), then God has PUT HIM{HER} INTO the Church by begetting him{her} as a son {daughter\/child} of God.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoining\u201d a group that calls itself a church \u2014 having one\u2019s name on the membership roll of some group calling itself a church \u2014 does not make one in true fact a member of THE Church Jesus founded. Here is positive proof: \u201cBut ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his\u201d (Romans 8:9). \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

GOD Chooses Each Member\u2019s Job.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We do not all do the same job!
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

These special spiritual gifts are given \u201cto profit withal.\u201d That is, to profit THE WORK \u2014 not the individual.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

These gifts are aptitudes, or spiritual \u201ctools\u201d to use in doing the Work \u2014 not ornaments to embellish the person, as some have seemed to think \u2014 bragging about the least of the gifts.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

God Himself decides which gifts to give each member: \u201cBut all these [gifts] worketh that one and the self \u2014 same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as HE will\u201d (1 Cor. 12: verse 11).
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Continue: \u201cFor the body [of Christ \u2014 the Church] is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?\u201d (Verses 14-15.)
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

If one young man has been given special aptitude for a certain more or less routine office job that is actually a big help in the whole organized Work, he is doing HIS PART in the Work. But is each one free to decide whether he will be the apostle, or the pastor, or a teacher, or a routine office worker making it possible for them to do their jobs?
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is your answer: \u201cBut now hath GOD set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased HIM\u201d (verse 18).
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

But what if one is placed, by those God has set over him, in an office that this individual considers very unimportant, not honorable enough to suit his vanity?
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the answer: \u201cNay, much more those members of the body, which seem [to us] to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor, and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness\u2026 but GOD hath tempered the body together\u2026 THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO SCHISM [division] IN THE BODY\u2026. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And GOD hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of languages. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?\u2026 but covet earnestly the best gifts\u2026\u201d (verses 22-31). (Armstrong HW. Just What is the Church? Tomorrow\u2019s World magazine, July-August 1970)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What about being part of the truest Church?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Well, although the Worldwide Church of God is no more, the true Church of God was never to die out as Jesus said:<\/p>\n

18 … I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That means that the true Church would not die out, but continue.<\/p>\n

\n

In the Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a> (CCOG) we strive to be the continuation of the Philadelphia portion of the Christian church. This is consistent with the following<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

1 Let brotherly love {Philadelphia} continue. (Hebrews 13:1)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We strive to do that.<\/p>\n

Yet, Jesus warned in His messages to the churches in Revelation 2 & 3 that most end time Christians would NOT be Philadelphian. Most will be Laodicean–a term that roughly translates as “people judge.” While many seem to think that is great, Jesus harshly scolded the Laodiceans (see Revelation 3:14-22).<\/p>\n

We have links to articles on dozens of Christian groups explaining where they differ from the Bible and the Philadelphian work, and more in the CCOG in the article: How does the Continuing<\/i> Church of God differ from other Sabbatarian COG groups?<\/a><\/p>\n

The Apostle Paul wrote:<\/p>\n

14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them (2 Timothy 3:14)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Is God is calling you (or has called you), and will you learn, continue, and seriously do what is taught in the Bible? If so, you can be a member of the Continuing<\/em> Church of God.<\/p>\n

If God is calling you, notice what the Apostle Peter said you should do (those wishing to argue against this, obviously would not wish to be part of the CCOG):<\/p>\n

38<\/sup> \u201cRepent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.\u201d (Acts 2:38-39)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you have already been appropriately baptized, then we also suggest that you read the Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a>. If you agree, will live as a true Christian, and wish to be part of us, then we accept true believers who wish to support us as we lead the Final Phase of the Work<\/a> by proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God<\/a> as a witness (Matthew 24:14), teaching all that Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:19-20), working to reach the full number of those called in this age (see What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles<\/a>), while also preparing for the \u2018Short Work<\/a>, remembering the poor (Galatians 2:10), and proclaiming the Ezekiel Warning.<\/a><\/p>\n

You can contact a minister or other representative near your area to let him know you wish to be part of us. We also would expect you to live as a Christian and, among other things, keep the Sabbath, attend or watch our church services, and strive to attend the Feast of Tabernacles.<\/p>\n

If you have not been appropriately baptized, or are not sure if you have been, and you believe you are being called to become part of the Continuing<\/em> Church of God, you will want to meet with a deacon or minister in the church to discuss church teachings and get questions answers. We have many congregations around the world, several of which are listed on our Congregations<\/a> page. You can also read about the teachings of our church throughout this www.ccog.org<\/a> website as well as the www.cogwriter.com<\/a> website. For more on counseling, etc., check out the article: How does the CCOG handle Counseling, Prayer Requests, Funerals, and Anointing of the Sick?<\/a><\/p>\n

Please understand, there is no minimum or maximum amount of time required to learn about the church. The important thing is to believe the word of God and understand the about living as a true Christian. We also have a booklet that may help online: Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Once you have turned you life over to God and learned about the church, you are ready to become part of the body of Christ. You become a member of the Church of God through being baptized by a representative of the church. Baptism is a critical and fundamental step. Baptism signifies the death of our carnal nature and our being begotten as a follower of Jesus Christ. It allows us to partake God\u2019s plan of eternal salvation. Furthermore, baptism is a public statement to the church and the world that the believer is turning away from loving the world and dedicating his\/her life to God.<\/p>\n

Additional information on baptism can be found in the article Baptism, the Early Church, and the Continuing Church<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you are not already a properly baptized part of the Church of God, in order to be considered a real member of the Continuing<\/em> Church of God, you must:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Be called of God.<\/li>\n
  2. Be willing to seek first the kingdom of God.<\/li>\n
  3. Repent of your sins.<\/li>\n
  4. Have the godly faith to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.<\/li>\n
  5. Strive to live as a loving Christian.<\/li>\n
  6. Be persuaded that our beliefs are biblical.<\/li>\n
  7. Contact a CCOG leader for counseling.<\/li>\n
  8. Be properly baptized and have hands laid upon you.<\/li>\n
  9. Support the work of Matthew 24:14, Matthew 28:19-20, and other aspects of the Philadelphian work.<\/li>\n
  10. Continue to live as a Christian and endure to the end.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    We also have literature to assist you in the process.<\/p>\n

    YOU can be independent of the world as well as non-Philadelphian Christianity.<\/p>\n

    Those interested in being part of the Continuing<\/em> Church of God may also wish to read the following: How Do I Become a Member of the Continuing<\/i> Church of God?<\/a><\/p>\n

    Some items of possibly related interest may include:<\/em><\/p>\n

    Independent\/Unaffiliated: Independent Members of the COG: Herbert W. Armstrong Comments, Plus Questions and Answers<\/a> What did Herbert W. Armstrong teach about being independent of the organized Church? Should independents who claim to accept Herbert W. Armstrong’s teachings support the end time Philadelphian work? Here is a link to a related sermon: Church of God Unity<\/a>.<\/span> Watch also Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy<\/a>.
    \n    How Do I Become a Member of the Continuing<\/em> Church of God?<\/a> This article has scriptures, links, and other information for those interested in being part of the CCOG. Here is a link to a related sermonette: 10 Steps to Be a Member of the CCOG<\/a>.
    \n    Is God Calling You?<\/a> This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is are links to related sermons: Christian Election: Is God Calling YOU?<\/a> and Predestination and Your Selection<\/a>.<\/span>A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?<\/a>
    \n<\/span>    Christian Repentance<\/a>\u00a0Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? Two related sermons about this are also available:\u00a0Real Repentance<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Real Christian Repentance<\/a>.
    \n    Baptism, the Early Church, and the Continuing Church<\/a> Was it by immersion? Did it include infants? Does Polycarp prove infant baptism? Here is a link to some information in the Spanish language: Bautismo de infantes o bendici\u00f3n de los ni\u00f1os peque\u00f1os.<\/a> A related sermon video is titled Baptism: What is it and how should it be done?<\/a><\/span>
    \n    Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian<\/a> This is a scripture-filled booklet for those wishing to live as a real Christian. A related sermon is also available: Christians are Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God<\/a>.
    \n    Real Conversion<\/a> Many think that they are converted Christians. But are they? Would you like to know more about conversion?
    \n    False Conversion!<\/a> Have you really been converted? Herbert W. Armstrong<\/a> wrote an article on this important subject–but more scriptures have been added to it. How can you tell false conversion? A related video is also available: False Conversion<\/a>. A Spanish language version is also available: Falsa Conversi\u00f3n<\/a>.
    \n    About Baptism<\/a>\u00a0Should you be baptized? Could baptism be necessary for salvation? Who should baptize and how should it be done? As far as early history, see also Baptism, the Early Church, and the Continuing Church<\/a>.
    \n    Laying on of Hands<\/a> This is an elementary principle of Hebrews 6. Have you properly had hands laid upon you? Here is a link to a related sermon: Laying on of Hands and Succession<\/a>.
    \n    Living as a Christian: How and Why?<\/a> In what ways do Christians live differently than others. What about praying, fasting, tithing, holy days, and the world? There are also two YouTube video related to this: Living as a Christian: How and Why? <\/a> and Living as a Christian: Pure Milk of the Word<\/a>.
    \n    Faith for Those God has Called and Chosen <\/a>What is faith? Can faith be increased? Are you saved by faith? What about works? Do Christians need to keep the Ten Commandments? What is the ‘faith chapter’? How do the just live by faith? Is faith one of the weightier matters of the law? How does faith come? Marque aqu\u00ed para ver el pdf folleto: Fe para aquellos que Dios ha llamado y escogido<\/a>. In German: Glaube f\u00fcr die von Gott<\/a> Berufenen und Auserw\u00e4hlten<\/a>. In French: La Foi pour ceux que Dieu a Appel\u00e9s et Choisis<\/a>. Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Faith for the Called and Chosen<\/a>.and here is a link to another sermon Faith and Courage<\/a>. Here is a link to shorter version of the written article in Mandarin Chinese N{\u00c7QsN\u017dO\u00e1N\u00f0v\u201e\\\u000fe\u2021z\u00e0<\/a>.
    \n    Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach?<\/a> This free booklet contains 28 biblically-based tips on improving the effectiveness of your prayers. This is a pdf. A related two part sermon is available: What Does the Bible Teach About Prayer?<\/a> and What does the Bible Teach About Prayer (& Healing)?<\/a>
    \n    The MYSTERY of GOD\u2019s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You? <\/a>This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God\u2019s Plan<\/a>, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God\u2019s Plan<\/a>, and The Mystery of YOU<\/a>.
    \n<\/span>    Herbert W. Armstrong, the Philadelphia Church, & the Mantle<\/a> Herbert Armstrong claims God had him raise the Philadelphia up. Are there reasons to believe that the Philadelphia mantle in now within the CCOG? Here is a link to a related sermon: Herbert W. Armstrong and the Philadelphia Mantle<\/a>.
    \n    Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?<\/a> Does any church have the confirmed dream and prophetic signs of Acts 2:17-18? Should one? Here is a link in the Spanish language: \u00bfTiene la CCOG confirmadas las se\u00f1ales de Hechos 2: 17-18?<\/a>
    \n    Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work?<\/a> Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul<\/a> and Herbert W. Armstrong<\/a> expect from lower level leaders? Two related sermons are available The Work per HWA and the Bible<\/a> and Priority of the Philadelphia Work<\/a>.
    \n    Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word<\/a> What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work<\/a>.
    \n    Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing<\/em> Church of God Differs from Protestantism<\/a> The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real <\/em>Church of God differs from mainstream\/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History<\/a>; The First Protestant, God\u2019s Command, Grace, & Character<\/a>; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon<\/a>; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter<\/a>; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism<\/a>; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday<\/a>; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God\u2019s Plan<\/a><\/a>; Seventh Day Baptists\/Adventists\/Messianics: Protestant or COG?<\/a>; Millennial Kingdom of God and God\u2019s Plan of Salvation<\/a>; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats<\/a>; The Godhead and the Trinity<\/a>; Fleeing or Rapture?<\/a>; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences<\/a>. <\/span>
    \n4.     The Thyatira Church Era<\/a> was predominant circa 1050 A.D. to circa 1600 A.D. The Church during the Inquisition.
    \n5.     The Sardis Church Era<\/a> was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
    \n6.     The Philadelphia Church Era<\/a> was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing<\/a><\/em> Church of God<\/a>.
    \n7.     The Laodicean Church Era <\/a>has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation<\/a> if they do not repent. One video of related interest is 17 Laodicean Errors in Prophecy<\/a>.
    \n    Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian<\/a> This is a scripture-filled booklet for those wishing to live as a real Christian. A related sermon is also available: Christians are Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God<\/a>.
    \n    The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast<\/a> This is a free pdf book explaining the what the Ten Commandments are, where they came from, how early professors of Christ viewed them, and how various ones, including the Beast of Revelation, will oppose them. A related sermon is titled: The Ten Commandments and the Beast of Revelation<\/a>.
    \n    The Gospel of the Kingdom of God<\/a> This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World\u2019s False Gospel<\/a>, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments<\/a>, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution<\/a>.
    \n    Where is the True Christian Church Today?<\/a> This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? <\/a>Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: \u00bfD\u00f3nde est\u00e1 la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy?<\/a> Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE?<\/a> Here is a link in the French language: O\u00f9 est la vraie \u00c9glise Chr\u00e9tienne aujourd\u2019hui?<\/a>
    \n    Continuing History of the Church of God<\/a> 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<\/a>. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries<\/a> and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries<\/a>. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuaci\u00f3n de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios<\/a>, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes<\/a>, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw\u2019ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete<\/a>.
    \n    CCOG.ORG<\/a> Continuing<\/a><\/em> Church of God<\/a> The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Herbert W. Armstrong COGwriter Tomorrow is USA Independence Day. Many in the USA will celebrate it. But what about being independent of the world? The Apostle John wrote: 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-81615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-doctrine"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t