ARE YOU DOING THE WORK OF GOD?
Are you doing the Work of God? Is the Word of God IN YOU? Or are you just kidding yourself, shining a seat with your bottom every week in Church services, not truly a deeply converted begotten child of God but someone who is DECEIVED and FOOLED by Satan the Devil??

Notice!

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.”(Exodus 24:12)
Moses was commanded to TEACH what God had given him!

“And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.”(Exodus 31:18)

“And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.”(Exodus 32:15-16)
Here we are told that the TABLETS were the work of God. Now some have been CONFUSED as to what the Work of God truly is! Are you sure?

Notice what the apostle Paul writes:

“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”(2 Corinthians 3:2-3)

Moses, the chosen servant of God, delivered the Word of God faithfully to Israel. The 2 tables wasn’t the work of man. IT WAS THE WORK OF GOD! Moses believed GOD! He was there with God because HE BELIEVED GOD! He actually met with the personage called “the Word” in John 1:1-4,14, who became Jesus Christ.

John 1:18 and 1 John 4:12 tells us that no man has seen God. Jesus in John 6:46 says “Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.”.

And when the disciple Phillip asked Jesus to show to them God the Father Jesus responded: “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”(John 14:9-10)

God does the WORK! Moses received the “work of God”, the two tablets which contained the 10 commandments, which came from the being who became God the Father, through “The Word” or SPOKESMAN who delivered it to him! Moses then TAUGHT IT to carnal Israel.

The apostles likewise, received commandment from Christ,(who received it from the Father) and delivered it to SPIRITUAL ISRAEL- The Church of God! (Look up in a KJV Bible “Commandment” in the New Testament. This is a good subject to study.)
“That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:”(2 Peter 4:2)

Now Jesus said “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”(John 6:29)

The personage Moses met upon the mount was the “Word”, who later became Jesus Christ. The Word, was with God and WAS GOD. God is a family name. He spoke only what God the Father gave to Him to speak. He delivered the Father’s Words to His apostles. He in the same manner delivered to Moses, the Word which came from God, and He delivered that Word to Moses faithfully. Moses BELIEVED the ONE whom God had sent. He did the Work of God. And in turn Moses delivered that same Word to all of Israel. The apostles of Christ BELIEVED CHRIST! And they delivered what Christ had given them to the Church.
Now, the apostles of Christ delivered the Word Jesus gave THEM which came from the Father. Those of the Church became the EPISTLES of the apostles, having the Spirit of God, BELIEVED THE APOSTLES! What was preached unto them(God’s Word) was written on their hearts!

The apostles were sent by Christ! Those who had been called by God, had repented and had BELIEVED the gospel and were baptized. They believed what was being preached and taught unto them by the apostles! And upon receiving the Spirit of God, God’s spirit wrote those teachings in their hearts. THEY DID THE WORK OF GOD! “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”(John 6:29)

Mr. Armstrong BELEVED GOD! And Christ gave him the beliefs, the teachings, practices, customs and doctrines of the Worldwide Church of God, through the Word of God which came from the Father!
The Great Commission given unto him can be found in Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Matthew 24:14 is a PROPHECY of the gospel being preached WORLDWIDE.

The result of that prophecy being FULFILLED, was the Worldwide Church of God. The Church of God was raised up WORLDWIDE, and together they helped and backed the apostle’s preaching FOR THEY BELIEVED GOD! THEY BELIEVED CHRIST! THEY BELIEVED HIS CHOSEN APOSTLE! They believed what was taught. That is the WORK OF GOD!

Mr. Armstrong received God’s Word, as Moses did – FROM JESUS CHRIST!

And he taught it. He preached it. Those of the Church have proven with their Bibles open that Herbert Armstrong did in fact teach the Word of God, and THEY BELIEVE GOD. And then they believed the apostle, for after proving it with God’s Word they now know that he is a true man of God, sent by Christ.

Is God the same today as He was way back then with Moses? YOU BET YOUR LIFE HE IS! God is the same today, yesterday and forever. He changes not.

Jesus Christ said: “And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.”(John 5:37)

Let’s make a note.

We too have not seen the shape nor heard the voice of God the Father. We neither have seen the shape nor heard the voice of Jesus Christ! Neither have seen the shape any of the men of God mentioned in the Holy Bible. We have not heard their voices either!

“And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.”(John 5:38)

How do we know of God the Father? Jesus Christ came and declared the Father! He preached the gospel of the KINGDOM OF GOD- The Father’s Kingdom. After His resurrection, on the day of Pentecost 31 A.D, the Church of God was founded. This is God’s Church, not of men, kept in the name of God the Father!(John 17)

Now, after Christ was received up into Heaven, He sent His apostles to deliver(as Moses did) what He had previously given them, which was the gospel.
Jesus said of His apostles “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” (Matthew 10:14-15)

Those who reject the apostles of Christ, reject Christ and the Word of God is not in them. Just as the Word of God was not in the Jews whom Christ is talking to in John 5! They did not believe Moses, and therefore did not believe Christ!

“But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour”(Titus 1:3).
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”(1 Thessalonians 2:13)

The Corinthians was the epistles of Paul, for the Word of God ministered unto them by the apostle of Christ was IN THEM. They received the one whom God had sent, they BELIEVED the apostle, and was doing the work of God.

Now continuing in John 5: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.”

Today the writings and sermons, and such from God’s apostle ACCUSES/CONDEMNS those who do not believe what was taught-though they claim to be one time students of him!

“For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”(John 5:39-47)

The bereans were commended by the apostle Paul for studying the scriptures to see if what the apostles taught was from God. They had PROVEN what was being taught by the apostle of Christ, and found it to be the Word of God! Those who have done this, this QUALIFICATION, become members of the Church of God. And so when those of the Church have BELIEVED GOD, and His Son Jesus Christ, they believe the apostle of Christ, and they support and stand back on Him, and such is the WORK OF GOD!

Moses and the scripture spoke of Christ, and if the Jews of Christ’s time had BELIEVED MOSES, they would have believed Christ! For what Moses wrote and said, led them to Christ!
The same is today. Herbert W. Armstrong preached Christ, and directed you to Him through preaching the Word of God, and preaching the same gospel Jesus preached! If you don’t believe Mr. Armstrong, and what he preached and taught, then how can you believe Christ? This why Mr. Armstrong always said “DON’T BELIEVE ME! BELIEVE GOD!”. He wanted the unconverted listeners to start studying the Bible, and believing what God says! If they believed him, without proving what he was teaching with the Bible, they would be only following a man! But if they went to their Bible, proving what he taught with scripture, they would quickly see that what he was teaching came from Christ- from the Word of God! Then with this vital knowledge, they could BELIEVE the apostle for the truth’s sake! Not because they liked his personality, or his “style”!

Those who have BELIEVED GOD, HIS WORD, HIS SON JESUS CHRIST AND WHAT HE PREACHED, AND THE TRUE APOSTLES AND WHAT THEY PREACH- including the preaching and teaching that came from Herbert W. Armstrong, they have the Word of God written in their hearts by the Spirit of God! Today, the epistle of Herbert W. Armstrong is the Worldwide Church of God!

Is it any wonder to us why Satan is after Mr. Armstrong, the ministry under him, and all of the membership of the Worldwide Church of God, trying to get those of the Church to GIVE UP WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT?!?!?!?
Jesus Christ tells His Church- HOLD FAST!(Rev.3:11)!!! Not to let go of what the Church has received from Christ through His apostle-which is the Word of God!!!

Do you BELIEVE GOD? Are you doing the WORK OF GOD? The Work of God is being done by God’s Holy Spirit in all of you in His Church who BELIEVE the one who was sent by Him, which under Christ is the apostle. In tablets of flesh, not of stone, and through the Holy Spirit of God.

How much of God’s Spirit do you have? God’s Spirit opens your mind to UNDERSTAND the Word of God. Without it you cannot understand His Word. Without God’s Spirit you do not understand the need to follow His apostle, and to keep and to uphold what the apostle of Christ has taught. You cannot do the Work of God without God’s Spirit!

The apostle Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong taught the same Word of God that is available to you in the Holy Bible. You can check up on him. But if you don’t understand God’s Word, you won’t understand the apostle! And if you don’t believe what the Bible teaches, how can you believe the apostle of Christ, and then how can you believe Christ? And if you don’t believe Christ, then how can you be doing the Work of God? How can you be a true Christian, converted, having the Holy Spirit of God?
Something to think about.

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Visit the sermon section this Sabbath and be REFRESHED with the wonderful GLORIOUS TRUTH available to you. God’s apostle and God’s ministers have given many sermons for your benefit, and spiritual growth. Also, Church music is available to you this Sabbath day, to uplift you and inspire you in walking with God and His ways. The talent of the Church was marvelously used to glorify God and to bring you closer to Him and His Word. Have you check out the World Tomorrow Radio and Television sections yet? There are over 400 radio programs FULL of spiritual understanding and Bible knowledge right from God’s apostle. There are 145 TV programs available as well. Also, what about your children? Available are all of the YOUTH magazine issues, and Youth Bible Lessons and the Bible story volumes, valuable tools for parents in raising up their children in God’s wonderful truth! Have a wonderful Sabbath brethren! We look forward to getting to know you in the future. Right now, though we may be distances apart, our growing fellowship and relationship with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, in truth and in spirit, is what binds and holds us together. In the near future, what a glorious time to finally meet those we have yearned to meet! We look forward to that time brethren. And at this time when we need to hold fast to what was given to us through God’s apostle, we must be careful in fellowshipping with non-believers, but only fellowship with those who believe. We thank God for your faithfulness and loyalty to Him and His apostle, and we wish you a spiritually uplifting Sabbath! In Christian love, The staff here at wwcg-archives.com]]>

What Happens After Death? | The World Tomorrow with Herbert W. Armstrong

 

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In His Article, Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:

I have said through the years, over the air and in print and before audiences, “Don’t believe me because I say it — look in your own Bible and believe what you find there!”  But I DO NOT — or, at least, SHOULD NOT HAVE ever said that to our own brethren! But my son writes: “I tried with all my being to encourage our brethren to think for themselves.” In other words don’t believe our deep-rooted Church teachings — think out NEW, DIFFERENT beliefs for yourself!  But GOD’S WAY is THIS! This is the way the original first-century apostles preached. They spoke the TRUTH with POWER! To the unconverted Thessalonians, the Bereans were complimented for checking up on Paul’s preaching (Acts 17:11). But none should be accepted IN THE CHURCH until that person either has come to KNOW and accept and believe Christ’s true doctrine, OR has repented so THOROUGHLY, CONQUERED BY GOD and with an attitude of a little child, so that the minister doing the baptising feels sure he or she will accept and believe fully Christ’s true doctrines in His Church.  In other words, Christ commands that we all speak the same thing. THAT BECOMES A QUALIFICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP!  Yet I must add one comment concerning the above paragraph. Paul shows in I Corinthians 2 that the carnal unconverted mind cannot comprehend and come to real understanding of spiritual knowledge. There is no PROMISE in the Bible that one will receive the Holy Spirit prior to baptism (though Cornelius and his house did).  In Matthew 28:19-20, in the great commission, Jesus mentioned “teaching them to observe … [commandments],” after mentioning baptism.  
That is why I myself have baptized some prior to coming into full doctrinal teaching, but these were cases where I felt sure they were so completely surrendered to Christ that they would — as in fact they did — accept doctrinal teaching.  
I said at the ministers’ conference that I feel we have been too lax in baptising people before they were completely REPENTANT and FULLY BELIEVED Christ and what He says in the Bible.  
Once in the Church, WE MUST ALL SPEAK THE SAME THING!

Quote from : God Commands That We In His Church All Speak The Same Thing
You’ve probably heard from some people how Mr. Armstrong said “Don’t Believe Me! Believe the Bible!” in their attempt to justify their departure from Christ, and as the reason to eliminate the teaching of Christs chosen apostle. They use it as the weaponry against people striving to HOLD FAST to what was taught. After all “Mr. Armstrong was a fallible human being” they say, “and the Bible is the Word of God”.

They have rejected God’s apostle and are not giving him legitimate weight and honor! They are not speaking the same thing as Christ! For Christ said that the Work of God is to BELIEVE the one whom God sends, that includes His chosen apostles! Even the pharisees of Christ’s time claimed that they had Moses. Christ told them if they had BELIEVED Moses, (chosen by God, yet fallible), they would have believed Him! But because they did not receive God’s Word through even Moses, they could not receive Him and what He taught!

The same is today.  Ministers and members are claiming to be students of Herbert W. Armstrong, yet they DO NOT BELIEVE MR.ARMSTRONG! They do not believe what He taught! Not 100% anyways. And because they do not believe him, they cannot believe Christ! Yet they claim to be leading you to Christ?
The membership of God’s true and only Church, must “all speak the same thing:”, that includes the ministry! It is the QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP in God’s Church!

If you, or a minister haven’t completely PROVED what Herbert W. Armstrong taught from the Bible then are you truly a member of the body of Christ? You were supposed to do that prior to Baptism! And prior to being ordained into the ministry! The unconverted must prove this! And if they prove what was taught is truly from God and the Bible, repenting from their sins, and believing the gospel,  then they can BELIEVE THE ONE WHOM GOD SENT(John 6:29), and then they can “all speak the same thing”. Oh, how many have stepped away from God’s Church, or haven’t finished their conversion, simply due to not proving what Herbert W. Armstrong was teaching prior to Baptism. If you claim you did do that, then make sure, refresh yourself with what was taught, get back to what Christ’s apostle taught and evaluate whether you are in the faith or have gotten off the track!

This is vital!

Some people will divert away from the apostle, and try to go to the Bible themselves. The Bible will lead them to the true apostle of Christ! But usually, we find, that those diverting away from the apostle, once knew the truth and has rejected Christ and His apostle, and now uses the excuse of going to the Bible to stay away from the apostle they disagree with! And that disagreement is with Christ! But the apostle teaches the Bible!

Listen to Gerald Waterhouse Sermons and you will hear him give examples of those who LEAVE The Church! It rings true today. But those who are being converted are proving what Herbert W. Armstrong taught with their Bible, and believe the Bible, and then after proving it out, they believe the one who taught that to them-Christ’s apostle! And it is through SUCH that Christ is using to do the Work of God(John 6:29)! Mr. Armstrong taught in all nations(Matthew 28, Matthew 24:14), and the Church is to LEARN, and become students and learn to TEACH what Christ’s apostle is teaching-speaking the same thing Christ taught through Mr. Armstrong. Those who are teaching a perverted version, or another teaching, DO NOT BELIEVE, or DO NOT COMPLETELY BELIEVE GOD! Why are they teaching if they do not believe?

Let them cease to preach, let them cease in teaching, UNTIL they themselves have really proven what Christ’s apostle taught with the Bible. If they don’t believe he taught 100% of Gods Truth, then they ought to reject him, and find someone else who is! But Herbert W. Armstrong did teach 100% of God’s truth! Those of the Church have already proven that, and that is why we BELIEVE the one whom Christ sent! The apostle!

Those really posting those questions, and using Mr. Armstrong’s words as the reason to doubt what he taught, are not as converted as they think. The question we must ask is “ARE WE?”

Middle East-The Quest For Peace | The World Tomorrow with Herbert W. Armstrong

 

• Any literature presented on this program can be found in our library section, here on wwcg-archives.com
• All literature is available to Download |&| Read |&| PRINT at your convenience.
• If you would like to get in touch with us, please contact us at contact@wwcg-archives.com and we will be with you shortly.

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PERSONAL  

by Herbert W. Armstrong  

page 1 Good News April 1979  

 

God commands that we in His Church “all speak the same thing.” But WHY? HOW? Christ’s apostle is accused of using “total thought control” over the Church. What is the TRUTH?  

 

THERE’S NO QUESTION about it — God commands emphatically that we in His Church do “all speak the same thing” (I Cor. 1:10).  

For many years I have striven to bring all God’s children into a unity of belief (Ps. 133:1).  

Did you ever stop to think how many things we believe and proclaim to the world that are contrary to the doctrines and teachings of all other churches calling themselves “Christian”?  

I am writing a book, titled A VOICE CRIES OUT Amid RELIGIOUS CONFUSION. This book will say that of all the religions and all the more than 250 denominations and sects in “Christianity,” NOT ONE, except the Worldwide Church of God, knows WHO and WHAT God is! NOT ONE knows what, and why, MAN IS! NOT ONE knows the TRUTH about the nation Israel — WHY God chose them, yet gave none but their prophets His Holy Spirit — where they are today. NOT ONE knows what is the TRUE GOSPEL Christ proclaimed! NOT ONE knows what happens in the hereafter — the transcendent human potential. NOT ONE knows the real function of the Church and purpose of its being.  

None but God’s true Church  

NONE but God’s one and only TRUE CHURCH has the full knowledge God has revealed to His own Church. NOT ONE knows what salvation really is!  

Doesn’t it, then, become abundantly apparent that we must all know precisely what God has prepared for those who love Him — and that we speak these amazing TRUTHS as they are — all speaking the same thing?  

Now WHY does God command that we all speak the same thing — believe the same doctrines and truths?  

And HOW has Christ provided that we all come to know, believe and speak “the same thing”? By psychological mind control? NEVER!  

But first, WHY is it important that we all believe and speak the same DOCTRINES? Continue in I Corinthians 1:10: “that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”  

Will God’s Kingdom be divided?  

UNDERSTAND this! If we are led by the Spirit of God we shall enter into His Kingdom of God at the time of Christ’s coming and the resurrection. Will GOD’S Kingdom be divided?  

Again, we are, so to speak, in the process of being trained for entrance into the Kingdom of God, where WE SHALL JUDGE ANGELS (I Cor. 6:3).  

A kingdom or a house divided against itself cannot stand! Even two cannot walk together except they be agreed! (Amos 3:3).  

A few years ago, when I had high hopes that my son, Garner Ted, might qualify in God’s sight for very high office in God’s Kingdom, I said to him, “Ted, I often think of you and me as a father-and-son team, and how wonderful it would seem if we could be like the Father-and-Son divine Team that heads the entire universe! But to walk together as God and Christ do, we would have to remember that the Son agreed completely with the Father in all things. He said, “‘I have not spoken of myself; the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment what I should say’ ” (John 12:49).  

But as soon as I mentioned that the Divine Son was in total agreement with His Father, Ted would immediately change the subject.  

How do we come to know WHO and WHAT God is, and the other truths mentioned above that are not known by any other church or religion? Jesus Christ revealed them to His apostle, who taught these precious truths to you! And how precious they are!  

A corollary to I Corinthians 1:10 is Romans 16:17-18: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”  

“Avoid them” means just that. Walk away from them. Do not invite them into your home. “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed” (II John 10).  

Completely AVOIDING those ex-communicated who hold and speak a different doctrine is IMPORTANT with God. To the Thessalonians God made this a command: “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received from us [that is, from Christ’s true apostles] . . . And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him” (II Thess. 3:6, 14).  

This is SO IMPORTANT to GOD that He had the apostle John, in the 90s, A.D., write, as quoted above, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine” (as received through Christ’s apostles), “receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed” (II John 10).  

My own son, whom I love, does NOT speak this same thing CHRIST put into GOD’S CHURCH.  

WHY DOES GOD COMMAND US TO ACTUALLY SHUN A DISFELLOWSHIPPED MEMBER? WHY DOES GOD WANT US — COMMAND US! — to mark and avoid those who come with a different doctrine? Because they created DIVISION among God’s people! “And” (Rom. 16:18) “by good words and fair speeches” they DECEIVE those who listen — they claim to serve God — but they DO NOT AGREE with God.  

One of my son’s “fair speeches” intended to deceive and draw away members tries to turn the very command of God, that we must all speak the same thing, into an accusation that I am using MIND CONTROL over our members.  

So he sends out a “fair speech” in writing, attempting to associate God’s Church with the Jim Jones Guyana cult. He says: “For too many years” (when he was in God’s Church) “I tried with all my being to encourage our brethren to think for themselves.” In other words, to QUESTION and doubt the validity of the doctrines CHRIST had put in the Church. He continues, “The demoniac preacher Jim Jones used extreme forms of total dictatorial control over his followers.” Then he spoke of “total thought control” — inferring that now, all of a sudden, I am another “Jim Jones” and exercising “total thought control” over you members.  

He says that when I say, with I Corinthians 1:10, that we “all speak the same thing,” I am using mind control over you, and he sends out letters and booklets EMPHASIZING that HE DOES NOT AGREE WITH OR PREACH THE SAME THING as his father. Thus he not only breaks God’s Fifth Commandment by dishonoring his father, but he seeks to misrepresent and pull over a following for himself (Acts 20:30).  

But, LET’S FACE IT!  

God does command that we ,all “speak the same thing” (I Cor. 1:10). But now we need to ask HOW that can be done. HOW, without mind control, has God provided that we may all come to speak the same thing?  

TRUE doctrines were revealed  

After God inspired Paul to command that we must all speak the same doctrines, HOW does Paul say we all come to that sameness of doctrine and belief?  

First, he shows WHY all did not speak the same teachings. He said some looked to Peter, some to Cephas, some to Apollos, some to Paul. In other words, they were all looking to MEN — and not all to the same man.  

Coming to chapter 2, Paul says he did not come to them with clever and enticing words. Then he said the TRUE DOCTRINES were REVEALED, and that the natural carnal mind could not understand. Paul had the truth because, 1) he had really repented when God struck him down temporarily blind and spoke to him. Then later, 2) he explained he had been with and had seen Christ. His teaching came directly from Jesus Christ. So had Peter’s!  

But Paul shows, I Corinthians 2:7-14, that NO ONE can come into the truth with a natural carnal mind. It requires the receiving of the Holy Spirit of God. As God said through Paul another time, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5).  

No one will ever come to understand the TRUTH except by receiving the Holy Spirit. But EVEN SO, all these Corinthians were supposed to have received the Holy Spirit— YET THEY BELIEVED DIFFERENT THINGS, because they followed different men!  

God put His TRUE DOCTRINES into His Church through His apostles BY THEIR WRITINGS. Jesus is the Word of God in PERSON! The Bible is the Word of God IN PRINT!  

Today, Christ has put the TRUE DOCTRINES into God’s Church through the apostle whom HE chose – not elected by men!  

How doctrines are revealed  

In our case, the 20th-century “time of the end,” how did God put His doctrines, beliefs and teachings into the Church?  

Answer: By His chosen apostle, just as all doctrines, teachings and practices were put into the Church in A.D. 31 by Christ and the apostles — who, with the prophets, form the FOUNDATION of the Church.  

Jesus specially prepared me for this purpose, just as He specially prepared the apostles of the first century. He brought me to see that what I had been taught in a Protestant church was false — the opposite of the Bible. Jesus Christ is the Word of God IN PERSON. The Bible is the Word of God IN WRITING.  

The living Christ brought me to two severe challenges, which forced me to see I had been wrong. He swept my mind clean of all previous beliefs and doctrines and taught me His doctrines and beliefs.  

Still, as was Peter and Paul — and Moses, Elijah, David and Daniel — I am human and could make a mistake.  

BUT, if you have proved that this is, indeed, God’s true Church for this present time, then you MUST BELIEVE that if and when I make a mistake, the LIVING CHRIST will correct me! Indeed HE HAS DONE so!  

Now to the very CRUX of the question of HOW we must all come to believe and speak the SAME THING!  

Christ put His doctrines in God’s Church in A.D. 31 through the apostles HE had chosen and taught. In our time, now, the same living Christ called, prepared and chose me as His servant to put His doctrines into God’s Church today!  

Christ’s responsibility to set Church right  

If I make a mistake, it is CHRIST’S responsibility to set me straight! But DO YOU BELIEVE CHRIST IS STILL ALIVE AND WILL DO IT? Or, if you think our Church doctrines are wrong on some point, do you think it is YOUR responsibility to set the Church right?  

Back in the earlier years of the present decade, some wanted a doctrinal committee to question all we believed — and in truth it gravitated into an effort to TRY by inductive reasoning and research to prove Christ’s doctrines in the Church are in error!  

Since that time, Christ has led me to see our doctrine and teaching on two subjects were indeed in error. Yet NONE of the arguments of the “intellectual liberals” were valid. God opened my eyes to see the error from an entirely different approach and viewpoint than the “scholars” had presented.  

One of these was fixing the day of Pentecost. Every known translation of the Bible, in 1927 when I first studied and set the date, translated into English, said, count the 50 days FROM a specific Sunday. One day FROM Sunday is Monday, and 50 days FROM a Sunday is a Monday. For 40 years God’s true Church observed this Festival one day late.  

Finally I found, on evidence from Jewish Old Testament teachers and from two of the translators of the Revised Standard Version, that FROM was a mistranslation. It should have been translated ON or, count beginning on a Sunday. I had not made the original mistake — the translators had. But I IMMEDIATELY changed it upon PROOF.  

The other major doctrinal change made is one that needs a deal of up-DATING! It concerned “divorce and re-marriage.” All the arguments of the “scholarly” liberals on this subject were false. Again I think it fair to say the real error was due to translating.  

This caused me, and the many with whom I counsel on such questions, to pass over a verse in I Corinthians 7, without recognizing its real meaning.  

Now suppose a member thinks he or she has found an error in our doctrines. How must you proceed? IF you have found truth, we all want to know and embrace it! But how MUST you proceed? NEVER by trying to convince another member of your “finding,” lest you fall guilty of Romans 16:17-18.  

WHAT, then?  

Take it to your local minister or write to headquarters. What must a local pastor do? Send it to headquarters. If it is felt to be a valid truth, it will be brought to me personally, and the LIVING CHRIST will make it clear to my mind!  

We have covered the question of how does the living Christ put His doct rines into the Church. But the Church is made up of many members. How does each member come to understand each doctrine?  

How Christ put His Church back on track  

Now let us pull together all that has gone before.  

 We have to admit that at this time a year ago, those in God’s Church were NOT all speaking the SAME THING. And we were DIVIDED!  

 The living Christ, Head of the Church, began to move swiftly to correct this evil in our midst. The spearhead of the liberal movement was my own son, Garner Ted, because he was wielding executive vice presidential AUTHORITY — AND MORE — for his whole attitude and approach was that of making himself chief top authority. However, he was under the influence of a small group of “intellectuals” who used him.  

 Christ has been moving swiftly to set the Church doctrines back on track, through articles in The Worldwide News and The Good News.  

 The ministry and pastoral direction is fast being put back on God’s track. This of necessity means that I, personally, am going to suffer abuse and persecution and false rumors from a few ex-ministers. But I must be concerned with PLEASING God, not man.  

Now we have to ask, HOW did this division and doctrinal disagreement get its ugly head inside the Church, and HOW safeguard the Church from any further Trojan-horse invasions?  

I have said through the years, over the air and in print and before audiences, “Don’t believe me because I say it — look in your own Bible and believe what you find there!”  

But I DO NOT — or, at least, SHOULD NOT HAVE ever said that to our own brethren! But my son writes: “I tried with all my being to encourage our brethren to think for themselves.” In other words don’t believe our deep-rooted Church teachings — think out NEW, DIFFERENT beliefs for yourself!  

But GOD’S WAY is THIS! This is the way the original first-century apostles preached. They spoke the TRUTH with POWER! To the unconverted Thessalonians, the Bereans were complimented for checking up on Paul’s preaching (Acts 17:11). But none should be accepted IN THE CHURCH until that person either has come to KNOW and accept and believe Christ’s true doctrine, OR has repented so THOROUGHLY, CONQUERED BY GOD and with an attitude of a little child, so that the minister doing the baptising feels sure he or she will accept and believe fully Christ’s true doctrines in His Church.  

In other words, Christ commands that we all speak the same thing. THAT BECOMES A QUALIFICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP!  

Yet I must add one comment concerning the above paragraph. Paul shows in I Corinthians 2 that the carnal unconverted mind cannot comprehend and come to real understanding of spiritual knowledge. There is no PROMISE in the Bible that one will receive the Holy Spirit prior to baptism (though Cornelius and his house did).  

In Matthew 28:19-20, in the great commission, Jesus mentioned “teaching them to observe … [commandments],” after mentioning baptism.  

That is why I myself have baptized some prior to coming into full doctrinal teaching, but these were cases where I felt sure they were so completely surrendered to Christ that they would — as in fact they did — accept doctrinal teaching.  

I said at the ministers’ conference that I feel we have been too lax in baptising people before they were completely REPENTANT and FULLY BELIEVED Christ and what He says in the Bible.  

Once in the Church, WE MUST ALL SPEAK THE SAME THING! I have covered earlier in this “Personal” how a member should proceed who thinks he has found where the Church is in error on a doctrine, or where he thinks he has discovered “new light” the Church does not yet have. It must be cleared finally by Christ’s apostle.  

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Should We Pray to GOD or Only to Christ?

by Herbert W. Armstrong

Good News Article – May 1960  

Do we have access to the Father, on only to Christ? What does it mean to ask “in the name of Jesus Christ”?

GOD’S Church has been accused of error in addressing prayers to God the Father. Two supposed former members of God’s Church have set out to “speak perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20:30). Rejecting the truth, after it was patiently pointed out to them, this couple now is going farther and farther into error. They have begun sending typed or mimeographed accusations and doctrinal arguments to such brethren as they may know, attempting to discredit God’s Church. We now must “mark them” as God commands, that all may “AVOID THEM” (Rom. 16:17-18). Accusing God’s Church One such 8-page tirade against The Church of God is captioned: “THE RADIO CHURCH OF GOD IS THE CHURCH OF LAODICEA.” No accusation could be more false. In it this dissenter states falsely: “The work that the Radio Church of God is doing IS NOT THE PREACHING OF THE GOOD NEWS TO THE WORLD.” To say that God’s Church is not preaching the true GOSPEL to the world is a point-blank LIE! Many other false accusations and misrepresentations, and reflections against the Church, were made. However, the main contention is the accusation that God’s Church is in error in obeying Christ’s instruction regarding prayer. This couple says it is wrong to address prayers, as Jesus taught, to the Father, in Jesus’ name. Their basic argument is that to ask “IN JESUS’ NAME” means to ASK JESUS HIMSELF! As this misguided man himself wrote: “It revolves around the question of what is meant by Jesus’ instruction to ask in His name … I became convinced that Jesus meant a different manner of prayer than what is usually used. He was ascending into heaven, to be our high priest at the right hand of God the Father. Therefore, we are to come directly to Him with our requests. The words ‘Ask in my name’ are not a blanket power of attorney, but have a different meaning entirely.” The Scriptural teaching about TO WHOM our prayers should be addressed is so plain that a few Scriptures very plainly set forth the TRUTH. Ten thousand pages of arguments cannot countermand, disannul, or explain away these plain basic Scriptures. Shall We Obey Christ? The Church of God OBEYS the HEAD of this Church, who is Jesus Christ. What did He teach and command? One of His disciples said to Jesus. “Lord, teach us to pray.”

“And He said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done …” (Luke 11:1-2).

NOTICE! Jesus, teaching His disciples, instructed “When ye pray, say, OUR FATHER which art in heaven.” This false accuser says we are WRONG if we obey that instruction. IF JESUS CHRIST be your Saviour; Lord and Master, and High Priest, FOLLOW HIM! If this dissenter be your lord and master, then follow him. Notice again, from Matthew’s version of the “sermon on the mount.”

“But when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, PRAY TO THY FATHER which is in secret: and THY FATHER which seeth in secret shall REWARD THEE openly.” (Matthew 6:5-6).

NOTICE! “When thou prayest … PRAY TO THY FATHER.” This is a command. This is the teaching of the Head of our Church. Will we listen to Christ, and obey Him, or listen to misguided and self-willed dissenters bent on accusing, discrediting, dividing God’s Church, and drawing a personal following after themselves? Notice, further, there is promise of THE ANSWER, when we address THE FATHER in prayer: “… and thy FATHER SHALL REWARD THEE …” In verse 8 Jesus adds, further: “for your FATHER knoweth what things ye have need of, BEFORE YE ASK HIM.” It is God the FATHER who knows what we have asked HIM — not asked of Christ! Next, Jesus instructed us HOW TO PRAY:

“After this manner therefore pray ye: OUR FATHER which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. THY Kingdom come. THY will be done …” etc. (Verses 9-10).

If you can tear that teaching of Jesus out of the Bible, you might as well throw your Bible away! Yet this dissenter says we must NOT obey that teaching! He says that was all CHANGED, after the crucifixion and resurrection! If it was, the next step is to say the Sabbath was changed, and everything Jesus taught! This dissenter has ARGUMENTS! Long, voluminous ARGUMENTS. But this is a plain and simple THUS SAITH THE LORD! Can ARGUMENTS, or twisting and misapplying other Scriptures, knock THESE Scriptures in the head? Can you call Jesus a false teacher, and yet claim to honor Him? Did Christ CHANGE It? This man asks why are no prayers recorded AFTER the four Gospels that are addressed to THE FATHER? The true answer, of course, is that there were! Yet, he argues, “The simple explanation is that Jesus Christ AUTHORIZED A CHANGE in the manner of prayer He had taught, just before He was crucified. John 16:24: ‘HITHERTO YE HAVE ASKED NOTHING IN MY NAME: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.’ His name was not given for men to call upon until His ministry was completed. When this was finished, He instructed us to ask in His name and FROM THIS TIME, THERE ARE NO RECORDED PRAYERS THAT BEGIN with the words, ‘Our Father.'” That is the crux of his argument! It is based on his assumption that to ask “in Jesus name” does NOT mean what God’s Church teaches — that is, by His authority — by His permission — but to ask Jesus Himself direct. Now let us look at the Scripture he quotes, and understand it IN ITS CONTEXT. He has put into this Scripture an exact opposite meaning from its plain and simple meaning, WHEN WE READ IT ALL. He quoted only the PART of it he could twist and misapply! What WAS Jesus saying? Read it ALL: Jesus was telling His disciples, the night of His last Passover, just before He was seized to be crucified: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you … Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth … A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go unto the Father but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day YE SHALL ASK ME NOTHING. Verily, verily, I say unto you, WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME, HE will give it you. Hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:7,13,20,22-24.) NOTICE IT! Jesus’ disciples had been with Him almost day and night for three and a half years. During that time they had asked HIM, direct, many things. Was that asking “in His name?” He said that up until then they had asked NOTHING IN HIS NAME. But you can find countless Scriptures recording instances when they asked HIM, DIRECT, many things. Asking Jesus DIRECT Notice just a few examples of how, prior to this time, Jesus disciples had asked HIM, direct, many things: “And HIS DISCIPLES ASKED HIM, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must come first? And Jesus answered and said unto them …” (Mat. 17:10.) But this was not asking IN HIS NAME, because later, Jesus said: “Hitherto ye have asked no thing in my name” (John 16:24). So when “His disciples ASKED HIM,” they were not asking “in His name.” “And when He was entered into the house from the people, HIS DISCIPLES ASKED HIM …” (Mark 7:17). ASKING “in His name” did not mean asking HIM direct here, because they DID ASK HIM, but they had not, as yet, asked “in His name!” “And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here …” (Mark 9:5). Peter addressed Christ direct — but speaking to Him direct was NOT SPEAKING IN HIS NAME! “And when He was come into the house, HIS DISCIPLES ASKED HIM privately,” (Mark 9:28). But they did not ask “in His name.” “And in the house HIS DISCIPLES ASKED HIM AGAIN …” (Mark 10:10). Asking HIM direct was not “asking in His name.” “Peter and James and John and Andrew ASKED HIM PRIVATELY …” (Mark 13:3). But they did not ask “in His name.” Asking HIM, then — praying to, or speaking to HIM, is NOT “asking IN HIS NAME!” For plainly, Jesus said in John 16:24, that all these many times they had asked things of HIM, direct, in person, was NOT asking “IN HIS NAME!” “Hitherto,” He said, “ye have asked nothing in MY NAME.” Now Jesus had, previously, instructed them to address their prayers to THE FATHER, as I have shown above. But He had NOT, previously, instructed them to ask IN HIS NAME, or by HIS AUTHORITY, or as having power of attorney to ask FOR Him, in His place. But now He did authorize them to ask IN HIS NAME. And of WHOM did He instruct them to ask IN HIS NAME? “Whatsoever ye shall ask THE FATHER IN MY NAME, HE will give it you,” instructed Jesus (Verse 23). WHY DID THIS DISSENTER QUOTE ONLY VERSE 24, AND PUT AN OPPOSITE MEANING INTO IT, AND OMIT VERSE 23, WHICH PLACES A MEANING ON VERSE 24 EXACTLY OPPOSITE TO THIS MAN’S ARGUMENT? Did he not know verse 23 was there? Did he omit it purposely? In this Scripture — Jesus’ parting Message to His disciples before His crucifixion, HE DID NOT CHANGE His previous command to pray to THE FATHER. He REPEATED IT! But NOW He gave them authority to ask IN HIS NAME. There is POWER in the name of Christ! His name carries AUTHORITY. He assured them that when they prayed to THE FATHER, by this AUTHORITY of HIS NAME, the Father would give them what they asked! Notice further! Did Jesus say here, “Do not pray any longer to THE FATHER — but from now on pray only to ME direct? No!! Just the opposite! He said — NOTE IT — “in that day” — after His resurrection — after He has gone from them, and to the Father’s throne in heaven — “ye shall ask ME NOTHING!” Until then, they had asked Him many things continually. But now — in OUR DAY TODAY — He said to ask HIM NOTHING, but to ask THE FATHER, IN HIS NAME! The words IN HIS NAME do not tell US WHOM to ask. They tell us How to ask — that is, by Christ’s authority. Jesus told WHO to ask. He commanded “ASK THE FATHER!” Christ’s Command to US This accuser states, falsely: “Jesus Christ AUTHORIZED A CHANGE in the manner of prayer He had taught, just before He was crucified.” He quoted — or rather MISquoted — John 16:24. It is shown above, so plainly a little child can see, that Jesus did not authorize any change but rather confirmed what He had taught, now merely adding authority to ask IN HIS NAME. EVERYTHING Jesus taught and commanded His disciples is a teaching and command for us today! AFTER His resurrection, just before ascending to heaven, Jesus’ first spoken COMMAND was: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in(to) the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: TEACHING THEM to observe ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I have commanded you.” (Mat. 28:19-20). Jesus had taught and commanded THEM TO PRAY TO THE FATHER. He had authorized them to address the FATHER IN HIS NAME. Now, just before parting from them in person, He commanded them to go into all the world — teaching those whom they baptized to observe ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER He had commanded them. He had commanded them to address their prayers to THE FATHER. So now they were to teach ALL CONVERTS, likewise, to pray TO GOD THE FATHER. Meaning of “in Jesus’ Name” This man argues that the words “IN JESUS’ NAME” — or, as Christ Himself instructed us, in praying to the Father, to do it “IN MY NAME” — does not mean by His authority — by His instruction or permission — but, rather, he argues that to ask “IN JESUS’ NAME” is TO ASK JESUS HIMSELF DIRECTLY. Now let us look at a few Scriptures and see how ridiculous this contention is. Notice Jeremiah 14:14: “Then the LORD said unto me, the prophets prophesy lies in my name: …” If “IN MY NAME” means “ask ME,” then these false prophets were prophesying LIES DIRECT TO THE LORD! Were these false prophets preaching their lies TO THE ETERNAL, trying to mislead and deceive HIM? How foolish! He says, same verse: “… they prophesy UNTO YOU a false vision.” They were addressing, NOT the Eternal, but the PEOPLE. But HOW? “IN CHRIST’S NAME” for He is the “LORD” spoken of in this verse. Of course they CLAIMED TO PREACH BY HIS AUTHORITY, but they were lying. He had not sent them. The very fact that the context shows The ETERNAL (Christ) had not sent them, and that they were LYING when they claimed to be speaking “IN HIS NAME” shows definitely and positively and finally that they CLAIMED to speak by HIS AUTHORITY — only they were lying. “IN MY NAME,” here, then, means “BY MY AUTHORITY!” Consider the 23rd chapter of Jeremiah. It pronounces woes on the false preachers. It is a PROPHECY for OUR DAY, NOW! The Eternal tells us, verse 16, not to listen to the preachers who flatter their congregations, to inflate their congregations’ vanity, speaking THEIR OWN ideas, but NOT the Word of the Eternal. Yet they CLAIMED to be representing Christ. “They say … The Eternal hath said …”– that is, that they are sent BY Christ, as His representative, with His words, and therefore BY HIS AUTHORITY. But God says (verse 16): “… they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Eternal.” They were lying about representing Christ — speaking FOR Him — by His authority. “I have NOT sent these prophets,” (preachers), says Christ (Verse 21). Yet they CLAIMED to speak BY HIS AUTHORITY: “I have heard what the prophets said,” says the Eternal (verse 25), “that prophesy LIES IN MY NAME.” Here again, “IN MY NAME” means “as my authorized representative,” or “by my authority.” If it means, as this deceived couple argue, “prophesy to or address ME direct,” then you read into it the ridiculously foolish meaning of these false preachers preaching lies TO CHRIST DIRECT — but NOT to the people! Notice Jeremiah 26:9: “Why hast thou prophesied IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, saying …” Jeremiah was not prophesying TO THE LORD DIRECT. He was not speaking to CHRIST. Christ (The Eternal) had spoken TO HIM, and Jeremiah had spoken Christ’s words, as CHRIST AUTHORIZED, TO THE PEOPLE! Here, so plainly all can see, “IN THE NAME OF the LORD” means by the LORD’S authority — by His permission — by His command. It does not mean TO the LORD. Jeremiah spoke TO the people. Need we go further? Jeremiah continued to warn these people: “… for of a truth THE LORD HATH SENT me unto you to speak all these words in your ears. Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken TO US IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD.” (Verses 15-16.) Jeremiah did not speak TO the Eternal — he spoke TO the people. But the Eternal sent him. The Eternal authorized him to address his speech to the people, and speaking by this authority is plainly designated as speaking to them “IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.” Speaking “in His name” is NOT speaking TO Christ — but BY HIS AUTHORITY! Remember the disciples had addressed many questions to Jesus direct. Yet He said, “Hitherto have ye asked NOTHING IN MY NAME.” (John 16:24.) Hitherto they had asked HIM, direct, on their OWN initiative — NOT by Jesus’ direction or authority — but by their own. But, after He left them and ascended to heaven, “ye shall ask ME nothing … Whatsoever ye shall ask THE FATHER IN MY NAME, HE will give it you.” (Verse 23.) He was here and now AUTHORIZING them to ask IN HIS NAME, but commanding them TO address their prayer to THE FATHER. Nothing could be plainer. Apostles Prayed to the FATHER Now just one or two points more, and we shall have an END to these nonsensical and perverted arguments against Christ’s commands. This man says, as quoted above, that no prayers were addressed to the Father after the Four Gospels — that is, as recorded in the Book of Acts, and other Books of the New testament following. He even had the audacity to quote Acts 4:24, 29, and say they were praying to Jesus, and NOT to the Father! Peter and John had been put in prison overnight, and threatened. “And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that they lifted up their voice to GOD with one accord and said, Lord, thou art GOD …” (Acts 4:23-24). Now TO WHOM were they praying? This dissenter says that “God” sometimes means Christ — which is true but apparently does not know that the word “Lord” also sometimes refers to THE FATHER, as it does here! Let’s read on. It becomes very PLAIN as TO WHOM they are praying: “For of a truth against THY HOLY CHILD JESUS, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles …” etc. (Verse 27). Jesus is called the holy CHILD of the One to whom they were praying. Jesus was the child of GOD THE FATHER. SO they were praying to the FATHER, whom, they said, “THOU hast anointed.” They were praying to the One who had anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit. The FATHER anointed Jesus (Mat. 3:17; Mark 1:10-11). Therefore they were addressing this prayer TO THE FATHER! Now notice verses 29-30. The prayer continues: “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants … that signs and wonders may be done BY THE NAME OF THY HOLY CHILD JESUS.” Again, they were addressing their prayer to THE FATHER of Jesus. They were NOT asking that signs and wonders might be done TO Jesus direct — but that they might be done “BY THE NAME” of God’s Son, Jesus — BY HIS AUTHORITY! Quoting Acts 4:24 this man admits: “Portions of this prayer appear to be spoken to the Father.” Then why contradict himself, saying: “Why are there no prayers recorded after the Gospels … with any indication that the prayer is being addressed to the Father?” Isn’t it absurd that a man with a college education, as this man claims to have, would claim that Jesus CHANGED, when He says He has never changed, and that Christ did away with His own teachings and commands, just before His death — and that he would argue that “in Jesus name” means TO Jesus; and that no prayers were addressed to the FATHER, after the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Jesus thanked God that these truths are revealed unto BABES, and hidden from the wise and prudent. A college education IN THIS WORLD’S COLLEGES can be a very great HANDICAP, rather than a help. Still, ANYONE can understand the TRUTH whose heart is willing! Access to the Father This man would deny God’s own children access to their heavenly FATHER. But what IS the very WAY of God, by which we are converted? Our SINS have cut us off from God (Isa. 59:1-2). Sin is the transgression of the LAW. There is ONE Lawgiver — God the FATHER (Jas. 4:12). Sin cuts us off from the FATHER. When we repent of sin, our repentance is toward God the FATHER (Acts 20:21). But saving FAITH is toward Christ (same verse). When we repent, and receive Christ as Lord and MASTER, and are baptized as the symbol of our FAITH toward Christ, then what happens? The blood of Christ RECONCILES US to the FATHER (Rom. 5:10). And, once reconciled to the FATHER, He puts HIS SPIRIT into us, BEGETTING us as HIS BEGOTTEN CHILDREN. We are not begotten by CHRIST to become sons of Christ. Jesus is our elder Brother — the first-born of many BRETHREN. To be reconciled to the Father for transgression of HIS Law is to have ACCESS direct to HIM. Now notice: “For through HIM (Christ) we both (Jew and Gentile) HAVE ACCESS by one Spirit UNTO THE FATHER.” (Eph. 2:18). Christ has purchased for us and given us direct access to the Father! He has AUTHORIZED us to go direct to the Father in PRAYER. Notice again: “… according to the eternal purpose which He (the Father) purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness AND ACCESS with confidence by the faith of Him our Lord Jesus Christ … that He would grant you, according to the riches of His Glory, to be strengthened …” (Eph. 3:11-16). The Apostle Paul bowed his knees (both knees) in prayer direct to THE FATHER! Why did this man say no prayers were addressed to the Father after the Four Gospels? COL. 1:3: We give thanks to God and the FATHER of our Lord Jesus Christ, PRAYING always for you.” WHY does this man deny this Scripture? EPH. 5:20: “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the FATHER IN THE NAME OF our Lord Jesus Christ.” Praying TO the FATHER. Yet by authority from Christ, who gives us access to the Father. In 51-52 A.D. Paul and Timothy gave thanks to God the Father (I Thes. 1:1-2). We are to call on God the FATHER (I Peter 1:17). COL. 1:12-13: “Giving thanks unto the FATHER … who hath … delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.” If we have the Holy Spirit, “we cry (pray) Abba, FATHER” (Rom. 8:15) as Jesus prayed (Mark 14:36). Our High Priest Finally, what about Christ as our High Priest? WHY is Jesus Christ, the living HEAD of our Church, now appearing before God the Father, at God’s right hand? He is there to make intercession for us. “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto GOD by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:25). Yes, Jesus Christ is able to save those WHO COME TO GOD THE FATHER — and we have been given access to come to the Father IN PRAYER — BY Christ. We cannot approach the Father by our own merits. We have none. Christ is the door — the way. One does not go TO a door and STOP. He goes on THROUGH the door. Christ gives us access to GOD. And He INTERCEDES with God FOR US. This intercession of our blessed HIGH PRIEST DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE PRAY TO CHRIST AND THAT HE THEN CARRIES OUR REQUEST TO THE FATHER. Notice Scriptural proof of this: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for WE KNOW NOT what we should pray for as we ought: but THE SPIRIT ITSELF MAKETH INTERCESSION for us example of Christians praying TO the Holy Spirit. Here is a plain example of Christians NOT KNOWING WHAT TO PRAY FOR — but God’s Holy Spirit intercedes for them. They do not pray TO the Spirit, and then the Spirit transmit their request to God; but rather, the Spirit ITSELF moves upon God for that which they did NOT ask, since they did not know WHAT to ask! In like manner, we have access direct to the Father, to pray direct to Him by CHRIST’S PERMISSION. Christ, our High Priest at the Father’s side, ALSO petitions the Father for us — offering HIS SACRIFICE in lieu of our unworthiness. Elijah made intercession to God AGAINST Israel (Rom. 11:2). This was not acting as a go-between to transmit THEIR Prayers to God. Paul taught that we HUMANS should make intercession for ALL MEN (I Tim. 2:1). Our FELLOWSHIP Many of our brethren HUNGER for the FELLOWSHIP of other brethren. They long to be able to TALK WITH others of like mind and the same Spirit. But OUR FELLOWSHIP is first of all “with the FATHER, and with the Son Jesus Christ.” (I John 1:3). HOW do we have FELLOWSHIP? By meeting with — conversing with! When we PRAY to the Father, and/or to Christ, we are speaking to them. When we read and study the Bible, they are talking to us. The Bible is the Word of GOD. Although Jesus is the WORD — the direct author of the Bible — yet He spoke only as the FATHER commanded Him. So the Bible is the WORD to US from both the FATHER and the SON. When Jesus Christ, our Saviour, High Priest and Lord, reconciles us to the FATHER — gives us direct access to the Father, we have the great HONOR, paid for by Christ’s very life which He gave, to speak directly to the Father. But our fellowship is also with Jesus Christ, God’s divine SON. Christ is now on the Father’s throne with Him, at His right hand as our High priest. We have fellowship with Jesus Christ ALSO. WE DO, WE MAY, WE SHOULD, ALSO PRAY TO JESUS CHRIST! YET THE teaching and examples of the Bible place overwhelming main emphasis on praying to the Father. God’s Church does not forbid any to pray to Christ. It is not so much a matter of to WHICH Person we are to pray. We do not condemn this couple for praying to Christ. Rather, they condemn God’s Church for praying to the Father. But we DO SAY that ONE WHO HAS NO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER BY PRAYER IS CUT OFF FRONT GOD! Our accuser quoted Scriptures to show that the apostles (Acts 1:24-25) prayed direct to Jesus to show them, by lot, which of HIS DISCIPLES who had followed with them in Jesus’ personal ministry He had chosen to take Judas’ place. Of course! And so should God’s ministers of today, under the same circumstances! Jesus had taught these candidates PERSONALLY. God gave Him this ministry personally. Jesus is GOD — and the FATHER is God. Jesus is worthy of our worship — and that of angels! But the FATHER is the HEAD even of Jesus! This dissenting couple accuse God’s Church of by-passing, and insulting JESUS. We do neither — we OBEY HIM, and honor Him in so doing. It is rather THEY who are by-passing and ignoring THE FATHER. We are to WORSHIP GOD, as well as Christ. They quote Acts 7:59-60, where Stephen called out to Jesus Christ. God’s Church knows that, and always has taught it! This couple falsely accuse God’s Church of putting them out for no more than “calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” That is a deliberate falsehood and effort to discredit God’s Church and draw a following after themselves. We TEACH all members to “CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.” Since all members do, how absurd would it be to put two supposed members out for doing what we teach should be done? They were put out for the wrong spirit they allowed to possess them, and for false doctrines, and for having disfellowshipped themselves from THE FATHER, thereby cutting themselves off from God, His fellowship, and ours. II THES. 3:6: “Now we command you, brethren, IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received from us.” Here, by AUTHORITY OF JESUS CHRIST is a command for all members of God’s Church to WITHDRAW FROM this couple who walk thus disorderly, and not after GOD’S true tradition they did receive from us. These Scriptures have been gone into with this couple personally, in long sessions, and they rejected them and set out to mislead God’s people and discredit God’s Church. “If there came any unto you, and bring not this doctrine (of Christ and His Church) receive him not into your house.” (II John 10). Let us realize that this is not a harsh or unkind command. It is God’s punishment of them, and His mercy and protection for His Church. God punishes every son whom He loves. To be CUT OFF FROM GOD is the most severe curse that can come to any person or people. To condone such a crime and make light of it by remaining in the friendship and fellowship of those who commit it is to 1) HARM AND INJURE THEM, by encouraging them to be deceived into thinking they do right; and 2) to cut ourselves off from God — for whoever even bids them God speed is PARTAKER of their evil deeds. If we truly LOVE these people, and also LOVE GOD, we will do as God says. A Grave DANGER! This totally unscriptural doctrine, based on erroneous human reason, promulgated by this couple is a satanic doctrine of great DANGER! What is the essence of all pagan doctrines? How did Satan deceive the world with heathen doctrines? The ancient pagans KNEW there was one SUPREME GOD and FATHER over ALL. But, like this misguided couple, they reasoned that HE WAS UNAPPROACHABLE! He was totally INACCESSIBLE! They had to approach only a go-between — a lesser god. Satan represented his demons as demi-gods, to whom people should address their prayers. THAT IS THE WAY THE IDEA OF THE MANY GODS of the pagans originated. The Roman Catholics make Mary such an intermediary. THEY PRAY TO HER! Also to dead “saints.” To turn Jesus Christ into such a demigod IS HERESY, and AN INSULT to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ paid THE SUPREME PENALTY for us — WHY? To purchase for us ACCESS DIRECT TO GOD the Supreme FATHER over all! To DENY that access is to DENY the very blood of Jesus Christ! Far from honoring Christ, this erring couple, in the smug conceit of their own supposed intellectual human reasoning, are DENYING Him — disobeying Him — insulting Him! Jesus Christ, who is very GOD, is also our ELDER BROTHER! He made it possible for us to have access to the Father so that we might be begotten by the FATHER. We are not begotten by our elder BROTHER. A brother does not beget and sire brothers! We are begotten by our FATHER into HIS FAMILY. My sons and daughters have always had a FAMILY RELATIONSHIP with, and full access to, ME. All of us who are God’s begotten children have ACCESS to GOD THE FATHER. And, we also have access to our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, and to our still human but begotten brothers and sisters! It is a WONDERFUL family relationship! Yes, PRAISE GOD for it! We have access direct to the FATHER — and also to Jesus Christ! Many times DAILY we may go into intimate COMMUNION with BOTH God and Christ — our FATHER and our BROTHER! Our GOD and our SAVIOUR! HOW WONDERFUL to really come to KNOW the great supreme GOD! How grateful to Jesus we should be for making this blessed privilege possible! The MOST JOYOUS thing in life is to have this COMMUNION — this close and intimate FELLOWSHIP with BOTH the FATHER and Christ the SON! God’s Church certainly does not forbid members to commune with and pray to Christ Jesus — but neither must we leave UNDONE the communion and fellowship with and prayers to THE FATHER, who is the HEAD of Christ, and of all that is!]]>

The Measuring Line – The End-Time Elijah The End Time Elijah has come! He was to RESTORE things. What was RESTORED? Are we HOLDING FAST to these truths? Or have we gone away from them, not receiving these truths? Was there ONLY 18 as some claim? Or were there at LEAST 18, 19 or more? What Did Herbert W Armstrong teach?]]>

“First, let’s get settled once and for all: HOW HAS JESUS CHRIST, THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH, ALWAYS PUT HIS TEACHINGS AND DOCTRINES INTO GOD’S CHURCH? Search the book of Acts. Search the writings of Paul. The Church always, from the beginning, received its teachings, doctrines and practices FROM THE APOSTLES! And where did the Apostles obtain these teachings? Direct from Jesus Christ who taught them IN PERSON. Jesus was the PERSONAL Word of God. The Bible is the WRITTEN Word of God–the same teachings and truths precisely. Some of the teachings and practices injected into the Church were obtained by the Apostles from the PROPHETS. The Church is founded on the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ being chief cornerstone. ALL official teaching, doctrine, and practice in God’s Church today has been put in the Church by Jesus Christ THROUGH HIS CHOSEN APOSTLE!

“God says He is a jealous God. That is, He does not allow any other to usurp His place or authority! Each of you ministers should feel the same way about anyone else jerking the rug out from under you or usurping, without authority, your place. I feel that way about the Apostleship Jesus Christ has conferred on me.”…”God commands us through Paul that we all speak the same thing (1 Cor. 1:10), that there be no divisions among us!”

“Official Ruling on Passover” written by Herbert W. Armstrong, March 21, 1980 Pastor General’s Report