How The Restored Church of God Differs

Next Part Here are just a few of many:

From the Worldwide Church of God Splinter Groups

Editor’s Note

This article, a compilation of excerpts from Mr. David Pack’s Splinter Explanation Packet books and other materials, serves as a primer for inquirers and prospective members who are less familiar with the Worldwide Church of God (California, USA) and its offshoots.

Over the years, many readers of our literature have asked what makes The Restored Church of God (RCG) different from other “churches of God” that trace their origins to the Worldwide Church of God (WCG). Some have wondered why these groups will not merge to create one large organization, and why we would not merge with them. Well into the Laodicean Age, the last era of the New Testament Church (Rev. 3:17), many outside RCG are confused about this subject.

In addressing this crucial topic, Jesus Christ’s statement in Matthew 16:18 sets the stage: “I will build My Church.” Note well that He did not say churches. Also consider Luke 12:32, in which Jesus says, “Fear not little flock”—not flocks. Christ leads only one unified, organized, structured, undivided Church, not many “churches, groups, organizations, fellowships” or “flocks.” Paul asked the rhetorical question, “Is Christ divided?” (I Cor. 1:13). The answer, so obvious from the context, is NO!

On the surface, the various splinter groups may appear to generally teach the same doctrines, but there are vast differences between them. And to one degree or another, all of these groups teach false doctrines and disagree with the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong (Pastor General of the WCG until his death in 1986)—and therefore, by extension, with The Restored Church of God.

It is crucial to understand that few believe Mr. Armstrong was the end-time Elijah, who was prophesied to restore all things to the Church (Mal. 3:1; 4:5-6; Matt. 17:11; Mark 9:12)—and fewer comprehend what this means, and how it relates to Christ’s admonition to the Philadelphian era of His Church: “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown” (Rev. 3:11). Further, many former ministers and members of WCG no longer even accept that Mr. Armstrong held the office of apostle (Eph. 4:11; I Cor. 12:28).

As a result, the splinter groups do not hesitate to change the doctrines God restored to His Church through him.

What Happened?

A brief review of recent history: Herbert W. Armstrong led the Worldwide Church of God (formerly the Radio Church of God until 1968) until his death in 1986. Hundreds of millions heard his voice and read his literature. God called him in the fall of 1926 and he was converted in the spring of 1927. Over the course of Mr. Armstrong’s ministry, God revealed through him a great many biblical doctrines that had been lost to the Church through the centuries. The Church grew in size, membership and scope of preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God to the world.

In the years after Mr. Armstrong’s death, his successors, who ultimately turned out to be false leaders (apostates), captured the corporate Church and ceased to believe and teach virtually every one of the doctrines revealed through Mr. Armstrong. Over the process of time, these men completely discarded the truth and destroyed the visible Church, thus leaving it spiritually dead. As a result, several ministers left WCG to form their own organizations, comprised of brethren unhappy with the changes that had occurred.

Through the first half of the 1990s, about 80% of the Church completely departed from the truth. Having ingested the false leaders’ doctrines, the remaining 20% scattered into various splinters, holding to varying degrees of the truth. Most of them agreed on certain basic doctrines, but conversely disagreed on many others.

The problem is best defined in the following way: While most agreed that they disagreed with Mr. Armstrong on various doctrines, they could not agree on where they disagreed. As a result, thousands found themselves no longer able to “walk together” (Amos 3:3) in the unity that the Church once enjoyed. Thus, they scattered intomany places—where they could meet with others of relatively similar belief. The natural result has been chaos and confusion, of which God is not the author (I Cor. 14:33), and more and more groups forming.

However, these groups generally see themselves as “standing up for the truth.”

A vital distinction must be made at this point. These latter organizations are not to be confused with earliergroups that left in the 1970s, prior to Mr. Armstrong’s death. These were born of rebellion against the truth and God’s government when the Church was doctrinally on track. Most members were once able to recognize that none of these organizations were of God—period. Time, coupled with the blindness of the Laodicean age that has settled over most of God’s people, has clouded the ability of most to even see this much. Many nowconsider even these early groups to be additional, viable options. This new position represents an astonishingreversal of understanding.

This also greatly effects and leads to confusion for those looking for where God’s Church and Work are today.
Now let’s profile several larger splinter groups that appeared after the truth began to be cast from the Church, examining how each differs from RCG and Mr. Armstrong.

The Philadelphia Church of God

In December 1989, the first true WCG “splinter” was created, the Philadelphia Church of God (PCG). This organization eventually became home to several thousands, who went there believing it would help them hold to the full restored truth. However, this turned out not to be the case, as this group’s leader had departed from the truth Mr. Armstrong taught in profound ways. PCG is in fact radically different!

Among numerous other divine titles, the leader of PCG declares himself to be “That Prophet” of Deuteronomy 18:15. Members of his church are required to accept this teaching. Yet the Bible plainly reveals that “That Prophet” is Jesus Christ! This is something that most Bible students recognize. This man also refers to himself asThe Lawgiver, The Voice, King, Father, The Messenger, Teacher of Righteousness, The Nail, among MANY others! His assuming all these titles amounts to rank blasphemy, and leads members to idolatry. Such is the working of a cult leader.

But these divine and religious titles have given him a tremendously powerful grip on those whose worship he seeks!

God the Father is the only Lawgiver in the Bible. Jesus Christ will bring and administer the Father’s Law to the whole world at His Return, and Moses is the only human who was ever a type of Christ in this way. It should be clear that anyone claiming to be “The Lawgiver” is taking another role of both God the Father and, in an indirect sense, Christ. This is a reason that his claiming to be That Prophet not only makes him a false prophet, but also a false Christ! Mr. Armstrong and John the Baptist were both, in type, Elijahs who filled the roles of “a voice” and “a messenger.” No one else in the New Testament is prophesied to be a similar voice or messenger. But anyone elevating himself into these roles is fully consistent with a false prophet!

No description of false prophets is complete without explaining one final characteristic. These deceivers always seem to find new ways to elevate themselves to greater offices and roles! Declaring oneself to hold the second-highest New Testament office—prophet—is, in itself, a huge self-elevation.

In this light, let’s examine a statement from Mr. Armstrong’s book Mystery of the Ages. For our purposes here, it is all-important. Mr. Armstrong included a vital section of the book (actually several) wherein he explained the various responsibilities of all the offices that Christ had established within His Church, including prophets.

PCG now owns the copyright to, and has reproduced, Mystery of the Ages. Again, this organization claims to be holding fast to all that Mr. Armstrong taught. Carefully read the next statement from Mr. Armstrong, recognizing that the portion in bold has been deleted by PCG’s leader from the new version that PCG offers:

“The prophets set in the foundation of the Church are those of the Old Testament, whose writings were used to form a considerable part of New Testament and gospel teaching and functioning. No prophets are mentioned as having either administrative, executive or preaching functions in the New Testament Church.

“Evangelists were leading ministers, proclaiming the gospel to the public, even raising up local churches and having supervision over some churches under the apostle. Therefore an evangelist may hold executive functions under the apostle in the Church headquarters or work today.”

Mystery of the Ages, pp. 244-245
The deletion of the portion in bold is its own stunning revelation about this organization. Sadly, most who are members there seem to have no idea that their leader deleted this crucial portion of Mr. Armstrong’s text. Nevertheless, the statement is plain. Prophets never hold “administrative, executive or preaching functions” in God’s Church. This deceived leader’s assertions notwithstanding, there are no exceptions to this rule! Of course, he does not want, nor can he allow, Mr. Armstrong to be heard on this important matter.

This splinter has suffered numerous splits, often over administration and dictatorial government, but more often over doctrine, because of the absolutely blasphemous and unbiblical nonsense taught by its leader. He has completely departed from God, becoming as false as the original apostates themselves. Tragically, others near him at the top appear to be following his lead. This organization has developed two mindsets—those who agree with the leader’s many assumed titles and offices and those who do not. It appears that more splits there may be imminent, with survivors choosing where to go or giving up entirely.

Also, this leader’s writings and sermons emphasize his “private interpretation” (II Pet. 1:20) of prophecy, which contradicts the doctrines of RCG, Mr. Herbert Armstrong—and the Bible.

Our book Is “That Prophet” Alive Today? – The Rise of False Prophets covers the many false doctrines taught by the Philadelphia Church of God.

Church of the Great God

In December 1991, another former WCG pastor resigned and created a new organization, Church of the Great God (CGG), the second to form after the apostasy. He claimed the Work was over and that Mr. Armstrong had put too much emphasis on it. This splinter never grew to more than a few hundred, and this is largely because its leader does not believe Mr. Armstrong “had the right balance” between “doing the Work” and “feeding the flock.” He explained that he felt Mr. Armstrong’s improper overemphasis on preaching the gospel and warning Israel, instead of “taking care of the sheep,” is the principal reason so many fell away so easily when the apostates threw out the truth. Over time, several hundred people came and went from this group.

An interesting and effective speaker (in this case, meaning a seductive speaker), this man decided to specialize in giving “in-depth” sermons. However, having accepted from the beginning a number of the apostates’ doctrines, this man eventually fell into a host of absolutely preposterous prophetic ideas. We will consider just one, because it well illustrates how far afield he has gone. This man has actually come to the conclusion that the “great whore” of Revelation 17:5 is the many nations of Israel today. He has given ten separate sermons explaining in excruciating detail why this is “true.”

Consider the basic understanding of prophecy about which Mr. Armstrong would have to have been utterly wrong for this theory to be correct. The whole framework on which hangs the one-third of the Bible that is prophecy implodes into a pile of rubble if this thinking is true. The Catholic church and the Protestants could no longer be identified in this chapter (Rev. 17 ALL) as the “great whore” and her “harlot daughters,” if this thinking were accurate.

Living Church of God

In January 1993, another group, first known as the Global Church of God (GCG), then later the Living Church of God (LCG), formed. This occurred after the evangelist who started it petitioned Mr. Armstrong’s successor to remain in the WCG “as a local church elder.” Only after being turned down did he begin his group, and it quickly grew in size.

In 1998, this group suffered a major split within its ranks. The split was essentially a power struggle, and was almost entirely unrelated to doctrine. It was at this point that LCG came into existence, with the aforementioned evangelist as its leader, whom the majority of brethren chose to follow. GCG soon largely faded from existence. LCG has continued to experience the breakaway of several additional smaller offshoots. It is becoming increasingly Pentecostal and suffering ongoing and severe internal problems and tragedies.

Essentially, LCG’s leader presents dozens of false teachings to the thousands who follow him—and then baldly lies to them about these teachings and Mr. Armstrong.