Biblical Doctrine Fundamentals of Belief And Analysis of the Doctrines of Various Sabbath-Keeping Groups Study No. 123 by Richard C. Nickels Distributed by: Giving & Sharing PO Box 100 Neck City, MO 64849 2nd Edition, 1993 Dedication To our children. May they pass these precious truths on to the next generation, without watering down true doctrines. Acknowledgements Thanks to Herbert W. Armstrong, who restored fundamental Biblical doctrines. Thanks to the many individuals who have carried the torch to help preserve these truths for future generations. Above all, praise to the Almighty for the Holy Spirit's revelation of the Truth, which is the light that shines brightly in today's spiritual darkness. Why This Book Was Written Jude 3. . . ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Titus 1:9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convince [convict] the gainsayers. I Peter 3:15. . . be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. CAUTION! Perfect doctrinal understanding without love is good for nothing. Suggested donation: $3.00 Giving & Sharing, PO Box 100, Neck City, MO 64849 COPYRIGHT 1989, 1993 by Sharing & Giving, Inc. Permission granted to copy this material, provided it is given away freely, and not altered in meaning. Biblical Doctrine Table of Contents # of # Chapter Pages 1. The Importance of Doctrine 14 2. Outline of True Biblical Doctrine 22 3. Doctrines of the Worldwide Church of God 18 4. Book Review: Mystery of the Ages 10 5. Doctrines of Ex-Worldwide Church Groups 8 6. Doctrines of the Church of God, Seventh Day 10 7. Doctrines of Sacred Name Groups 4 8. Doctrines of Seventh-day Adventists 6 9. What Does It Mean, "Hold Fast to That Which You Were Taught"? 4 10. Tradition! 6 11. Doctrinal Changes and Liberalization 17 12. Consequences of Our Doctrinal Beliefs 2 Topical Index 2 Bibliography and Material to Write For 1 TOTAL PAGES 124 Summary and Outline of Biblical Doctrine Many Sabbath-keepers do not have a clear idea as to what their church teaches. It is important that we understand, and can present to others our beliefs and practices. This book, Biblical Doctrine, is more than just a statement of our particular beliefs. It is an analysis of what doctrine is, why doctrine is important, and what it means to hold fast to true doctrines and traditions. The beliefs of major Sabbath-keeping groups are analyzed. Doctrinal changes and liberalization ("watering down" of truth) are shown to be dominant in today's churches. TABLE OF CONTENTS By Chapter, With Summary Description Chapter 1: The Importance of Doctrine "Doctrine" means the sum total of Bible teachings. It is vital that we know true doctrine to be ready to give an answer of the hope within us. Doctrinal truth without love is good for nothing. What should be our attitude toward doctrinal statements? Chapter 2: Outline of True Biblical Doctrine Chart showing outline of true Bible doctrine. Explanation of Life Doctrines, Salvation Doctrines, and "Fellowship" Doctrines. Alphabetical listing and explanation of our fundamental beliefs. Chapter 3: Doctrines of the Worldwide Church of God We support the Twenty "Fundamentals of Belief" of the Radio Church of God (in 1968 renamed, Worldwide Church of God). Joseph Hopkins summarizes Worldwide Church teachings. We compare Worldwide beliefs with Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and British-Israelism. The Systematic Theology Project (STP) of the Worldwide Church of God liberalized its teachings. Chapter 4: Book Review: Mystery of the Ages Herbert W. Armstrong's last book is a systematic theology containing seven "mysteries" which few understand. We review his eighteen essential, basic points of Worldwide Church of God doctrine. Chapter 5: Doctrines of Ex-Worldwide Church Groups We summarize and review doctrinal beliefs of Garner Ted Armstrong's Church of God, International; Biblical Church of God; United Church of God; Raymond C. Cole's Church of God, The Eternal; William F. Dankenbring's Triumph Publishing, Gerald Flurry's Philadelphia Church of God, Roderick C. Meredith's Global Church of God, and John Ritenbaugh's Church of the Great God. Chapter 6: Doctrines of the Church of God, Seventh Day We give the historical 40 doctrinal points of the early twentieth century Church of God, Seventh Day, formulated by A.N. Dugger, along with doctrinal statements of the Denver Group, Caldwell, Idaho Group, and Salem, West Virginia and Meridian, Idaho groups. Chapter 7: Doctrines of Sacred Name Groups We analyze doctrinal statements of Jacob O. Meyer's Assembly of Yahweh, Yahweh's Assembly in Messiah, and the House of Yahweh. Chapter 8: Doctrines of Seventh-day Adventists We list and comment on the 27 points of Seventh-day Adventist doctrine. Chapter 9: What Does It Mean, "Hold Fast to That Which You Were Taught?" False "hold fasters" have changed doctrine. Holding fast is refusing to give up truth for untruth, eliminating error, and growth in truth. Chapter 10: Tradition! There is a difference between tradition and doctrine. Tradition is based more on interpretation and principle rather than a direct "thus saith the Lord." There are several Old and New Testament traditions. We list several modern traditions which we believe are valid. Chapter 11: Doctrinal Changes and Liberalization Doctrinal change is NOT spiritual growth. Liberalizing and watering down God's truth is spiritual suicide. There are many doctrinal changes of the Worldwide Church of God and Church of God, Seventh Day. Liberalism is evil. You can counter the growing trend toward liberalism and the throwing away of the Almighty's truth. Chapter 12: Consequences of Our Doctrinal Beliefs The results, or consequences, of our doctrinal beliefs, will result in distinct attitudes and practices. written by Richard C. Nickels 3316 Alberta Drive Gillette, Wyoming 82718 CHAPTER ONE: The Importance of Doctrine Do you know what you believe, and why? Many professed Bible believers have only a vague notion of their doctrinal beliefs, even if they belong to a church organization which presents a strong message. Should you have a personal set of doctrinal beliefs? Should a church organization publicly state its fundamental beliefs so as to leave no doubt by others of its teachings? Yes, absolutely it should. The apostle Peter states that we should always be ready to give an answer of the hope that is within us, I Peter 3:15. The apostle Paul held nothing back, and was not ashamed of the gospel message, Romans 1:16. We should know of whom and what we believe, II Timothy 1:12. In Biblical terms, "doctrine" means the sum total of Bible teachings. The Greek word for doctrine in the New Testament is didaskalia, Strong's #1319, and means "instruction, doctrine, learning, teaching." The verb form is #1322, didakee, "the act of teaching." How important is doctrine? It is very important for each one of us to know positively where we stand on doctrinal issues. Right understanding and faithful practice of correct doctrine is essential for our personal salvation. Marks of a Cult One of the distinguishing marks of a religious cult is a deliberate concealment of its full teachings from the public. Novices brought into the cult have no idea of the full extent of the group's teachings until they are thoroughly indoctrinated to obey the group's leadership without question. Unfortunately, such dishonest dealing is not limited to bizarre cults such as Moonies and other oriental religions. It is a common practice, to this day, among such Sabbath-keeping groups as the Seventh-Day Adventists and the Worldwide Church of God. These groups do not present a straightforward listing of their distinguishing beliefs. One has to study their literature for some time in order to piece together the doctrinal framework. The common answer given is that the "world" cannot understand the spiritual beliefs of the church, so that to give a simple list would bring persecution, misunderstanding, and problems with people coming along into the truth who couldn't take such a strong dose of truth at one time. When an individual becomes interested in the church, so the theory goes, he can be guided along by the ministers and church literature to come into more truth one doctrine at a time. This is a typical gnostic response. "WE know the truth," says the organization. "WE know how to guide you into the truth." In reality, the organization indoctrinating others is attempting to perform the work of the Holy Spirit in spoon feeding others with the truth of God. Take Heed to the Doctrine What is doctrine? It is the sum total of Bible teaching. In Luke 18:8, it is called "the faith." True doctrine comes from the scriptures. Prophecy, the gospel, the law, and all related Bible subjects are doctrine. There is so much false doctrine prevalent today, that we need to take heed to the true doctrine and help others follow it as well. I Timothy 4:1-3, 6, 13, 16 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth . . . . If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained . . . . Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine . . . . Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. The Living Bible translates verses 14-16: "Be sure to use the abilities God has given you through his prophets when the elders of the church laid their hands upon your head. Put these abilities to work; throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone may notice your improvement and progress. Keep a close watch on all you do and think. Stay true to what is right and God will bless you and use you to help others." Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. How We Live Shows Our Doctrinal Beliefs Titus 2:1, 7, 10 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: . . . . In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity . . . Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. II Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience. I Timothy 6:1 Let as many [believing] servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. True Doctrine Often Brings Persecution Acts 5:28 Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. John 18:19-23 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of His doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou Me? ask them which heard Me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. And when He had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou Me? Messiah's Doctrine is New and Startling Matthew 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine. Matthew 22:33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at His doctrine. Mark 1:22, 27 And they were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes . . . . And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth He even the unclean spirits, and they do obey Him. Acts 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. Acts 17:19 And they took Him, and brought Him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? Importance of Fellowship and Obedience Those who have the same doctrine should be in fellowship together: Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. The way to know doctrine is to obey and do His will: John 7:16-17 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself. We Must Be Vitally Concerned With Doctrine I Corinthians 14:6, 26 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? . . . How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. II Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Hebrews 6:1-3 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. I Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. We Must Avoid False Doctrine Matthew 16:6-12 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, He said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Colossians 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using . . . after the commandments and doctrines of men? I Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; I Timothy 6:3-5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting [sick] about questions and strifes of words . . . from such withdraw thyself. II Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. II John 9-10 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. Revelation 2:14-15, 24 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate . . . . But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Keep the Doctrine Delivered Unto You Romans 6:16-18 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Heavenly Father Gives Us True Doctrine Proverbs 4:1-2 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. Isaiah 28:9-11 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. Isaiah 29:24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine. Deuteronomy 32:1-4 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He. Doctrinal Truth Comes ONLY Through Creator's LOVE Herbert W. Armstrong, in an editorial in the March, 1938 Plain Truth magazine, wrote: We live today in a Babylon of confusion. Hundreds of denominations, each teaching a different creed. . . . It does make a difference what we believe. It is the TRUTH that shall make us free. But, 'though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and ALL KNOWLEDGE . . . and have not CHARITY, I am nothing!' Can you have LOVE, in patience and kindness, toward the one with whom you disagree? If you can't, you'll never repel error or find TRUTH. Why do people argue, strive, quarrel, over differences of belief? That is not the way into truth. Rather it confirms one in his error, until he comes to BELIEVE a lie. 'Hereby know we the spirit of TRUTH, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us LOVE one another . . .' (I John 4:6-7). . . . The one great barrier that separates professing Christians into denominational bundles -- that keeps them apart -- that promotes rivalry, hatred, and causes continued new splits and divisions -- is this insane insistence that the other fellow must see 'eye to eye' on every little point of doctrine! The one chord that binds together each little denominational bundle is the identical thing that has caused every split and division that ever took place between brethren -- DOCTRINE! As long as DOCTRINE is employed as the basis for church unity, every so called 'church' will continue to suffer strife, division and separation into more divisions. And yet each denomination firmly believes that it, and it alone, is God's one and only TRUE CHURCH! And they think they base their claim on solid Bible evidence, the same as YOU probably think about YOURS! So many assume that salvation hinges upon such an organization connection and whether you accept its creed! But Jesus said differently. 'By THIS shall all men know ye are my disciples, IF YE HAVE LOVE one to another!' Why can't we have it? Lacking that LOVE for those who see some points a little differently, we lack also the SPIRIT which alone can guide us into the TRUTH. The inspired Word says we must 'GROW in grace and in KNOWLEDGE.' (II Peter 3:18). We fear there is still so much we all have yet to learn, that each can afford to have charity for those who see some things differently. . . . We do not mean to imply that whatever a man believes is right, or that it makes no difference so long as we have love. Freedom must come thru the TRUTH, but -- catch this! -- the TRUTH can come only thru LOVE! The wisdom of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong's statement is profound. Though we understand all doctrine perfectly, and have not love to the Eternal and our fellow man, this knowledge does us absolutely no good whatsoever. There are professing believers today who have not grown up spiritually. They do not speak the truth in love, but use doctrine as a club over others "less enlightened." Yet with such an attitude, it is they who are in darkness. Let us speak the truth in love, Ephesians 4:15, and love those who do not see everything exactly as we do, for this is the proof that we are truly His, John 13:35. Should We Drop Doctrinal Differences? Is doctrine NOT important? By no means! A cassette tape message given by R.A. Morey is most revealing. Morey shows that 20th Century preaching is devoid of doctrine. You perhaps will hear a series of jokes, illustrations, some anecdotes, some stories. Today, doctrinal preaching is frowned upon. Lawyer-turned-evangelist Charles Finney (1792-1875) began this dramatic change. He said, "We must focus on the feelings of people, their emotions." He was the one who invented the altar call and used the "anxious seat." The Encyclopaedia Britannica says that Finney's emphasis "played havoc with the traditional standards of doctrine . . . impoverishing the religious life by excessive emphasis on the conversion experience to the neglect of cultivation of the Christian life thereafter." As a result, we hear sermons directed toward psychology, focusing on emotions, feelings, relationships. Instead of how to obey God and glorify and live for Him, we often hear what God can do for you, what He can give you, and how He can make you comfortable. The message is not God-centered, but man-centered. This coincides with the Ecumenical Movement. You cannot get everyone in a super religion unless you drop doctrinal differences. Honest ministers know that strong doctrinal preaching drives some people away. Morey concludes: People think doctrine divides and that that is an evil thing. BUT if you read your Bible right, doctrine DOES divide. . . . Once you DROP doctrine, you can't make any distinctions that really count . . . [we should be] speaking the truth in love and your doctrine IS going to DIVIDE. And that's why God gave TRUTH to expel ERROR! . . . You never need to be embarrassed because of the truth . . . . Danger of Using Doctrinal Creeds as a Test of Fellowship In 1861, Seventh Day Adventist Elder J.N. Loughborough wrote: "The first step of apostasy is, to get up a creed, telling us what we shall believe. The second is, to make that creed a test of fellowship. The third is to try members by it. The fourth, to denounce as heretics those who do not believe that creed. And fifth, to commence persecution against such," (Review & Herald, #19, p. 148). Unless statements of belief are held in a loving way, rather than used as a club over others, such creeds can cause untold damage. History of Doctrinal Creeds Why have doctrinal statements arisen? Isn't the Bible sufficient for us? Should the church or assembly have a formal summary statement of doctrine? Why can't you summarize what the Bible teaches in a few key doctrinal points? Why have members argued at length over detailed doctrinal points? Let us briefly examine the history of such statements of belief. From the Encyclopaedia Britannica, article "Creed," we learn that a creed is a brief summary, fixed in language and officially authorized by the church, of essential articles, saving truths, of Christian belief. Creeds arose because of church ceremonies, as well as the desire to refute heresy and safeguard orthodoxy. Bible-based creeds were developed to crystallize and preserve doctrinal truths. Concerning the Christian Passover ceremony, Paul wrote, "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread," I Corinthians 11:23-26. The preceding passage contain words still read today at the Christian Passover service, and are a type of creed. I Corinthians 15, verses 3-5 give a brief doctrinal statement, affirming belief in Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve." Baptism is a church ceremony that requires a profession of faith by the repentant believer. As a condition for baptism, Philip asked the Ethiopian eunuch if he sincerely believed, and he replied, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God," Acts 8:37. The Latin for "I believe" is credo, hence our word "creed." The so-called "baptismal formula" found in Matthew 28:19, "baptizing them in [into] the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," is in fact a statement of doctrinal belief, or creed. Catholic Creeds As the church developed, or rather degenerated into apostasy, more detailed creeds arose, in the 2nd Century A.D., if not earlier. Harris Franklin Rall in his book, New Testament History (Abingdon, 1914), page 295, dates the so-called "Apostles Creed" to the middle of the second century, probably originating in Rome. Its purpose was to affirm the [pagan] doctrine of the Trinity: I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born from the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried, descended to hell, on the third day rose again from the dead, ascended into the heavens, sits on the right hand of God the Father almighty, thence will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of the saints, the remission of sins, the resurrection of the flesh, and eternal life. Local variations changed the wording slightly, for example, omitting "descended into hell" and "catholic" and changing "remission of sins" to "forgiveness of sins." Jesse Lyman Hurlbut, in his book, The Story of the Christian Church (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1954) describes the period when the Apostles' Creed was developed. A government from above by bishops, rather than by the ministry as equals, developed, patterned after the Roman government. "In the apostolic age faith was of the heart, a personal surrender of the will to Christ as Lord and King, a life in accordance with his example, and as a result the indwelling of his Spirit . . . . [but in the period of the Apostles' Creed,] faith had gradually come to be of the mind, an intellectual faith, believing in a hard and fast system of doctrine. Emphasis was laid on correct belief, rather than on the inner, spiritual life . . . . doctrine was becoming more and more the test of Christianity . . ." (pages 61-62). Instruction before baptism was greatly elaborated, and the baptismal candidate was required to recite or affirm a formal creed. Creeds gradually became dogmatic statements to prove, or be a test of, orthodoxy. At the Council of Nicaea, 325 A.D., a creed was specifically designed to condemn Arianism, and the Catholic Church forced all to accept it. Here is one version of the Nicene Creed: I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one substance with the Father, through whom all things came into existence, who because of us men and because of our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man, and was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures, and ascended to the heavens, and sits at the right hand of the Father, and will come again with glory to judge living and dead, of whose kingdom there will be no end; and in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and the life-giver, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is together to be worshipped and together glorified, who spoke through the prophets; in one holy, catholic and apostolic church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins, and look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. A similar creed to the Nicene formula adds an anathema against those who say the Son of God did not always exist, and is a created Being. [While we disagree with the Trinitarian viewpoint of the Nicene Creed, we agree that the Son has always existed.] The "Athanasian Creed" in 40 verses affirms the Trinity and Incarnation. Catholic, Anglican and leading Protestant churches recognize this creed. During the Middle Ages, creeds became part of the worship service, recited at the Eucharist. Even Protestant churches today, such as Baptists, recite doctrinal statements before communion. Protestant Confessions of Faith None of the early Catholic creeds were detailed professions of all doctrinal beliefs. Apparently, Middle Age "heretics" such as the Waldenses did not issue formal doctrinal statements. It wasn't until the Reformation of the 16th Century that declarations were issued aiming at the definition of all the main points of the doctrinal system (Encyclopedia Britannica, article "Confessions of Faith, Protestant"). The purpose of such confessions were to express to the world the church's teachings, and legitimatize the new church movement. An early statement is known as the Augsburg Confession of 1530. "We believe" is a common opening statement of such confessions. Arguments in favor of tenets of belief are frequently given. Some 16th Century statements of belief were intended to create unity between various Protestant bodies. Actually, they may have fostered more division and dissension. Titles given to various Protestant statements show varying motives: "confession, articles, declaration, consensus, and concord." Luther used the term "catechism" to refer to doctrinal questions asked of baptismal candidates. While the Augsburg Confession is the standard and unifying bond of Lutheranism, the Westminster Confession of 1646 is a statement recognized by Presbyterians. The Congregationalist group of churches, as well as Quakers, were adverse to establishing a doctrinal norm imposing a set of beliefs. On rare occasions when Congregationalists have published statements of their beliefs, they have pointed out that such statements are only a presentation of what is commonly believed in their churches, and is not a doctrinal law. Similarly, Baptists have long been against binding articles of faith, and only when attacked by adversaries have they felt compelled to issue official statements on doctrine, as the 1644 Calvinist Baptist statement, and 1660 Arminian Baptist statement. Methodists are not adverse to creeds, but don't give them an authoritative position. Generally, Protestants attempt to formulate guiding principles without making such statements binding law of equal authority with the Bible. There are two opposing ideas: confessionalism (devotion or strict adherence to a confession, or statement of religious beliefs), and nondenominationalism (those who are liberal and refuse to adhere to a set standard of belief). In Protestant bodies, and in Sabbath-keeping churches, the nondenominational spirit appears to have the upper hand. Diversity of Doctrines, Even Within Denominations Do church members actually believe the doctrinal statements published by their particular organization? Rulon S. Howells, in his book, A Compilation of Christian Beliefs (1932) says, " the . . . diversity to be found within a denomination itself is as striking as the diversity between the various denominations themselves. The church prescribes the doctrine -- do men believe as so prescribed?" (page 7). No, they don't always do so. The point is, even though a church doctrinal statement may be explicit, individual members of the same church may, and often do, have slightly differing, or even opposing, beliefs. Not counting rebels and heretics, different persons have different levels of understanding and see some things differently than others. We have been shocked time and again to discover how people from the same religious organization often have diametrically opposing viewpoints on major doctrines. An October 12, 1991 Associated Press article, published in the Salem, Oregon Statesman Journal, reports that a survey has shown that there are more differences within denominations than between denominations. For example, conservative Catholics have more in common with conservative Baptists than with moderate or liberal Catholics! What Should Be Our Attitude Toward Creeds, Doctrinal Statements? When you are questioned as to your religious beliefs, it is not effective to say, "I believe in God and the Bible." We are told to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear," I Peter 3:15. Many believers cannot explain the Biblical basis for their beliefs. Some Sabbath keepers do not even know the "Fundamentals of Belief" of their church. Our faith should not come from a memorized creed recited in church services. It should come from a personal experience with the Almighty, and prayerful study of His Word. Any church lowers its standards when it either refuses to publish a statement of its beliefs, or on the other hand, strictly defines faith in terms of creeds and requires total conformity to establish its organization and authority. Both extremes are wrong. It is not wrong to issue a statement of belief. But without teaching members why these doctrines are essential and true, without accepting free and open discussion and answering honest questions, such doctrinal statements are likely to cause more problems than they solve. Full unity in Biblical understanding is a worthy goal (see Ephesians 4:4-6, 12 and I Corinthians 1:10). However, doctrinal unity will come only when Christ returns. Only then will all see eye to eye, Isaiah 52:7-8. This should characterize our attitude toward doctrine and doctrinal statements: (1) It is very important that we believe and practice true doctrine. (2) We do not have all truth at the present, and need to strive to be "holy and without blemish," Ephesians 5:27, to continually seek new understanding that adds to truth we already have, in order to continually "grow in grace and knowledge" in the "truth [which] shall make you free," II Peter 3:18, John 8:32. (3) We should not be ashamed to share our beliefs with others who are interested. We should not on the one hand conceal what we believe, nor on the other hand use our doctrinal beliefs as a weapon against others. (4) Doctrinal truth comes only through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, not through scholarship, John 16:12, 13. Further truth is given only to those who obey the truths they already know, and who are continually responsive to the Almighty's correction and guidance. (5) Unless or until we are corrected otherwise by the Holy Spirit, we must tenaciously cling to the doctrinal truths we have and allow no man or organization to dissuade us. Doctrine is Important The true doctrines we have received through human instruments, such as Herbert W. Armstrong and the Worldwide Church of God, are wonderful. By practicing these doctrinal truths, we have experienced great joy and a multitude of physical and spiritual blessings. We truly rejoice in presenting these truths to others through literature such as this series of articles. It was only when the church began to liberalize and water down the initially God-revealed doctrinal truths that unhappiness and confusion resulted. It has been surprising to us just how shallow the convictions of some have been. Publishing doctrinal statements is one thing. Actually living by them is something else. Doctrine is important. Let us follow the good, sound doctrine of God, not false doctrines of men. ê CHAPTER TWO: Outline of True Biblical Doctrine Our chart of Biblical Doctrine, on page 2.3, outlines fundamental Biblical teachings. At the core of Bible doctrine is the doctrine of salvation, the anticipated result and purpose of the Eternal's creation of human beings in His image. All Bible doctrine points to the purpose in human life, that of sonship as eternal spirit beings in the Family of Elohim (God). Biblical doctrine can be divided into two components: First, Life Doctrines define who and what is the Supreme Being, the nature and purpose of angelic beings, as well as human beings and the rest of the physical creation. Second, Salvation Doctrines define how the Eternal Creator will reproduce Himself. These can be broken down into Faith Doctrines (Belief), Doing Doctrines (Works), and Goal Doctrines (Reward). Faith is the beginning point toward salvation. Loving faith leads to works. Faith with works results in the gift of salvation through the mercy and grace of the Heavenly Father. The faith and works necessary for salvation are not something we are capable of generating ourselves. They are the gift of the Almighty. Fellowship Doctrines There are logical groupings of doctrines, and some overlap. Many people are concerned about another classification of doctrine: Fellowship Doctrines. Which doctrines are so important that there must be unanimity before we can fellowship with others? Actually, any doctrine, if held in a contentious spirit or attitude, rather than with Godly love, can be grounds for separation between brethren, II Thessalonians 3:6-15, I Timothy 6:3-5. Some hold almost verbatim the same doctrines as we do, yet we cannot fellowship with them! Some key fellowship doctrines are those relating to Time (Sabbath, Holy Days), Church and Family authority, and the Goal and Supreme Being doctrines. Obviously, if others have a different, erroneous goal than we do, such as going to Heaven, we certainly cannot "play" on the same spiritual "team" with them. If they have a different "captain" than we do, a Triune God (Trinity) instead of the Father and the Son, we cannot work together with them. If they don't believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, and seek to belittle and criticize large portions of it, or add to it through writings of "inspired" human leaders, then we can have no company with them. Some reject fulfilling the Great Commission. Others are against Family Doctrines, by allowing such things as unscriptural divorce and remarriage and interracial marriage. These are serious matters. Not every doctrine is a "fellowship doctrine." Many doctrines are private matters between the believer and his or her Creator. The "Four Spiritual Tools," Prayer, Fasting, Bible Study and Meditation, are all private acts of worship. And so, to a large degree, are the Health doctrines of proper diet and trusting the Almighty for healing. How others practice the Money Doctrines, tithes and offerings, is none of my business. However, these privately observed doctrines certainly do lead to outward evidence sooner or later. There should be few, if any, differences between believers concerning the "Faith Basics," doctrines about sin, the Messiah and the seven basic doctrines of Hebrews 6. Those who publicly profess aberrations relative to prophecy only condemn themselves as false prophets when their "inspired testimony" is proven wrong and their predicted events fail to materialize. Brief Doctrinal Statements Here are short summaries of key Biblical doctrines, as we understand them, arranged alphabetically for easy reference. (For "points" referenced, see Chapter Three.) Abortion: Taking the life of an unborn child is murder and not right for any reason. Angels: God has created Angels, powerful spirit beings, as His agents and messengers. Like man, they have free moral agency. Some of them, led by Satan the Devil, rebelled against God's government and became demons. See point #5 of the Fundamentals of Belief of the Radio Church of God, in Chapter Three. Atonement, Day of: On the tenth day of the seventh month (Tishri 10), we fast for twenty-four hours, going without food and drink. On this "Sabbath of Sabbaths" we draw close to God in recognition of the fact that it is only through His power that Satan, the "god of this world," shall be put away, and that the atoning blood of the Savior cleanses us of our sins, Leviticus 23:27-32, Revelation 20:1-3. Baptism, Infant: Infant baptism is un-Biblical, and unnecessary since we are not born with "original sin." True baptism is for those sufficiently mature to understand the Bible, to believe in Jesus Christ and be capable of real repentance. Baptism, byby Water: One of the two ordinances for this age is water baptism by immersion, into Jesus Christ (not a denomination) for the remission of sins, following genuine repentance and an expression of faith in Jesus Christ, Acts 2:38. See point #11. Baptism, of the Spirit: Receiving God's Holy Spirit through the Laying on of Hands following baptism is termed "baptism of the Spirit." All true believers have God's Holy Spirit, which is given to those who obey Him. Gifts and fruits of the Spirit are listed in I Corinthians 12 and Galatians 5:22-23. See "Holy Spirit." Baptism, by Fire: Means being cast into the lake of fire. See "Hell." Bible: The Bible, the Old and New Testaments (66 books, not including the Apocrypha), are the divinely inspired Holy Scriptures, God's revelation and complete expressed will to man, infallible in the original writings, the supreme and final authority in faith and practice, and the source of Truth. The Bible is God's Instruction Book for mankind, the revelation of knowledge that man cannot discover for himself, and is the foundation of knowledge and the guidebook to life. All teachings contrary to the Bible are false. We accept the Bible alone, and not the Bible and "something else," Deuteronomy 8:3, Luke 4:4, II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 1:20-21, John 12:48, Revelation 20:12, John 17:17. See point #4. Bible Study: Personal and group Bible Study is essential to understanding God's will for us in our daily lives and for Christian spiritual growth. Believers should prayerfully and humbly study God's Word, letting the Bible correct them, and interpreting scripture by other scriptures. Born Again: The term "born again" actually means "born from above," John 3, and refers to becoming a Spirit Being born into the Family of God, at the resurrection to eternal life. It is improper to refer to baptized believers as being "born again." Those born again are Spirit Beings and cannot sin because they will not to sin. Those begotten with the Spirit are physical human beings and can sin, and can abort themselves by committing the unpardonable sin, thereby losing salvation. Calendar, Sacred: The Jews are authorized and have the authority to preserve the weekly cycle and the sacred calendar, which they have done, Romans 3:2. Catholic Church: The Roman Catholic Church and her 'Protestant daughters' are Satan's counterfeits. The Pope is a false religious leader. Child Training: The positive example of the parents, with love and encouragement, should be the basis for a happy home life. Parents should teach their children to be respectful and obedient to them and to God. Spanking is part of God's child rearing method, and should be administered to children beginning early in their lives. Spanking must be done with love and firmness; children should be taught to obey instantly and without question. Christian Living: God's purpose is the creation of high spiritual character, and therefore the very object of redemption is to rescue mankind from SIN (transgressing the fundamental spiritual law), and its resulting degradation, misery and unhappiness. The object of the present dispensation is to prepare those whom God now calls, with their consent, through a life of trial and test and overcoming sin, growing in grace and knowledge to possess the KINGDOM and to become kings and priests reigning with Christ after His return. Christians must therefore live a clean, pure, holy life by faith according to the Bible standard, with constant Bible study and surrendered prayer, meditation and occasional fasting, trusting God in and for all things, never yielding to pride and lust of the flesh which is sin. God hears and literally answers the believing prayers of His children who keep His commandments -- according as He has promised in His Word, including physical healing, deliverance from temptation and trouble, providing the way for every actual need. See point #17. Christians, Spiritual Life: All who truly repent of their sins in full surrender and willing obedience to God, accepting Jesus Christ as personal Saviour in faith believing, are forgiven their sins by an act of divine GRACE, justified, pardoned from the penalty of past sins, reconciled to God, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit which literally comes and abides within, supplying the divine LOVE which alone can fulfill the law and produce righteousness. Believers are thus baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ which is the true CHURCH OF GOD. We believe in a true change in life and attitude and that only those who have the indwelling presence of, and are being led by the Holy Spirit are Christ's. Bible evidence of being thus baptized by the Spirit is the fruit of the Spirit in one's life. The true Christian must continually repent of sin, grow in grace and knowledge and overcome sin through trial and testing, living an exemplary life of faith based upon the Bible, with constant Bible study and surrendered prayer. See Matthew 7:20, 24:13; Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 8:9-11, 14, I John 1:8-9, I Peter 3:18. "Manifestations" regulated by I Corinthians 14. See point #10. Christmas: December 25 or January 6 are not Christ's birthday, nor are they celebrations Christians should observe. The Bible conceals the date of the Savior's birth, but indications are it was in the fall. Christmas and its customs originated in paganism and were adopted by the Catholic Church in contradiction to God's Sabbath and Holy Days. See "Holidays." Church, Definition, Name: The Church is the body of called-out believers who have, and are being led by the Holy Spirit. The true Church of God is not a denomination or sect, nor a building. The term "Church" can be applied to Christians as a whole or to an individual congregation. The inspired name for this spiritual organism is "THE CHURCH OF GOD." The Bible name for each local assembly is "THE CHURCH OF GOD," and, considered collectively, "The Churches of God," I Corinthians 1:2, 12:13, II Corinthians 1:1, Hebrews 12:23. See point #18. Church Government: Each individual church is to be organized and led by the ministers God calls, and the church as a whole led by those called of God who remain faithful to Him. The leadership of the church is appointed rather than elected. See "Ministry." Church administration or authority does not include exercising authority over the personal lives of members. It is the minister's responsibility to proclaim the Truth, heal the sick, maintain peace and harmony, stop heresy, and to remove blatant sin from the Church; not to force outward conformity from fear of disfellowship or ostracism. Each member should realize that they stand before God on their own. See Church of God, The Eternal (COGTE) point #22. Church, Mission, Ministry: The mission of the Church in this time is to preach the Gospel (Good News) of the coming KINGDOM OF GOD (with special stress on the warning to America and Britain of the prophecies pertaining to them) into all nations as a witness, reaching the vast multitudes with power and conviction, crying aloud, sparing not, but showing Israel their sins, to reconcile to God, and to save, through Christ, such people as are now being called. Secondarily, the purpose of the Church is to minister to the Church of God, spiritually feeding, strengthening and edifying the brethren in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Isaiah 58:1, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-18, John 21:15-17. See point #18. Civil Government: As Ambassadors for Christ, Christians should generally not vote, hold political office, nor serve on juries. They should not join the armed forces. They should pay taxes, respect governmental authority, and obey all civil statutes that do not conflict with God's higher laws, Acts 5:29, Romans 13:1-2, II Corinthians 5:20. Clean and Unclean Foods: The Old Testament dietary laws (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14) are in force today. Certain foods called "unclean" are not to be eaten under any circumstances as they are harmful to body and health and also violate our bodies which are called the temple of the Holy Spirit of God. See point #14. Creation: The Eternal created the heavens and the earth by His great power, including the special creation of man. Spontaneous generation followed by a gradual process of organic evolution is a false theory and contrary to the Bible. Covenants, Promises to Abraham's Seed: The Biblical PROMISES were made to Abraham and his "seed," Christ, and the Covenants (including the New Covenant), and the promises pertain alone to ISRAEL. The white, English-speaking peoples of today have enjoyed the national phases of the promises -- MATERIAL blessings -- called the "Birthright," which was handed down thru the sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh. However, the "Scepter" -- the promise of kings, and the SPIRITUAL phase of the promises, including Christ and salvation through Him -- was given to and shall not depart from Judah of whom are the race we know today as the Jews. Eternal life is God's gift resting upon the promises made to Abraham and his "seed," Christ, designating this earth (made new), not heaven, as our eternal home and reward. Salvation is thru Christ alone, and not inherited thru the Birthright (right of birth). Salvation is freely open to Gentiles who, thru Christ, become Abraham's children and are adopted into the family of Israel and become heirs according to the promises. Much of Bible prophecy pertains to national Israel, as well as the church, which is spiritual Israel. God will bless His people, or any people, who obey Him, but curse those who disobey Him, Genesis 22:17-18, 48:15-20, 49:10, Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28, 33:13-17, I Chronicles 5:2, Romans 4:13, Galatians 3:29, 6:16, Hebrews 9:15. See point #16. Cross: The symbol of the cross stems from paganism and is not to be revered as a Christian symbol or aid to worship. Actually, the Savior was impaled on a stake. We should not worship God with such external devices. Crucifixion: Jesus proved His Messiahship by remaining in the tomb exactly three days and three nights. He was crucified (actually, impaled on a stake) in the midst of the week (the fourth day, Wednesday), and rose from the dead in the end of the Sabbath (Saturday), Matthew 12:40, Daniel 9:27, Matthew 28:1-6. Death: Man does not have an immortal soul. Those who die simply return to the dust and cease to exist until God restores them in a future resurrection. Disfellowshipping: See "Fellowship." Divorce and Remarriage: The Eternal has ordained marriage to be for life. He hates divorce. Divorce with the right to remarry is only permissible on the grounds of fornication discovered "before they come together" in sexual union. Those who divorce and remarry for any other reason are guilty of adultery, Matthew 5:32, 19:9. Doctrinal Changes: Spiritual truth is divinely revealed through the Holy Spirit, not through human effort or scholarship. Divine truth is unalterable and unchanging. The only legitimate "doctrinal changes" are those which the Bible specifically indicates (e.g., abrogation of animal sacrifices). See COGTE point #24. Easter: Easter is an adaptation of ancient, pagan, pre-Christian festivals and was adopted by false Christianity in the place of the Christian Passover. Jesus Christ was not resurrected on a Sunday morning, and the celebration of Easter has no place in the lives of those who follow the Bible. Economics, Biblical: By their very nature, God's Laws relative to usury, Sabbatical Year, and Jubilee, forbid and prevent the curse of big business and big government. Environment: Mankind's duty is to preserve, protect and maintain the Creation, under God's rule. Pollution and wanton destruction of the earth and its resources is a sin. Eternal Security: The concept "once saved, always saved" is false. Salvation is a process. Once one receives God's Spirit, he has been "saved" from the penalty of past sins (which is death). However, he can lose salvation to eternal life by later willfully rejecting God's way, and thus lose the Holy Spirit and the first resurrection. Only at the resurrection is the true Christian eternally secure. Evolution: There is irrefutable evidence that God exists and the Bible is His inspired and perfect word. Theories of organic evolution are flatly contradicted by the Bible. See "Creation." Faith: Faith is the evidence of things not seen, and is necessary to please God. Faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is necessary for one to have faith in the resurrection of the just. Faith without obedience is a dead faith, Romans 8:9-11, Hebrews 11:1, 6, James 2:20. Fasting: Fasting is going without food and liquids for a period of time. Christians are to privately fast from time to time in order to draw closer to their Maker. The Day of Atonement is a commanded annual fast for believers. Fasting is not penance, but a self-inflicted trial to humble oneself before the Creator. Prayer, Fasting, Meditation and Bible Study are tools through which we gain spiritual strength and endurance necessary to face our trials and tribulations. Feasts: See "Holy Days." Fellowship: Being together as friends is a spiritual requirement of the brethren. It is only possible to have fellowship with the brethren and with the Eternal through the Holy Spirit. The results of true Christian fellowship are the strengthening of the entire body of Christ, the Church. Sometimes, in order to maintain peace and harmony, stop heresy, and to remove blatant sin from the Church, members must be excommunicated, i.e., disfellowshipped, unless or until they have repented. Firstfruits: Only those whom God the Father calls and draws to Him during this age can be converted now, and become part of the firstfruits, John 6:44, those who will be resurrected in the first resurrection. Foods, Natural: Unclean foods (Leviticus 11) should not be eaten; natural foods and raw milk are recommended. Smoking is destructive to the body; Christians are enjoined not to use tobacco in any form. Since Jesus drank wine, moderate drinking is permissible, though drunkenness is forbidden. Blood transfusions are not advisable. See "Health, laws of." Four Spiritual Tools: Prayer, Fasting, Bible Study and Meditation are four great spiritual requirements for the Christian, in order to draw closer to their Maker. See point #17. God: God is ONE eternal, perfect, omnipresent, almighty, supremely intelligent Creator and Sustainer of the universe, the source of physical and spiritual life, composed of spirit and is a Family, presently consisting of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. He is full of love, justice, power, mercy and goodness, and wants to share His glorious existence by reproducing Himself through man. There is nothing equal to the personality called God, Isaiah 14:24, 26:4, 40:12-31, Deuteronomy 32:4, 39-40, John 4:24, Matthew 5:48, 19:26, I Samuel 2:3, Psalms 7:9-11, 57:10, 62:12, 119:137, 142, 147:5, Daniel 2:20-22, I John 4:8, Job 37:23, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, Numbers 23:19, James 1:17, 4:12. See point #1. Gospel: The Gospel is the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God, of God's plan for all eternity, emphasizing man's utter failure to bring world peace, his incumbent need to repent of individual and collective sins, and how to enter the Kingdom of God, becoming the Sons of God. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God contains four elements: (1) the King of the Kingdom, Jesus Christ; (2) the territory of the Kingdom, the earth; (3) the subjects of the Kingdom, the physical human beings on this earth who will be taught the Almighty's law; and (4) the laws of the Kingdom, the Ten Commandments with the Statutes and Judgments. The primary purpose and commission of the Church is to proclaim this Gospel to the whole world as a witness, and to baptize and teach those who respond. See "Kingdom of God." Grace: See "Mercy." Great White Throne Judgment: The 100-year period after the 1,000-year Millennium in which those who have not had an opportunity for salvation will be resurrected to physical life, and given their first and only chance to repent and receive the Holy Spirit. Thus, salvation will be offered to all mankind who have ever lived. Healing: As believers in the Bible, we are expected to trust the Almighty to heal us when we are sick, rather than men and medicine. Faith healing should not take place in a public carnival-like atmosphere. The elders should be summoned to anoint with oil and pray for a sick person. Doctors may be employed for 'repair work' (setting broken bones, fixing teeth, etc.). Natural childbirth at home is recommended. Although natural medicine is preferred, to trust anything other than the Almighty to heal is idolatry. Sickness is primarily the result of physical sins. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ, when His body was beaten prior to His impalement, paid the penalty for all the physical sins of mankind. Obedient Christians may apply the benefit of this sacrifice by calling upon the elders of the church for prayer and anointing. The prayer of faith shall save the sick. God, not any human doctor, is our healer, Exodus 15:26, Isaiah 53:4-5, James 5:14-15, I Peter 2:24. See point #17. Health, Laws of: The Creator has laid down definite laws of health, which if followed, will produce an abundant, healthy life. This includes abstinence from unclean meats which are not to be ingested under any circumstances, as they are harmful to our bodies which are the temple of God's Spirit. Harmful drugs and tobacco are not to be used. The Bible allows moderate usage of fermented wine, however, drunkenness is a sin and drunkards will not be in the Kingdom of God, Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14, John 2:1-11, 10:10, I Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:9-10, I Timothy 5:23, III John 2. Heaven: There are three heavens mentioned in the Bible: (1) the atmosphere of the earth, (2) the location of the planets, sun, moon and stars, and (3) the abode of God and the angels. The reward of the saved is not the heaven where God's throne is, but the earth and the new heavens and new earth, the heavenly kingdom which will come down to this earth and last forever. Hell Fire: There is no ever-burning hell fire or place of eternal punishing. The lake of fire will be a literal burning that will consume and annihilate the wicked at the end of this present age. Prior to the establishment of the new heavens and earth, this fire will engulf the earth's surface and purify it. Rebellious human beings will be instantaneously annihilated. The devil and his angels, who will be cast into it following the millennium, will not be destroyed by the flames, since they are spirit beings. Holidays: Sunday, the first day of the week, is not the Christian day of worship and rest. Early apostate Christians rejected the Bible Sabbath in favor of Sunday, a day when pagan sun-worshipers adored the sun, for a number of un-Biblical reasons. Furthermore, a number of other modern religious holidays have pagan origins, and it is not pleasing to the Eternal to appropriate heathen customs in worship of Him. Christmas, Lent and Easter, Valentine's Day, Halloween, and New Year's Day are examples of religious holidays that Christians should not observe. Holy Days: The seven Annual Holy days as given to ancient Israel by God through Moses (Leviticus 23), kept by Christ, the Apostle Paul, and the New Testament Church, as evidenced by the books of Acts and Corinthians, are to be kept today. The sacrifices, which were added, are not to be kept on those days nor any other day of the year, Galatians 3:19, Jeremiah 7:22-23, Hebrews 9:28, 10:1-2, 10, 12. During the spring festival of seven days, leavening in any form is not to be eaten, as Paul instructed the Corinthians. See point #13. Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the essence of God and of Christ, the power or mind of God with which all things were created and made, and whereby God is omnipresent. It strengthens a Christian spiritually, converts his mind and reveals the Eternal's will, and is the earnest or guarantee of eternal life. The Holy Spirit is divine Love, Faith, Understanding, Power, Joy, and all the attributes of God -- the Spirit of life eternal. It is God's purpose to give man His Spirit so as to make man His begotten sons, and through the resurrection His born sons in His kingdom, Philippians 2:5, Psalms 139:7-8, Galatians 5:22-26, Romans 8. See point #3. Israel Identity: The white Anglo-Saxon (and Celtic, Nordic) peoples of northwestern Europe, Great Britain, United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, are descendants of the "lost" Ten Tribes of Israel and heirs of the Biblical promises for Israel. Germany, descended from Assyria, will head a ten-nation United States of Europe, which will destroy and take into captivity modern Israel. Eventually, the few survivors of these Israelite nations will be taken to Palestine to be a model nation under Christ in the World Tomorrow. Jesus Christ: The WORD existed from eternity, and through Him God created everything. The YHVH of the Old Testament was Jesus, who created the world, called Abraham and Moses, and was known as Melchizedek. He is true God and true man, and became the Christ, the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth and the Son of God when He was begotten of the Holy Spirit, born in the human flesh of the virgin Mary, lived a perfect life, was executed, then resurrected to eternal life after three days and three nights in the grave. He was both fully human and fully divine. He gave up His power and glory which He had with the Father from eternity, and became a human being to die for the sins of all mankind as our loving and merciful Savior. After His resurrection, he ascended to Heaven to become our high priest. Jesus Christ shall return to establish the Kingdom of God on earth and rule forever as King of kings with His saints. Jesus Christ was endowed with fallible human nature -- the nature of Adam after he sinned. Christ was tempted as we all are, yet nevertheless remained sinless, setting a perfect example of how to live today, John 1:1-3, Matthew 1:20-21, John 17:5, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 12:40, John 3:16, I Peter 2:21-22, Hebrews 4:14-16, I Timothy 2:5. See "Messiah." See point #2. Jesus, Pictures of: We do not know what Jesus Christ looked like, nor should we make worshipful pictures of what we think He may have looked like. The use of any picture or object as a religious aid breaks the spirit of the second commandment. Man has direct access to God through Jesus Christ and needs no other religious object in personal worship. Judgment: When God calls a person, his period of judgment begins until completed by his death and resurrection. All human beings shall have an opportunity for salvation either now, for the firstfruits called into the Church, or later for others during the Millennium or the Great White Throne Judgement period following the Millennium. Those who overcome shall inherit eternal life, while those who reject the Eternal's way shall be consumed in the lake of fire. Kingdom of God: The Kingdom of God is not the church or something in our hearts, but the family of God, which in the future will rule the world in a government set up and headed by Christ at His return, when He will be King of all the earth and spirit-born saints in positions of co-rulership with Him. The Kingdom of God will last for a thousand years, and be completely fulfilled thereafter when a new Jerusalem and God the Father will come down out of Heaven to dwell on the new earth. See "Gospel," and "Millennial Kingdom." Land Sabbath: The statute regarding resting the land during the seventh, sabbatical year, should be observed today, along with the fiftieth year, the Jubilee. God promises blessings for those who obey Him, and curses for those who disobey. Law: See "Sin." Laying on of Hands: The laying on of hands is a ceremony, performed by a minister, on various occasions: (1) upon baptism for the receipt of the Holy Spirit, (2) at weddings for the sealing of the sacred wedding vows, (3) with anointing oil for the healing of the sick, (4) at ordinations to church offices to signify setting apart for God's work, (5) at the ceremony of the Blessing of the Children. "Lord's Prayer": The so-called "Lord's Prayer" of Matthew 6:9-15 is a sample prayer of how to pray and what to pray for. It is not to be ritualistically repeated as a Christian custom. Man: We believe man was created in the image of God, formed of flesh, which is material substance, living by the breath of life, and is wholly mortal, subject to corruption and decay, without possibility of eternal life inherent in himself, except as the gift of God under God's terms and conditions as expressed in the Bible. God placed before the first man, Adam, the free choice of eternal life through obedience to God's commandments, or death through sin. Adam sinned, thereby incurring the death penalty without having received eternal life, having yielded to the temptation of Satan. The sinful fleshly nature with its sensual desires and its pride passed on all men, so that all become sinners, thus bringing upon themselves the penalty of sin, which is death. God didn't purpose that Adam sin. He made Adam with free moral agency capable of sinning. Knowing what that nature was like, God knew that Adam would sin, and God had already designed the remedy for sin, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. All men have sinned, bringing upon themselves the penalty of sin, eternal death. Man does not have eternal life inherent in himself. If he repents, is baptized and has hands laid on for the receipt of the Holy Spirit which combines with his spirit, he may discern spiritual things and begin to build character necessary for eternal life, Genesis 1:26, I Corinthians 2:11, Ezekiel 18:4, 20, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Psalms 146:4, I Corinthians 2:9-16, Romans 3:23, 6:23. See point #6. Marriage and Family: God has given mankind the marriage and family relationship as a type of the church's "marriage" to Christ, the family bonds that shall exist forever in the Kingdom (and family) of God between God the Father and spirit-born sons of God. As Christ is the head of the Church, so is the husband to be the loving head of the wife. As the Church is to submit to and obey Christ, so is the wife to submit and obey her husband in the Lord. As the sons of God must obey God, so must children obey their parents in the Lord. Parents are obligated to raise and train their children in God's way of life. Ephesians 5:22 through 6:1-4. Marriage is for life. Whosoever puts away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery, and whoso marries her which is so put away commits adultery. Any civil or religious code of man allowing divorce and remarriage contrary to God's law, or recognizing marriages which God terms adulterous, is rendered null and void by the higher law of God. We believe that God's laws are designed to protect and preserve marriage and the family. Past sins of an adulterous marriage can be forgiven upon repentance, but that does not allow one to continue in such sin, Matthew 19:5-9, John 8:11, Romans 8:18, 7:1-3, I Corinthians 7. See "Divorce and Remarriage." Meditation: Being still and letting God speak to your thoughts is meditation, an important Christian exercise. We, as David did, should meditate on God's Law and how it applies to us every day. Spiritual meditation is concentrated thinking on a spiritual topic, and is similar to prayer. See "Prayer." Mercy, Grace: Mercy is God's unmerited pardon, total forgiveness of our sins, the abrogation of the death penalty for our sins, when we repent and in faith ask God to accept the shed blood of Jesus Christ for our sins. Such a redeemed person lives under grace, and out of gratitude and love for his redeemer, lives a life of wholehearted loving obedience. Grace is not a license to continue to sin. Messiah, Death and Resurrection: The crucifixion occurred on Wednesday, April 25, AD 31; the resurrection three days and three nights (72 hours) later. The notion that Jesus died on Good Friday and arose on Sunday was inspired by the devil to trick Christians into substituting Sunday for the Sabbath as the day of worship. When Jesus died, he ceased to exist until the resurrection. The corrupt body laid in Joseph's tomb was not the same body which was raised. It was changed from mortal flesh to immortal Spirit. Messiah, High Priest: After the Messiah was resurrected, He thereafter ascended into heaven where He now sits at the right hand of God the Father, as our High Priest and Advocate with the Father. See point #9. Messiah, Resurrection of: We believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, before sunset, on the weekly Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, after His body reposed three days and three nights in the grave, thus making immortality possible for mortal man. We have hope in a resurrection to eternal life only because Christ is alive and was resurrected after being in the grave three days and three nights. See point #9. Messiah, Return Of: See "Millennial Kingdom." Messiah, Sacrifice of: God so loved this world of helpless sinners that He GAVE His only-begotten Son, who, though in all points tempted as we are, lived without sin in the human flesh, and died for us as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, thus making it legally possible for man's sins to be forgiven and for God to release him from sin's penalty, since Jesus, whose life was of greater value than the sum total of all other human lives (because it was He who brought them into being) has thus paid the penalty in man's stead. God laid upon Christ all of mankind's spiritual and physical sins, and Christ paid the ultimate penalty of death for sin in our stead. Through faith in Christ's blood, we may have remission of sins that are past and be reconciled to God, but we shall be saved by His life, John 3:16, I Peter 2:24, Romans 3:25, 5:10. See point #7. Military: See "Warfare." Millennial Kingdom: The personal, visible, premillennial, imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ will result in the establishment of His rule over nations as King of Kings, and continuance of His priestly office as Lord of Lords. At that time He will sit upon the throne of David restoring all things and ruling all nations with a rod of iron during a thousand-year reign upon earth and establish the KINGDOM OF GOD, also known as the Millennium, or "World Tomorrow", upon earth forever. There will be peace and prosperity as the entire world will be taught God's law, and keep it, Isaiah 2:1-4, 11:10-16, Zechariah 14:4-11, Luke 1:31-33, Acts 2:19-21, I Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 19:11-16, 20:4. See point #20. Ministry: God calls and chooses His true ministers and servants, for the unity and edification of the church. God's ministers must be faithful to their charge, setting an example for the whole church, continually fulfilling God's qualifications for elders in the church. Ministers are not to be idols or lords of the flock but do have authority to feed and protect the flock by preaching sound doctrine, rebuking and exhorting, and if necessary for the work, to be supported by tithes and offerings. Each member of the Church of God should respect God's true ministers, following them as they follow Christ, trying the spirits whether they be of God to determine whether they are true or false ministers, proving all things and searching the scriptures whether the things the ministers say are according to God's Word, Isaiah 8:20, Acts 17:11, I Corinthians 11:1, 12:18, 28, II Corinthians 10:8, Ephesians 4:11-16, I Timothy 3:1-13, II Timothy 2:15, 4:1-5, Titus 1:5-9, I Thessalonians 5:12-13, 21, II Thessalonians 3:6-12, I John 4:1. Music and Dancing: Wholesome dancing can be an expression of joy and pleasure. However, sexually suggestive dancing is wrong. Much "popular" music, including a great deal of rock music, is harmful and unproductive to character development. Good music can be an expression of divine worship to the Eternal, joyful and invigorating. Christians should use the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to ensure they are listening to and producing music to the glory of God. New Moons: In addition to the weekly Sabbath and the seven annual Holy Days and associated Feasts, New Moons are to be commemorated as special times of worship and assembly, Numbers 10:1-10, 28:11-15, I Samuel 20, Colossians 2:16. Passover: One of the two ordinances for this age is the Christian Passover, which is a continuation of the Old Testament Passover, observed at night on the anniversary of the death of our Saviour, the 14th of Abib or Nisan. Believers wash one another's feet and partake of the emblems of unleavened bread and wine. This is a memorial of ancient Israel's deliverance from Egypt as well as the death of our savior Jesus Christ, our Passover sacrifice. The bread symbolizes His body, beaten for the healing of our physical sins (I Peter 2:24), and the wine represents His shed blood for our past spiritual sins (Romans 3:25). The Passover ceremony is to be observed with solemnity and reverence, realizing how unworthy we are to partake of these symbols (I Corinthians 11:23-30), yet knowing we must take the Passover in order to have eternal life, John 6:53-58. See point #11. Penance: The Eternal does not require penance, forced physical works as punishment to atone for sin. Christ's sacrifice is the full payment for sin and requires no outward signs before men. Pentecost: The Feast of Pentecost always falls on Monday, counting fifty complete days from the morrow after the Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. See COGTE point #21. Pentecostalism: Faith healing is a part of the gospel message. However, "healings" performed by "pentecostals" are generally Satanic deceptions. Speaking in tongues, as falsely done in some churches today is babbling Satanic gibberish, whereas Bible speaking in tongues is miraculously speaking in another language, which can be understood by those who hear it in their own language. Biblical speaking in tongues is not a necessary sign by which one judges whether a person has been begotten by God's Holy Spirit. Perfection: Also known as sanctification, perfection is the process whereby converted believers, with the power of the Holy Spirit, grow in righteous character, becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. Pilgrimage Feasts: In conjunction with the Holy Days, there are three pilgrimage feasts: Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles. The Almighty's intent is for us to leave our dwellings and go to a special place to worship Him on these three Feasts, Exodus 23:14-17, 34:18-24, Deuteronomy 16:16-17. Pork: See "Clean and Unclean Foods." Prayer: Prayer is communication with the Eternal, and an essential part of the daily duty of all believers. Except for brief public prayers for blessing, guidance and benediction, most prayers should be private between the believer and the Creator. Effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. God hears and literally answers prayers, according to our obedience and faith, according to His will, for our deliverance from temptation and trial, providing for our every need, Matthew 6:31-33, 21:22, I John 3:22, 5:14-15. Pre-Adamic World: Long before man existed, the earth was ruled by the angel Lucifer, who later rebelled against God, taking about one-third of the angels with him. The utter desolation on the moon and other planets reflects the great battle that took place. Thereafter, God re-created the world in six literal days. During a gap of time of indeterminate length, between Genesis 1:1 and verse 2, the dinosaurs and other prehistoric life existed. Predestination: Predestination has to do with being called, not with being saved or lost. Some are called now; most will receive their call later after the second resurrection. How they respond will determine whether they will be saved (reborn as spirit beings) or lost (annihilated in the lake of fire). Prophecy: Prophecy is not of any private interpretation, i.e., there is no Bible authority for any prophet's foretelling the future based upon conclusions from personal Bible Study. General prophetic understanding can come from inspired Bible Study, but specific dates can only come by direct revelation. See COGTE point #23. Race: God Almighty by His own will segregated the races at ancient Babel and decreed that they should remain physically segregated. Intermarriage is a sin. Segregation will be strictly enforced in the World Tomorrow. Rapture: The concept of a "secret rapture" in which Christ returns privately to snatch up His saints from the earth and protect them from the great tribulation is not Biblical. Christ's return will be visible to all mankind, occurring at the last trumpet, along with the first resurrection, which is after the great tribulation, just after the seventh and last plague. Repentance: Repentance means to turn from sin, to change the total attitude and go in God's direction. It is abhorring one's sin and resolving to quit sinning. Repentance is a gift of God. Resurrections: The only hope of eternal life for mortal man lies in the resurrection; through the indwelling (now) of the Holy Spirit. There shall be a bodily resurrection of the just and unjust -- the just to eternal life as spirit beings upon earth, the unjust to receive the second and final death in hell (Gehenna) fire in which they shall perish in eternal punishment. See point #19. Resurrections, Three: The first resurrection at the second coming of Christ will include all who have overcome sin and are ready to enter the God Family. The second resurrection is after the millennium, when the vast bulk of mankind who never had their first and only chance for salvation will be restored to physical life for a hundred years, during which they will be taught God's truth and given the chance to repent. The third resurrection is at the end of this hundred years, when all who have persisted in rejecting God will be resurrected and cast into the lake of fire and annihilated. Then God will re-create the earth, and populate it by the now-immortal members of the God-family, who will rule the universe forever in peace and harmony. Sabbath: From Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath of the Lord our God. On this day we must rest from our labors following the commands and example of the apostle Paul, the New Testament Church, and Jesus, and meet if at all possible in Holy Convocation with others of like faith. The Sabbath is a sign between God and His people that He is their God (Exodus 31:12-17). The Sabbath is a type of the millennial Sabbath rest of God's kingdom (Hebrews 4:1-11). See point #12. Salvation: The process by which God reproduces Himself, building righteous character in human beings who then become members of the God-family when they are resurrected to eternal life. Man literally becomes God. Salvation has seven stages -- (1) repentance; (2) faith; (3) baptism; (4) reception of the Holy Spirit; (5) overcoming of sin; (6) resurrection and change into Spirit beings -- becoming God; (7) living forever in the Family of God. Jesus' death atones only for past sins. The gift of salvation, which is eternal life, is contingent upon continued obedience, in addition to faith. Salvation cannot be earned. It is a free gift which requires law (which defines sin) and grace (the forgiveness of sin), that is, faith (in God) and works (result of living faith which produces spiritual fruit). Satan: The devil, or Satan, is a personality, a spirit being, who was created by God as a perfect and sinless angel, Lucifer, and was given rulership over the earth to be a ministering spirit to future heirs of salvation. Yet Lucifer rebelled against God and led one-third of the angels in a futile attempt to remove God from His throne, was cast down to become Satan, and will in the future be judged. Satan is now the "god of this world," the "accuser of the brethren," the "tempter," and the "prince of the power of the air" who has blinded the minds of those who believe not in God, appearing as an angel of light and deceiving the vast majority of this world into disobeying God. As the Devil, Satan, with a host of demons which are rebellious angels who have followed him in his rebellion, is the adversary of God and the children of God. He now has dominion over the world, which God has allowed for nearly six thousand years, leading Adam's children into rejecting God's law. After Satan's period of rule is finished, he will be forced to rest and be restrained during the Millennium, the seventh thousand-year "day" while Christ rules the nations of the earth with the saints. After this, Satan will be released for a short while. His ultimate fate and that of demons will be decided by the Eternal Family of God. Satan's power is merely to influence and lead, not to force men arbitrarily against their will. Satan, not Christ, is the scapegoat of Leviticus 16 upon whose head 'the responsibility for sin will be placed.' Jesus Christ qualified to replace Satan as ruler of this world and will soon come to remove Satan from office. There is no "great controversy" between God and Satan. God has always been in control and can even use Satan to fulfill His overall purpose, Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28, Hebrews 1:13-14, Revelation 12:9, I Corinthians 6:2, Jude 13, Revelation 20, I Peter 5:8-9, Matthew 4. See point #5. Sex: Normal sexual intercourse in marriage is ordained of God. However, adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, and all kinds of perversion and pornography are condemned. Mechanical means of birth control as part of family planning can be used, although birth control pills should be avoided. Signs of the End Times: God has permitted Satan to rule and man to sin for six thousand years. The time is almost up. The signs of the times as Jesus listed them in Matthew 24 are evident today. Sin: The transgression of the Law is sin. The Law is spiritual, perfect, holy, just, and good, summed up in the word "LOVE." It is further broken down into two great principles: (1) love to God, and (2) love to neighbor. The Ten Commandments compose the ten points of Biblical Law, and that the breaking of only one point makes one guilty of sin. The rest of the Bible expounds upon the Ten Commandments. This fundamental spiritual Law reveals to us the only right and true way to life--the only possible way of happiness, peace and joy. The Law has existed from Adam, is immutable and binding throughout eternity. Breaking only one of the Ten Commandments makes one guilty of sin and the death penalty. All unhappiness, misery, poverty, anguish, and woe has come from breaking God's Law. God placed before Adam the free choice of eternal life through obedience to God's commandments, or death through sin. Adam disobeyed and sinned, thereby incurring the death penalty without having received eternal life, having yielded to the temptation of Satan. Adam's sinful fleshly nature with its sensual desires and its pride, passed on all men, so that all become sinners, thus bringing upon themselves the penalty of sin, which is death, Genesis 3, Proverbs 14:12, I Corinthians 15:21-22, Romans 8:7, 6:23, 5:12-21, James 2:10, I John 3:4. See point #7. Soul: Man does not have nor is he an immortal soul which survives physical death, but is like animals, birds and insects in his mortality. His identity, the spirit in man, however, is preserved by God against the day of his future resurrection. Some call this doctrine 'conditional immortality' or 'soul sleep.' Special Days: The seventh day, Saturday, is the only true Sabbath, reckoned from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Sunday worship makes the worshiper liable to the lake of fire. The seven annual festivals of Leviticus 23--Passover, Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles, and The Last Great Day--are to be observed on the correct day as calculated on the religious calendar. Pagan holidays are an abomination and not to be observed; this includes Christmas, Easter, New Year's Day, Lent, Halloween, and Valentine's Day, but does not include Thanksgiving and Mother's and Father's Days. Spiritual Gifts: The gifts of the Spirit follow repentance, baptism and faith, Acts 2:38, I Corinthians 12 and are regulated by I Corinthians 14. Sunday: Sunday is NOT the "Christian Sabbath", nor the day on which the Messiah was resurrected. Sunday worship under the guise of Christianity originated with the Church of Rome as a result of anti-Jewish sentiment and borrowing practices from ancient sun worshippers. The Bible indicates that Sunday worship is part of the 'mark of the beast' (Rev. 14:9). Those who persist in this practice after being enlightened concerning the true Sabbath will be destroyed in the lake of fire. See "Holidays." Tabernacles, Feast of: The autumn Feast of Tabernacles (Tishri 15-21) and the following Last Great Day (Tishri 22) are the culmination of the year for the Biblical believer. The first day of the Feast is an annual Holy Day, upon which no servile work may be done. Tabernacles represents the joyful Millennium and believers are to rejoice in peace and harmonious fellowship, feasting over God's Word. The whole world will observe tabernacles during the millennium upon Christ's return, Zechariah 14:16-19. The Last Great Day is another annual Holy Day and is a solemn time representing the Great White Throne Judgment period when all who have never previously been called will have an opportunity to learn God's ways. Ten Commandments: The Ten Commandments are the summary of love to God and love to our fellow men, the great spiritual law as expounded throughout the statutes and judgments, and the entire Bible, being magnified by Christ. Those who are against the Ten Commandments do not know God. God's Commandments are the way to eternal life (Matthew 19:17), holy just and good (Romans 7:12), the spiritual mirror that defines sin, the perfect law of liberty (James 1:22-25, Romans 3:20), God's standard of righteousness (Psalms 119:172). God's law is all inclusive, covering the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13), and covers, in principle, everything that can be sin. Tithes: A tithe is one-tenth of one's increase. There are three tithes: (1) The first tithe is for financing the work of God's Church. The Gospel should go freely to the world and ministers of the church who preach the gospel should be provided for, (2) The second tithe is used by church members themselves to pay for expenses of family attendance at the annual festivals so as to joyously observe the annual Holy Days, (3) The third tithe, saved every third and sixth years in a cycle of seven years, is used to help the poor, including poor ministers, widows, orphans and strangers. The tithes are supplemented by freewill offerings, including special Holy Day offerings, to be given willingly as God prospers. God's laws of tithing are not a burden, but a blessing, and He promises to abundantly bless and prosper those who wholeheartedly trust and obey Him, Deuteronomy 14:22-29, Malachi 3:8-10, Matthew 10:1-10, 23:23, I Corinthians 9:14, II Corinthians 9:6-7, I Timothy 5:17-18. Titles, Religious: The use of religious titles such as "Reverend" or "Father" for ministers is wrong. Only God's name is reverend and holy. He is our only spiritual Father. Tongues, Speaking in: See "Pentecostalism." Trinity: There is no such thing as the Trinity. God is a Divine Family, currently composed of two members, the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is not a person but a force. The destiny of every true believer is to become God, a member of the God Family (not merely like God). Truth: Spiritual truth is divinely revealed through the Holy Spirit, not through "scholarship," research, or superior human intelligence. Divine truth is unalterable and unchanging. The only legitimate "doctrinal changes" are those which the Bible specifically indicates (e.g., abrogation of the sacrificial priestly system). See COGTE point #24. Universalism: Human beings can reject God's Truth, lose salvation, and be denied entrance into God's Kingdom. The Bible does NOT teach that ALL humans will be reconciled to Him. If it were impossible to renounce God, this would negate free moral agency which is necessary to build the character of God. Those who remain unrepentant will be consumed in the lake of fire. Unleavened Bread, Feast of: Lasting from Abib (Nisan) 15-21, the Feast of Unleavened Bread is characterized by members eating no leavened bread, but instead eating unleavened bread. Prior to the Feast, all leavening and leavened products are to be removed from the home, symbolizing the putting out of sin in our individual lives (Exodus 12:14-20, Leviticus 23:6-8). Unleavened bread eaten with festive meals during the Feast of Unleavened Bread represents sincerity and truth, living by true doctrines of the Almighty without hypocrisy, I Corinthians 5:6-8, Luke 12:1, Matthew 16:6, 12. Vaccinations: Vaccinations are generally made from unclean substances, and thus violate health principles of the Bible, and interfere with our faith in the healing power of our Savior. Believers should avoid vaccinations for themselves and their children. Warfare, Carnal: We firmly believe that Christian disciples of Christ are forbidden by Him and the commandments of God to murder, i.e., in any manner directly or indirectly take human life. We believe that bearing arms is directly contrary to this fundamental doctrine of our belief and therefore conscientiously refuse to bear arms or to come under the military authority, John 18:36. See point #15. Wealth: It is not a sin to be rich; wealth is often a reward to those faithful to God. God is a God of quality and beauty; Christians should strive to obtain the best they can afford, but not at the expense of their financial obligations to the church, and their obligation to assist the poor. Wine: The Bible allows moderate usage of fermented wine and other alcoholic beverages. However, drunkards will not be in the Kingdom of God. Women: Women are not permitted to preach or to be ordained as ministers. They may serve as deaconesses. Mothers of young and school age children should not work outside the home except in unusual circumstances. Work: True believers should work and provide for their families, as well as help the poor. Every family member should be taught to work. Physical work, one's occupation or job, and spiritual work, spreading the gospel, are obligations of every member of the Church. He who will not provide for his house is worse than an unbeliever, I Timothy 5:8.ê