GIVING & SHARING NEWSLETTER                                                    December, 1993 No. 25

 

Biblical Doctrine Revised, Reprinted

 

      Many Sabbath-keepers do not have a clear idea as to what their church teaches, nor what the Bible says on vital subjects.  It is important to understand what we believe, and be able to present our beliefs and practices to others, I Peter 3:15.

      Our revised and updated 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.  We analyze the beliefs of major Sabbath-keeping groups.  Doctrinal changes and liberalization (“watering down” of truth) are dominant in today's Sabbath-keeping churches.  We show what you can do about this doctrinal decline.

      Biblical Doctrine has 124 pages, and we ask for a donation to help cover our costs.  If you cannot afford to send a donation, you may have a free copy, one per family.  Order your copy today!

 

Biblical Doctrine

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

      The Twenty “Fundamentals of Belief” of the Radio Church of God (in 1968 renamed, Worldwide Church of God).  Joseph Hopkins summarizes Worldwide Church teachings.  Comparison of 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.  Review of his eighteen essential, basic points of Worldwide Church of God doctrine, which are a summary of his major teachings.

Chapter 5:  Doctrines of Ex-Worldwide Church Groups

      Summary 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

      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

      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

      List and comments 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 growing 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.  List of 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.  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.  Perfect doctrinal understanding without love in action is good for nothing!

 

New Items on Giving & Sharing Order Blank

 

      Two new items have been added to the Giving & Sharing Order Blank:  The Christian Passover:  What Does It Mean?  When Should It Be Observed — the 14th or the 15th?, by Fred R. Coulter;  and, Satan’s Ten Most Believable Lies, by Dave Breese.  Coulter’s book conclusively proves that the Christian Passover is to be observed on the beginning of the 14th day of the first month of the Hebrew calendar.  Breese’s book defines some of Satan’s false doctrines which have deceived millions, and have even affected many in the Church.

 

William Miller and Adventist History

 

      Although much maligned for his failed 1844 prophecy of the return of the Messiah, William Miller was a sincere and dedicated Bible student who was definitely not in it for the money.  A very interesting book covering Miller and the early Adventists is Midnight and Morning, by Clyde E. Hewitt.  This book is a detailed account of the Adventist Awakening and the founding of the Advent Christian denomination, who are Sunday-keeping Adventists.  Most people do not know that the majority of the original Adventists never did keep the Sabbath.  You may order this book from:  Advent Christian General Conference of North America, PO Box 23152, Charlotte, NC  28212.

 

New King James, or King James?

 

      Nelson publishers has discontinued printing their New King James Version wide margin Bibles.  As past articles have explained, the KJV and NKJV are the only major translations which use the Received Text in translating the New Testament.  The liberal Protestant backed New International Version (NIV), and most other modern translations, use the corrupted Alexandria, Egypt, Text.  It is no surprise, as we previously reported, that the Worldwide Church of God now uses the NIV as its main translation.

      Nelson’s New King James Version is of limited value to serious Bible students, because all the major Bible study helps are geared to the King James Version (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, New Englishman’s Greek Concordance, and New Englishman’s Hebrew and Chaldee Concordance).  We recommend the Oxford Wide Margin King James Version Bible as your main study Bible.  It is hard to get, but worth the long wait.  The Oxford Wide Margin KJV Bible has plenty of margin space for notes and references.  Stick with the King James!

 

Electronic Bible Price Cut in Half!

 

      Most Bibles and Biblical reference books continue to cost more each year, as inflation takes its toll.  However, one item, the Franklin Electronic Bible, described in our free article, “Basic Bible Study Tools,” has undergone a drastic price reduction.  The Electronic Bible is the most useful tool for personal Bible Study, for it combines the full KJV text at your finger tips, with instant scripture or word combination lookup capability that is better for finding scriptures than Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.  It is easy to use for anyone from 5 to 105.  With lightning speed, the Electronic Bible enables me to turn to Bible verses.  Originally priced at $199.95 retail, the new edition Franklin Electronic Bible now retails at only $99.95.  Our suggested donation is $75.00 (1993 amounts, see recent order blank for current prices).  An added benefit is that the new edition allows you to adjust the display type size, so you can read it easier.

 

An Excellent Feast

 

      Our family observed this year’s Feast of Tabernacles in San Antonio, Texas, with the Church of The Great God.  John Ritenbaugh and several other fine speakers gave inspiring and uplifting messages.  The theme of the Feast was:  preparing the Church for the Kingdom of God.  Now I’ve got to put into practice what I have learned!     Ω