Church of God a cult?

[Waiting...]

Have you read their doctrine? I'd start there. If it doesn't line up....:thinking

I have read much of it. It does line up in every thing that I have read so far. I have only begun my research though.

[Biblenuggetlady]

Moved your thread here as I thought you'd get more input. :)

[Waiting...]

Moved your thread here as I thought you'd get more input. :)

Thanks

[kjlistrom]

My wife and I are planning on leaving our Church of 5 years and are looking into Church of God. I am very impressed with their College in Cleveland, TN (Lee University). I saw a Church of God near where I live. It is very much like the Assembly of God Church we attended in Louisiana. I like their teaching. Does anyone attend a Church of God? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.I don't attend a Church of God, but you said any thoughts would be appreciated.
I would not attend such a Church, this was taken from their beliefs

[QUOTE]In speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that there is evidence other than the fruit that you bare. They have added tongues to the list themselfs for the show of it, and for others to see how holy they can be. IMO

[kjlistrom]

This also taken from their site.

The membership of the Church of God shall be composed of Christians who have accepted the teachings, doctrines, and government of the Church of God, and who have been formally received into its fellowship pursuant to the guidelines established by the International General Assembly. Procedures for excluding members shall be set by the International General Assembly upon recommendation of the International General Council.

What ever happened to being Born Again and beliveing in the teachings and doctrines of the Word of God?

[wife]

This also taken from their site.

The membership of the Church of God shall be composed of Christians who have accepted the teachings, doctrines, and government of the Church of God, and who have been formally received into its fellowship pursuant to the guidelines established by the International General Assembly. Procedures for excluding members shall be set by the International General Assembly upon recommendation of the International General Council.

What ever happened to being Born Again and beliveing in the teachings and doctrines of the Word of God?

I think what they are saying by membership is voting membership, not that you cannot attend the church....

[UNeverEverNo]

What ever happened to being Born Again and beliveing in the teachings and doctrines of the Word of God?Most churches have man-made rules for membership. It's the reason that I will never join a "church" as a voting member.

I belong to the Followers of Jesus Christ. That's all I need. His rules don't change.

Also, there's a Church of God near me that is wonderful. From my knowledge, they're pretty much on target.

[Waiting...]

Most churches have man-made rules for membership. It's the reason that I will never join a "church" as a voting member.

I belong to the Followers of Jesus Christ. That's all I need. His rules don't change.

Also, there's a Church of God near me that is wonderful. From my knowledge, they're pretty much on target.
Thanks for the input. So far, everything about the Church of God near me seems on target as well. I think that we will visit next week. I am a little nervous. This is only the third church change I have made since coming to Jesus over 20 years ago.

[Robbinson]

Best of luck with the new Church. I'm not familiar with their specific doctirne. However, every church/denomination will have some attributes "unacceptable" to some members on this Board. That's why there are hundreds of denominations today (sadly). The tounges point made by one of the other respondents would exclude Assembly of God as well (that's another debate - suffice it to say that tounges was a sign of baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentacost - there are different interpretations on the ongoing, or non ongoing use of tounges today).

The key is whether this Church accepts the central creeds of salvation through faith and belief in Christ alone as our Lord and saviour; the need to repent for our sins; belief in the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ and the inerrancy of God's Word. Differences among denominations over other issues (tounges, calvinism v. arminianism, pre-trib or post-trib rapture, infant v. adult baptism) while important to us as believers and for fellowship are not as significant (although you should try to find a Church whose views on these other issues is consistent with your reading and interepretation of scripture and we should all always be striving to find God's truth on all of these issues with the help of the Holy Sprit, recognizing that many sincere Chrisitians trying to do just that have come to different conclusions on these types of issues).

Happy Easter/Resurrection Sunday.

Brian

[Galoutofdixie]

Just make sure that they are not affiliated with "The Worldwide Church of God", originally started by Herbert Armstrong. :fear


Here is a link about them: http://www.apologeticsindex.org/w01.html

Throughout most of its history, the Worldwide Church of God - founded and led by Herbert W. Armstrong - was, theologically, a cult of Christianity. Among other things, it rejected the doctrine of the Trinity, the bodily resurrection of Jesus, and salvation by grace through faith alone.

Sociologically, the movement had many cultic elements as well.

However, starting in the mid 1980's under Joseph Tkach Sr, and later his son, Joseph Tkach Jr. - the church's current leader - the Worldwide Church of God has undergone major changes in doctrine to the extend that is has rejected its heretical teachings, and instead has embraced orthodox Christianity.

Others remain skeptical, and claim the changes have not gone far enough.


However, despite the positive doctrinal changes and widespread acceptance by Protestant Christianity, it is the belief of many who have left the WCG group that many abusive and cultic dynamics remain, including financial manipulation, a complete lack of accountability and a totalistic hierarchy in which the Pastor General controls the church and its assets (see WCG bylaws).
What is the Worldwide Church of God? [No longer online] (Article by David Covington, an ex-member, critical of the new WCG)

- Splinter Groups -


Note: This section lists only some of the many splinter groups.
Church of God Splinter group (1998) of the United Church of God, which itself is a splinter group of the WCG.
Church of God - A Christian Fellowship Successor of WCG splinter group, Global Church of God.
Church of God International Splinter group of the WCG. Sponsors the ''Armor of God'' literature and TV shows.
Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association Splinter Groups of the WCG. (About Garner Ted Armstrong)
United Church of God Splinter group of the WCG