The Unpardonable Sin (Part 3)

This is the third of a five-part series through which I have been trying to share my thoughts on the subject of the “Unpardonable Sin.” It is my hope that these words will give comfort, and inspiration, to those who have chosen to separate themselves from their brethren. I truly believe they are not lost to us forever!

Questions to Ponder (Continued)

Q...“Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him...”

More than thirty years ago I was asked to leave the congregation of the Worldwide Church of God. For many years thereafter I allowed bitterness and anger to separate me from my God, from His word, and from His mercy. In my petulance there were many times when I made a conscious effort to blaspheme all that I had once believed -- “including the Spirit of God!” I can remember several times singling out what I perceived to be “the Spirit” for specific blasphemy in order to show my disdain and rejection of all that I believed to be wrong with God, His Church, His ministers, and their teachings. This foolishness of mine seems beyond doubt to be a perfect example of the Bible definition of the “unpardonable sin.”

The memory of that time shames me and I have deeply repented of such immaturity and stupidity many, many times -- but does my repentance matter? If I was indeed guilty of committing the “unpardonable sin” then according to Matthew 12:31-32 repentance is useless! How many others have done something equally, or similarly stupid? How many brethren have “fallen asleep” without experiencing a heartfelt repentance for their sins -- have they damned themselves for all eternity? Have I damned myself for all eternity?

Q...“Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed -- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

If the passage which reads “...and the dead will be raised incorruptible...” means that the dead will be raised “as spirit-beings,” then there can be little hope for those of our brethren who die unrepentant -- BUT ONLY IF the resurrection and the change to spirit takes place at one and the same time...!

The word “incorruptible” in this passage comes from the Greek word “aphthartos” and according to Strong’s Concordance the English word “incorruptible” could just as easily have been translated “uncorrupted.” When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead did Lazarus rise up as a spirit-being, or was his body resurrected from the dead uncorrupted?

If the saints are first raised from their graves in a resurrection with their physical bodies uncorrupted, then perhaps the change from mortal to immortal will take place at a later time. How clearly do we understand what the Bible teaches about the resurrection of the saints? Is it possible that further study may help our understanding to become just a little more perfect?

The Resurrection of Jesus

Before considering the resurrection of the saints, we need to understand all that can be known about the death and resurrection of Jesus. Perhaps if we allow ourselves to question that which we have previously accepted as truth we may learn something new and thereby add to our understanding -- and to our faith!

Let’s begin by asking how much time went by from the instant of Jesus’ death until the moment he rose from the dead. I have discussed this question with far greater depth in a previous posting to this blogsite entitled “Three Days and Three Nights.” Please do not assume that you already know the answer to this question!

The only direct proof Jesus ever gave to the scribes and the Pharisees that he was the Messiah is recorded in the New Testament book of Matthew:

Matthew 12:38-40 “Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, ‘Master, we would see a sign from you.’ But he answered and said unto them, ‘An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: for as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.’”

Q…Was Jonah dead the entire time he spent in the belly of the great fish?

The story of Jonah does not specify how long he was dead, but it does specify how long he was in the belly of the great fish before being vomited out. What I want you to realize is that according to the Bible -- Jonah was not dead for the entire three days and three nights he spent inside the fish!

Jonah 2:1 “Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God -- from the fish’s belly!”

Some might suggest that Jonah had drowned minutes before being swallowed by the great fish and was resurrected to life minutes before being spewed out of its mouth. Similarly, they may say that Jesus died some time before being laid in his tomb and was resurrected to life some time before leaving it. In either case, the reasoning is based on the belief that Jesus “was dead for three days and three nights” -- but was he? Is it even necessary for us to believe that he was? Surely all that matters is that he spent three days and three nights “in his grave” and that he rose from the dead “…the third day!”

There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus did indeed spend exactly “three days and three nights in his grave”; but we must not automatically assume he was dead for this length of time. Do yourself a favor and list all of the scriptures where Jesus himself refers to how much time would pass from the moment of his death to the time of his resurrection. For example:

Luke 24:46 “And [Jesus] said to [his disciples], ‘Thus it is written, and thus it [was necessary for] Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead “the third day!’”

Jesus said many times that he would rise from the dead “…the third day!” Does this mean exactly three days; less than three days; or more than three days? Whichever way you understand this point: if Jesus did in fact rise from the dead “the third day,” then the moment of His resurrection and the moment he left His tomb “cannot be one and the same!” Jesus died some time before being placed in his tomb -- in order to rise from the dead “the third day” his resurrection must have taken place some time before leaving that tomb.

I believe that a more perfect understanding of how long Jesus was dead before his resurrection is vital to a better understanding of the resurrection of the saints; however, I must leave any further discussion of this for another time. I’m sure each of you, at one time or another, has answered this question to your own satisfaction; but I hope you will be willing to search it again, this time with even greater depth and sense of purpose than before. Anyone who believes they may benefit from reading the previous posting entitled “Three Days and Three Nights” will find it in the “Archives” of this blogsite.

Our ministers seem convinced that in the resurrection we will be raised from the dead as perfect spirit-beings, already endowed with everlasting life; if we study 1st Corinthians 15:35-49 we may even accept such a belief as being biblically proven. But can this belief stand up to an in-depth study of the entirety of the Bible?

With few exceptions, we have been taught that the resurrected body of Jesus was spiritually perfect and that his appearance was so changed as to be completely unrecognizable; while at the same time suggesting that he occasionally changed from his spirit form to that of the physical form he had at the time of his death -- but what does the Bible actually say?

Shortly after the resurrection of Jesus we find him in conversation with two travelers:

Luke 24:15-16 “So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.”

Notice carefully what it says: “But their eyes were “restrained” that they should not know him.” Does this not suggest that if their eyes had not been “restrained” they would have been able to recognize him as Jesus?

Now see what it says in verse 31 of that same chapter: “And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.” Does this not support the previous scripture? The only reason these travelers did not immediately recognize the resurrected Jesus was because their eyes had been closed to that recognition -- it was not because he was no longer recognizable as Jesus! When their eyes were opened -- they saw Jesus as he was and recognized him!

Some time later, the disciples were together in a locked room when Jesus joined them:

Luke 24:36-39 “And as [the disciples] thus spoke, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and said unto them: ‘Peace be unto you.’ But they were terrified and afraid, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them: ‘Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see -- for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see me have!’”

We mortals are always looking for immediate results in everything we see, and do, and hope for. The Almighty and Everlasting God has taken many billions of years to bring us to this point in His work of creation and yet there is an expectation among members of the Church that we will soon come to perfection “…in the twinkling of an eye.” How foolish and shallow we mortals can sometimes be!

Let’s return to 1st Corinthians for a moment:

1st Corinthians 15:51-52 “Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

The teaching of many scriptures is clear and specific that the saints will one day receive salvation as a gift from God. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” What may not be quite so clear is exactly when and how that change to immortality will take place.

The passage from 1st Corinthians 15 seems to pinpoint the time for the change from mortal to immortal as taking place “at the last trump”: however, I would point out that in order to be changed from mortal to spiritual -- we must first be mortal! Notice: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: ‘We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed -- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.’” Paul said he was relating a mystery -- it was (and remains today) a mystery!

Contrary to the teaching of the ministry it is my belief that the saints will rise up in a physical resurrection, with bodies “uncorrupted” -- prior to their change to immortality! It is also probable that my understanding of the timing of the last trump will not agree with the teaching of the ministry; but more about this later.

We need to determine whether Jesus may have been raised from the dead in a physical resurrection (his physical body not having seen corruption) before presenting himself to His Father -- then perhaps we’ll be able to take this thought another few steps forward.

Keep in mind the words of Paul when he quoted from the Psalms: “[David] seeing this before spoke of the resurrection of Christ that his soul was not left in [the grave], neither did his flesh see corruption.” Notice: “…neither did “his flesh see corruption!” What difference would it make whether the flesh of Jesus did or did not see corruption if he was going to be resurrected from the dead -- as a spirit-being?

Later we may consider scriptures such as Job 19:26 where Job says: “And though after my skin worms destroy my body, yet in my flesh I shall see God.” Yes! You can check the original inspired text for yourself; Job does indeed say “…in my flesh I shall see God!” Job knew that one day he would live again with his fleshly body uncorrupted!

Note: Next week I hope to present “Part 4” of my thoughts on “The Unpardonable Sin.”

The Unpardonable Sin (Part 2)

This is the second of a five-part series through which I hope to share my thoughts on the subject of the “Unpardonable Sin.” It is my desire that these words will give comfort, and inspiration, to those who have chosen to separate themselves from their brethren. I truly believe they are not lost to us forever!

An Erring Ministry

Contrary to what some of the many differing Churches of God would have you believe -- our ministers are not yet perfect! That which they preach and teach -- is not yet the perfect truth of God! Only when the individual comes to realize and accept this truth can he or she begin to more perfectly understand; perhaps then he or she may truly begin to: “...work out [his or her] own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Please understand that I bear no malice towards any of the ministers of the many Churches. With some few exceptions I do indeed believe them to be the ministers of God and the shepherds of His sheep. I also believe that collectively they do a good work.

That they are not yet perfect is a truth we as their brethren must accept; and as their brethren, with our own imperfections, we must realize that as individuals we shall one day be judged according to our own works. The errors of the ministry will not be an acceptable excuse for our own shortcomings!

To accept that the ministers are imperfect should bring our attention to the possibility that their understanding and therefore their teachings may also be imperfect. When we base our beliefs, our understanding, “and our faith” on that which we learn from them, we have a duty before God “to diligently search the scriptures” whether these things are so!

We know that we must “...prove all things, hold fast that which is good.” To their credit, our ministers have preached this truth to us many, many times. We have been taught not to believe what they tell us “about the Bible,” but to prove what the Bible “actually does say!” Unfortunately, very few of us ever show more than a passing observance to this edict.

Some of us may check the scriptures used in a sermon, or a booklet, or a tape, but usually we concern ourselves only with those scriptures the minister has singled out to support a particular teaching. How many of us use true diligence to actually “search the scriptures whether these things are so”? If the teaching of our minister does contain error, then the final responsibility for accepting or rejecting that error falls on the individual -- not on the minister!

Gifts and Rewards

I have spent a great deal of time studying the fate of those who are our brethren -- those who have (for whatever reason) fallen away from their faith. For the sake of this present study I shall simply state openly what I believe to be true. Those who are begotten of God but who have fallen away from the truth and do not repent of their sins before death will lose the rewards they had earned in this lifetime -- but they themselves shall be saved!

Before going any further with this, let’s try to agree to a few basic truths:

1) If an individual is truly called of God then he or she “may or may not” one day be chosen by God. For this truth I refer you to the statement of Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

2) If an individual reaches the point of “true repentance,” then he or she will almost certainly be brought before one of the ministers of God. If the minister believes this to be a true calling and repentance, before God, then the individual will almost certainly be baptized and have hands laid upon him for the receiving of God’s Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy [Spirit].’”

3) Following true repentance and a proper baptism the Bible states quite clearly that the individual “shall be saved!” Is this not “the promise of salvation”? Is this not God’s promise that those who repent and are baptized “shall be saved”? Do we automatically lose this awesome promise of God by simply “falling away”?

Notice what the Apostle Paul had to say in 1st Corinthians 3:1-15 -- (You should study this entire passage for yourself but pay special attention to verses 14-15):

1st Corinthians 3:14-15 “If any man’s work abides which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved…!”

In this passage, Paul tells us there can be only one foundation to our faith; that is Our Saviour Jesus, who is the Christ. Following true repentance, conversion, baptism, and the receiving of God’s Spirit, the foundation of our faith has been laid and the promise of salvation received, waiting for us to build thereon.

I have come to believe that after the individual receives God’s promise of salvation, he or she must then proceed to build upon that promise. What we do or do not do after we have received God’s promise will determine the importance of the reward we may or may not receive in the life to come -- “...but he himself shall be saved!”

Questions to Ponder

If we can accept that the teaching of the ministry is not infallible, then we must be ready and willing to question anything and everything that our understanding is not completely comfortable with. We must also be willing to search, and search again, the accuracy of the doctrines upon which we have built our faith. If those doctrines are sound, they will stand firm no matter how deeply we question them. If those doctrines are unsound, then we as workmen of God’s truths must not be ashamed to admit our errors and correct any misunderstanding. Flawed doctrine must ultimately lead to a “flawed faith” and I cannot believe God will honour such faith!

Q…“Is the ‘Unpardonable Sin’ any sin not repented of prior to the time of our death.”

Must we accept that a wrongful act in the final few moments of life may undermine our hope of salvation? If we allow ourselves to fall into a wrong or rebellious attitude in the last few days or hours of our temporal lives will we forfeit our eternal lives? Does the sacrifice of our Saviour only apply if we remember each and every one of our sins and repent of each one individually -- or would it be acceptable if in the final few moments of life we make a blanket repentance to cover all sins?

Q…“The gift of God is eternal life…”

Salvation is the unmerited gift of God! We cannot earn salvation; neither do I believe we can lose “the promise of salvation” having once received it. We can however “reject salvation” and this I believe is the teaching of the Bible! However, for this premise to be true the question must be asked: “When will we as individuals be faced with the final choice of accepting or rejecting God’s salvation?”

Q…“Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to [everyone] according to his work.”

We know that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord; but what is the reward of the saved? I believe the answer is summed up in the scripture which tells us: “…and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Having received eternal life as an unmerited gift from God, would it not be truly wonderful to also receive a position of importance during the 1,000 year reign of Jesus over Our Father’s Kingdom? As the begotten children of God it is our duty and our responsibility to prepare ourselves for the time of that Kingdom -- to make ourselves ready for whatever duties we may be asked to perform.

Q…“If any man’s work abides which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved...”

In the Worldwide Church of God of the early 1970’s there was a spirit of certainty among the brethren that we were the true Church of God. Of those brethren whom I once knew and loved I remember one couple in particular, a husband and wife who were both deacons of the Church; there was not a doubt in my mind that those two individuals were truly begotten of Our Father. By their works and their service to the ministers, to the brethren, and to the Church, there could be no doubt they were destined for positions of importance in the soon coming Kingdom of God.

Those individuals are only two of the many who have “fallen away.” From what I’ve been able to determine they have rejected all they had once believed; if they do not repent before leaving this life they will have committed what many have come to understand and accept as the “unpardonable sin.” But have they.....? Have they rejected God and His teachings -- or have they rejected what they perceived to be an arrogant and deceitful ministry? Make no mistake: the brethren of the Worldwide Church of God were subjected to a level of deceit and betrayal by their ministers that may have no parallel in the history of the true “church” of God.

Note: Next week I hope to present “Part 3” of my thoughts on “The Unpardonable Sin.”

The Unpardonable Sin (Part 1)

Over the next few weeks I shall try to present my thoughts on the subject of the “Unpardonable Sin.” It is my hope that these words will give comfort, and inspiration, to those who have chosen to separate themselves from their brethren. It is my belief that they are not lost to us forever!

Q...Does the rite of baptism hold the key to understanding the unpardonable sin?

It is the example of the Bible that a resurrection from the dead is just that; a resurrection from death into life! However: it is the teaching of the ministry that those who are “begotten of God” in this lifetime and who “endure unto the end” will be resurrected “as spirit-beings;” going from death directly into life eternal! The Scriptures leave no doubt that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord -- the question is: “Do the dead in Christ inherit eternal life “at the resurrection” or some time “after the resurrection”?

Whatever the answer: wisdom suggests that we try to understand just a little more perfectly the fate of those whom the Bible refers to as the “dead in Christ.”

Consider for a moment those who have been “begotten of God”: if they “fall-away” from the truth and die unrepentant what is their fate? Is it the teaching of the ministry that these individuals had their opportunity for salvation and failed? Are they doomed to be resurrected only to be cast into the lake of fire -- if so, in what form will they be resurrected? Having already experienced repentance, baptism, and the receiving of God’s Spirit, have they forfeited the salvation of their Father? As our brethren, are they irretrievably lost to us for all eternity?

Thus far, I have been unable to get a minister of any of the Churches of God to personally commit himself with regard to the fate of our brethren who have “fallen away.” Those ministers who have at least ventured an opinion usually tell me they are uncertain -- “and anyway” they usually add, “it’s not really our place to judge.” When pressed further as to those who were once our brethren the usual response has been: “God will judge them according to their works.”

However, much of the literature produced by the end-time Churches of God does provide a more definitive answer. There is a consensus (of sorts) that those who have once come to the knowledge of the truth and have “fallen away” must either repent of their sin “in this lifetime” and return to the Church or be rejected by God for all eternity.

Within this consensus lies the confusing question as to which “Church” the repentant individual should return. The assumption must be that whichever minister we ask, his answer must be to the specific “Church” or organization he represents. For him to admit that any other “Church of God” would be acceptable would be to admit that they, with their differing sets of doctrines, are also the true “Church” of God.

If there can only be one true Church of God would a return to one of the others be acceptable to God -- or can we assume that He sees little or no difference between any of them? If a return to any one of the many Churches of God would be acceptable to Him, would we be correct to wonder why the ministers of these many differing Churches have separated themselves one from the other; and in so doing have scattered the brethren to the four corners of the earth?

It is my personal belief that there is no one true “Church” of God! There is however one and only one true “church” of God; one “ekklesia”; one body of “called-out-ones” who are separated to God for His Holy purpose. This “church,” this “ekklesia,” is of one body no matter where the individuals may be found -- whether they exist as groups within various recognized organizations of men or as individuals scattered throughout the Earth they are the true “church” of God!

There are many “Churches of God” but these secular organizations have been created by men. These “Churches” include the Intercontinental Church of God, the Church of God International, the Living Church of God, the United Church of God, the Philadelphia Church of God, and many, many others. It is my belief that whether the truly repentant individual returns to any one of these “Churches” or to none of them is immaterial as to whether God will or will not accept his or her repentance.

The Unpardonable Sin

Let’s try to be clear about what the Bible has to say about the “unpardonable sin”:

Matthew 12:31-32 “[Jesus said] ‘Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven men.’”

If we were to take this passage literally then we could commit any sin, curse and revile Jesus our Lord, perhaps even turn against God our Heavenly Father and still be forgiven if we experience a true and contrite repentance. However, if we even once curse and revile the Holy Spirit we cannot and will not be forgiven no matter how heartfelt our repentance. Does this make any sense to you -- or are we missing something?

The only reasonably clear explanation I have ever heard from the ministry to describe the “unpardonable sin” is this: “The unpardonable sin is any sin that has not been repented of.” However, if we accept this as an answer to our question, we must therefore assume that for those who have been begotten of God -- repentance for any and all sin must take place during this lifetime!

If we use this explanation for the “unpardonable sin” as an answer to the fate of those of our brethren who have “fallen away” there can only be one conclusion. Those who have fallen away and do not repent before their death -- cannot be resurrected to eternal life!

If we consider the tens of thousands who were members of the Worldwide Church of God during the early 1970’s, and if we believe that as many as 9 out of every 10 of them have fallen away and have remained unrepentant, then we must accept that fully 90% of those who were once our brethren are destined for the lake of fire! Is it possible that the Almighty and Everlasting God would allow such a thing to come to pass?

John 11:1-44 tells the story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus. Lazarus and his two sisters were all well loved by Jesus -- when Lazarus died and was buried in his tomb Jesus returned to Judea intending to raise him from the dead. From the story, as it is recorded in the Bible, it may be assumed that Lazarus -- had died in the faith fully expecting to rise up in the resurrection.

Q…Why would Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead if there was even the slightest chance that by giving him additional time as a mortal he might lose his chance for salvation?

Q…While it may be argued that Lazarus was a special case; what about the “saints” who rose from the dead following the crucifixion of Jesus, were they also special cases? Can we assume that every one of them lived out his or her new lease on life never having “fallen away”?

A Parable’s Message

Jesus said: “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?” If we carefully consider this parable we must eventually wonder why there should be such concern over one sheep in a hundred when most ministers seem ready to accept as many as nine out of every ten of our brethren being cast into the lake of fire!

Now consider the fact that not only have up to 90% of the flock “gone astray,” many of them were forced out of the Church by some of those same ministers who today govern many of the separated Churches of God: and these ministers used the doctrines of the “Worldwide Church” -- which they themselves eventually rejected -- as the reason for casting out our brethren!

Far too many of our ministers have ignored God’s edict to “seek the one that has strayed” but who can blame them? There are so many lost sheep out there the ministers would have to leave the “one” they’re caring for in order to search for the “ninety-nine” that are lost!

It may be argued that by spreading the Gospel the ministers are in fact carrying out God’s injunction to search for our missing brethren -- on this, as in all other things I must defer to the judgment of Our Father. In His wisdom, He shall judge these ministers according to their works!

His Wisdom

Did God, in His wisdom, decree that as many as 90% of the 1970’s Church of God would one day be destroyed in the lake of fire? If we are to believe that those who leave the Church and die unrepentant have committed the “unpardonable sin” then we must accept this loss for eternity of so many of our brethren.

What would this do to our understanding of God: of His power, His wisdom, His mercy, and His compassion? Would a loving, merciful God decree that so many of His children, those who were at one time begotten of His Spirit should be lost? Or should we accept that He may not have been aware such a thing as this might happen -- was the loss of so many of our brethren a surprise and a disappointment to Him? What would this say about His wisdom?

I believe the answers are exactly what we would expect them to be (yet so often hesitate to put into words); “God ultimately rules in the heavens and the Earth!” “God’s power and His wisdom are infinite and far beyond the understanding of any man -- even that of our ministers!” “He has decreed what shall come to pass; and He shall see His creation not only continue, but prosper.”

So then, is it by God’s decree that so many of our brethren should be lost? This is the question of a fool! We might as well suggest we have earned our salvation by good works, but may lose it again by rejecting an arrogant and deceitful ministry. If there is a lack in our understanding of God’s mysteries then surely the fault lies with us and not with God!

Note: Today is the final day of the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles; and this evening begins what most of the Churches of God observe as the Last Great Day. I’m not sure what most of us see as the prophetic message of the Last Great Day, but some time soon I intend to share with you my own thoughts on this matter.

Next week I hope to continue my thoughts on “The Unpardonable Sin” with the posting of “Part 2” of this five-part series.

The Scattered “church” of God

Note: This is a digest of a study-paper originally entitled “Ezekiel Thirty-Four.” I believe the name change to “The Scattered ‘church’ of God” is appropriate.

Ezekiel 34:6 “My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yes, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.”

Those of us who can remember the Worldwide Church of God during the early 1970’s will remember the depth and strength, the joy and fellowship, which existed in the “church.” Each year the membership and the scope of the work showed a steady and impressive growth. There was a belief throughout the congregation that the work being done by the Church was a duty given to us by the Almighty God -- and as His children, begotten by His Spirit, we gloried in the part we were allowed to play.

More than thirty years later, what we find is a sickly sham of that former glory. Several years ago I came to understand that the Worldwide Church had been shattered and scattered into more than three hundred different and differing sects. But how could such a thing be possible?

Perhaps even more disturbing is the realization that what survives bearing the name of the Worldwide Church of God today bears little or no resemblance to the organization that was founded by the late Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong.

Do you remember how we hated it when outsiders called our Church a sect? Those of you who believe that you have “continued in the faith” by following a group, or a minister, or a particular set of beliefs, if the roots of your group were formed in the original Worldwide Church then yours is by definition a sect. The New Lexington Webster’s Dictionary reads under “SECT”: a body of people, sharing religious, philosophical, or political opinions, who have broken away from a larger body, (often used as a term of disapproval).

Perhaps you are even more offended by my referring to that Worldwide Church as “our” Church or by referring to the group you now belong to as “your” group. Make no mistake: Jesus founded the “church” of God! These others: the Worldwide Church of God; the Church of God, International; the Intercontinental Church of God; the Living Church of God; the Philadelphia Church of God; the United Church of God; or the many, many other so-called Churches of God, regardless of the secular names which the laws of society have forced them to adopt -- are organizations of men!

One takes the name of Worldwide while another takes International or Intercontinental, yet another takes the name Philadelphia while another takes The Living. On and on and on they go, the names of each group set apart and ordained by the selfishness and arrogance of these self-proclaimed shepherds of God’s sheep. Rightly did the apostle ask the question: “Is Christ divided?”

Is it possible that each of these groups believe they and they alone are the final remnant of the “true church”? If so, then must each of the other groups be something other than “the church”; or “the people”; or “the children”; or even “the ministers” of God? If on the other hand they still have some attachment to each another, however loose that attachment may be, the question must be asked: “Why have our ministers chosen to separate themselves one from the other and in so doing have scattered the children of God?”

In the days of the strength of the Worldwide Church we believed we were the “true church” of God. In this we were no different from any other group within the definition of professing Christianity. But there was a difference! We had been blessed with an understanding of God, of His creation, and of His purpose that was unprecedented in the history of mankind.

The individual genesis of that understanding is what I remember and look back on as “my first love!” It seemed as if the almost daily revealing of God’s mysteries was somehow magical. Each of us, in varying degrees, must remember the joy and excitement of that first love. “But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears for they hear. For verily I say unto you that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see these things which you see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which you hear and have not heard them.” Surely that scripture applied more to us than it had to any other group since the creation of mankind; and yet, consider what happened to that Church!

Now I ask you: when the Worldwide Church was torn apart was God’s “church” destroyed? This is the question of a fool! And yet, do any of the more than three hundred remnants not believe that their group is the only one keeping the entirety of the true faith? For if they are willing to believe there are others who know and follow the same truths of God, why do they continue to separate themselves from the others?

Of this one thing I am certain: whether there are three, or thirty, or three hundred of these different and differing off-shoot groups, each of them will have at least one minister, and every minister will believe that he has been chosen by God to be a shepherd over an end-time remnant of His sheep. But why have they separated themselves one from the other? Why do they cause the brethren of the “church” to remain scattered? Why do they continue to practice such confusion -- such self-indulgent foolishness?

I believe now, as I did in the early seventies, that the “church” of God, the “ekklesia,” the “called out ones” of God, made up a major part of the congregation of what was known as the Worldwide Church of God. The Worldwide Church “included” many who had been begotten as children of the Living God -- but the Worldwide Church was not of and by itself the “church” of God!

When an individual is called of God, then with the guidance of the Holy Spirit he or she may or may not be led to true repentance. If an individual “brings forth fruits meet for repentance” a minister will almost certainly baptize that individual into the Church.

Acts 2:38 “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy [Spirit].”

We know it is the miracle of the fusion of God’s Holy Spirit with the human spirit in and of the individual that begets a new creation -- a newly begotten child of God. We know that only those begotten of God will be raised “incorruptible” [or “uncorrupted”] at the return of Christ: then surely “these are the elect,” the true body of Christ, the true “church” of God.

God knows those whom He will choose to beget as His children. (Let those who truly believe they have been so blessed receive this understanding with love and humility, realizing there must be a purpose to His choosing.) Or do you believe that all who profess repentance, all who experience the ceremonies of baptism and the laying on of hands, are automatically begotten as children of our Father?

Would God beget and set aside those whom He could not be reasonably sure would one day become His children? I must believe He would not! There are many former brethren whom I still remember with love and longing; some of them left the Church and have taken up their previous lives -- it is to them I believe we must turn with all of the power that God may give us; “...so much the more, as [we] see the day approaching.”

I should tell you that my own break with the Worldwide Church of God came about when I perceived that “my first love” was being challenged. It is my belief that when the ministers took it upon themselves to be the sole arbiters of the truths of God, the Church as a unified organization was doomed.

When the individual members were discouraged from searching the scriptures to gain a more perfect personal understanding; when they were instead encouraged more and more to “look to the ministry,” they were putting themselves into a position where a man, or group of men, held power over their eternal lives. They knew the scriptures to quote, those men who preached to us “in God’s name”: “…there is a way that seems right unto a man” and “…lean not unto your own understanding”; and yet by leaning unto the understanding of the ministry the flock was led to its own destruction.

When the ministry took away that “first love” and made it a sin punishable by disfellowship for the brethren to question the teachings of the ministry, and to discuss their understanding of the Bible among themselves, the Church as a growing organism was doomed to fail.

Where are they; those that were scattered as the Church was torn apart? There is no doubt that many of them felt betrayed by those in positions of authority over them. The Bible told us that the shepherds would cause great problems for the sheep. We were told that the sheep would be scattered -- but who amongst us could have foreseen what actually did come to pass?

And what about us, we who are the sheep; are we to be found blameless before God? Can we simply heap all our failures on the ministry? How is it possible that such a unified organization could have been torn apart the way it did if we were not at least partly responsible?

Were we then the begotten children of God? Once again, this is the question of a fool. We were, by many undeniable proofs and blessings, the begotten children of God. Though bruised and beaten, torn and scattered, we are still the begotten children of God!

The thirty-fourth chapter of Ezekiel cries out as it never has before a condemnation and a warning to the shepherds of God -- and to His sheep! He tells us that because “none did search or seek after them,” that He Himself “will seek [His] sheep, and will deliver them out of all the places where they have been scattered…” Does this mean that no one but God should even try to find them? God forbid that we should excuse ourselves this way!

Many believe that the Church has an end-time duty to preach the gospel as a hope and a warning to the people of the world. Many Churches are faithfully trying to carry out this work and for those who are, I compliment your efforts and ask God’s blessing for your success; but I must tell you: “The world is not listening!” Tune in some Sunday morning to one of the more popular religious programs; see the size of their congregations; the richness of their productions -- the absolute nonsense of their message! This nonsense is what the people of the world want to hear.

Knowing what must shortly come to pass upon the people of the world depresses me; but I say to you, the time for their redemption shall come. What we need to realize is that now is the time to seek out and find those whom I cannot conceive of as being lost.

For almost thirty years I found myself living far from the righteousness that God demands of us. It was only in the year 1998 that I was finally drawn back to the Bible and a renewed search for understanding. I still find it amazing that my beliefs and my understanding had remained almost exactly as they had been back in the early 1970’s.

What would my destiny have been if Christ had returned while I was still living in total rejection of Him and His promises? What if I had “fallen asleep” while still in a state of total rejection of Him and His promises? There is still hope in the distant future for the people of this world; but my immediate concern is for those who have in this lifetime been begotten of God. If they are truly lost to us, does the Bible teach that there cannot be another beginning for them? They were once strong in the faith; they were once our brothers and sisters in Christ; I cannot conceive of them being lost to us forever!

Make no mistake, through all the years of my separation from “the Church” I had continued to believe, but I had allowed bitterness and resentment of the past to cloud my judgment, my love, my hope, and my faith. There is a terrible loneliness that comes with separation from the brethren. Study is made more difficult without someone to talk to. Sabbaths and annual Holy Days are next to impossible to keep properly without the fellowship of the Church.

Companionship with the world becomes more and more desirable; but for those who feel as I did, the option of once again joining with an organized Church group was totally unacceptable. The depth of what we perceived as a great betrayal makes it very difficult to ever again trust an organization of humans with our eternal lives.

Consider those who might prefer fellowship over loneliness, what awaits them? It does not require a Bible scholar to find scriptural evidence that Church attendance is required of the true Christian. With so many offshoots of the Worldwide Church to choose from, there must even be a flavour for every taste.

There may be some justification for those who follow their understanding and their faith even if that understanding eventually proves to be wrong. Perhaps there is a little less justification for those who simply follow a minister of their choice or a minister who speaks the words that he or she wants to hear. But what about those who have chosen to remain alone (as I have done) because they refuse to accept (or follow) what they perceive to be wrong doctrine?

Since my return to a renewed search for understanding there have been many new truths opened up to me. Are there others like myself who have with great difficulty tried to remain faithful to Our Father and Our God? Can it be that they have also been blessed with a renewed hope, a renewed faith, and an increased understanding?

There was an article published by the Worldwide Church of God in 1959 that contained a very interesting quotation; it read: “Here is a KEY that proves which individuals are in God’s church. It is composed ONLY of those who are GROWING INTO TRUTH as God reveals it. The moment anyone ceases to GROW, but wants to retain only what he (or she) had five or ten years ago, from that moment on the Holy Spirit ceases to live in him.” (Emphasis as quoted in the article).

You should know that I do not totally agree with the entirety of this statement. What I do agree with is that the individual cannot allow himself or herself to become satisfied with their current level of understanding. In this, the individual has a distinct advantage over the organization. The individual has no position or false honour that he or she needs to protect. He truly can dissect even accepted truths in order to prove again their validity without experiencing shame if the truths previously held prove to be wrong.

It is amazing to me that a life still in the womb, not yet certain it will ever become the promised new creation, can retain so much arrogance as to believe that perceived truths once discovered -- must therefore be cast in stone! There is absolutely no scripture that I will not search and search again for understanding. There is no doctrine that I will not tear apart and rebuild again and again in my search for truth. Even the most miniscule truth when proven and proven again, becomes a building block to my faith. Each error of understanding, when corrected, not only strengthens the unashamed workman but brings joy and excitement to the soon-to-be child of God.

Note: This evening begins the first of the seven day annual Feast of Tabernacles. Many of our brethren will be traveling to various festival sites for a week of fellowship, prayer, and rejoicing before God. I hope and pray that all will find this week everything they want it to be and that everyone will be able to return to their homes safely.

Next week I hope to share with you many thoughts and ideas that have become very important to me. I firmly believe we have allowed ourselves to accept an imperfect understanding of many doctrines and I have taken the liberty of addressing this problem in a study-paper entitled “The Unpardonable Sin.” I realize that much of what I have to say will be seen as not only controversial but as sacrilege; nevertheless, I believe I have no choice but to share these thoughts with my brethren.

I have made no secret of the fact that this blogsite is dedicated to those whom I refer to as “the scattered brethren” of the “church” of God. It is to them in particular that I present this five-part series on “The Unpardonable Sin.” I pray it will offer them some hope; and possibly the inspiration to return to their studies, their faith, and the zeal they once had in their desire for the salvation and rewards of our Father and our God.