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Songs and Teachings of the Bible
Songs and Teachings of the Bible
The Book of Doctrines
INTRODUCTION
"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."
(John 17:17)
"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth. . . ."
(Ephesians 6:14)
(John 17:17)
"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth. . . ."
(Ephesians 6:14)
Herbert W. Armstrong declared emphatically that Ambassador College and the Worldwide Church of God had gone off-track during the early and mid 1970s due to the influx of liberalism and the deadly leaven of higher education. Beginning in 1978 he put the college, ministry and church back-on-track by purging out the deadly leaven to the best of his ability. What is a Liberal? -- Recent History of the Philadelphia Era of the Worldwide Church of God
After Mr. Armstrong's death in 1986 history repeated itself. New church leaders authorized and implemented doctrinal changes similar to those which had arisen during the off-track 1970s. This occurred slowly at first, then more rapidly as time went on. In the mid 1990s members were forced to change their beliefs, conceal their reluctance to change or leave the church.
During those difficult years I created a "Book of Doctrines" in order to help myself retain the original truth and remain on-track. Since that time others have found this material helpful. I reproduce it on the following pages.
Click on "Next" to enter the Book of Doctrines, or read my summary of God's Law vs. Satan's liberalism below.
After Mr. Armstrong's death in 1986 history repeated itself. New church leaders authorized and implemented doctrinal changes similar to those which had arisen during the off-track 1970s. This occurred slowly at first, then more rapidly as time went on. In the mid 1990s members were forced to change their beliefs, conceal their reluctance to change or leave the church.
During those difficult years I created a "Book of Doctrines" in order to help myself retain the original truth and remain on-track. Since that time others have found this material helpful. I reproduce it on the following pages.
Click on "Next" to enter the Book of Doctrines, or read my summary of God's Law vs. Satan's liberalism below.
GOD'S LAW:
LOVE
(Romans 13:8-10)
(Romans 13:8-10)
THE TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS
(Matthew 22:36-40; Luke 10:25-28)
YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND
YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
(Matthew 22:36-40; Luke 10:25-28)
YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND
YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
(Exodus 20:1-17; Luke 18:18-20)
YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME
YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FOR YOURSELF A CARVED IMAGE
YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD YOUR GOD IN VAIN
REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY, TO KEEP IT HOLY
HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER
YOU SHALL NOT MURDER
YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY
YOU SHALL NOT STEAL
YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOR
YOU SHALL NOT COVET ANYTHING THAT IS YOUR NEIGHBOR'S
THE ATTITUDES GOD WILL REWARD
(Matthew 5:3-12)
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Definition of "liberal":
"one who is open-minded or not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional or established forms or ways. . . ."
Definition of "liberalism":
"a movement in modern Protestantism that emphasizes freedom from tradition and authority, the adjustment of religious beliefs to scientific conceptions. . . ."
Herbert W. Armstrong on liberals within the church:
"The third group" [in Jesus' parable of the sower and the seed] "were among thorns. When they heard the message they were baptized. But the cares and interests of the world choked them. They still wanted to be like the world. They were liberals. They brought forth 'no fruit to perfection.' "
-- Recent history of the Philadelphia Era of the Worldwide Church of God
I compare liberalism to a person willing to drive a car through a red light on purpose. Owning auto insurance does not allow one to drive recklessly and break traffic laws; nor does accepting Christ's sacrifice (being under grace) give one permission to break God's laws (to sin).
"CHANGE -- OR ELSE!" -- my characterization of the way liberal leaders led the Worldwide Church of God after the death of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, as well as the way liberal education has been, and is being foisted on society today.
The Declaration of Independence states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights. . . ." The American founders believed in Creation, not evolution.
The Pledge of Allegiance affirms, ". . . one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Our money states: "IN GOD WE TRUST"
Our presidents have always placed their hand on the Bible while taking the oath of office.
America was built on a Biblical foundation -- it once held the Word of God in highest esteem. Our nation continues to sing "God Bless America," and the phrase continues to be used in speeches frequently. The Apostle Paul stated, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (II Timothy 3:16), and Jesus declared, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God' " (Matthew 4:4). In order for America to retain its God-given blessings, it must Recapture True Values!
"CHANGE -- OR ELSE!" -- my characterization of the way liberal leaders led the Worldwide Church of God after the death of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, as well as the way liberal education has been, and is being foisted on society today.
The Declaration of Independence states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights. . . ." The American founders believed in Creation, not evolution.
The Pledge of Allegiance affirms, ". . . one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Our money states: "IN GOD WE TRUST"
Our presidents have always placed their hand on the Bible while taking the oath of office.
America was built on a Biblical foundation -- it once held the Word of God in highest esteem. Our nation continues to sing "God Bless America," and the phrase continues to be used in speeches frequently. The Apostle Paul stated, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (II Timothy 3:16), and Jesus declared, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God' " (Matthew 4:4). In order for America to retain its God-given blessings, it must Recapture True Values!
GOD WANTS ALL HUMAN BEINGS TO ACCEPT HIS AUTHORITY
AND TO OBEY HIS LAWS
AND TO OBEY HIS LAWS
"And the Lord God commanded the man, saying 'Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.' "
(Genesis 2:16-17)
"You shall not add to the word which I command you," [legalism -- too strict] "nor take from it," [liberalism -- too loose] "that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. . . .
". . . especially concerning the day you stood before the Lord your God in Horeb. . . .
"So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone."
(Deuteronomy 4:2, 10, 13)
“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go in to possess. . . .
”I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.“
(Deuteronomy 30:15, 19)
". . . this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be My people."
(Jeremiah 31:33)
"Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord."
(Malachi 4:4-5)
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night."
(Psalm 1:1-2)
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
(Matthew 5:17-19)
". . . it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail."
(Luke 16:17)
". . . he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."
(James 1:25)
". . . for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified. . . ." [by the blood of Christ]
(Romans 2:13; 3:24-26; 5:9)
"So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty."
(James 2:12
". . . for after He had said before, 'This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,' then He adds, 'Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more'. . . .
"For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins."
(Hebrews 10:14-17, 26)
"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him."
(I John 2:3-5)
"Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. . . .
"He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil."
(I John 3:4, 8)
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."
(I John 5:3)
"And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
(Revelation 12:17)
"Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."
(Revelation 14:12)
"He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still. . . .
"Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city."
(Revelation 22:11, 14)
". . . I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
(Revelation 22:18-19)
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man's all,
For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil."
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)