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What happened to (Herbert Armstrong) the World Wide Church of God?
Wandering from the truth.
Did the corporate ministry scatter Gods people?
Collated by Al. DesLaurier

Revelation 2:14-15. “ 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 stumbling block before the children of Israel,................... So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.”

A great scattering. Daniel 12:7 predicts, " . . . and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished."

Failure to rebuke makes one a partaker in the wrong. Resisting deception is a gift.

Has the strict authoritarian rule of a church organization or a minister of a Church wounded you? Are corporate churches taught in the Scriptures? What kind of church government does God want for His church?

Many of the Church of God people have come out of a tightly controlled church. The experience of being under strict authority has left a long lingering impact upon them. Anyone who has experienced this can relate to what I am saying. Most Christians who left the World Wide Church of God have fallen back into familiar Church of God corporate structures. They have since split and split again into many groups and now there are so many Churches of God that it’s hard to keep track. There are also just as many Church of God doctrines. There are many Christians who refuse to meet with the new structures and instead meet in small groups or family units. Jesus said that His Church would endure to the end, so where is it? 

Nonconformity: indicates a refusal to adhere to the accepted norm. Thus Christians are not to conform to the world, and therefore their beliefs and actions and attitudes should be distinct from those commonly adopted. Yet Christians may also be unwilling to conform to beliefs or practices in the church with which they disagree on various grounds.

Acceptance: refers to the favour and approval of men by God. Under the old covenant the basis for this acceptance is sometimes ritualistic and ceremonial Lev.22: 20 and sometimes ritualistic and sometimes ethical and moral Prov. 21: 3. In the NT, acceptance by God is clearly revealed as resting squarely on the redemptive work of Christ. This acceptance man does not merit, it is due entirely to God’s grace. In both the OT and NT it was predicated on faith. However, the regenerate man is exhorted to ethical living by the appeal to live his life “ well pleasing” to God. Thus to present one’s body as a living sacrifice, to be careful not to place an occasion for stumbling before one’s brother, to care for a widowed mother, and to endure patiently undeserved suffering, are all instances of conduct acceptable to God.

Accountability: So then each of us shalt give to God an account about himself. All men and woman are ultimately responsible and accountable. God indicates that even those who knew not the law are responsible and they are to render an account to God. Naturally those who live under the light of the gospel have a far greater responsibility and hence on that day when all men render their account before God, their obligation will be greater and in direct proportion to their privileges.

The leadership in most Churches of God violated the very first commandment by leveraging the love of God to themselves. It is so subtle. They replaced God's love with their own authority. Jesus commanded. "Go you therefore and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:19-20). On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached: "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" (Acts 2:38). The Holy Spirit comes from God the Father. We were told that the Church is the bride of Christ and that the Church is the mother of us all, the Church is the Body of Christ. We were also told that all of the different churches in the world could not be the Body of Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote: "For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit [Spirit of God, from God the Father] we are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:12). 

Each of us was baptized into God's Church. We also accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Master, our High Priest in heaven, and the soon coming King in the world tomorrow. We were not baptized into any sect or denomination of this world (or any organization of men), but into the name of the Father, the Son, and His Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins. We were completely immersed into water, then raised out of that watery grave. We were prayed over with the laying on of hands in order to receive the Holy Spirit. We were told that the Church of God is a spiritual organization. It is likened to the body of Christ, and Christ is the head of the Church. We were told that the corporate church organization we attended was the only true church. 



Then you assembled together with other baptized believers in various congregations and then you are introduced to the government of God on earth, Church authority. You are told that the ministers have rule over your life. As time goes on that rule becomes more and more stifling. Why is it so hard for you to readjust once you leave that authoritarian corporate Church of God and that speciality doctrine that they tell you that you must believe to obtain salvation. What do you fear? 

You have allowed the ministers to think for you. You are told that if you left the authoritarian rule of the corporate Church, you would lose your salvation. You were originally told that the Church was a spiritual organism. You were also told it was possible that there could be people sitting in a Church of God who did not have the Spirit of God and that this church that you attended was the true church. You were then ruled over by the corporate church government, meaning the whole ministry, with authority from the top down and usually from a central location. You were told that the ministry was the government of God on earth. Most ministers in authority twisted the scriptures to uphold their own authority. The Truth is that the ministry is NOT the government of God. They are supposed to be the servants of the people, not overlords and dictators. 

Authority. The Bible makes it plain that the true source and seat of authority is God. God alone can forgive sins, reveal truth and speak with absolute command. No human authority can stand unless it is derived from God and is subservient to Him. The divine authority, however, is exercised in and through the Son of God. The divine authority itself is embodied in Jesus Christ. Absolute authority belongs to Christ. In the Bible there is no clear warrant for assuming that the authority has been inherited by others. It is through the Bible that Jesus now exercises his divine authority. Authority does not come from corporate church organizations. No ministry or any man has been given authority over you.

The Church’s of God since the 1930's can partly credit their growth to Herbert W.Armstrong. This is an article from Mr. Herbert Armstrong on Feb, April 1939 

W. Armstrong & Church Government Review: "Did Christ Reorganise His Church?" by Herbert W. Armstrong. The Good News Magazine, Eugene, Oregon, February, April, 1939.Known by many as "The 1939 Article," this famous piece of World Wide Church of God historical literature was never published with a copyright, so it has always been in the public domain. (I wonder what Jesus would say about copyright churches).

In order to understand Herbert Armstrong’s article, we must start with a basic understanding of 20th Century Church of God, Seventh Day history. The Church of God, Seventh Day, emerged from the 19th Century as an association of locally independent churches, with headquarters of the Bible Advocate magazine at Stanberry, Missouri. The "big push" evangelistic outreach in the early 1920’s resulted in substantial church growth. 




However, political infighting and an attempt at more centralised control resulted in a great split of the church into two roughly equal groups, in late 1933. The result was competing organizations centred at Stanberry, Missouri, and Salem, West Virginia. Whereas Stanberry remained as a loose confederation of local churches across the country, Salem mandated a so-called "Bible Government," based on 12 apostles, 70 evangelistic ministers, and 7 financial stewards. Lot at a special meeting in Salem, WV in November 1933 chose these. Andrew N. Dugger and C.O. Dodd were chosen among the 7, and Herbert W. Armstrong was chosen as #40 of the 70. It was voted that world headquarters was being transferred to Jerusalem, Israel. The Salem "re-organization" was not what it was advertised to be. Headquarters was not really at Jerusalem at all. Ministerial licenses were issued at Salem, and sent to a man in Jerusalem, who then forwarded them to the recipient. Many of the "70" never served in their capacity. It was pure politics. Herbert W. Armstrong lost his ministerial credentials from Salem in 1937, because of his teaching in favour of Holy Days and Anglo-Israel. This is the background for the article, "Did Christ Reorganise the Church?" 

Summary of Armstrong’s 1939 Article. The contents of Armstrong’s 1939 article are diametrically opposite to the later teachings of Armstrong, and the World Wide Church of God. 

Definition of the Church. The church is not a specific organization, but a spiritual organism, composed of those saints whose names are written in Heaven, and who have and are led by the Holy Spirit.

Definition of a Christian. The true Christian has God’s Spirit, and must be willing at all times to be corrected and chastened, and must continually seek to grow in God’s grace and knowledge as revealed in the Bible, never trusting any man or group of men.

Origin and rebellion of the Church. The Church began at Mount Sinai when God set up Israel as a nation, or holy kingdom, having organization and church government with church and state inseparable. At first, God was their head and king, but soon they wanted a man to be their king, to be like the Gentile nations around them. Israel was married to the Lord in the Old Covenant ceremony and it was this marriage that formed God’s people into an organization with church government. Because of disobedience, God turned the government, the organization, from His people Israel over to the Gentiles (Exodus 19:5-6; Leviticus 26:14-28; Jeremiah 3:8). He divorced Israel, and gave the kingdom first to Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and then on through Persia, Greece and Rome, Daniel 2:31-37. Because of the sins of Israel, Gentile world-ruling kingdoms were given the authority to rule over God’s people.







Jesus did not establish Church Government in the New Testament Church. Christ did not restore the kingdom to Israel, Acts 1:6. He did not bring the government, the organization, and the authority to rule, back from the Gentiles to His people. He never set up an organization with boards of men, with authority to govern over spiritual affairs or financial affairs of the Church. The twelve disciples were given power and authority, not to govern and rule the Church, but over demons and to cure diseases, to preach the good news of the coming Kingdom of God, Luke 9:1-2. An apostle does not mean one-IN authority, but one UNDER the authority of Christ. Christ, not to rule, but to preach, not to bear authority but sent apostles to minister and serve. There is no hint in Scripture that the twelve constituted a church board, with power to rule or decide what doctrine the other disciples must believe. The apostles did not continue on as a group of twelve at all. Paul and a few others were called apostles (e.g. see Acts 14:14). The purpose of the original twelve was to be a witness of Christ’s resurrection, Acts 1:21-22.

The seventy Disciples did not constitute a church board. The only place in the New Testament where "the seventy" are mentioned is Luke 10. Instead of assembling as a church board, they separated two by two, to heal, cast out demons, and preach the gospel in preparation for Jesus’ message. They ended their work before Jesus was crucified. The "Seven" were never a financial board for the church. The seven, mentioned in Acts 6, were not appointed to receive and handle the tithes of the whole World Wide church. They were never supervising the financial affairs of the ministry, hiring and firing ministers or paying their salaries. Their "business" was not financial control, but waiting on tables, feeding and serving the material needs of the widows and orphans. It is unscriptural for anyone to claim that the "Twelve," the "Seventy," and the "Seven" should continue as Church boards today. Some say that "the principle" of the 12, 70 and 7 shows that church government today should follow this pattern. But Armstrong concludes: There is not one single HINT in the New Testament of any Church BOARD with authority to rule, to govern, to decide doctrine, or to handle tithes and church finances ([for] the whole church). . . . Jesus never organised, or re-organised His Church! . 

Authority and power to rule is limited solely to each LOCAL congregation with Elders etc. But there is NO BIBLE AUTHORITY for any super-government, or organization with authority over the local congregations!

Jesus commanded His disciples NOT to exercise authority and lordship over the brethren, Mark 10:42-43. The authority, the government, the rulership, was turned over to the Gentiles for 2,520 years, until Christ restores the kingdom at His Second Coming. Church Government originated in Babylon. Roman Emperor Constantine, a beast ruler, and the establisher of the Catholic Church summoned the Nicene Council, which decided against Arius’ anti-Trinitarian doctrine, and enforced Trinitarianism and Sunday keeping. It was Constantine who injected and introduced into the (false) church the idea of a board to decide doctrine, and to rule. Constantine made doctrine, as decided by church rulers on a board, that the basis of fellowship and unity in the Church, it had nothing to do with Scriptures or the Bible.


The first real Popish ruler was Leo I (440-461 A.D.), for whom "the plan of government of the Roman Empire was an obsession. He applied and adapted that form of government to the church, forming the Papacy," (Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, Vol. 7, page 529). Myers’ Ancient History says that the Church, under Leo I, set up "within the Roman Empire, an ecclesiastical state [government] that, in its constitution and its administrative system, was shaping itself upon the imperial model.” The principle of church government is the shadow of the beast. Those who are members of such organised church governments, submitting to doctrines declared by unscriptural boards as a fellowship test, are in Babylon and actually worshippers of THE SHADOW OF THE BEAST! 

The purpose of the Church is NOT to build an organization but to help called-out individuals overcome so as to be trained to be kings and priests in the Kingdom of God, after Christ’s Second Coming. God did not plant any super-organization, or establish any church government, or set men in authority over either spiritual or financial affairs, in the New Testament Church. Our fellowship is first with God and Christ, then with each other, in LOVE. Saints are to assemble for their mutual edification, and for this purpose, to keep things decent and in order, local elders and deacons are to be ordained (picked or chosen) in every local congregation. We should work together to unselfishly give the Gospel truth to the world. There is to be no super-organization over and above the local congregations. All such organizations and governments are part of Babylon, and shall be rooted up, Matthew 15:13.

ORGANIZATION have led to politics, ministers lusting for rulership and for power, striving against one another, lining up the brethren on THEIR side, against the other, separating and misguiding doctrine for collecting of tithes for their filthy paychecks. It is such preachers who have split up and divided our brethren. Organization and church GOVERNMENT has brought us only strife, jealousies, divisions, bitterness, separation, anger and false prophets. I agree with Herbert W. Armstrong’s eloquent 1939 Church Government article. In the additional articles of the February-April, 1939 Good News, Armstrong makes several powerful points. God works powerfully to convert a single soul. God does not work through organizations. He uses men who respond to Him and are called by Him. The calling of the Ethiopian eunuch shows that God is in total control. He called a man, granted repentance to him, and sent a deacon to serve and assist him. 

Edification. The Greek word literally means building a house. Paul uses both the noun and verb forms to impress upon the Christian the importance of development in the Christian life. A person becomes a Christian at the moment he comes out of the watery grave and accepts Christ as his Lord and Saviour. He gets God’s Spirit by the laying on of hands. Then throughout the rest of his life he must build a house upon that foundation. Each Christian should build up his own Christian walk of faith and also help others build up theirs, provoking them to good works and not leading them astray. 




Love, not doctrine, is the basis for fellowship and unity. All honest and sincere brethren do not always see all points exactly alike. LOVE, charity and tolerance for the brother with whom you do not altogether agree, is God’s basis for fellowship and unity. You work with and co-operate with all Church of God brethren who may even see a few points a little differently than you do but you cannot fellowship nor co-operate with deceit, pretense, hypocrisy, lust for power to rule. The first tithe is the Lord’s. The New Testament does not instruct us to pay tithes to a central finance committee or a BOARD with authority to disburse tithes to various ministers. In the Old Testament there were local storehouses and tithes were turned over to the individual priest in local cities. This is the way it should be done today. Tithes should go to elected deacons or an elder in local area’s not to TV studios and or large paychecks for a few. God does not need our help to draw his people. We must give warning and testimony, the great commission but in our local area. God finds his eunuchs wherever he chooses and God finds the deacon to baptize him. God does not need mercenaries to do his work, paid mercenaries (ordained paid corporate ministers), he has us.

Some today, who are ignorant of the history and background of the 1939 Article, conclude that Herbert Armstrong was against local churches being incorporated. This is not true. At the time he wrote the 1939 Article, Armstrong’s "Radio Church of God," was reaching 100,000 every week. The Eugene Church was incorporated about this time, with a board of trustees. Armstrong clearly presents the case in favour of local autonomy, as opposed to central, super-government organizations such as that of Salem, West Virginia, or Stanberry, Missouri. He was contending with ministers from these large organizations, and in 1937 had been put out of the ministry of the Salem organization. No, the question was not church incorporation. Armstrong was opposing central church government and supporting local autonomy. Proof is easy to find, for those who will read the record. On page 11 of the February-April, 1939, Good News, we find that Armstrong had raised up Sabbath Schools in Vancouver, Washington, and Cottage Grove, Oregon. Elder Bartschi officiated at the Lord’s Supper at Cottage Grove, Brother Spires at Vancouver, and Elder Roy Dailey at Jefferson. Local autonomy was being practised. Page 10 shows that tithes are to be paid locally. Page 11 shows that various ministers, who were co-operating with Armstrong, would be attending the 1939 Feast of Tabernacles, in Eugene, Oregon. 

Today, the World Wide Church of God definitely does NOT believe in the 1939 Article and the World Wide Church today belongs to Babylon completely. It has gone back to Rome.









In the early 1950’s, Herbert Armstrong did a dramatic, almost unbelievable, about-face in his belief and understanding of church government. He established an authoritarian, one-man ruling. A central church government that received tithes centrally paid ministers’ salaries from a central headquarters. He enforced strict doctrinal conformity, fired ministers at will, dis-fellowshipped members for daring to question the rule of church leaders, refused to work with others, and claimed to be the only organization through whom God was working. He became the Pope of the World Wide Church of God. Through a gradual process, the church took on a totally different personality. Before his death in 1986, Armstrong claimed that the "Primacy of Peter" doctrine was valid after all, and that he, as The Apostle, had absolute rule in the Church. 

Here are some of the stark contrasts between 1939 and later practice. The 1939 Article stated that the Church is a Spiritual Organism. A Christian is one who has, and is being led, by the Holy Spirit. Church leaders do not have authority to enforce doctrine. Doctrine is not to be determined by church boards. Ministers do not have power to decide what doctrines other disciples must believe. There is no Bible authority for any super-government in the Church. Local congregations are to handle matters, and co-operate with other churches. Tithes are to be paid and used locally. We should work with co-operate with and even attend the Feast of Tabernacles with other Church of God ministers and brethren even if we differ on a few points of doctrine. 

Later World Wide Church Practice. The Church is an Organization, the World Wide Church of God (WCG). A Christian is one who is a member of the WCG organization. Church leaders must enforce doctrine, as determined by the headquarters. There is only one Apostle, the current church leader (Armstrong, replaced by Tkach). He has all power to rule the Church. Local autonomy is of the devil. Headquarters is the ruler in all-church matters. Tithes are to be paid centrally, and are under the sole jurisdiction of headquarters. There is no room for differences. God has only one organization, the WCG.

Lessons From the 1939 Article. It should be noted that the current views of the World Wide Church of God are vastly different than the 1939 article. This Review and the 1939 Article itself steps on most toes. Most Churches of God today are following corporate structures of central government, titles to the centre and authority to the Ministers instead of the elders. We have been so steeped in Babylonish governmental systems throughout our lives in forms of government, on our jobs, our schools, our political, judicial, religious and commercial systems, that we can be easily offended when someone says that our whole environment has become rotten to the core. 








You may say that Herbert Armstrong would never have amounted to much, had he not switched from local autonomy to authoritarian church government. To hold such a position is to deny the power of God. Armstrong was reaching 100,000 every week with wide radio coverage in 1939, when he was practicing local autonomy. He showed how God works to save a single soul, as the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch demonstrates. God does not need any of us to do His work. The Creator will use whom He chooses, when the time is right. And we must never forget that God alone is the one who calls sinners to repentance. We must never run ahead of God, nor usurp His role in government over the Church. Every one of us must stick to the great commission in our area and come out of the shadow of the Beast, corporate churches. We must go back to the system of elders and local systems of authority.

The lesson of the 1939 Article is that we must have patience, love and respect for others. We must have the zeal to share God’s truth with others. In 1939, Herbert Armstrong had the love and zeal to share God’s truth with others in a wicked and perverse, crime-ridden generation of bootleggers and criminal mobs. Most ministers do not care enough about others to make the truth of God available. They wield a doctrinal litmus test over little, picky points. They squabble and fight against other ministers and brethren. Shame on those who practice this wasteful activity and forget Gods way. Let us learn from history. Babylonish church government produces ruin so let us come out of the shadow of the Beast. Jesus Christ came to earth and started His Church. Right from the beginning Satan through man turned Jesus’ Church into a den of liars. In 325 AD Constantine high jacked the church and formed a central government and with authority going to man the whore church was born. Constantine the son of Nimrod is still in power. The Protestant (protest-ers) reformers left the Beast and turned itself into the Harlots of the Bible, keeping every Catholic teaching except the position of pope. They kept Sunday worship, kept pagan feast and holidays, they kept pagan corporate church government and they also separated the clergy from the laity and created little popes to head each organization. 
The Babylonian church government remained but only changed their name from Roman Catholic to Protestant. Over the years the Harlots have split time and again but they all kept government authority in mans hands. The whore and the Harlots are doing well in the Babylonian structure. The ministry is still scattering Gods people with the splitting clergy and laity. Now, Jesus tells us that His true Church has survived this man made authority, where is it. 

In the early thirties Herbert Armstrong was blessed and used by God to show us some of the truths needed for Church survival and to understand the end times. Mr. Armstrong initially had it right. Then Satan worked his way into the church and Mr. Armstrong developed a pagan form of central government, which separated the clergy from the laity. This Church was called the World Wide Church of God. After Mr. Armstrong died, the Pope (Mr. Tkach - Constantine) took over the church and the Churches of God reformers left. Mr. Tkach (Constantine) brought the church totally back into the beast government by re-establishing the pagan feasts, Sunday worship, and scattering many hundreds of thousands of Christians. 


The reformers who left retained false central government and central authority and power of the ministry. They have separated the clergy and laity. They have created small pope like authorities under many names. Each corporate church distinguishes itself with some minor doctrine that makes it different then the other corporate churches of God. They believe that they are the only true churches of God because of these minor beliefs. They have split many times and are still splitting and scattering. In spite of these corporate structures there are still true churches of God out there. The ministry has usurped God's own authority and contrary to scripture made it their own. The leadership took upon themselves the government of God. With that very act, they supplanted God. They may not have fully comprehended what they did. In doing this they took advantage of the membership. We should dedicated ourselves to God, not to an over lording Ministry, who usurped the Authority of Christ to themselves. The true government of God is the rule of God in our lives through His Holy Spirit. It is also going to be the rule of Christ in the Kingdom of God, the government of Go on the earth when He returns. 

When our Lord Jesus Christ walked among men, He taught His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, whom He denounced as hypocrites. Along with them He also classified the chief priests as hypocrites and officials of the temple, together with the recognized teachers, (scribes, or "professors) in the Synagogues. He declared they had so corrupted the truth of God, which they were supposed to preach, with the doctrines and ordinances of men, that the truth, as originally given, was no longer with them. The false doctrines which these blind leaders of the blind were giving forth as the truth of God was making their converts more the children of hell than they were by accepting the [schi]ism of these corrupt teachers.

Schism. The Greek word for schism is used eight times in the NT. One popular misconception must be removed. Schism and heresy are two different terms and cannot be used interchangeably, though they are often so used. Heresy is not schism. Heresy is at its base a doctrinal and is opposed to charity and is not doctrinal at heart. Biblically it appears clear that the dividing of the body of Christ is sin. When doctrine is involved, it takes on different dimensions and is not so much schism as heresy. Heretics are to be cut off from the church or excommunicated, and this distinction is not related to schism. In 1 Cor 1:10 schism developed from the party spirit or facetiousness in which individuals identified themselves as supporters of Paul or Apollas or Cephas. Outwardly the church was one, but internally it was marked by divisiveness. “ Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you: but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement.” (1Cor.1: 10) The schismatic tendency noted in 1 Cor. 11:18 was based largely on social distinctions rather than doctrinal differences. In 1 Cor 12 Paul makes the point hat the divine wisdom that has established harmony between the members of the human body points to a similar purpose in the body of Christ. (vs. 25) Diversity of gifts should not invite to envy but to co-operate. Division which are not doctrinal, however, but which yield to other considerations, are reprehensible. They rise from a sin against charity and are contrary to the Spirit of Christ.

Heresy. The Greek word hairesis means: 1). A choice. Lev 22:18, 21 where gifts according to their choice means free will offering. 2). A chosen opinion, the only NT example being 2 Pet 2:1 where destructive opinions are caused by false teaching 3). A sect or party holding certain opinions. Used in the NT, of the Sadducees and Pharisees, of the Christians. Paul substitutes “way” for “heresy” possibly because he himself had given the word the bad meaning. A sect or faction within the Christian and resulting not so much from false teaching as from the lack of love and from self assertiveness, which lead to divisions within the Christian community. It is the meaning given to hairesis in 2 Peter, which came to predominate in Christian usage. Heresy is a deliberate denial of revealed truth coupled with the acceptance errors. 

Therefore, as a warning to those who were joining themselves to Him, the Lord said that these non-spiritual men made long prayers for a "pretense," a public "show", which, while having a form of humility, was for the purpose only of being seen of men. What these men really loved were the highest seats in the Synagogues. The upper most rooms at the public feasts, the greetings they received in the market places from truly humble and sincere men, whom they hoped would esteem them as superiors, and who addressed them as Rabbi, Rabbi, my master, my master. 

But our Lord commanded: "Be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren . . . . Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant," (Matthew 23:8-11). This was a double command for a double purpose: 1) Do not allow men who are your brethren in Christ, and who compose the assembly of God, to call you Master, for One alone is your Master. 2) Do not allow yourself to become possessed with such a carnal spirit that you want men who belong to the body of Christ to call you "Master." Also, added to the carnal desire to be "uppermost" in the eyes of the Lord’s people, these leaders were charged with extortion and accused of devouring the homes of widows, and of excess. Jesus accused them of being hypocrites who aspired to be regarded as dignitaries of the congregations of the Most High God. Such conditions as described exist only in the assemblies across whose ethical portals, before the God of Holiness, has been written the name, "Ichabod” the glory of the Lord has departed.

The word "excess," as used above, means the carnal abuse of lawful things; things lawful and right carried to extremes. For it is true that there is a legal and God-approved honour given to certain selected ones: "We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves," (I Thessalonians 5:12-13). "Let the elders that rule well [guide; lead; preside well] be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine," (I Timothy 5:17).

Guide and lead, instead of rule, I have never heard a minister give a sermon on this topic. 



Because those who are over us in the Lord are shepherds who must lead and guide, but not dominate. Rule is arbitrary government, and the Church may be "subject to Christ" only. "One is your Master, even Christ." The following divine instruction is from one of the inspired Spirit-filled elders: "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [not rulership] thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock," (I Peter 5:1-3). “not for filthy lucre”: Interesting word filthy.

The "blind guides" would say but not do. The Divinely-anointed elder will both say and do and thus be an example to the flock whom people will love and esteem very highly for his work’s sake and who in his heart will never desire to be lord over the heritage of his Master. It is this aspiration on the part of men to become lords over God’s heritage that God hates. "The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes" is just what the word Nicolaitanes itself declares. God hates. "The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes"

In the book of the revelation of Jesus Christ, it is both "the deeds" and "the doctrine" of those in the two "churches" specified (Revelation 2:6, 15). The Lord demands repentance on the part of those who hold and practice these things and He threatens drastic punishment if they do not obey Him: "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth," (Revelation 2:16). The name, Nicolaitanes, is a compound word which is composed of three Greek words, and which, because of being a proper noun, is transferred instead of being translated into English. As thus transferred, it is subject to the laws of Greek construction in regard to ellipsis, contraction and phonetics. The Greek words used in its construction are first: "Nikos," of which we use the English equivalents instead of the Greek letters, as we shall also of the other two. Nikos is defined as "a conquest; victory; triumph; the conquered; and by implication, dominance over the defeated." Another transferred name in which this term is used is "Nicopolis," i.e., Niko - conquest; polis -city. Hence, the city of conquest, or city of victory. Also Andro - "Nikos;" a man of conquest, of victory. The second term used in the name under consideration is "laos,". Another use of which is Nicolas, which is transferred and is composed of Nikos-laos and means one who is "victorious over the people,". The letter s being, in both words, the nominative case ending, which is retained only at the end of the word to denote the case, while a short and o short are contracted into a long. Also, a still further transferred use of "laos" is found in the name Lao(s)diceans, compounded with dike or dice as the Greek k is the equivalent English c. Thus, in the name Laodiceans, we have laos -"people" and dice judgement, or vengeance. i.e., the people of my judgment, or of my vengeance. Also the Greek word la(ic)os means "laymen," of which la-os is the root and stem, which selfsame word, with the o short contracted to i, to which root and stem the plural definite article ton is joined to form laiton - is a Greek phrase meaning "the laity." 





The last word entering into the construction of the proper name Nicolaitanes is ton, in which omega, the long ong 4105, is contracted into long a, thus making the word "tan," which is the genitive case plural in all the genders of the definite article the. Therefore, we have, without the legal Greek construction, the English hyphenated word Nickos-laos-ton, but which, with its lawful elisions and contractions, becomes the English name. Nicolaitanes, the full meaning of which, in its native tongue and in its ecclesiastical setting, is that the bishops and prelates of the Church have gained a triumphal victory or conquest over the laiton. The laity-until they have been compelled to submit to the arbitrary dominion of men who have become that thing which God hates: "Lords over God’s heritage." 

Have you fell into a mind set of the “Nicolaitanes" We are consumed into a world of corporate take overs, CEO’s taking overs by hostile means unwilling companies, corporate corruption, structured organizations, central authority. Have we taken the authority of God and given it to man unknowingly? 

The evidence of this is found in all our common school dictionaries. Among which we find the following definition of the term "hierarchy, the power of dominion, government by ecclesiastical rulers," to which the following is introduced in evidence. "If anyone shall say that there is not in the Catholic Church a hierarchy established by the divine ordination which consist of bishops, presbyters and ministers, let him be anathema. Council of Trent (trans) XXIII 6." (Century Dictionary.). In other words, let anyone who will have the temerity to say there is not a hierarchy, not a collection of human beings, who have been given the power, by other men of dominion, as ecclesiastical rulers over churchmen, who are declaredly God’s heritage, let that man be accursed. i.e., let death and hell and the devil get him. Surely, the thing in which that ecclesiastical company is glorying is their shame!

Are you part of a structured church in which men have dominion over you?

Furthermore, Webster defines the word "Episcopal" as "the power of government, belonging to, or invested in, bishops or prelates. Government of the church by bishops." Also "In episcopacy, the order of bishops is superior to the other clergy, and has exclusive power to confer orders." Any church in which episcopal government obtains is practicing the very carnal and fleshly iniquity of creating "Superiors" in what should be a holy brotherhood. The use of this appellation makes "inferiors" out of "brethren" who are in the selfsame clergy. 

The approbation of "ordinary elders" demands a "set" of elders who are super-ordinary, thus creating "rank" (caste) in the otherwise Divine brotherhood, all of which destroys holy fellowship, creates division and strife, and fosters envy. No, marvel that our Lord should hate a thing like that, condemn it, and demand that those who are guilty shall repent.

Are you in a structure that has a central corporate authority governing your life?

Will you stick to your ecclesiastical crowd, who vainly imagine that their boasted "superiority" will carry them through that time of the greatest trouble the world has ever known, or will know? They must go down with the rest of the hosts of anti-Christ. Are the ordained ministers who are following the pagan way of church government, the group of very elect that is deceived in the Scriptures?

And yet, one of the most unfortunate features of all this, is that there are those in the Christian Church who do not hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes but who practice "their deeds" of dominating the laity by lording it over the Church of Jesus Christ, which should be subject only to one Divine Master. It is often true that these have assumed this lordship because they are esteemed very highly in love for their work’s sake, but have become vainly puffed up in their fleshly mind. Beloved, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees."

Reprove, reproof. The most frequent significance of these words in the OT is that of rebuke. Reproof occurs frequently in this sense in Proverbs, particularly with a view to correction; and reprove is found in Job, Psalms and Proverbs. In Isa. 11:3-4, however, it bears the meaning judge, especially in defending the oppressed. In the NT reproof occurs only in 2Tim. 3:16. where it connotes conviction, the negative side of doctrine. The verb reprove translates elegcho, indicates conviction, whether of persons in proving to them their quilt, John 16:8, 2Tim4: 2, or of their sins improving them subject to condemnation, John 3:20. You can use the verb expose in Eph 5:11, 13, in preference to reprove.

Rebuke The word describes God’s reaction in the face of evil. It is also enjoined on God’s people when confronted with wrongdoing in their neighbours. Rebuke involves reproof and often condemnation. Failure to rebuke makes one a partaker in the wrong. God rebukes the heathen. Israel’s enemies, the devourer, the red sea, Satan, the accuser of the brethren, even his own people for their chastening, Jesus likewise rebuked demons, fever, the wind and sea, and his own disciples when they acted contrary to God’s mind.

Love toward God transferred to Men. The next SLEIGHT OF HAND was the taking of the love, loyalty and faith that we give to God and to the brethren and transferring it to men. They then exercised hierarchical lordship and authority over the brethren. Such rule is contrary to Jesus Christ's direct command. "And there was also a strife among them, which of these should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship [Greek, kata-kurieuo] over them; and they that exercise authority [Greek, kata-exousiazo] upon them are called benefactors" (Luke 22:24-25). "Kata-kurieuo" means to exercise lordship downward from the top. Likewise, "kata-exousiazo" means to exercise authority from the top down. Weren't the ministers called our benefactors as they leveraged this authority to themselves? 

Yes, they were, but Christ does not want the love, dedication, faith and loyalty that belongs to God and to Christ given to a man. Do you leverage your loyalty to a man? 

Do you unknowingly worship a man or an organization, which has become an idol in the place of God. Has a man or organization taken God's place. You serve man and you have created a pope, a person in the place of God on earth. Do you have had an abusive ministerial authority exercised power over you and are you told that these men are your benefactors.

Error. The word error and err derived from Latin erro, to wonder, are used in Scriptures chiefly to translate words from two OT roots, saga or sagag and tara and on basic NT word, planaomai, plane. These words suggest the idea of straying or wandering. Wandering from the truth and is not merely the absence of truth but the presence of a positive conviction of the truth of what is really false, false knowledge, falsity of what is true, depart from right conduct, wandering rather then a deliberate plan and not necessarily bad. Error and heresy are often distinguished by degree of importance. Error suggests minor deviations of faith or conduct, heresy a departure from the truth so grievous as to impair the structure of the faith as a whole. Errors may be permitted within the Christian fellowship, heresy passes beyond the permissible bounds of fellowship. Heresy is a commitment outside the bounds of what is legitimately Christian. Error is a much broader word. It indicates divergence in conduct as well as thought and may refer to less serious departures or on the other hand. To departures from right faith and conduct so serious as to destroy any possible fellowship. For correction of error, thought or of conduct, we must apply to the Holy Scriptures and to the power of God, which are able to correct the thought and to cleanse the conduct. God says we are to have no other gods before Him. 

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment" (Mark 12:30). When that love, which should only go to God, is leveraged to a human being or organization, it causes you to love God less because they have diverted the love that should be directed only to God unto men and their corporate organizations. Then the vanity of the ministry becomes involved, as evidenced by the authority exercised upon the members. Now then, let’s take this a step further. Once you allow someone to take part of Mark 12:30 away from God and take it for themselves, what happens? 

An organization of men steals part of your love towards God. Your love and loyalty go to them instead of to God. God is a jealous God. He called you and Christ died for you. He doesn't want anything or anyone interfering with that love. 

What happens when men receive this love and devotion? 

Most organizations are secular businesses-corporate strutures. Meetings are very much like the corporate business meetings. Their corporation or ministries are divided into regions, with all the national and international leadership and a central authority agency. Through the use of the organization of a modern corporation, the church or ministries assigns to the corporation the prerogatives, loyalty and love of God. 


Once you separate your self by putting a name on the Church of God, you separate a doctrine and thus you scatter the flock. All authority should have gone only to God. So by super imposing the business corporate structure upon the church, they corrupted the way of God. But, God is not going to let anyone take that authority from Him without a penalty. The statement that there is only one Church on the face of the earth, is a true statement. But the claim that "Our Church of God, our organization, is the only True Church of God" is false. It may be a Church of God, but not the only Church of God. As time goes on, the threat is implied that if you left this church organization, you left God. This would be a true statement if you left God the Father and Jesus Christ. But not if you left an organization of men.

The only structure needed is one that meets the needs of the congregations such as finding a place to meet, printing booklets and magazines, distribution and mailing, having a feast site, etc. The organization should never take to itself the love of God. It should never allow into its structure the ability to leverage God love and give it to the corporation or to an individual leader. The organization picked its ministers, deacons and elders. This should be up to God not an organization. They are people with ability, who were made to feel like failures due to ministerial in fighting. This was due to the fear. The authority of the ministry is all-powerful. The opportunity for a person to be a part of "the work" was entirely put on the wrong level. It was put on the level of salvation, when it should have been on the level of individual aptitude for a specific job. Bible school is not a bad ideal but making incorporated ordained paid minister means that you are creating a mercenary. A paid minister is a free lance fighter or a person seeking personal advantage over you. The love of money is a root of all evil so we have been told. We do not become ordained from mans appointment. We do not become deacons or elders by accepting a position from head ministerial office. All true church workers get their work permits from Jesus. Ordained means pick or selected by God, not man. The biggest problem is human nature. The only way to solve the problem is to get back to the first commandment of loving God and structure everything according to that. Get back to the original church structure. 

Remember that we are not to create any government of our own devising that will keep people from loving God. This is the key. Any organisational structure should be set up to accomplish whatever tasks need to be done, but the task itself is not a matter of salvation or to separate the brethren by class or doctrine of separating the clergy from the laity. 

Mr. Herbert Armstrong changed his point of view and made a person's job a part of salvation. He created the clergy over the laity with pagan corporate structures with a central authority with himself as Pope. When the reformers took over they continued the process and it became a matter of salvation. It still exists in most Churches of God today. Incorporated into the hierarchical ministerial authority to be the judge of people. It should never have happened but God has told us in Scripture that the scattering must occur before the end will come. 



Before it fell into complete apostasy, God allowed Mr. Armstrong to preach the basics to create a very strong base of information. Many people have left that church organization, but they do not understand what went wrong. As a result, many brethren are wandering about like wounded, battered, scattered sheep. What a shame that our former churches have gotten themselves into such a mess. However, in order for us to learn the love of God, it seems that we must come into a Church of God, and then go out of a Church of God, so that we can meet with brethren who truly love God and each other. 

Purpose for the Church. The apostle Paul was inspired to clearly define the purpose of the church and ministry: "And he gave some, apostles: and some, prophets: and some, evangelists, and some, pastors and teachers" (Ephesians 4:11). The key is in verse 12, please look at the words very carefully. Does it call for the ruling of the government of God over the brethren or the splitting of the clergy and laity or creating a central church government with paid mercenaries? 

Notice it says: "For the perfecting of the saints, ..." To do what, to ordain ministers, to open up corporate companies, to separate the clergy from the laity, no "For the perfecting of the saints, ..." To make the disciple as the teacher... "For the work of the ministry, ..."And actually that means for the work of the service. Ministry is a service. "For edifying...” The meaning of edify is to teach and up-build in love. "For the edifying of the body of Christ: (v. 13) Till we all... " Who is all? 

Whoever are apostles, and prophets, and evangelists, and pastors, and teachers, and brethren, we all together. “come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God..." When human beings take the prerogatives of God to themselves, they reject the true purpose of the ministry and destroy the knowledge of the Son of God. We can comprehend a great deal more if we are looking directly to Jesus Christ and God the Father, rather than to men or an organization. "And of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man..." (or unto a spiritually mature Christian.) "Unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." This is a huge job, which can't be done when the prerogatives of God have been leveraged to human beings or to human authority or to a corporate church organization. v. 14: "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro..." Isn't that what has happened in your former affiliation, that you where tossed to and fro. Have you gone from one organization to another or have you even thought about leaving the organization you are in.

Deacon. An official salutation, we gather that deacons (servant) were one of the two main orders of ministry in the apostolic church. The qualifications of a deacon are given in 1Tim 3:8-13. Sound character and a good grasp of the faith are required, but there is no mention of teaching or the like. The function of these officials may well have been administrative and financial. 





Disciple. The term is derived from the Latin, discipulus, meaning pupil or learner, and exact equivalent of the Greek word, mathetes. In Greek literature the word is common as a designation for a philosopher’s understudy. Occasionally it is found in the sense of apprentice. For most part Jesus’ followers are designated as His disciples. It was an accepted description of adherents to the Christian movement. That a disciple might be exceedingly limited in understanding and achievement is obvious from Act19:1. Disciple may mean. 1). a believer. 2). A learner in the school of Christ 3). One who is committed to a sacrificial life for His sake 4). One who acts to fulfil the obligation of discipleship, namely, to make disciples of others. 

Minister, Ministry: It is the consistent NT teaching that the work of the ministers is for the perfecting of the saints, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Eph. 4:12. The ministry is called of God to a position of responsibility rather than privilege, as the words for minister show. diakonos, table waiter, hyperetes under rower in a large ship, leitourgos servant usually of the state or a temple. There are two passages in the NT which are of especial importance in this connection, 1 Cor 12:28 and Eph 4:11. From the former we gather that included in the ministries exercised in the early church were those of apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, gifts of healing, helps, diversities of tongues, evangelists and pastors. In every case these are direct gifts of God to the church. Both passages seem to say this and this is confirmed elsewhere in the case of some of the people mentioned. Thus in Gal. 1:1 Paul insists that his apostolate was in no sense from man. He entirely excludes the possibility of his receiving it by ordination. We are to think, then, of a group of men directly inspired by the Holy Spirit to perform various functions within the church by way of building up the saints in the body of Christ. God picks ministers not an organization. 

There are some that think of the ministry as constitutive of the church. They emphasise that Christ is the Head of the body, and that he gives it apostles, prophets, etc that it may built up the church. They infer that the ministry is the channel through which life flows from the Head. The church as the body of Christ, as a body, moreover, with a diversity of function. The life of Christ is in it, and the divine power puts forth whatever is needed. In the Spirit filled body there will emerge such ministerial and other organs as are necessary. In his view the ministry is essential, but no more essential than any other function of the body. And it preserves the important truth that the body is of Christ. Who does what He wills within it. His blessing is not confined to any particular channel. Ministry is something you do not something you are in. It has nothing to do with authority but is a blanket physical term covering all of us. Minister is not a position we are all ministers when God needs us.








Ordain Ordination. The NT has no technical terms, which describe admission to ministerial office. Furthermore, office and function are so blurred that it is more correct to speak of acquisition of ministerial function. Three methods of such acquisition are in evidence. The Twelve acquire their ministry directly from Jesus Christ. No indication is given of any ceremony or separating the clergy from the laity. The incident reported in Acts is not Paul’s ordination but a commissioning service of men already chosen. There is some evidence of spontaneous assumption of certain functions. Minister is not a position but a service done by all of us as God picks. The lists of Spiritual gifts indicate that members of the church are empowered for different tasks without any distinct call or ceremony, certain responsibilities, certain leadership. A systematic appointment of such converts goes beyond the evidence of the NT. God ordains (picks and chooses who He wants not man) He picks and gives them gifts to do His work. 

In Ephesians 4:1-16, especially verse 7, we are shown that everyone has a gift of grace, whether it be prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers. These gifts help us grow up and fit together in the body of Christ, who is the head. The apostles and evangelists, the man made ordained ministers of the church and other offices are not the head of the Church. Christ is. He puts the people He chooses in offices for service or more plainly for ministry. When there are no man made ordained minister around, or teachers or prophets or evangelists, does God forget his work and wait until one appears, He uses the children He has in any local area and gives them the gifts needed to get His work done. 

The ministry isn't something you are in, it is something you do, we are all ministers as the result of God's gifts and if God gives the gift they are definitely ordained. (Ordain means select or picked by GOD not MAN.) Every man has a Ministry, Paul had his. Paul received from Jesus the ministry to testify the gospel, Acts 20:24. He had a ministry to the Gentiles which he received from Jesus, Acts 21:19, Romans 11:13. Paul and Barnabas fulfilled their ministry, Acts 12:25 which they receive from Jesus. Jesus put Paul into the ministry, I Timothy 1:12. Paul was made a minister for the church's sake, which he received, from Jesus, not for his personal glory. Colossians 1:23-25. A Christian "minister" is not necessarily ordained to preaching and teaching. We are to approve ourselves as the ministers of God which we received from Jesus, II Corinthians 6:1-4. Colossians 4:17, "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it." Verse 7 tells of Tychicus, who was "a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord." Ministers must be faithful stewards to God, not to an organization. I Corinthians 4:1-2. All were given and ordained by Jesus. No authority on earth ordained them or gave them the authority to baptize Ministers are only servants, minister and servant are the same word and the credit should always go to God, who gives the increase. Every priest was a minister, Hebrews 10:11. We are (right now) a royal priesthood. We are all ministers of God in His service, I Peter 2:9. If civil rulers are the ministers of God, Romans 13:1-6, how much more should we be God's ministers? I Timothy 3:8-13. 



This describes church deacons. The words translated "deacon" and "office of a deacon" mean in the literal Greek "those who serve" and "act of serving." Everywhere else, the word "deacon" is translated "minister" or "serve." So we see that the function of the "ministry" in the church is far more than ordained preachers of an organization. "Ministry" extends in one way or another to every member of the church. Every Christian has a ministry and therefore we all are selected by Jesus and ordained for that position. Jesus picks or ordains us, not man. This is what Peter was teaching when he wrote in I Peter 2:9. " But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; " “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,” does this just mean that the ordain minister chosen by men are a chosen race or a royal priesthood or does it mean that ever baptized church of God member is a chosen race and royal priest. 

Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV, " And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, (for the work of the ministry does that mean that prophets, evangelists and pastors and teachers are all ministers? YES) for the edifying of the body of Christ: (This shows that the preachers and teachers have the responsibility to teach the entire body to do the work of the ministry. All are not preachers and teachers. But all are ministers that minister to the flock. God ordains whom He wants to do what He wants. God expects us to use our gifts whenever the opportunity arises. Notice what Paul says about this. Romans 12:6-8 KJV:). Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness." When we diligently "wait on" our ministries it is inevitable that someone will begin to follow our leadership.

Teach, Teaching, Teacher. Presented as one having service to render, although it could be interpreted to indicate an office. To separate, to teach. Distinguish the necessary from the unimportant, in which the teacher solves difficult problems both spiritual and otherwise. Principles sent by God. The teacher illuminates for the student. Discipline in teaching Type of instruction with the will of God. To cast out or to present new ideas to the pupils. To teach or lecture. Christ used this method in the parables, which demonstrate the idea. The great responsibilities of the teacher are clearly evident in the foregoing survey of biblical terms for teaching. The teacher can fulfil this responsibility only when he understands the basis of true teaching, a basis that can come only from the word of God. The final authority is the Scriptures. Serving God according to his word, obedient submission to the word of God by both teacher and learner. Teaching, according to the Bible, is simply the meeting of a divinely ordained need, the reforming of fallen and redeemed man into what God meant him to be, in a divinely ordained way, through the use of methods consistent with the highest authority, the Scriptures.



“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you.” Acts 1:18. The power of the Holy Spirit is the essence of the mind of God. It is that Spirit which God uses to put His laws into our minds and write them in our hearts. Heb 10:16. With that peace of mind Christians will develop the other gifts that God gives us in the fruits of the Spirit. Gal 5: 22-23. We have been given the Holy Spirit and we must obey God. God’s commissions to His true Church. Isa. 58:1 “ Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” He says II Tim 4: 2-5. “Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season (this means keep at it, Don’t let up) reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but will heap to themselve teachers, having itching ears, and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” Make full proof of thy ministry. God has given every one a ministry. We are all ministers and have the responsibility given to us by God.

The apostles did not decide to form a corporation. They did not hold a conference, file documents with the Roman government, or apply to the Sanhedrin for permission to form a "church." They did not draft by-laws, adopt a constitution or draw up organisational charts. They did not make a formal declaration that they now constituted a "church." Rather, by the receiving of God's Holy Spirit, God the Father begat each of them as His son. Now, joined by God's Spirit to the True Vine which is Christ (John 15:1-8), they were put into the spiritual assembly of "called-out ones" God was choosing. You cannot "join" God's true church. God must PUT YOU INTO it by His Spirit. No man on this earth will ever tell me that I must obey or join one organization or another. I obey one Lord. JESUS

Servant. SLAVE. Men or women charged with a specific ministry for the Lord. As applied to men serving God in a particular capacity, submission, honour of being chosen for service. Slaves of Christ, servant ministering to the Lord. Fulfilling God’s purpose. 

The apostles were drafted into Christ's service and were given a commission, which has been passed down to us. He told them, "You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained [set apart for a special purpose] you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain..." (John 15:16). Did Jesus say that He was going to ordain just some to do all the baptisms or all the marriages? He has ordained ever person to do His work. We are picked by Jesus, no exception, for His work. Jesus ordains us or picks us for a certain work and when the work is done, He does not elevate us to a separate group called the clergy. We have no separate status like ordained minister. We just move on and wait for another work assignment. Ordained: set apart for a special purpose by God not man.






So the work of the assembly of called-out ones was, first, to preach the Gospel to the world as a witness and then baptise NEW CONVERTS. END OF STORY. Naturally, as we read in Acts the second chapter of the apostle's preaching on Pentecost, the fruit of the preaching of the Gospel is converts, disciples for Christ, not corporate structures with central bank accounts and authority at the centre. Always, that first part of Christ's great commission to His church is paramount and secondly to baptise new converts. God’s commission is not to create a corporate pagan structure. 

Deceit. A deliberate concealing or perverting of the truth, especially in moral and spiritual matters, with the intention of misleading another. One of several words for it in the OT, mirma, appears twenty times. In the NT deceit, dolas is specifics kind of act, since it is differentiated from several others in Mark 7:22 and Rom 1:29. Its being mentioned alongside of murder, etc, suggests its seriousness. To quile, or to use a bait, is suggested by dolioo in Rom. 3:13. Paul’s exhortation was “not of deceit” 1Thess. 2:3, meaning that he did not lead the people astray. 

Let no man deceive you. I know you all have heard this before. The Holy Spirit, which was given on the Day of Pentecost, is the antidote for deception. Today, we need the Holy Spirit more than ever to avoid deception. That is because deception is becoming more powerful, more enticing and more deceitful, than ever before at this end time. Remember we greatly enjoyed studying history showing that paganism crept into the early New Testament Church? 

By deception Herb Armstrong created a corporate pagan corporate structure to which the reformers are now addicted. We relish reading how professing Christians were deceived into replacing the Truth of God with traditions of men. We said, “tisk, tisk,” when we read how ancient Israel forsook the Eternal, and served Baal and Ashteroth. We read II Peter 2, II Thessalonians, and Revelation and marvelled how the whole world and even many in God’s Church, would worship the Beast, and his image, and receive his mark on their foreheads and right hands. We were never deceived like that! 

We would never have a pagan corporate structure because we have the truth. We are the very elect. And, we say that we would never be deceived like Eve. We would never fall for the deceptions of Satan. Paul admonishes us, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come [the return of Christ, verse 1], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,” II Thess­alonians 2:3. Let us look at what the Bible says about deception. The son of perdition, the great end-time false prophet of Revelation 13:11-18 and 19:20, will exalt himself above God, and claim to be God, II Thessalonians 2:4. Through Satan, he will work with all power and signs and lying wonders verse 9. Those that are perishing will be deceived. “Because they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the Truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness,” verses 10-12. 

Today churches say, we are the true churches of God, the authority must be with the ordained ministers because they are ordained and have the authority to baptize and lay hands on us because it has been passed down from the apostles to us. We must just pray and pay and let the mercenaries do the work for us. There are two things which God says will lead to our salvation, instead of being deceived and receiving damnation: (1) sanctification of the Spirit, and (2) belief of the Truth, and holding fast to it, verses 13-15, and I Peter 1:2. The end-time deception has “all deceivableness,” II Thessalonians 2:10, indicating that previous deceptions will be nothing compared to this big one! II Timothy 3:13 tells us that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” Revelation 12:9 describes the time when the Devil and his angels are cast out into the earth. At this time, verse 10, salvation and the Kingdom of God will come, because the accuser of our brethren is cast down. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death,” verse 11. 

Persecution is coming, verse 13. Do we keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus (verse 17, and 14:12) or do we look to man (mercenaries) to tell us how to run Gods church. ? 

Do we prove all things? 

Praise God that Satan will not be able to deceive the nations during the Millennium, and after that, only for a short season, Revelation 20:3, 8, 10. The system of deception controlling the world at this time is called, “Babylon the Great,” Revelation 17:5. The merchants, the great men of this world’s Babylon, deceive all nations, Revelation 18:23. Money and finance is going to be at the heart of the end time deception. Although Simon thought he could buy the power of the Holy Spirit, Acts 8:18, the truth is that God’s gift of His Holy Spirit is free. Do we fall into the trap of believing man when he tells us how to run Gods church on earth. Central government? 

Central tithing, authority to the ministers only, separating the clergy (ministers) from the laity (us). Pray and pay only churches. Have we become num through fear of man instead of fear of God? 

Let’s look at several key Bible accounts of deception. We will discover a common thread in them all, and keys to not being deceived.

(1) Eve’s experience with the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) was a masterful demonstration of deceit. The serpent caused Eve to doubt God’s word. Eve was tempted to believe that to eat the forbidden fruit that looked good, and was pleasant to the eyes, would make her wise. Satan, the master deceiver, has a way with women. However, Adam knew better. He was not deceived, I Timothy 2:14, however, through weakness, he followed Eve and he sinned. Actually, Adam was more culpable than Eve because the serpent did not fool him. So not being deceived does not necessarily mean that you will still avoid making the wrong choices. Are we making the wrong choices? 

We must ACT on what we KNOW to be true. Surely, Adam’s sin is a lesson to us all. Do we follow certain organizations because they have the truth or do we follow Christ? 

(2) Nimrod was a crafty deceiver. Secular history adds to the brief account of Genesis 10:8-10 to indicate that Nimrod was the world’s first gibbor (Hebrew word for tyrant). He was a mighty hunter before (in place of, against) the Lord. What a great protector of the people Nimrod was. Is the organization you are in a great protector of your salvation or is the Bible? 

A natural, powerful, leader, yet one who nevertheless established a kingdom against God. Nimrod looked good, made you feel good, and was desirable to represent you and protect you from wild animals. Does the organization you belong to make you feel good, give you a sense of protection?

But, his whole modus operandi was control over the people, and to get people to worship him as god, rather than worshipping Yahweh. And, most of the world followed Nimrod, as they have been doing ever since, by continuing to practice the pagan customs he and his mother/wife Semiramis instituted. Again, Nimrod had a way with his disciples. Do you depend on your organization to think for you? 

3) The Gibeonites were the “used-car salesmen” of the time of ancient Israel. These con artists buffaloed the entire nation of Israel, Joshua 9. When watching your leaders on TV, are they slick car salesman, or humble servants who minister to you?

The inhabitants of Gibeon were sharp. They saw what the advancing Israelites had done to utterly destroy the cities of Jericho and Ai. They knew it was their turn next. So, they disguised themselves as poor vagabonds from a far country, and begged the Israelites not to destroy them. Rather than look at the situation objectively, rather than seeking the counsel of the Almighty, the Israelites made a rash vow not to destroy the Gibeonites. Three days later, their deceit was discovered. The Gibeonites had successfully tricked the Israelites. Do we seek council from the Almighty or man? 

Joshua 9:14-15 tells the story; it was because the Israelites “asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.” This was a fatal mistake. To this day, gullible Israelites negotiate and give money to terrorists such as Yassir Arafat and other dictators, thinking that they can make peace with the sworn enemies of Israel. There is nothing new under the sun! 









(4) Absalom was a slick politician who rose up against his father David, and almost succeeded in destroying King David. Absalom was subtler than his cousin Jonadab, who helped Amnon rape Absalom’s sister Tamar, II Samuel.13. After killing Amnon, Absalom had to flee and was for many years an outcast. Finally, through the artifice of Joab, Absalom was able to return to David’s court. Quickly, Absalom became the darling of Israel. “But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of head there was no blemish in him,” II Samuel 14:25.

Absalom made women desire him, and was a charismatic leader of men. Absalom assembled a company of fifty soldiers, and chariots and horses. He got up early, and stood beside the gate to Jerusalem, “so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said . . . . Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel,” II Samuel 15:1-6. Absalom launched a conspiracy that caused David to flee for his life, verses 7-37. Absalom was a natural leader and clearly a splendid manager of people. Do we have a natural leader in our churches? There were few in Israel who did not fall for this deceiver, yet his character was totally self-serving. Absalom lusted for power rather than service to God’s people and we see the common traits of deception. A deceiver looks good, talks good, and by every appearance seems to be a person whom you would want as a leader. The only problem is, his deception leads you away from the Almighty.

(5) We are all familiar with the temptation of Christ, Matthew 4:1-11. The Devil quoted and misapplied scripture and appeal­ed to lust and greed for power. But, Satan had a great deal of appeal and much (the whole world) to offer. Today, would a billion-dollar offer with only a small “string” attached -disobedience to God turn your head? 

When someone tells you that you will lose your salvation unless you belong to this church or that you must believe that Petra is the Place of safety are you being deceived.

Our blessed Saviour did not bend an inch. The whole object of the temptation of Christ was to determine if Jesus would disqualify Himself from being the sinless sacrificial lamb for the sins of all mankind. One slip, one yielding to Satan’s temptation, and we would have no Saviour!








(6) Robert L. Taylor, a minister associate of Herbert W. Armstrong in his early years, is a classic example of a minister of deception. In The Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong, pages 397-414, we learn that Taylor, a former SDA minister, came to Oregon from California. At a monthly all-day meeting, Taylor preached, and swept the Oregon brethren off their feet. Taylor was a better preacher than any of the leading ministers from Stanberry, Missouri. (Church of God Seventh Day headquarters). The Oregon Conference decided to hire Taylor and Armstrong to conduct an evangelistic campaign. As Armstrong relates, the Church had gone so overboard with Taylor that it took some time to recognise the true spirit behind him. Although he had originally professed to be against wildfire Pentecostalism, Taylor’s true colours eventually surfaced. Little by little, Taylor’s sermons “by careful and adroit methods” gradually attempted to lead the Church into the very thing he had told them in his original sermons that he was against. Later, a man who had known Taylor much longer, told Armstrong, “Why, didn’t you know? 

Taylor has always been ‘Pentecostal’. He just pretended he wasn’t, in order to get in with the Church.” This is the way it works. A slick leader deceives others into following him. A man’s true character sometimes takes time to surface. Are we watching for telltale signs, or do we check our brains at the door? 

We hear every day of some leader splitting away from one church or another, taking away sheep by a doctrine that usually does not have anything to do with your salvation ! 

(7) Finally, we are experiencing our time to shine forth and our time of withstanding deception. It is going on right now, I Peter 4:17_18. Like the gift of the Holy Spirit, resisting deception is a gift given to those who work with that precious gift. The first warning Jesus gives us is, “Take heed that no man deceive you,” Matthew 24:4. Many false Christs and false prophets shall arise, and deceive many, verse 11. Please look around you and stop pointing fingers at other brethren. It is possible to deceive the elect of God. Verse 24 is mistranslated. The KJV has two added words in italics, that are not in the original, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Without the two added italicized words, we see that the false prophets do great signs, if possible, to deceive the elect. It is possible for the elect to be deceived. It is possible for any man to be deceived. Since Mr. Herbert Armstrong turned to human church government there has been many sincere Christians that have started their man made organizations- churches of God, corporate churches. 

(8) There are so many that its hard to keep up with them. I would say that most of them have met the requirements for salvation. Some believe they are the elect and some believe they are the very elect. Most of them have stayed in the Babylonian church structure with tithes and authority going to a central office. 




That fact should cause you serious concern. Especially, we should beware of ministers who preach for pay, serving their own belly by good words and fair speeches, Romans 16:17-18; Ephesians 4:14, 5:6_7; I John 3:7; II John 7. It is easy to deceive oneself, I Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 6:3; James 1:22, 26. We all were at one time or another, deceived, Titus 3:3. Expect to find deceivers even at the feasts, II Peter 2:13. One of the ways we can easily be deceived, is to believe that God’s day of judgment is not going to come down on the evildoers. Three times, Paul admonishes us, “Be not deceived….” I Corinthians 6:9-10, 15:33; Galatians 6:7. With the above examples and admonitions from Scripture, we see how to avoid deception. Beware of those who benefit from their supposed “service.” Do NOT engage in dialogue with false deceivers. If a minister looks too good, and sounds too good, to be true, he probably is not true. Like Satan, Nimrod, and Absalom, powerful Church of God leaders of our time have had an ungodly way of persuading men and women to follow them. Working miracles is no proof a teacher is from God. Go to God; only the Eternal can keep us from being deceived. Look to “Him that is able to keep you from falling [for deceit], and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever, Amen” Jude 24-25.

Separation. The Scriptures, notwithstanding their affirmation of the fundamental unity of the human race, make room for a lawful and necessary distinction between God’s people and those who are not. They also deplore divisions between the saints based on false ideas of presumed superiority or greater holiness. The sins of God’s people have the effect of disrupting the fellowship between them and the Lord. In the apostolic church certain false teacher brought division by insinuating that they and the group which came under their influence represented a higher type of Christians then the ordinary. Do you know a group of men who believe that their group represents a higher type of Christianity then you. 

Stumbling, Block: Proskomma, skandalon, used metaphorically it carries the idea of deliberate enticement to sin. An obstacle on a rough road. Peter says to be a hindrance to Christ. Christians are warned against putting a stumbling block in the way of others. Those who entice to sin are to be watched and will be expelled from God’s kingdom at the judgement.

Actually, the legal description of an "evangelistic association" (a group formed for the purpose of evangelising, or preaching the Gospel) more closely resembles what Christ established than does the legal description of a "church" in today's usage of the English language. This is where the problem begins. There are churches of God that fit this description of evangelising organisation. They usually call themselves Church of God the city or location where they exist only. Just like in the Scriptures, they have no other central authority but Jesus Christ. I personally don’t believe that a Church of God should be called anything but a Church of God of the city or place you are from. It seems that anything else is not scriptural and makes a separation on certain worthless, petty arguments between believers that have nothing to do with a persons salvation, arguments such as places of safety, church eras, etc etc etc and separate all the brethren. 

"Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel unto every creature." He did not say go into the world and preach church eras, places of safety, etc. It is the responsibility of the assembly of "called-out ones", to carry this powerful message to the world and to baptize new disciples who God sends to the church. Period. End of story. All else is vanity except our calling to obey Gods commandments and fear (respect) Him. 

Vanity. In NT. Undeservedly, to no purpose, without case, to any purpose, empty, in vain, futile, folly. All of these words carry the idea of useless, empty, to no purpose, etc. in a generally neutral sense morally. The churches of God that believe in the pagan structure of church government are vain. It leads to no purpose but to scatter brethren. It has no occurrence in the Scriptures but to separate the clergy from the laity. 

The members are tossed to and fro by the authorities in the Church. "And carried about with every wind of doctrine by the SLEIGHT OF MEN, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” But isn't it something that the deception was so clever and the SLEIGHT OF HAND so subtle that even those who did it, didn't know what they were doing? 

However, here is what Christ wants, v. 15-16. "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, which makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Now, that's the correct church structure. Don't allow the structure of the administration to interfere with the first commandment of loving God with all your heart, mind, soul, and being, so that you may come to the full knowledge and measure in the stature of Christ. 

The Scatterings. God’s Sheep Are Scattered. God has been scattering his sheep from Genesis to Revelations. It is impossible to record all the times that God has scattered His people because there are so many places. The underlining theme is disobedience. In Daniel it tells us that the scattering must happen before the end will come. 

A hireling shepherd allows the wolf to come and scatter the sheep, John 10:1-18. It was prophesied that Jesus would "gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad," John 11:52.James wrote to the "twelve tribes scattered abroad," James 1:1. Peter wrote to "strangers scattered" throughout various Roman provinces, I Peter 1:1. Jesus prophesied that His followers would be scattered, John 16:32. Again, He said, "Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered" Mark 14:27, Matthew 26:31. Jesus had compassion for the multitudes who fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd, Matthew 9:36. Persecution scattered the early church, but this helped to spread the word, Acts 8:1-4, 11:19. 





God is allowing scattering. The Eternal scattered them, Zechariah 13:7, 7:14.Leviticus 26:33 says, "I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you, and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste." Deuteronomy 4:27-31 states, "And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number . . . ."Deuteronomy 28:64-68 predicts, "And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people . . . thou shalt serve other gods . . . no ease . . . life shall hang in doubt . . . fear . . . sold [as slaves] . . . ."The reason for scattering is that they forgot God, didn’t have faith, Deuteronomy 32:15-30, and believed not His Word, Psalm 106:24-27. Those scattered are a reproach, scorn, a shame, a byword among nations, Psalm 44:9-15. They are totally helpless, scattered to the winds, Ezekiel 5:2, 10, 12.The scattered few that remain are a testimony unto others that they are being punished for disobeying God, Ezekiel 12:14-16. Being scattered is one of the "hard things" to undergo, Psalm 60:1-3. God will scatter and turn His back on His own people, Jeremiah 18:17. Scattering and disobedience are always hand and hand. Is disobedience today in the structure of the corporate churches creating a scattering?

False Ministers scatter God’s People Jeremiah 23:1-2 says, "Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD . . . Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them . . . ." The shepherds of Israel drive away the sheep; there is no real shepherd, nobody searching for the lost sheep of spiritual Israel, Ezekiel 34:1-10. Pastors don’t seek the LORD, therefore their flocks shall be scattered, Jeremiah 10:21.He who doesn’t gather with Jesus scatters abroad, Matthew 12:30, Luke 11:23. God will deal with His people because of their sins, I Kings 14:15-16. In Nehemiah 1:6-8, we are reminded that Moses warned Israel, " . . . If ye transgress I [the Eternal] will scatter you abroad among the nations." God promises to regather Israel If you turn unto God, and keep His commandments, He will gather you and bring you back from your scattered condition, Nehemiah 1:9. God is with Israel. He will return them from captivity, Jeremiah 30:10-11. He that scattered Israel will regather, Jeremiah 31:10. God will regather His sheep and feed them, overcoming the harm done to them by the false shepherds, Ezekiel 34:11-16, 
21-22.

True reason for scattering. Israel despised God’s statutes, and polluted His Sabbaths, Ezekiel 20:23-25. The scattering will consume the filthiness out of His people, Ezekiel 22:15. The real enemies of God will be scattered and not regathered, but they will perish, Psalm 92:9.When they are scattered, they will remember God, for He is doing this because of their sins, and they will loathe themselves for all their abominations, Ezekiel 6:8-9. Out of scattering, there will be a regathering, for God will give them a new heart, Ezekiel 11:16-20.God’s power will be demonstrated by the scatterings, Ezekiel 20:34, 40-43. Ezekiel 28:25-26 notes that, " . . . they shall know that I am the LORD their God," when they are gathered. God will do all this to sanctify His holy name, Ezekiel 36:17-27.

A great scattering is coming Daniel 12:7 predicts, " . . . and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished."



False Ministers, False Brethren. To their detriment, many in the Church of God ignore the numerous Bible passages, which warn against false prophets (ministers) and false brethren. As a result, they have become merchandise in the business of religion. The core practice of false ministers is to use power over the people. The Messiah hates both the doctrine and the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, Revelation 2:6, 15, which is lording it over the flock of the Almighty. One of the most pernicious ways this ungodly human lordship is exhibited is in the area of money. False ministers preach for hire. They demand, and extort, payment for their illicit "services." The Doctrine of Balaam involves preaching the Word of God for hire, for money, for filthy lucre’s sake. The Scriptures plainly define this sin, yet most brothers’ today act as if the Doctrine of Balaam does not exist. The Messiah is going to make a reckoning some day. He has a few things against us today, as He did of Pergamos. In the midst of that Church were some who held the Doctrine of Balaam, Revelation 2:14. The Eternal actually communicated with Balaam the prophet, Numbers 22:9, 12, 20. When Moab’s King Balak sent messengers offering to pay Balaam to curse God’s people Israel, Balaam lusted after the "rewards of divination," verse 7, the money he would get for cursing Israel. God told Balaam that he could not curse Israel, for they are blessed, verse 11. 

Doctrine. Occurring infrequently in the OT, the word there translates terms denoting what is received or heard. In the NT didache and didaskalia derived from the root, “to teach”, and may mean the act of teaching or the content of what is taught. Doctrine is the teaching of the Scripture on theological themes. It differs from dogma in that it does not connote an authoritative ecclesiastical affirmation but is rather the raw material of the word of God which council’s use in formulating theological truth in definitive and sometimes polemical terms. In current discussions, doctrine is sometimes used in contrast to spiritual life. However, an antithetical use here is unfortunate, for these two elements are complementary. When Paul speaks of “sound (healthy) doctrine” 1Tim: 1:10, Titus 2:1, he seems to affirm that true doctrine is life giving. 

Dogma. Derived from the Greek dogma, from dokein, “think, seem, seem good”, the word designates a tenet of doctrine authoritatively pronounced. Now it designates those propositions of religious truth believed to have originated from divine revelation and set forth as a part of a comprehensive doctrinal system by a duly constituted religious authority. 

Therefore, to get the money, Balaam devised a scheme whereby Israel could be enticed to sin, and thereby they bring God’s judgment on themselves, Numbers 25:1-17, 31:16. One could say that the Doctrine of Balaam is ecumenism, a mixing of true and false worship: "the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication," Revelation 2:14. 






This is where the money and support is, since human nature rebels against the Almighty’s Law. Because of the lust after money, the Doctrine of Balaam exists today. The Almighty gives us freely His grace, and His servants are not to charge for passing on to others His precious, lifesaving Truth, "freely ye have received, freely give," Matthew 10:8. Satan, however, allows his servants, like Balaam, to charge for their false teaching. In Acts 16:16-24, we find a damsel possessed with a spirit of divination, who brought her masters, much gain by soothsaying. When Paul cast out the demon, her masters were enraged against him, because they would lose a great deal of money. That is why Paul warns that "the love of money is the [a] root of all evil: which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows," I Timothy 6:10.

What was Balaam’s motivation. The love of money. His protestation, "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God," Numbers 22:18, only revealed his true desires. Balaam was covetous of money, he "loved the wages of unrighteousness," II Peter 2:15. Thus, Balaam became the epitome, or prime example, of the corruption that money and fame breed. In Jude 11, we are warned, "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward . . . ." Balaam was one of the enemies of God that the Israelites destroyed, Numbers 31:8.

Pride. Pride may be defined as inordinate and unreasonable self-esteem, attended with insolence and rude treatment of others. It is an attempt to appear in a superior light to what we are, with anxiety to gain applause, and distress and rage when slighted. It is connected with the sin of Sodom, Ezek. 16:49. Indeed the ambitious pride of Satan was part of the original sin of the universe. Ezek 28:17 with 1 Tim 3:6, It may have been the first sin to enter God’s universe, and no doubt will be one of the last to be conquered. The Bible teaches that pride deceives the heart, Jer 49:16, hardens the mind, Dan 5:20, bring contention, Prov 13:10, compasses about like a chain, Ps. 73:6 and brings men to destruction, Prov. 16:18, A proud heart stirs up strife, Prov 28:25 and is an abomination unto the Lord, Prove 16:5. A proud look God hates, Prov. 6:17, and those who engage therein shall stumble and fall. Jer 50:32. Pride is the parent of discontent, ingratitude, presumption, passion, extravagance, and bigotry. There is hardly an evil committed without pride being connected in some sense. Since God resists the proud, James 4:6, the believer must learn to hate pride and to clothe himself with humility. As to order, Jesus priesthood is that of Melchizedk. His qualifications are divine appointment and divine preparation, His priesthood is kingly, unique and indissoluble. Priesthood is also applied to Christians in the NT, This is natural because our High Priest has given us access to the throne. Our priesthood before God is a function of our sonship with God. Since also this access is through Christ, no priestly ordinance is required and Jesus ordains ( picks or chooses who he needs not man)





Laity. From laos (people) the laity ought strictly to wholly denote whole people of God. Historically, however, it has come to describe of those who are not specifically ordained to the ministry (clergy). The distinction is particularly marked in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, with a strong emphasis on the fact that the duty of laity has found expression in the various church state conflicts and in a deep seated spirit of anti clericalism in many countries. Protestant churches find the term a convenient one when it is desired to distinguish between ministers and non ministers, but it seems to have no material validity in view of the fact that all Christians are priests and all constitute the real people of God. Hence it is perhaps better avoided in its traditional sense. False ministers claim that if you give money to them, God will make you rich. Thus, "through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you," II Peter 2:3. The motivation of Simon the magician was money and power, and Peter rebuked him for thinking, "that the gift may be purchased with money," Acts 8:20. 

Time and again, we have seen how Scripture warns us that false ministers are in it for the money. Therefore, it is incumbent on the brethren to be sure that there is full accountability for all their tithes and offerings. God does not need money the Ordained Ministry does. Jesus says that pure religion is giving to the poor not for fuel for an airplane. False ministers are hypocrites: they say one thing and do another. They deal falsely; you cannot trust them. They prophesy lies and nobody calls them to answer for their falsehood. They do not visit the flock, but instead scatter it. They do not feed the flock, but rule it with force and cruelty. They have done violence to the Law by twisting it and perverting it, causing many to stumble and break God’s holy Commandments. They appear to be outwardly good, but inside are ravening wolves. They once knew the Truth of God but have now changed it into a lie. They preach another gospel, and corrupt the Word of God. They institute a series of doctrinal changes, deceiving God’s people a little bit at a time. They and their supporters do not love the Truth; that is why they have given heed to demonic spirits and doctrines of demons. They preach for filthy lucre’s sake, professing to know God, but in works they deny Him. Scripture tells us to withdraw from false ministers and false brethren. Yet human nature being what it is, too many have jumped from one organization, which has gone astray only to join another with similar problems. It is relatively simple to break the cycle. 

Every local Church of God should give full disclosure of every financial transaction. The whole Church should have input as to how money is spent. God’s Government is local and not centrally governed. When you have a central Church hierarchy, you are going to have corruption sooner or later. That is a law of human nature, and I can find no exceptions in all Church history! 









Elders that sin are to be rebuked before all, I Timothy 5:19-20. Problems in the Church are to be handled in accordance with Matthew 18:15-20. Daniel 11:32 tells us that "the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many . . . ." In spite of false ministers and false brethren within, and persecution without, the Almighty’s people shall prevail, by His power. Yet "many shall cleave to them with flatteries [Moffatt: many shall join them under false pretense]," verse 34. Yes, not all those who claim to believe the Truth actually do believe it. False ministers and false brethren are a trial. The Almighty wants to know where we stand. "And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed," verse 35. The vicious cycle of false ministers and false brethren in the Church of God does not have to continue. We must heed Scripture and not ignore it as so many do. We all have a responsibility to put the Bible into practice. It is our fault if false ministers make merchandise of us. This situation begins and ends with the love of money a root of all evil. I encourage all the brethren to be strong.

Ministering to the saints is giving physical needs. Do you minister to the saints? 

II Corinthians 9:1-15, especially verses 1, 12, 13, describes what ministering to the saints is all about: " . . . ministering to the saints, . . . For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men." The Macedonian churches, though poor, gave liberally: "Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints . . . . but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God . . . . the proof of your love . . . [is to do things such as this]" II Corinthians 8:1-24. The word for "ministering, ministration," is diakonia, the same word for "ministry." 

Romans 15:25-31,"But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem . . . . For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things." Ministering to the saints is an all-consuming task I Corinthians 16:15, " . . . they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints." Ministering to saints shows respect toward God’s name. Hebrews 6:10, "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." 







Compare Revelation 3:8, "and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." Matthew 25:40, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Romans 12:6-8, 13, "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, . . . or ministry, let us wait on our ministering, . . . he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity, . . . Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality." Ministering can be serving the "Ministers"! II Timothy 1:16-18, " . . . Onesiphorus . . . oft refreshed me . . . he ministered unto me [Paul] at Ephesus."

The purpose of the Diakonos is to Minister. I Timothy 3:13, "For they that have used [margin: ministered] the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree . . . ." Individual responsibility for giving. I Corinthians 16:1-3, "Now concerning the collection for the saints . . . . Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come . . . . to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem." On another occasion, Paul brought alms and offerings, Acts 24:17. When the prophet Agabus prophesied of a great famine, " . . . the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul" Acts 11:27-30. Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem "when they had fulfilled their ministry" Acts 12:25. So we have seen that "ministering unto the saints" is a responsibility for all the brethren. We ought to be responsive to one another’s needs and help others any time assistance is needed.

Ministry. We are to be a living sacrifice to God, Romans 12:1-3. Just as there were many types of animal sacrifices, there are many types of ministering. Every man has a measure of this gift, verses 4-13. We are all ministers. Prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling, and showing mercy are seven gifts, different aspects of love, which God gives to us differently. Some brethren have more of one gift than another and some have several gifts. We all are members one of another. We are not to think more highly of ourselves than others, but rather esteem and value one other’s gifts. There are differences of administrations (same word as ministries) given to every man to profit, as God sees fit, I Corinthians 12:4-11, such as the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. We are not to question the gifts God gives, verses 18, 28-31, such as apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, healings, helps, tongues. Some say: "God hasn’t given us a prophet in this time." Are we to question God and say He must have all offices filled? 

Today we know of no genuine gift of tongues. God is in charge. He gives gifts to men, as He wills. In Ephesians 4:1-16, especially verse 7, we are shown that everyone has a gift of grace, whether it be prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers. These offices are to make the saints perfect, to help them grow up and fit together in the body of Christ. Who is the head of the Church. The apostles and other offices are not the head of the Church. Christ is. He puts people in offices for service. Again, is it possible for there to be times when there is no apostle or prophet, but only teachers? 



Are these "offices" the result of ordination, or of the gift of Christ? 

Are we to be teachers? Hebrews 5:12.

Teaching, showing mercy, giving, etc.. are all parts of the ministry. The ministry isn’t something you are in, but something you do as the result of God’s gift. The church of Thyatira had "works, and charity, and service [ministry], and faith" Revelation 2:19. "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted" Acts 13:2, the Holy Spirit spoke and told them to lay hands on Barnabas and Saul for the work God had called them to do. "Ministering to the saints" is a fellowship, a giving of the self to God, II Corinthians 8:4, 5, 9:1-2, 12-13. I Corinthians 16:15-16 describes the house of Stephanas, who "addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints," showing that everyone should help spread the word and serve the brethren. Paul received from Jesus the ministry to testify the gospel, Acts 20:24. He had a ministry to the Gentiles, Acts 21:19, Romans 11:13. Paul and Barnabas fulfilled their ministry, Acts 12:25. Jesus put Paul into the ministry, I Timothy 1:12. Paul was made a minister for the church’s sake, not for his personal glory or aggrandisement, Colossians 1:23-25.

Women Can Be "Ministers"! 

Romans 16:1 tells of Phebe, a sister, who was a servant of the church. And in Luke 10:40, Martha was cumbered about with much serving to Jesus, which was fine, but she also needed to also choose the "good part" of spiritual instruction from Jesus, verse 42. These are the same words (diakonos, diakonia) elsewhere translated "minister." A Christian "minister" is not necessarily ordained to preaching and teaching. Ordained means picked by God not man. We as co-workers, are to give no offence in anything so that the ministry be not blamed. We are to approve ourselves as the ministers of God, II Corinthians 6:1-4. Colossians 4:17, "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it." Verse 7 tells of Tychicus, who was "a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord." Ministers must be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God, I Corinthians 4:1-2. Paul and Apollos were nothing "great" on their own, "but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man" I Corinthians 3:5-7. Ministers are only servants; the credit should all go to God, who gives the increase. We Are Ministers of God. Every priest was a minister, Hebrews 10:11. We are (right now) a royal priesthood. We are the ministers of God, I Peter 2:9. If civil rulers are the ministers of God, Romans 13:1-6, how much more should we be God’s ministers?

I Timothy 3:8-13 describes church deacons. The words translated "deacon" and "office of a deacon" mean in the literal Greek "those who serve" and "act of serving." Not everyone in the church are ministers, but those who meet these qualifications. Everywhere else, the word "deacon" is translated "minister" or "serve." So we see that the function of the "ministry" in the church involves more than ordained preachers. "Ministry" extends in one way or another to every member of the church. 

Unity. The word unity is rarely found as such in the Bible, but the thought behind the term is one people of God. Since unity belongs essentially to the people of God, it is right that it should find expression in the one church so in all ages there should be a concern for Christian unity according to the prayer of Christ himself. It is not the unity first created, safe guarded or enforced by human institution or association. Nor can it be simply equated with a particular structure of a church or form of ministry, practice or dogma. Christian unity is not identical with uniformity. It does not allow division but it does allow variety. The unity grounded in Christ leaves scope for diversity of action and function with the only conformity being to the mind of Christ and the direction of the Holy Spirit. There must be no antinomian acquiescence in divided or competitive Christian bodies. 

Conclusion

Revelation 2:6, “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.” The Nicolaitanes separated the Clergy from the Laity. Constantine separated the Clergy from the Laity. The Protestant Reformers separated the Clergy from the Laity. Mr. Herbert Armstrong separated the Clergy from the Laity. Most Churches of God today separated the Clergy and Laity to form Corporate like structures, which are in the shadow of the Beast which God hates.

Revelation 2:14-15, 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 stumbling block before the children of Israel,................... So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

which thing I hate., which thing I hate., which thing I hate., which thing I hate., which thing I hate.

Jude 3-4, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

“exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints”

“men crept in unawares”

Jude : 11 “ Woe unto them ! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core”

“ Woe unto them !”

Jude: 16 “ These are murmurers, complainers walking after their own lusts; and their mouth having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.”

“admiration because of advantage.”

Titus 1:10-11, 14, 16, For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake . . . Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth . . . . They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

“for filthy lucre’s sake”

“and disobedient”


Philippians 3:18-19, “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”

“and whose glory is in their shame”

Colossians 2:4, 8, 18, “And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words . . . . Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ . . . . Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.”

“after the tradition of men,”

Galatians 1:9-10, As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

“let him be accursed.”

Romans 16:17-18, (Living Bible) “Stay away from those who cause divisions and are upsetting people’s faith, teaching things about Christ that are contrary to what you have been taught. Such teachers are not working for our Lord Jesus, but only want gain for themselves. They are good speakers, and simpleminded people are often fooled by them.”

“Stay away from those who cause divisions and are upsetting people’s faith,”


Matthew 23:2-7, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 

“For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders;”

Matthew 23:27-28, Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

“which indeed appear beautiful outward,”

Matthew 24:4-5, And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

“Take heed that no man deceive you.”

Matthew 24:11, And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

“and shall deceive many.”

Matthew 24:23-24, Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

“they shall deceive the very elect.”,---“they shall deceive the very elect.”---“they shall deceive the very elect.”

Luke 6:26, “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.”

Luke 11:23, “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.”







Matthew 7:15-23 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. .................................................Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And in will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity”

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing,”

Matthew 23:14-15, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”

Matthew 23:23, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”

Luke 21:8, “And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.”

Acts 20:28-30, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”

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.”

“by the sleight of men”

John 10:1, 5, 12-13, “He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber . . . a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers . . . But he that is an hireling, and not the [good] shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”

“But he that is an hireling, and not the [good] shepherd,” 
“and scattereth the sheep”


ohn 12:42-43, “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

“For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

Acts 8:9-13, “But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and wome