Editor's Note: It is not our intention to judge anyone or the leaders of organizations that are spreading cult-like practices. As Christians, it's important to pray for the ministers of these organizations that they may come to the truth in their own lives. It is, however, our intention to make people aware of religious sects that claim to be of God, but teach non-Biblical and dangerous doctrines, which could harm followers-financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
We are living in perilous times in terms of spirituality. There are many cults in this world that claim to be preaching the word of God. Many leaders of these cults wholeheartedly believe what they are teaching to be Biblical. Some also use the Bible to intentionally mask the true, harmful intentions of their sect. We as Christians know that these practices are the work of Satan, the father of all lies and deception. Satan will do anything to keep people's eyes, minds and hearts away from the truth of Jesus Christ, even if it means using the very word of God to do it.
The Church of God-PKG (Preparing for the Kingdom of God), was started by former Worldwide Church of God minister, Ronald Weinland.
There's not much on Weinland online or has he ever been a high ranking minister within the Church of God splinters, which all came from Worldwide.
In 1994, almost 9 years after its founder, Herbert W. Armstrong, died, the pastoral staff at the Worldwide Church of God began unveiling several doctrinal errors that were the foundation of the church. It didn't take long for these men to realize what they had been teaching was a false doctrine that had nothing to do with Christianity. In fact, the Worldwide Church of God was a cult. Today, the church has adopted sound Biblical teaching and has shed its baggage of old. Worldwide is now recognized as a traditional Christian church that adheres to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This new doctrine did not sit well with many of the ministers who simply would not sway from the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong, even though proof that his doctrine was false had surfaced and the church was branded a cult. As a result, hundreds of "splinter" groups of Armstrong followers exist, all of which are led by ministers that claim they are appointed by God to continue Armstrong's legacy. Ronald Weinland is one of these ministers.
Before Ronald Weinland started Church of God-PKG, he continued as a minister for at least two of the splinter sects.
Weinland, who has written two books about the coming "end-time", claims to be a prophet and one of the two end-time witnesses prophesied in the book of Revelation. In his latest book, 2008: God's Final Witness, he predicts that the tribulation will begin in March 2008 which will mark the time that the 7th Seal of Revelation will be opened, spawning almost total destruction of the United States by the end of the year. Weinland also says that Jesus Christ will return in the fall of 2011.
You may be thinking: "Why does this make the Church of God-PKG (COGPKG) a cult?"
On their faces, and to the spiritually lost, confused, disgruntled or spiritual seekers, Weinland's books and his church seem legit. However, there is one catch: the doctrine of the COGPKG is a carbon copy of what Herbert Armstrong taught from the 1930s until his death. Does that make it a cult? Sadly, yes.
By teaching about a false god and an imaginary and distorted account of the life of Jesus Christ, Ronald Weinland is treading on very dangerous ground.
What is important for the world to know is that Weinland's sect, although only consisting of maybe a thousand followers, is making a significant and precarious impact on those who are seriously seeking God and answers to life's toughest questions. Let's examine some of the false teachings of the COGPKG.
Sabbath Keeping
As did Armstrong's cult, the COGPKG believes that Christ followers are bound to keep the Sabbath (Saturday worship and rest) and by not doing so, people are sinning against God. Weinland has adopted a method of brow-beating his followers into believing that the entire world has been called by God to keep the laws of the Old Testament. We all know that Christians--anyone who has placed his or her trust, faith and life in Jesus Christ is not physically bound to keep the Saturday Sabbath. What Christ did on the cross created a new covenant--one that has done away with the old given to the Jews by Moses. Not that the old covenant is not a solid example of how we should live our lives today because it is, but Jesus came, ministered, died and rose again and that fulfilled the Old Testament laws, just like God and the prophets said it would do.
The Trinity
Another false, cult teaching of Armstrong, the belief that The Holy Spirit does not exist as a person, is a cornerstone of COGPKG. This church teaches that God only exists in one form. The spirit of God, according to what Weinland teaches is not a separate person. We all know as Christians that God the Father, God the Son (Christ) and the Holy Spirit make up the triune Godhead. There is no way possible that that can be refuted Scriptually. However, the slick spinster attempts of cult leaders are being used at record pace. COGPKG is one of those cults. Where does our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ fit into this cult's teachings? Very interesting question, and it has an even stranger answer, but it's nothing new.
Ronald Weinland and his "evangelists" are confused and have not been taught themselves on who Jesus actually is. COGPKG doctrine spells out an alien Christ, one that is only a "messenger" of God and not part of the Godhead, which we all know He is. To the COGPKG, having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is not possible, as it does not believe the Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of Christians that have simply asked Jesus to save them and give them everlasting life.
Salvation
A cornerstone of Armstrongism and also part of the COGPKG foundation, the idea of being "saved" comes to those who are first obedient to God by keeping the laws under the old covenant. These laws, which were given to the Jews before the coming of the Messiah (Christ) include keeping the Sabbath, attending the Jewish Festivals, adhering to dietary regulations and celebrating the Jewish Holy Days. The COGPKG adheres to, mostly, the book of Leviticus and other Old Testament accounts of these laws and spins in certain New Testament Bible verses to confuse its members into believing Christians are REQUIRED to adhere to and live their lives according the old, obsolete covenant given to the Jews by Moses.
Members can be "disfellowshipped" and told that God "cannot work with anyone," will "not allow them to be part of God's family" and run the risk of "burning in the Lake of Fire" if they don't keep these laws. For those that do, according to COGPKG doctrine, they will be called by God and be allowed to be baptized into His family. This is a completely false teaching. In fact, Scripturally, this doctrine cannot be true, without ignoring the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what He was prophesied to fulfill.
Jesus Christ came on this Earth, died and rose again as God's ultimate sacrifice for all of the sins of mankind. In other words, Jesus died so you and I--sinners by nature-- would not have to pay the price of spiritual death. This is a free gift from God. There are NO works, laws, regulations, good deeds or the keeping of any Sabbaths or Holy Days as performed by men or women that are good enough for our salvation. Salvation comes from the grace of God through our belief in Jesus Christ. Period.
Absence of Grace, Love and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ
The COGPKG method of preaching and teaching their false doctrine is not without sermons that are meant to torment and convict those that receive them. A classic cult tactic, making followers feel unworthy--emotionally and spiritually in God's eyes is the first step to get them to listen. What keeps them coming back is the "good news." This includes inflated promises of what each member will receive by believing. In the case of the COGPKG,the "good news" is the revelation that they are part of the only church on the face of the Earth that God is working with and its members, if they obey all of the laws, will have a special place in God's coming kingdom. (The classic "tear 'em down and build them up" routine) This was taught by Herbert Armstrong for over 50 years and is still being preached by his splinter groups. Again, we as Christians fully understand that God loves each and every person on this Earth and has made it possible for everyone to enter into His presence through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. We also know that Jesus, himself, commanded his disciples to preach his message to all nations, therefore the idea of God working with only a small group of people is preposterous and not Biblical.
Discrediting other Christian denominations
The Worldwide Church of God was founded on the false belief that every Christian church in the world has been wrong in the very areas that make them Christian. The COGPKG adheres to that principle very strongly and its ministers use twisted, warped and spun Biblical text and distorted accounts of Church history to make its case.
COGPKG leader, Ronald Weinland, directs potential members of this church to disregard what Christian denominations teach. This is a requirement for membership. PKG members and potential members are systematically taught that "traditional" Christianity, as they call it, is simply a dogma of false teachings created by the Roman Catholic Church. These false teachings are taught in a mind-controlling way, to lead followers to believe they belong to a small but "special" or "chosen" group, and every other "traditional" Christian church teachings are the work of Satan.
We as Christians know that Jesus Christ certainly did not minister in this way. He taught a message of love and acceptance. We also know, that by believing in Him and accepting him as our Lord and Savior, we have the Holy Spirit in us to guide us, convict us and make it possible to minister to others in the exact same way Jesus did. Jesus encountered many false gods, demons and false religions when He was on Earth. He also associated with prostitutes, drunkards, thieves, liars and people with afflictions, both physical and mental--the untouchables--people that the religious leaders wanted nothing to do with. Jesus accepted them with open arms and did not condemn, slander or judge them for their sins. He forgave them and called them to follow Him in love. He does the same for us today. Each and every one us can come to Him with anything we have in our lives. Nothing is too big for Jesus to wipe clean. We are called to make disciples for Jesus and accept and love one another so we all can feel comfortable bringing our problems--our very lives--to Him.
False Predictions
It should be noted that Worldwide Church of God founder, Herbert W. Armstrong was worshipped by the members of the church. He was lifted up and branded a "prophet." Armstrong was also believed to be Elijah. Church members believed he would never die because it was "prophesied" that he was sent to usher in the return of Jesus. Although Armstrong never directly commanded members of WWCG to worship him, his claims as to who he was and what he "knew" prompted that very thing. This resulted in a very large church. The Worldwide Church of God, under Armstrong, made millions of dollars per year from the required tithes and offerings of its members, who found themselves at the mercy of his authority and not the authority of Christ.
From the 1930s until his death in 1986, Herbert W. Armstrong made hundreds of "predictions" which he claimed were revealed to him by God. Most of these predictions had to do with the "Great Tribulation" that he claimed was very near. On at least two occasions, Armstrong falsely predicted the Second Coming of Jesus. Over the years, Herbert W. Armstrong was responsible for over 200 false prophecies that affected thousands of church members, who feared the end of the world was near. Some lost their health, homes, savings accounts and jobs.
Scores of books, magazines, pamphlets and other propaganda was distributed to millions of people around the world. This material was used to frighten potential followers into believing God was entering mankind into the end time tribulation. It also was taught that if members were not obedient to the laws of the church, they would either perish in the destruction that was predicted to occur, or, if they survived, be thrown into "The Lake of Fire."
The COGPKG is preaching these very things today. PKG pastor, Ronald Weinland, claims to be one of the two end-time witnesses prophecied in Revelation. His gloom-and-doom tactics mirror that of Armstrong and he's predicted for 2008 to be the "end of the age" on Earth. Weinland has predicted as God's "end-time prophet" that the world, beginning in April, 2008, will be rushed into the Great Tribulation prophesied in the Bible.
As part of his cult teachings, Ronald Weinland has called for the deaths of other splinter leaders and has announced there will be terrorist attacks--possibly nuclear--directed at American cities. He's calling for potential members to "repent," as Armstrong did, to gain special favor from God.
These are false teachings by a false prophet and should be avoided at all costs. We as Christians know that Jesus Christ warns us to be aware of false christs, prophets and religions that claim to come in His name. The Church of God-PKG falls into this category. Jesus also tells us in Scripture to not fear these sects. However, Jesus also calls His Church to preach the truth and protect each other from harm. It's not God's will that we follow false religions. It's certainly not God's will that we meet danger from doing so.
Final Notes
Under no circumstances do we recommend reading written works by ministers in the Church of God-PKG, although you are free to do so. If you are a Christian and you choose to investigate this organization in order to help those who may be in the sect remove themselves from its false teachings, please pray that you may do so under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
If you are a seeker and want answers to the tough questions of spirituality, Jesus, or day-to-day life, we strongly encourage you to read the New Testament, especially the first four books and learn about who Jesus really is. We also encourage you to reach out to a Christian friend. They will be able to help you find answers that God certainly has for you.
If you are currently following the teachings of the Church of God-PKG, we strongly encourage you to open your mind and let God speak to you and reveal the truth of who He is. God loves you--so much so that He wants to have a personal, day-to-day relationship with you. Despite what you might be learning, coming to know God is not a difficult thing to do. You don't have to be ashamed of your past. You don't have to be ashamed of your religious background. We understand that some of us have been wounded and left confused by what we have learned as children in church. This is OK. God understands that. His love is so powerful that he sent his Son, Jesus Christ to take every sin--past present and future--to pay the price for them. His true will is one of love, clarity, honesty and grace.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
19 comments:
How do I start? I have been listening to Ron's sermons and have been trying swallow this stuff. I, just like he wrote, wanted to stop reading after seeing his claim that he is one of the 2 witnesses.
But, I kept reading and he seems to be right in what is happening to the world in terms of natural disasters, deaths of notable people and seems have dates right.
The United States is in horrible financial trouble with the dollar sinking every day.
It all makes sense. America could not stand a stock market crash right now. We are at war and if the market crashed, another country would have to step in and bail us out. What a perfect time for some country to take us over. What will we do. I can't get over the fact that Ron seems to really have these things nailed down.
I don't know how anyone can just come out and say "It's a cult!" when so many of the things he's predicted are coming true right before our eyes!
I assume that you have never heard of British-Israelism or Herbert W. Armstrong?
Ron Weinland is basking in "prophecy in hindsight." His claims that he, personally debunked the Y2K scare and pretty much predicted Katrina (which he never ever specifically mentioned.
People need to understand ANYONE on the face of this Earth can follow world events, make claims that natural disasters are going to happen then when a tornadoe hits claim "I told you!"
Ron is giving exact dates on speculative things such as the "sealing" of the 144,000, etc.. things we have no way of physically seeing. He's also says he knows when Christ comes back in 2011.
But he's not giving any specifics. He compares himself to Noah. Noah TOLD everyone that God was going to cover the earth with a great flood. He didn't mask that with "There is going to be sme natural disasters."
And Ron's entire view on salvation, who Jesus is and the Bible is nothing but a distorted carbon copy of what Herbert W. Armstrong taught-- and it's important to know that HWA borrowed VERY VERY VERY heavily other belief systems...Jehovah's Witnesses, Seveth Day Adventists and Seventhing Day Baptists. His teaching were not his own and his 200 plus false predictions are proof in the pudding.
Watch out for this COG-PKG sect. It IS a cult. It is a false religion and can be dangerous in more ways than one.
Isn't Roderick Meredith supposed to die soon? Ron states that before the 7th Seal, things are going to be very horrific. I have been doing alot of traveling as of late, and there is nothing horrific going on anywhere, at least not any different than the things that have been happening since I have been alive (30years).
In Revelation and Daniel, it says that the "tribulation" is to last 7 years. Ronald Weinland says that the first seal was opened in 1994! Doesn't that make the tribulation so far a 14 year period of time?????
I think Ron is right. His books are so clear and they explain everything as to why we have the things that are going on in the world today. The United States is in trouble in more ways than one and the weather is really taking some crazy turns.
I was Baptist and I always knew there was something funny about some of the things I was taught., x-mas, easter, etc. These things are not in the Bible. If Christians were Christians, then they would celebrate passover. Christians don't go to church on Saturday because they think they dont' have to obey god's commands.
I encourage you to read the post I have up on the Sabbath.
I also encourage you to read up on the history of the Christian Church.
What's important to understand is that no doctrine can be taken as the truth if it doesn't line up with the Bible 100 percent. Jesus taught to research teachings in oder to determine if they are false.
Galations commands us to accurse false doctrines of God.
I will ask you this: "If YOU were God and you wanted to send a prophet to the world, you would want that prophet to be teaching a message that was in line with the Bible wouldn't you?"
Think about that and pray about it. God WILL give you an answer. It's just that what I READ, doesn't cut it with me. In my opinion, Ron is false and that's because his teaching contradicts the Bible. He's not only in error on some things, he claims to be a prophet of God and is preaching a doctrine that is nowhere backed up by Scripture and the Bible tells us that's a very bad thing to do.
Christmas and Easter--
Both of the holidays are NOT in the Bible. Nowhere is there an official day in the Bible where anyone celebratred the birth of Jesus. Easter is also included.
Both Christmas and Easter include things.. some rituals.. that were originally done by pagans. Does that mean that Christmas and Easter are pagan holidays??
NO! Not at all!
Both Christmas and Easter are celebrations of our Lord Jesus Christ. And the things that are done on these holidays are COMPLETELY rooted in Scripture.
And the pagan rituals such as the celebration of spring time at Easter andt he ringing of Christmas bells have been REPLACED with Biblical meaning. What a testimony for Christ! Thereis no way that celebrating the birth and resurrection of our Savior can be a bad thing-- even if we do it on days when pagans worship their gods.
Keep in mind that MANY MANY Christians came to Christ on Easter and Christmas. Christmas and Easter have long been WONDERFUL times for witnessesing to pagans and unbelievers.
My good friend shared with me about 10 years ago: "I NEVER knew about Jesus until I was invited to a Christmas program at a local church!"
I am preparing a piece on Easter and Christmas... look for it.
But also know that ANY DAY that God's word is spoken, He delights in.
COG-PKG is NOT a "cult". You may call it a false teaching if you would like, but it is not, by definition, a cult. Please look it up.
A "sect" may be a more appropriate word. Just as the very first Christians (along with Christ himself) were considered a Jewish sect by the Romans.
Further, COG-PKG has very clearly stated that they believe in God the Eternal and Jesus Christ as the true Son of God. By definition, it sounds like a Christian to me.
Any other definition applied to them can (and will) be easily pointed back to the accuser.
So hold tight and just wait and see. Ron said he will be the first to admit he a False Prophet if "these things" do not emphatically come to pass by Pentecost (June 8).
Hi,
You say God is trinity and the Spirit is a person.
Are these things stated in the bible or are you teaching falsely?
Lets look at the doctrine of the Trinity in the Old and New Testament.
Gen. 1:26, "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'"
Angels do not create.
We are not made in the image of angels
there is no place in the OT where a leader refers to himself with the term "us."
Gen. 3:22, "Then the Lord God said, 'Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, lest he stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.'"
Gen. 11:7, "Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech."
Gen. 19:24, "Then the Lord [YHWH] rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord [YHWH] out of heaven."
Psalm 45:6-7, "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Thy kingdom. 7Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Thy God, has anointed Thee."
This is quoted in Heb. 1:8, "But of the Son He [God] says, “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom."
Isaiah 6:8, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!'"
Isaiah 48:16, "Come near to Me [God], listen to this: From the first I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord God has sent Me, and His Spirit.”
Amos 4:10-11, “I sent a plague among you after the manner of Egypt; I slew your young men by the sword along with your captured horses, And I made the stench of your camp rise up in your nostrils; Yet you have not returned to Me,” declares the Lord [YHWH]. 11“I overthrew you as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, And you were like a firebrand snatched from a blaze; Yet you have not returned to Me,” declares the Lord."
Matt. 3:16-17, "And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him, 17and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
Matt. 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,"
Note that there is one name and three persons.
1 Cor. 12:4-6, "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons."
"Lord" here is probably Jesus. See next verse.
2 Cor. 13:14, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all."
Eph. 4:4-6, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all."
1 Pet. 1:2, "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure."
Jude 20-21, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; 21keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life."
Now verses showing identity, ministry, and personhood of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit mentioned on equal level with God
Matt. 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,"
2 Cor. 13:14, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all."
Eph. 4:4-6, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all."
2 Cor. 3:16-18, "but whenever a man turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."
Names of the Holy Spirit
Spirit of God
Rom. 8:9, "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him." See also Gen. 1:2
Spirit of Christ
Rom. 8:9, "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him."
Spirit of your Father
Matt. 10:10, "For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."
The Spirit of Truth
John 14:17, "that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you." See also, John 15:26.
The Spirit of the Lord
Acts 8:39, "And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing." See also Judges 15:14; 1 Sam. 16:12
The Holy Spirit is referred to as a person by scripture
Rom. 8:11, "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you."
John 6:63, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life."
1 John 5:7, "And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth."
See also 1 Cor. 2:12; 2 Tim. 1:14;
He
John 14:26, "These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you. 26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
Himself
Rom. 8:16, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,"
Rom. 8:26, "And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words"
Personhood of the Holy Spirit (has emotions, is aware, speaks, knows, etc.)
Grieves
Isaiah 63:10, "But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; Therefore, He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them."
Eph. 4:30, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Loves
Rom. 15:30, "Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me."
Has a mind
Rom. 8:27, "and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."
Speaks
2 Sam. 23:1, "The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue."
Acts 8:29, "And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot."
Acts 10:19, "And while Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you."
Acts 11:12, "And the Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. And these six brethren also went with me, and we entered the man’s house."
Acts 13:2, "And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
Acts 21:11, "And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’"
Acts 28:25, "And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26saying, ‘Go to this people and say, "You will keep on hearing, but will not understand."
1 Tim. 4:1, "But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,"
Heb. 3:7-8, "Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today if you hear His voice, 8Do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, as in the day of trial in the wilderness,"
Rev. 2:7, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God." See also Rev. 2:11,17,29; 3:6,13,22.
Rev. 14:13, "And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’" "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them."
Rev. 22:17, "And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost."
Knows
1 Cor. 2:11, "For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God."
Has an awareness of goodness
Acts 15:28, "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials."
Can be lied to
Acts 5:3, "But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back some of the price of the land?"
Can be tested
Acts 5:9, "Then Peter said to her, 'Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test?'"
Makes overseers
Acts 20:28, "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."
Can be a witness
Acts 5:32, "And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."
Can be resisted
Acts 7:51, "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit."
Activities of the Holy Spirit
Teaches
John 14:26, "These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you. 26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
Luke 12:12, "for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
Intercedes
Rom. 8:26, "And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;"
Leads
Matt. 4:1, "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."
Gives life
John 6:63, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life."
Filled by
Acts 2:4, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance."
Forms of the Holy Spirit
Dove
Matt. 3:16, "And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him."
Miscellaneous
Can be spoken against
Matt. 12:32, "And whoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in the age to come."
Can be baptized with the Holy Spirit
Mark 1:8, "I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
The Spirit is given
John 3:34, "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.
The Spirit is received
John 20:22, "And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and *said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
The Spirit forbids
Acts 16:6, "And they passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia."
The Spirit searches all things
1 Cor. 2:10, "For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
The Spirit is the truth
1 John 5:7, "And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth."
Col. 2:9 and Eph. 3:19
"For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form" (Col. 2:9, NASB).
"and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God" (Eph. 3:19, NASB).
Colossians 2:9 is often used by Trinitarians to support the doctrine that Jesus is God in flesh. It clearly states that in Jesus, deity dwells. What is interesting about this verse is that it contains a word used only once in the entire Bible: "deity." Deity means, "The essential nature or condition of being a god; divinity." This verse states that in Jesus dwells all the fullness of God, or all the fullness of the condition of being divine.
However, critics of the doctrine of Jesus' deity will go to Eph. 3:19 which says something similar but not identical to Col. 2:9. It says". . . that you [the Christians] may be filled up to all the fullness of God." These verses are similar and opponents of the Trinity will attempt to use Ephesians to deny that Colossians 2:9 states that Jesus is God. They rightly observe that Eph. 3:19 says that Christians are filled with the fullness of God. They then reason that if we are filled with the fullness of God and we are not divine, then when Col. 2:9 says that in Jesus dwells all the fullness of deity, then neither is He divine.
One of the mistakes in the assumption that Eph. 3:19 interprets or clarifies Col. 2:9 is the failure to read the verses in context. After all, the verses are in different books. Without looking at the context of both, it isn't proper to simply quote the two in juxtaposition and make a pronouncement that Col. 2:9 does not mean Jesus is God because of a slightly similar usage of words in Eph. 3:19. Therefore, let's look at the context of each.
Colossians 2
v. 2 true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself
v. 4, that no one deceive you with persuasive arguments
v. 6, walk in Christ
v. 7, rooted and built up in Jesus
v. 8, see to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy.
v. 9, for in Jesus dwells all the fullness of deity in bodily form.
Ephesians 3
v. 1, Paul a prisoner of Christ.
v. 3, By revelation, Paul received knowledge of 'the mystery.'
v. 6, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body
v. 10, in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known
v. 14, Paul prays for the Ephesians
v. 16, that God would strengthen them with power through the Holy Spirit.
v. 17, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, being grounded in love
v. 18, that they may comprehend with all the saints
v. 19, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
As you can see, the context of Col. 2 is a warning against deception and a proclamation that in Jesus dwells all the fullness of deity. It is in Christ, in whom dwells deity, that we have protection from deception. He is our safety. In Eph. 3, the context is that the Gentiles are included in the saving plan of God, that Paul wishes that the Ephesians would be strengthened with power, that Christ would dwell in their hearts, and that they would be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Obviously, the contexts are different and because they are, the phrases must be interpreted in light of them. In Col. 2:9, Jesus is the guard against deception. In Eph. 3:19, being filled with the fullness of God is contextually speaking of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (v. 16) and the indwelling of Christ (v. 17). It is in this context of indwelling that the statement is made about Christians being filled with the fullness of God. It is not saying that they are divine. Rather, it is saying that they are indwelt by God as is consistent with other scriptures.
John 14:23, "Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him."
Rom. 8:9, "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you."
Col. 2 is a different context and is dealing with a different issue than Eph 3. Though Col. 2:9 and Eph. 3:19 use similar phrases, they are not identical. Furthermore, Col. 2:9 contains the word "deity," "theotas," which only occurs in the entire Bible once, in reference to Jesus. In Col. 2:9 it states that in Jesus dwells the fullness of deity in bodily form. In Eph. 3:19 it says that Christians may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Likewise, the phrase "fullness of God" only occurs once in the entire Bible, right here in Eph. 3:19 and it is dealing with believers being indwelt by God through the Holy Spirit (v.16). So, Eph. 3:19 cannot be used to state that Col. 2:9 does not teach Jesus is God in flesh.
Furthermore, I cannot help but remember the words found in John 1:1 and verse 14 when thinking of Col. 2:9
John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
John 1:14, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."
A final note. In John 14:23 and Rom. 8:9, we see the indwelling of God as a Trinity. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all said to dwell in the believer. This is the mystery and the wonder of God as a Trinity.
Col. 2:9 shows us that in Jesus dwells God, bodily. Eph. 3:19 shows us that Christians are indwelt by God through the Holy Spirit. They are different.
Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am"
(John 8:58).
As you can see in the above, really long posts, the teaching of the Trinity is indeed Biblical. Weinland denies the Trinity, denies the deity of Christ, relegates Christ to a lesser and undeserved role, places pre and post conditions on salvation (i.e. sabbath keeping, law keeping, works). On his website you are instructed to read his books and then after you read the the first time you have to go back and re-read them to make sure you are following his teachings. His website says that you MUST start observing the Saturday sabbath or God will not work with you. His website says you must present yourself as "meek" and and as a "student" ready for instruction.
This man is a false prophet and worse, claims titles that are not his to claim i.e. one of the two witnesses of Revelation. Even worse than that he has labled his wife as the second witness.
In his interview on talkSport radio in the UK he said that there would be a sign on April 17th that what he has said is true. April 17th came and went with no sign.
I have read in one post that he said (and this can be confirmed in his talkSport radio interview) that if the U.S. isn't destroyed by Pentecost he would publicly proclaim that he is a false prophet. My question to his followers is that when he is shown to be a false prophet, will you label him as such and throw out his teachings or will you do the same as the splinter groups of Herbert Armstrong and just explain it away and continue in this deception?
All above posts by Knight of the Word and taken from CARM website.
The Trinity, Hypostatic Union, and the Communicatio Idiomatum
The Bible says that there is only one God in all existence at all time, (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8; 45:5, etc.). But, what exactly is the nature of God? Is He a Trinity or not? The answer to this question has been debated for hundreds of years, especially since the non-Christian cults (Jehovah's Witnesses, the Mormons, Christadelphians, etc.) have arisen. In spite of their attacks on the Trinity, and others in the past, the Christian church has discovered what the Bible says about God and the person of Jesus. Therefore, following is a presentation of three very important Christian doctrines that, in total, answers most every objection raised by the anti-orthodox, false teachers that have arisen in these last days. When I say "most every objection" I actually mean "most every objection" because most of them fall into only a few categories and they are answered with the same basic Christian teachings.
Unfortunately, many in the cults, because they have been taught the Trinity is false, will not accept standard answers to their objections. Instead, many of them continue to raise the same questions, often ignoring answers, and staying willingly ignorant of Christian doctrines that affect the discussion of the Trinity and person of Jesus. This paper, then, is an attempt to list three important biblical teachings and then apply them to the different objections raised by the critics. This way, Christians and cultists alike might be better informed on the Biblical positions held by the historic Christian Church since its inception.
The Trinity
The Trinity is the teaching that there is only one God who exists as three simultaneous and eternal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. By "person" is meant the characteristics of self awareness, speech, having a will, emotions, etc. Therefore, there are three persons. The Father is not the same person as the Son; the Son is not the same person as the Holy Spirit; and the Holy Spirit is not the same person as Father as each of them have a will and speak to each other and to people. They are not three separate gods and are not three separate beings. They are three distinct persons; yet, they are all the one God. They are in absolute perfect harmony consisting of one substance. They are coeternal, coequal, and copowerful. If any one of the three were removed, there would be no God.
The Hypostatic Union
The Hypostatic Union is the teaching that the Word of God became flesh and we call Him Jesus. Therefore, Jesus is God in human flesh. He is not half God and half man. He is fully divine and fully man. That is, Jesus has two distinct natures: divine and human. As the SCripture says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...14and the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us..." (John 1:1,14). This means that in the divine word became flesh in the single person of Jesus who is, then, both human and divine in nature. The divine nature was not changed. It was not altered in this union. Rather, the divine holy nature of the Word remains as it is.
Furthermore, Jesus is not merely a man who "had God within Him" nor is he a man who "manifested the God principle." He is the second person of the Trinity. "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word," (Heb. 1:3, NIV). Jesus' two natures are not "mixed together," nor are they combined into a new God-man nature. They are separate yet act as a unit in the one person of Jesus. This is called the Hypostatic Union.
Also, in the incarnation, Jesus was made for a while lower than the angels (Heb. 2:9) and under the law (Gal. 4:4). This means that Jesus cooperated with the limitations of being a man (Phil. 2:5-8). In other words, He really was a man and as a man exhibited the proper restrictions of His humanity such as growing taller, eating, growing in wisdom, etc., which would be expected of a real human being.
The Communicatio Idiomatum
The communicatio idiomatum (Latin for "communication of properties") is the teaching that the attributes of both the divine and human natures are ascribed to the one person of Jesus. This means that the person of Jesus could rightfully claim for Himself the attributes of both the divine and the human natures. Therefore, He could say He had glory with the Father before the world was made (John 17:5). He could claim that He descended from heaven, (John 3:13) and He could also claim omnipresence (Matt. 28:20) even though Jesus, the man, began His existence on earth when He was conceived in Mary's womb.
This is vitally important when we look at the atonement. Jesus' sacrifice was divine, as well as human, in nature. Jesus died. But, we know that God cannot die. So, if the divine nature did not die, how can it be said that Jesus' sacrifice was divine in nature? The answer is that the attributes of divinity, as well as humanity, were ascribed to the person Jesus. Therefore, since the person of Jesus died, His death was of infinite value because the properties of divinity were ascribed to the person in His death.
Objections Answered
Following is an outline of basic objections raised by critics of the Trinity and deity of Christ. Note there are many questions that are answered the same way. The answers will frequently refer to the three doctrines listed above.
The word Trinity is not found in the Bible.
This has no bearing on whether or not the Bible teaches the doctrine. The word "monotheism" is not in the Bible yet it is clearly taught in scripture. Is monotheism not true because the word isn't used in the Bible?
There is no verse in the Bible that teaches the Trinity
First of all, the doctrine of the Trinity is systematically arrived at. In other words, you look at the whole of scripture to find it. We find various verses that teach that the Father is called God Phil. 1:2, the Son is called God (John 1:1,14), and the Holy Spirit is called God (Acts 5:3-4 ). We see that each was involved in Christ's resurrection (F, 1 Thess. 1:10; S, John 2:19-21; HS, (Rom. 8:11 ). We see that each is all knowing (F, 1 John 3:20 ; S, John 16:30; 21:17; HS, 1 Cor. 2:10-11), etc. Therefore, the Trinity is found in the whole of scripture, not just one part of it.
Second, there are verses that suggest the Trinity since they mention all three together. So saying that there is no single verse that teaches the trinity isn't necessarily true.
Matt. 3:16-17, "And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him, 17and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.
Matt. 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit," Note that there is one name and three persons.
2 Cor. 13:14, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all."
The Trinity is three separate Gods.
This objection demonstrates a lack of understanding of the Trinity doctrine which is, by definition, monotheistic. Therefore, when this objection is raised, the critic is simply demonstrating what he/she does not not understand.
Three gods cannot be one God.
This objection reveals a lack of understanding of the Trinity. First of all, the Trinity is not three gods. Therefore, the complaint is invalid since it is not based upon what the Trinity really is. The Trinity is one God in three persons.
Three persons cannot be one person.
The Doctrine of the Trinity does not state that God is one person. Therefore, the complaint is invalid since it does not accurately reflect what the Trinity is. The Trinity is one God in three persons.
The Trinity is illogical
There is no logical reason why the Trinity cannot be a possibility. An analogy would be time which is past, present, and future. Each part of time is not the other, yet the nature of each is "time." If time can be three parts, why cannot God not also exist that way?
It is good to ask the critic what logical premise exists that prohibits the existence of God as three persons. If they state that it just can't happen, then all they are offering is their opinion without fact or reason.
The Trinity is a pagan idea.
Saying that it is a pagan idea does not make it so. Many of the critics will claim that the Trinity was copied from paganism and will cite other religions with triads. A triad is three separate gods. The Trinity is a one God. They are not the same. Therefore, the assertion is unfounded.
Also, even though there were other cultures with triadic deities does not mean that Christianity borrowed from the idea and changed it. The Trinity is found in the Old Testament. There are many verses in the OT that contain plural references to the one God: 1)Gen. 1:1,26; Job 33:4; 2) Gen. 17:1; 18:1; Ex. 6:2-3; 24:9-11; 33:20; Num. 12:6-8; Psalm 104:30; 3) Gen. 19:24 with Amos 4:10-11; Is.48:16
Jesus cannot be God because He did not know all things, slept, grew in wisdom, said the Father is greater than I, etc.
This type of statement is perhaps the most commonly raised attack. Unfortunately, it fails to take into consideration the Hypostatic Union which states that Jesus had two natures: divine and human. As a man, Jesus cooperated with the limitations of His humanity, was made lower than the angels (Heb. 2:9), talking about position, and under the Law (Gal. 4:4), signifying Him being under legal obligations. Therefore, Jesus would sleep, grow in wisdom, and say the Father was greater than He. But, these do not negate that Jesus was divine since they reference His humanity and not His divinity.
There are other verses which reflect His divinity such as when He said, "Before Abraham was, I AM," (John 8:58 with Exodus 3:14). He was called God by God in Heb. 1:8, "But of the Son He says,'Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever,'" and John 1:1,14 says that He is "...the Word was God...and became flesh..." This means that Jesus is both divine and human and as a man he would grow, sleep, and learn. It means that Jesus had a human nature, not that the had no divine nature.
Jesus cannot be God because that would mean that God changed.
The doctrine of the Hypostatic Union teaches that the divine nature of the Word did not change as it became united, in the one person of Christ, with the human nature. The Hypostatic Union maintains there are two distinct natures: divine and human. By definition, God cannot change. Yet, the Bible says that "...the Word was God...and the Word became flesh," (John 1:1,14). By definition, nature of divinity does not change. Therefore, the divine nature did not change when it became united with the human in the person of Jesus. Again, the Hypostatic Union states that in the one person of Jesus, there are two distinct natures: divine and human. Therefore, the divine nature did not change.
An illustration of this concept would be the biblical doctrine of marriage where the male and female become one flesh (Gen. 2:24). Though the man and woman are distinct, the Bible says they are one flesh. Were the man and woman changed in nature when they became married? Did they stop being man and woman? Not at all. Likewise, the divine nature did not change when it was united with the human in the one person.
Jesus cannot be God because this would mean that God died and God can't die.
Jesus' sacrifice was divine, as well as human, in nature. Jesus died. But, we know that God cannot die. So, if the divine nature did not die, how can it be said that Jesus' sacrifice was divine in nature? The answer is that the attributes of divinity, as well as humanity, were ascribed to the person Jesus. Therefore, since the person of Jesus died, His death was of infinite value because the properties of divinity were ascribed to the person in His death. This is called the Communicatio Idiomatum. _____________
1. Achtemeier, Paul J., Th.D., Harpers Bible Dictionary, (San Francisco: Harper and Row, Publishers, Inc.) 1985.
From Knight of the Word
The trinity is biblical but saying the pagan ideas are "three gods" and three gods only, is ludicrous. Where would the basis of comparison be then? They are three in one, just like the trinity is three in one. I believe that they are simply manifestations of a lie, i.e. setting up a false trinity, false god. But brother or sister, I cannot tell you how much of a disservice you do the body by being utterly dismissive about that stuff and not SHOWING why it is untrue or shouldn't be believed.
As far as Weinland and prophecy: There is another thing that seems to be lacking from this debate that is essential. False prophets can preach the truth. That idea is so key it's not even funny.
"How can this guy be a false prophet if he's speaking the truth? I mean things he is saying are coming true..."
False prophets can speak the truth if they are preaching false gods or a false gospel. That means everything that they talk about in the news or in politics or whatever can be 100% true. Even if America falls soon (God forbid) that doesn't make Weinland a prophet, sorry people.
I am an ex-Adventist and know this kind of false gospel from seeing it used abusively against people. Yes I still go to church on Saturday and NO it does not save you. AT ALL. I cannot emphasize this enough. That is the one other thing that I see that needs to be addressed in this. Whether the truth is current (world events)or historical (the catholic church "officially" changing the sabbath to sunday) it doesn't mean Weinland is theologically correct.
The devil can quote scripture. That should give all of us pause, and realize that it's God who is the power and authority. It is our trust in Him, not our ability to speak correctly about current or past events that makes us a follower or believer or prophet or saved.
Peace and God bless.
I have been reading and listening to Weinland for about 6 months, at first i was intrigued, and me and a buddy began listening to his on line sermons, however with each sermon, i began to doubt his validity, he was bashing every other religion, and doin so pretty blatantly...then, low and behold, the second witness was revealed... to be his WIFE! Ok, now, WHO KNEW! - this convinced me that this guy was a nutbag. While I do feel that things in the world are changing, and that there is somethign to the 2012/Mayan Calendar/Galactic Center stuff, and Weinland kinda seems to be coinciding his prophecy with all that in a cosmic timeline, I just cant buy into it any longer.
SATAN ALSO BELIEVES, AND COMES AS AN ANGEL OF LIGHT. HIS VERY NAME LUCIFER REFERS TO LIGHT. BE VERY VERY WARY OF ANYONE WHO COMES FALSLY IN THE NAME OF GOD .
THE SCRIPTURE SAYS ...NO MAN KNOWS THE DAY OF CHRISTS COMING !!! ONLY THE FATHER..
THE WATCHER
And so Weinland admits that his dates were wrong. He admits that his timetable for Christ's return is wrong. But he is saying that God just didn't reveal everything to him and now he wants to re-write his timetable.
When will you Weinland followers open your eyes and seek the true Jesus and cast off the chains that this false prophet has cast about you? How many times will this man change his timetable before you realize that he isn't receiving anything from God but from his true father, the devil?
Repent and seek the true risen Christ who is God in flesh.
Post a Comment