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The '''Philadelphia Church of God''' (PCG) is an international church based in ]. PCG traces its roots to the ] (WCG), founded by ], and teaches a "new revelation" which its founder, Gerald Flurry, says God has shown to him from the Bible since Armstrong's death. It was founded with the stated purpose of continuing Armstrong's teachings, which were repudiated by WCG after its founder's death in 1986,<ref name="wman">{{citation |url= http://www.watchman.org/profile/pcgpro.htm |title= The Philadelphia Church of God |publisher= ] |work= Profiles |volume= 17 |issue= 2 |first= Tim |last= Martin |year= 2000}}</ref> as it embraced mainstream Christian beliefs like the ] that had formerly been rejected. | The '''Philadelphia Church of God''' (PCG) is an international church based in ]. PCG traces its roots to the ] (WCG), founded by ], and teaches a "new revelation" which its founder, Gerald Flurry, says God has shown to him from the Bible since Armstrong's death. It was founded with the stated purpose of continuing Armstrong's teachings, which were repudiated by WCG after its founder's death in 1986,<ref name="wman">{{citation |url= http://www.watchman.org/profile/pcgpro.htm |title= The Philadelphia Church of God |publisher= ] |work= Profiles |volume= 17 |issue= 2 |first= Tim |last= Martin |year= 2000}}</ref> as it embraced mainstream Christian beliefs like the ] that had formerly been rejected. | ||
PCG, |
PCG, is the trunk of the tree of the splintered branches of the Churches of God (COG). PCG states that it is carrying on Armstrong's legacy after the doctrinal changes made by new WCG leaders ] and his son ] Now | ||
==Founders== | ==Founders== | ||
Gerald Flurry is the pastor general of the Philadelphia Church of God and editor in chief of the Trumpet news magazine, which he began publishing in 1990. He is also founder and chairman of the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation, known for its cultural, charitable and humanitarian activities, and founder and chancellor of Herbert W. Armstrong College in Edmond, Oklahoma. | |||
Gerald Ray Flurry (born April 12, 1935) is the founder and Pastor General of PCG. PCG was founded by Flurry and his assistant pastor John Amos (1929–1993) and incorporated in the United States on December 20, 1989.<ref>, The Religious Movements Homepage Project, ]. Archived August 29, 2006.</ref><ref></ref> They were ministers serving ] and ], WCG congregations at the time. | |||
Mr. Flurry has been an ordained minister for over 35 years. He formerly served under Herbert W. Armstrong as a pastor in the Worldwide Church of God. After being excommunicated from the Worldwide Church of God for resisting sweeping doctrinal changes, Mr. Flurry founded the Philadelphia Church of God in 1989. | |||
Flurry graduated from ], Pasadena, California, in 1970<ref>, p. 37, (PDF p.41).</ref><ref>Dixon Cartwright, 'Philadelphia Church of God founder Gerald Flurry in Texas for campaign, talks about lawsuit (Part 1)', , ''The Journal: News of the Churches of God'', February 1999. ' noted that his father had graduated from Ambassador College in 1970'.</ref> and became a WCG minister in 1973.<ref>, Exit and Support Network.</ref> In 1975 he was transferred to Pasco, Washington,<ref>'the Flurrys were transferred to Pasco, Wash., in 1975.' Sarah Leap, 'Worldwide Family Remembers Her Impact',, November–December 2004, p. 8, (PDF p. 15).</ref> and then to Oklahoma in 1985. | |||
Gerald Flurry has visited over 20 countries in such critical areas as the Middle East, South Africa, Europe and Asia, meeting with key international news analysts. He has authored over 30 books including Malachi’s Message to God’s Church Today, The God Family Vision, and The Last Hour. | |||
During the three years after Herbert Armstrong's death in 1986, WCG made several doctrinal changes that Flurry objected to as doctrinally false. He began to make known his opposition to these changes and produced a manuscript that would become the book ''Malachi's Message to God's Church Today''. These events led to his being summoned by WCG leaders to appear before them. Flurry and Amos were disfellowshipped from WCG in 1989 for challenging the doctrinal changes.<ref></ref> | |||
Mr. Flurry successfully defended the Philadelphia Church of God’s right to publish and freely distribute 19 titles by Herbert W. Armstrong, obtained through a six-year legal battle against the Worldwide Church of God, which attempted to use the books’ own copyrights to keep them out of print. | |||
A group of supporters began to form around Flurry at this point, including John Amos, Tim Thompson, Vyron Wilkins, Dennis Leap, Frank Garcia, Wilber Malone, Don Marshall,<ref>Don Marshall soon renounced his association with PCG. A letter detailing his views on PCG may be read at ,'Flurry's Philadelphians'.</ref> Jim Mortensen, Don Roth, and Winston Davis.<ref name="exitsupportnetwork.com">, August 31, 2005, Exit and Support Network.</ref> They disagreed with the doctrinal changes occurring in WCG. Altogether, 12 people met for the Philadelphia Church of God's first service on December 16, 1989. On December 20 the PCG became an incorporated entity.<ref>"Stephen Flurry, Raising the Ruins, page 203"</ref> With the founding of PCG, one of its first actions was to publish ''Malachi's Message to God's Church Today'' and distribute it to as many WCG members as possible. | |||
As presenter of the Key of David television program, which he began in 1993, Gerald Flurry proclaims the wonderful good news of the soon-coming return of Jesus Christ to Earth—to save mankind alive and usher-in the peaceful, happy, wonderful World Tomorrow. This thrilling, transcendent hope permeates all of his messages. Through broadcast, print and personal appearance campaigns he also prophesies again in the tradition of Herbert W. Armstrong a sobering warning of the unprecedented world troubles just ahead, which will precede Christ’s second coming. | |||
Gerald Ray Flurry was born April 12, 1935 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to parents Clarence (deceased 1977) and Jicie (deceased 1997). He married Barbara Brewer, September 5, 1964 (deceased 2004). Mr. Flurry lives in Edmond, Oklahoma near his children, Laura and Stephen, and his six grandchildren. | |||
<ref>https://www.pcog.org/about/gerald-flurry</ref> | |||
===Writings=== | ===Writings=== | ||
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* ''The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse''. (Co-authored with Wayne Turgeon) | * ''The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse''. (Co-authored with Wayne Turgeon) | ||
Statement of Beliefs | |||
==Teachings== | |||
Similarly to WCG and ], PCG teaches God is a family of divine beings currently composed of the Father and the Son which humans may be born into. | |||
Statement of Beliefs | |||
The church observes sunset Friday to sunset Saturday as the ] day of worship. | |||
The Philadelphia Church of God believes and teaches the Bible is the full Word of God, inspired by God, and thereby available for instruction. | |||
PCG members observe dietary laws as laid out in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. | |||
Each doctrine maintained by the Church is provable from the Holy Bible. | |||
Only God can cause a person to become a member of the Church; therefore we do not proselytize for members by any means. | |||
The Church’s responsibility is to teach the laws of God to whoever may desire to learn at absolutely no cost. | |||
The Church does not seek financing from the public at large, but depends solely upon the tithes and freewill gifts from its members and co-workers; therefore we do not solicit funds from the public by any means. | |||
The Church teaches its members that the integrity of the family is critical to the health of the nation. | |||
Ministers are to be true servants to the membership and therefore must avoid extremes in lifestyle and lavishness. | |||
All members are to subject themselves to the laws and regulations of the government of the land while following the example and instructions of Jesus Christ. | |||
The Holy Spirit is a gift received from God, upon true repentance, which leads to salvation. | |||
Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, not any man. | |||
All men will ultimately be resurrected and those who are worthy will fellowship with God and Christ forever. | |||
Sin, unrepented of, separates an individual from God and Christ. | |||
Christ died to pay the penalty for our sins so that we may live an immortal life. | |||
We should rejoice in our trials because God is using our trials to build His character in us. | |||
The Church is responsible to inform the public at large of the soon-coming, glorious Kingdom of God. | |||
Summary of Main Doctrines | |||
We believe in one God, eternally existing, Creator of the heavens and Earth and all that is in them (Genesis 1:1). The Godhead is actually composed of two personages: the God who became the Father of Jesus Christ, and the Word who was made flesh and became God’s Son (John 1:1-14). | |||
The church teaches ], the idea that the British and Americans are descended from the ]. | |||
We believe Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, the Christ, the divine Son of the living God, begotten of the Holy Spirit, born in the human flesh of the virgin Mary. Christ came to Earth the first time to qualify to replace Satan on the throne of the Earth (Matthew 4). He also came to establish and build His Church (Matthew 16:18) and to train those who would rule under Him in the Kingdom of God. He proclaimed the gospel: the good news of the future establishment of the Kingdom of God on Earth (Mark 1:14-15), which will be made up of the family of God, administering the government of God, based upon God’s law. | |||
PCG also possesses a system of tithing where 10% of one's income is donated to the church ("First Tithe") for its operations and for spreading its teachings. A second 10% is saved for the member's expenses during the Holy Days ("Second Tithe"), mainly the Feast of Tabernacles. During the third and sixth year of each seven-year cycle, a third 10% is used for the indigent, widows, and orphans within the church ("Third Tithe"). | |||
We believe the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and of Christ Jesus—the power of God (Acts 1:8; Romans 15:19) by which all things were created and made. | |||
PCG also has strong apocalyptic teachings inherited from WCG. It teaches a ] will soon occur in which a united European power will emerge, composed of ten nations or groups of nations, which will conquer the modern descendants of Israel (the USA, Britain and Israel) and take them into slavery. An alliance of eastern powers (including Russia and China) will gather up its forces and wage war upon the European power. Then Jesus Christ will return and liberate the Israelites and usher in a thousand years of worldwide peace, which is called the ''world tomorrow''. | |||
We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are God’s revelation and complete expressed will to man, inspired in thought and word, and infallible in the original writings; that they are of supreme and final authority, and the source of truth (2 Timothy 3:16). We believe all teachings contrary to the Holy Bible are false. | |||
PCG also teaches some distinctive doctrines which distinguish it from WCG. | |||
We believe Satan is a spirit being and, as the devil, is the adversary of God and the children of God (I Peter 5:8). God has allowed Satan dominion over the world for 6,000 years, leading the children of Adam into rejection of God’s law and rebellion against God. Satan’s power is merely to influence and lead, not to force humans arbitrarily against their will. He has ruled by deception (Revelation 12:9) with the aid of a host of demons which are rebellious angels, spirit beings, who have followed Satan in his rebellion. | |||
PCG claims the adoption of mainstream Christian doctrines by WCG was prophesied in the Bible and that it represents the beginning of the seventh era of God's Church (Laodicea), which PCG is not a part of, but instead is a remnant of the sixth era (Philadelphia). Gerald Flurry's first book, ''Malachi's Message'', is held to be the "little book" of Revelation 10, a divine revelation hidden until 1989.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gerald Flurry Quotes|url=http://www.pcog.info/ptmmtp.htm#Little|work=The PLAIN TRUTH About Malachi's Message And THAT PROPHET|publisher=pcog.info|accessdate=16 May 2012}}</ref> | |||
We believe man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and is wholly mortal, subject to corruption and decay, without eternal life inherent in himself, except as the gift of God under God’s terms and conditions as expressed in the Bible. Adam and Eve sinned, thereby incurring the death penalty without having received eternal life. God then allowed Satan to sway all their children, influencing mankind to sin, thus bringing upon themselves the penalty of death (Romans 6:23). | |||
Aside from being viewed as an Apostle, Armstrong is also thought to be the end time ], as ] is also held to be a type of Elijah for Jesus' time. A church magazine article in the 1990s stated no one is invited to a PCG service unless they agree with this belief. | |||
We believe sin is the transgression of God’s law (I John 3:4); that the law is spiritual, perfect, holy, just and good (Romans 7:12), summed up in the word love (I John 5:3); that it involves the two great principles of love to God and love to neighbor, and that the Ten Commandments compose the ten points of that law (Matthew 22:37-40). We believe this fundamental spiritual law reveals to us the only right and true way to life-the only possible way of happiness, peace and joy; that it is immutable and binding throughout eternity; and that all unhappiness, misery, poverty, anguish, and woe have come from its transgression. | |||
We believe God so loved this world of helpless sinners that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16), who, though in all points tempted as we are, lived without sin in the human flesh (Hebrews 4:15) and died for us as a substitutionary sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12). This made it legally possible for man’s sins to be forgiven and for God to release him from their penalty, since Jesus, whose life was of greater value than the sum total of all other human lives (because it was He who brought them into being), has paid the penalty in man’s stead. | |||
We believe Christ was raised from the dead after His body reposed three days and three nights in the grave (I Corinthians 15:3-4), thus making immortality possible for mortal man; that He thereafter ascended into heaven where He now sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate (Hebrews 8:1; I John 2:1-2). | |||
We believe that all who truly repent of their sins in full surrender and willing obedience to God, faithfully accepting Jesus Christ as personal Savior, are forgiven their sins by an act of divine GRACE (Ephesians 1:7). They are justified, pardoned from the penalty of past sins, reconciled to God (Romans 5:9-10) and given the gift of the Holy Spirit upon baptism (Acts 2:38) into the body of Christ, which is the true CHURCH OF GOD. The Holy Spirit abides within such a person, effecting a true change in life and attitude, supplying the divine LOVE which alone can fulfill the law and produce righteousness. At baptism a Christian is begotten of God and will be born into the family of God at the resurrection (John 3:6; I Corinthians 15:52). | |||
We believe God’s greatest purpose is to expand His family. | |||
We believe that from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, the seventh day of the week, is God’s Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11). On this day we must rest from our labors, following the commands and example of the Apostle Paul, the New Testament Church and Jesus. | |||
The Sabbath is a sign between God and His people (Exodus 31:13). | |||
We believe the seven annual holy days, as given to ancient Israel by God through Moses (Leviticus 23)—kept by Christ, the Apostle Paul and the New Testament Church—are to be kept today. These festivals picture God’s plan and purpose for mankind. The Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread occur every spring; Pentecost is observed in early summer. In the fall, we observe Trumpets, Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. The sacrifices, which were added and later superseded by Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22-10:10), are no longer to be kept on those days nor at any other time. | |||
We believe Christians are forbidden to kill (Exodus 20:13) or in any manner directly or indirectly take human life. We believe bearing arms is contrary to this doctrine; we therefore conscientiously refuse to bear arms or to come under military authority. Christians are, in fact, citizens of another government (John 18:36; Hebrews 11:13-16). | |||
We believe the PROMISES were made to Abraham and his “seed,” Christ (Galatians 3:16), and that the covenants (including the New Covenant) and the promises pertain to ISRAEL. The national phases of the promises—MATERIAL blessings—have been given to the modern physical descendants of the Israelites (Genesis 22:15-18), but the SPIRITUAL phase of the promises—salvation—is through Christ alone, and is freely open to Gentiles also who, through Christ, become Abraham’s spiritual children and heirs according to the promises (Galatians 3:7-9, 29). | |||
We believe the Church is that body of believers who are being led by the Holy Spirit; that the true Church of God is not a denomination; that the inspired name for this spiritual organism is “THE CHURCH OF GOD” (Acts 20:28); that the mission of the Church today is to preach the gospel of the coming KINGDOM OF GOD to all nations as a witness (Matthew 24:14), with emphasis on the warning to America and Britain of the prophecies pertaining to them (Ezekiel 33:7); to reconcile to God, and to save, through Christ, such people as are now called (John 6:44); and to minister to the Church of God. Members of the Church are being specially trained in this life to rule with Christ in the Millennium (Revelation 20:6). | |||
We believe the only hope of eternal life for mortal man lies in the resurrection. At the end of the Millennium, ALL who have lived not knowing God will be raised to physical life and given the opportunity for salvation (I Corinthians 15:22; Revelation 20:5). We believe that there shall be a resurrection of the just and unjust (Acts 24:15; Daniel 12:2)-the just to eternal life as spirit beings upon Earth, the unjust to the second death in hell (Gehenna) fire in which they shall perish in eternal punishment (Revelation 20:13-15). | |||
We believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ to rule the Earth as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16); that at that time He will sit upon the throne of David, restoring all things during a thousand-year reign upon Earth and establishing the Kingdom of God, forever to be headquartered on Earth. | |||
<ref>https://www.pcog.org/about/pcg-beliefs</ref> | |||
Gerald Flurry is also taught to be "that prophet",<ref> Gerald Flurry's elementary mistake.</ref> a figure held by PCG to be biblically prophesied to succeed Herbert W. Armstrong.<ref>.</ref> | |||
==Media projects== | ==Media projects== | ||
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===''The Key of David''=== | ===''The Key of David''=== | ||
''The Key of David'' is a weekly religious ] program hosted by Flurry, in which he discusses world events and issues from his perspective of the ] and its prophecies, covering topics such as the human mind, politics and war. | ''The Key of David'' is a weekly religious ] program hosted by Gerald Flurry, in which he discusses world events and issues from his perspective of the ] and its prophecies, covering topics such as the human mind, politics and war. | ||
The program is aired in ], ], ], ], ], the ], and the ]. |
The program is aired in ], ], ], ], ], the ], and the ]. | ||
===''The Philadelphia Trumpet''=== | ===''The Philadelphia Trumpet''=== | ||
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===Philadelphia Youth Camp=== | ===Philadelphia Youth Camp=== | ||
The Philadelphia Youth Camp (PYC) is the youth camp of PCG. PYC campers participate in athletic activities and a wide variety of social and educational activities during the three-week event, encouraging teamwork and cooperation. Church doctrines are also stressed throughout the children's camp experience, both in day-to-day activities and in |
The Philadelphia Youth Camp (PYC) is the youth camp of PCG. PYC campers participate in athletic activities and a wide variety of social and educational activities during the three-week event, encouraging teamwork and cooperation. Church doctrines are also stressed throughout the children's camp experience, both in day-to-day activities and in sermons and Bible studies. PYC is located in Edmond, Oklahoma, but PYC camps are also held annually in Australia and the Philippines.<ref name="Philadelphia Youth Camp"></ref> | ||
===Armstrong International Cultural Foundation=== | ===Armstrong International Cultural Foundation=== | ||
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In January 2008, the PCG broke ground on Armstrong Auditorium, an 800-seat performing arts center located on the Herbert W. Armstrong College campus in Edmond, built in the spirit of ] at ].<ref>http://www.americanseating.com/architectural/resources/A-ARM-11.pdf</ref> It was completed in September 2010, and became the venue for the foundation's concerts. It has three of the largest chandeliers in the United States.<ref>http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/expert-lighting-installs-largest-chandelier-in-armstrong-auditorium-1322373.htm</ref> The Auditorium is hosting a world-class concert series including such artists as The Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields, Andre Watts, The Eroica Trio, and the Russian National Ballet Theatre.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-6381-brand-new-high-class-armstrong-auditorium-hopes-to-be-cultural-jewel-in-edmond.html|title=Brand new, high-class Armstrong Auditorium hopes to be cultural jewel in Edmond|author=Adam Kemp|date=15 July 2010|accessdate=11 June 2011}}</ref> | In January 2008, the PCG broke ground on Armstrong Auditorium, an 800-seat performing arts center located on the Herbert W. Armstrong College campus in Edmond, built in the spirit of ] at ].<ref>http://www.americanseating.com/architectural/resources/A-ARM-11.pdf</ref> It was completed in September 2010, and became the venue for the foundation's concerts. It has three of the largest chandeliers in the United States.<ref>http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/expert-lighting-installs-largest-chandelier-in-armstrong-auditorium-1322373.htm</ref> The Auditorium is hosting a world-class concert series including such artists as The Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields, Andre Watts, The Eroica Trio, and the Russian National Ballet Theatre.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-6381-brand-new-high-class-armstrong-auditorium-hopes-to-be-cultural-jewel-in-edmond.html|title=Brand new, high-class Armstrong Auditorium hopes to be cultural jewel in Edmond|author=Adam Kemp|date=15 July 2010|accessdate=11 June 2011}}</ref> | ||
==Controversies== | |||
PCG has received criticism from bloggers, former members, other WCG splinters and detractors that have declared Flurry's church a ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Letters From Those Impacted by Philadelphia Church of God|url=http://www.exitsupportnetwork.com/mike_ep/letters/ltrspcg06.htm|work=Exit and Support Network|publisher=Exit and Support Network|accessdate=16 May 2012}}</ref> | |||
===Plagiarism=== | |||
Flurry teaches that ''Malachi's Message'' is the "little book" of Revelation 10, a part of Revelation hidden by God until 1989.<ref>Gerald Flurry, , 1995.</ref> | |||
Due to similarities with the ''Letter to Laodicea'' written by WCG member Jules Dervaes in 1987<ref></ref><ref>, siderbar section, 'The Letter to Laodicea'.</ref> it has been asserted that Malachi's Message was actually copied from that letter.<ref>], letter to Gerald Flurry, September 26, 1990.]</ref><ref>, sidebar section, 'Letter to Laodicea v. Malachi's Message'.</ref> | |||
===Armstrong's writings=== | ===Armstrong's writings=== | ||
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The Philadelphia Church of God now owns the copyrights to nineteen of Herbert W. Armstrong's works, including all his full length books. | The Philadelphia Church of God now owns the copyrights to nineteen of Herbert W. Armstrong's works, including all his full length books. | ||
===Policy on recorded sermons=== | |||
Since at least 2005, it has been PCG policy that all sermons sent out on CD be immediately destroyed after being heard in local areas.<ref>, pp. 3-5.</ref> No one is to listen to the message again, and the CD is destroyed with a witness present. In spite of this airtight policy, several sermons are available on the Internet. These recordings have been made by former members who secretly brought recording devices into the meeting halls and recorded the sermons while they were being played at church services.<ref>http://www.pcog.info/Sermons.htm</ref> | |||
===Disfellowshipment and no-contact policies=== | |||
Flurry has been criticized by detractors for the church's teaching of disfellowshipment. PCG, citing Romans 16:17, teaches church members to avoid associating with or fellowshipping with present and former baptized members of WCG,<ref>, sidebar section 'Disfellowshiping'</ref> who are held to be a part of the seventh era of God's Church (Laodicea). "Any kind of fellowship with former PCG members and all 'Laodiceans,' even if they are members of a church member's immediate family", is prohibited.<ref name="thejournal.org">Dixon Cartwright, , ''The Journal: News of the Churches of God'', January 2006.</ref> Flurry has written, "We must not keep company or fellowship with them by going to restaurants and things like that. In the past some members have been told that these relationships are okay so long as religion is not discussed ... there should be a complete cut off."<ref>, PCG Information.</ref> | |||
An exception to the teaching is made if an apostate or Laodicean spouse of a PCG member is "pleased to dwell." Scripture, Flurry said, dictates that "that relationship should be preserved as long as the mate is pleased to dwell." He cited 1 Corinthians 7:10–14.<ref name="thejournal.org"/> The other exception to the disfellowship rule is unbaptized children and other former PCG attendees who may have been baptized but were not "validly baptized".<ref name="thejournal.org"/> | |||
Any WCG member, ex-member, or member of similar offshoot groups is considered a Laodicean, and hence such people are to be avoided by PCG members. Members are also told to cut off contact with friends and family who have left, were excommunicated from, or are in disagreement with the organization{{Clarify|reason=Which organization, WCG or PCG?|date=April 2014}} (as stated unambiguously by Flurry in his December 10, 2005, ''Pastor General's Report'', "The principle to remember is this: there should not be any contact with converted church members who have left—and that includes family members other than a mate.")<ref></ref> | |||
===KOKH report=== | |||
In 2008, ] news station ] FOX 25 broadcast an in-depth report on PCG,<ref>{{cite web|title=Philadelphia Church of God: Part One|url=http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/special_reports/videos/vid_152.shtml|work=KOKH|publisher=FOX|accessdate=16 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Philadelphia Church of God: Part Two|url=http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/special_reports/videos/vid_153.shtml|work=KOKH|publisher=FOX|accessdate=16 May 2012}}</ref> which Flurry viewed as being "sensationalistic" and largely negative, claiming the church was the victim of an "ambush" and depicted inaccurately.<ref>{{cite web|last=Flurry|first=Gerald|title=PCG tells Fox25: "You cannot stop our message."|url=http://www.pcog.org/article.php?articleid=65|work=The Philadelphia Church of God|publisher=Philadelphia Church of God|accessdate=16 May 2012}}</ref> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
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Revision as of 15:05, 20 January 2015
For other uses, see Church of God (disambiguation).Philadelphia Church of God | |
---|---|
Classification | Church of God |
Leader | Gerald R. Flurry |
Region | International |
Headquarters | Edmond, Oklahoma |
Founder | Gerald R. Flurry, John Amos, et al. |
Origin | December 20, 1989 Edmond, Oklahoma |
Separated from | Worldwide Church of God |
The Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) is an international church based in Edmond, Oklahoma. PCG traces its roots to the Worldwide Church of God (WCG), founded by Herbert W. Armstrong, and teaches a "new revelation" which its founder, Gerald Flurry, says God has shown to him from the Bible since Armstrong's death. It was founded with the stated purpose of continuing Armstrong's teachings, which were repudiated by WCG after its founder's death in 1986, as it embraced mainstream Christian beliefs like the Trinity that had formerly been rejected.
PCG, is the trunk of the tree of the splintered branches of the Churches of God (COG). PCG states that it is carrying on Armstrong's legacy after the doctrinal changes made by new WCG leaders Joseph W. Tkach and his son Joseph Tkach Jr. Now
Founders
Gerald Flurry is the pastor general of the Philadelphia Church of God and editor in chief of the Trumpet news magazine, which he began publishing in 1990. He is also founder and chairman of the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation, known for its cultural, charitable and humanitarian activities, and founder and chancellor of Herbert W. Armstrong College in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Mr. Flurry has been an ordained minister for over 35 years. He formerly served under Herbert W. Armstrong as a pastor in the Worldwide Church of God. After being excommunicated from the Worldwide Church of God for resisting sweeping doctrinal changes, Mr. Flurry founded the Philadelphia Church of God in 1989.
Gerald Flurry has visited over 20 countries in such critical areas as the Middle East, South Africa, Europe and Asia, meeting with key international news analysts. He has authored over 30 books including Malachi’s Message to God’s Church Today, The God Family Vision, and The Last Hour.
Mr. Flurry successfully defended the Philadelphia Church of God’s right to publish and freely distribute 19 titles by Herbert W. Armstrong, obtained through a six-year legal battle against the Worldwide Church of God, which attempted to use the books’ own copyrights to keep them out of print.
As presenter of the Key of David television program, which he began in 1993, Gerald Flurry proclaims the wonderful good news of the soon-coming return of Jesus Christ to Earth—to save mankind alive and usher-in the peaceful, happy, wonderful World Tomorrow. This thrilling, transcendent hope permeates all of his messages. Through broadcast, print and personal appearance campaigns he also prophesies again in the tradition of Herbert W. Armstrong a sobering warning of the unprecedented world troubles just ahead, which will precede Christ’s second coming.
Gerald Ray Flurry was born April 12, 1935 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to parents Clarence (deceased 1977) and Jicie (deceased 1997). He married Barbara Brewer, September 5, 1964 (deceased 2004). Mr. Flurry lives in Edmond, Oklahoma near his children, Laura and Stephen, and his six grandchildren.
Writings
Flurry has written the following literature:
- Conspiracy Against Fatherhood.
- Daniel—Unsealed at Last!.
- Ezekiel: The End-Time Prophet.
- From the Beginning.
- Haggai: Proof of God's Work Today.
- Isaiah's End-Time Vision.
- Jeremiah and the Greatest Vision in the Bible.
- Jerusalem in Prophecy.
- Jonah: A Strong Warning To God's Church.
- Malachi's Message to God's Church Today.
- Nahum—An End-Time Prophecy For Germany.
- No Freedom Without Law.
- Repentance Toward God.
- The God Family Vision.
- The Former Prophets—God's Royal Family.
- The Key of David.
- The King of the South.
- The Last Hour.
- The Prophet Joel—Christ's Bride and the Day of the Lord.
- The Rising Beast—Germany's Conquest of the Balkans.
- Unveiled At Last: The Royal Book of Revelation.
- We Have Had Our Last Chance.
- Who is That Prophet?
- Winston S. Churchill: The Watchman.
- Worldwide Church of God Doctrinal Changes and the Tragic Results.
- Zephaniah's Day of the Lord—"It Hastens Greatly".
Flurry co-authored the following literature:
- Character in Crisis. (Co-authored with Stephen Flurry)
- Germany and the Holy Roman Empire. (Co-authored with J. Tim Thompson and Stephen Flurry)
- The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. (Co-authored with Wayne Turgeon)
Statement of Beliefs
Statement of Beliefs
The Philadelphia Church of God believes and teaches the Bible is the full Word of God, inspired by God, and thereby available for instruction. Each doctrine maintained by the Church is provable from the Holy Bible. Only God can cause a person to become a member of the Church; therefore we do not proselytize for members by any means. The Church’s responsibility is to teach the laws of God to whoever may desire to learn at absolutely no cost. The Church does not seek financing from the public at large, but depends solely upon the tithes and freewill gifts from its members and co-workers; therefore we do not solicit funds from the public by any means. The Church teaches its members that the integrity of the family is critical to the health of the nation. Ministers are to be true servants to the membership and therefore must avoid extremes in lifestyle and lavishness. All members are to subject themselves to the laws and regulations of the government of the land while following the example and instructions of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is a gift received from God, upon true repentance, which leads to salvation. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, not any man. All men will ultimately be resurrected and those who are worthy will fellowship with God and Christ forever. Sin, unrepented of, separates an individual from God and Christ. Christ died to pay the penalty for our sins so that we may live an immortal life. We should rejoice in our trials because God is using our trials to build His character in us. The Church is responsible to inform the public at large of the soon-coming, glorious Kingdom of God. Summary of Main Doctrines
We believe in one God, eternally existing, Creator of the heavens and Earth and all that is in them (Genesis 1:1). The Godhead is actually composed of two personages: the God who became the Father of Jesus Christ, and the Word who was made flesh and became God’s Son (John 1:1-14).
We believe Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, the Christ, the divine Son of the living God, begotten of the Holy Spirit, born in the human flesh of the virgin Mary. Christ came to Earth the first time to qualify to replace Satan on the throne of the Earth (Matthew 4). He also came to establish and build His Church (Matthew 16:18) and to train those who would rule under Him in the Kingdom of God. He proclaimed the gospel: the good news of the future establishment of the Kingdom of God on Earth (Mark 1:14-15), which will be made up of the family of God, administering the government of God, based upon God’s law.
We believe the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and of Christ Jesus—the power of God (Acts 1:8; Romans 15:19) by which all things were created and made.
We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are God’s revelation and complete expressed will to man, inspired in thought and word, and infallible in the original writings; that they are of supreme and final authority, and the source of truth (2 Timothy 3:16). We believe all teachings contrary to the Holy Bible are false.
We believe Satan is a spirit being and, as the devil, is the adversary of God and the children of God (I Peter 5:8). God has allowed Satan dominion over the world for 6,000 years, leading the children of Adam into rejection of God’s law and rebellion against God. Satan’s power is merely to influence and lead, not to force humans arbitrarily against their will. He has ruled by deception (Revelation 12:9) with the aid of a host of demons which are rebellious angels, spirit beings, who have followed Satan in his rebellion.
We believe man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and is wholly mortal, subject to corruption and decay, without eternal life inherent in himself, except as the gift of God under God’s terms and conditions as expressed in the Bible. Adam and Eve sinned, thereby incurring the death penalty without having received eternal life. God then allowed Satan to sway all their children, influencing mankind to sin, thus bringing upon themselves the penalty of death (Romans 6:23).
We believe sin is the transgression of God’s law (I John 3:4); that the law is spiritual, perfect, holy, just and good (Romans 7:12), summed up in the word love (I John 5:3); that it involves the two great principles of love to God and love to neighbor, and that the Ten Commandments compose the ten points of that law (Matthew 22:37-40). We believe this fundamental spiritual law reveals to us the only right and true way to life-the only possible way of happiness, peace and joy; that it is immutable and binding throughout eternity; and that all unhappiness, misery, poverty, anguish, and woe have come from its transgression.
We believe God so loved this world of helpless sinners that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16), who, though in all points tempted as we are, lived without sin in the human flesh (Hebrews 4:15) and died for us as a substitutionary sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12). This made it legally possible for man’s sins to be forgiven and for God to release him from their penalty, since Jesus, whose life was of greater value than the sum total of all other human lives (because it was He who brought them into being), has paid the penalty in man’s stead.
We believe Christ was raised from the dead after His body reposed three days and three nights in the grave (I Corinthians 15:3-4), thus making immortality possible for mortal man; that He thereafter ascended into heaven where He now sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate (Hebrews 8:1; I John 2:1-2).
We believe that all who truly repent of their sins in full surrender and willing obedience to God, faithfully accepting Jesus Christ as personal Savior, are forgiven their sins by an act of divine GRACE (Ephesians 1:7). They are justified, pardoned from the penalty of past sins, reconciled to God (Romans 5:9-10) and given the gift of the Holy Spirit upon baptism (Acts 2:38) into the body of Christ, which is the true CHURCH OF GOD. The Holy Spirit abides within such a person, effecting a true change in life and attitude, supplying the divine LOVE which alone can fulfill the law and produce righteousness. At baptism a Christian is begotten of God and will be born into the family of God at the resurrection (John 3:6; I Corinthians 15:52).
We believe God’s greatest purpose is to expand His family.
We believe that from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, the seventh day of the week, is God’s Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11). On this day we must rest from our labors, following the commands and example of the Apostle Paul, the New Testament Church and Jesus.
The Sabbath is a sign between God and His people (Exodus 31:13).
We believe the seven annual holy days, as given to ancient Israel by God through Moses (Leviticus 23)—kept by Christ, the Apostle Paul and the New Testament Church—are to be kept today. These festivals picture God’s plan and purpose for mankind. The Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread occur every spring; Pentecost is observed in early summer. In the fall, we observe Trumpets, Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. The sacrifices, which were added and later superseded by Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22-10:10), are no longer to be kept on those days nor at any other time.
We believe Christians are forbidden to kill (Exodus 20:13) or in any manner directly or indirectly take human life. We believe bearing arms is contrary to this doctrine; we therefore conscientiously refuse to bear arms or to come under military authority. Christians are, in fact, citizens of another government (John 18:36; Hebrews 11:13-16).
We believe the PROMISES were made to Abraham and his “seed,” Christ (Galatians 3:16), and that the covenants (including the New Covenant) and the promises pertain to ISRAEL. The national phases of the promises—MATERIAL blessings—have been given to the modern physical descendants of the Israelites (Genesis 22:15-18), but the SPIRITUAL phase of the promises—salvation—is through Christ alone, and is freely open to Gentiles also who, through Christ, become Abraham’s spiritual children and heirs according to the promises (Galatians 3:7-9, 29).
We believe the Church is that body of believers who are being led by the Holy Spirit; that the true Church of God is not a denomination; that the inspired name for this spiritual organism is “THE CHURCH OF GOD” (Acts 20:28); that the mission of the Church today is to preach the gospel of the coming KINGDOM OF GOD to all nations as a witness (Matthew 24:14), with emphasis on the warning to America and Britain of the prophecies pertaining to them (Ezekiel 33:7); to reconcile to God, and to save, through Christ, such people as are now called (John 6:44); and to minister to the Church of God. Members of the Church are being specially trained in this life to rule with Christ in the Millennium (Revelation 20:6).
We believe the only hope of eternal life for mortal man lies in the resurrection. At the end of the Millennium, ALL who have lived not knowing God will be raised to physical life and given the opportunity for salvation (I Corinthians 15:22; Revelation 20:5). We believe that there shall be a resurrection of the just and unjust (Acts 24:15; Daniel 12:2)-the just to eternal life as spirit beings upon Earth, the unjust to the second death in hell (Gehenna) fire in which they shall perish in eternal punishment (Revelation 20:13-15).
We believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ to rule the Earth as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16); that at that time He will sit upon the throne of David, restoring all things during a thousand-year reign upon Earth and establishing the Kingdom of God, forever to be headquartered on Earth.
Media projects
PCG sponsors media projects, including television shows and regular publications, to preach its message and continue the legacy of Herbert W. Armstrong.
The Key of David
The Key of David is a weekly religious television program hosted by Gerald Flurry, in which he discusses world events and issues from his perspective of the Bible and its prophecies, covering topics such as the human mind, politics and war.
The program is aired in Africa, Australasia, Canada, Europe, Latin America, the Philippines, and the United States.
The Philadelphia Trumpet
The Philadelphia Trumpet is PCG's monthly news and prophecy magazine.
The Trumpet Daily
A program called The Trumpet Daily featuring Flurry's son Stephen premiered 9 May 2011.
Activities and educational institutions
PCG runs several foundations and educational institutions aimed at promoting Armstrong and Flurry's teachings to its members and their children.
Herbert W. Armstrong College
The PCG administers a small liberal arts and theology college, Herbert W. Armstrong College, located in Edmond. The college was established in 2001 as "Imperial College of Edmond," but was renamed after objections by Imperial College London. Armstrong College graduated its first class in 2006.
Imperial Academy
In August 2008, Flurry founded Imperial Academy, a primary and secondary school for the children of church members patterned after the WCG's Imperial Schools.
Philadelphia Youth Camp
The Philadelphia Youth Camp (PYC) is the youth camp of PCG. PYC campers participate in athletic activities and a wide variety of social and educational activities during the three-week event, encouraging teamwork and cooperation. Church doctrines are also stressed throughout the children's camp experience, both in day-to-day activities and in sermons and Bible studies. PYC is located in Edmond, Oklahoma, but PYC camps are also held annually in Australia and the Philippines.
Armstrong International Cultural Foundation
The PCG established a humanitarian arm called the Philadelphia Foundation in 1996 when it took over a project in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan that the WCG's Ambassador Foundation had left behind. In 2005 the name was changed to the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation. Since 1998, the foundation has sponsored a performing arts series in Edmond, Oklahoma, and in 2005 it began supporting archaeological excavations in Jerusalem.
In January 2008, the PCG broke ground on Armstrong Auditorium, an 800-seat performing arts center located on the Herbert W. Armstrong College campus in Edmond, built in the spirit of Ambassador Auditorium at Ambassador College. It was completed in September 2010, and became the venue for the foundation's concerts. It has three of the largest chandeliers in the United States. The Auditorium is hosting a world-class concert series including such artists as The Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields, Andre Watts, The Eroica Trio, and the Russian National Ballet Theatre.
Armstrong's writings
Despite the fact that the WCG owned the copyrights to Mystery of the Ages, written by Herbert W. Armstrong, Flurry decided in 1997 to print and distribute hard copies under the "fair use" clause of the copyright law. This book summed up Armstrong's teachings. The book had been put out of print and copies destroyed by the WCG leadership within three years of Armstrong's death. PCG published the book in order to distribute it. WCG's leadership rejected that the PCG printing of this book was "fair use" of their copyright and thus began a six-year court battle over fair use of the copyrights, with the WCG losing the initial round at the appellate level on February 18, 1997. WCG then appealed and won a split decision with the Ninth Circuit Court on September 18, 2000.
After this, PCG petitioned the twenty-six judges of the Ninth Circuit Court. After they all rejected it, the PCG appealed to the nine justices of the Supreme Court, but none would hear the case. WCG's leadership offered Flurry and the PCG all of Armstrong's works for three million dollars on the condition that internal WCG documents, memos, and emails obtained through discovery be handed back by the PCG. According to Stephen Flurry's (Gerald Flurry's son) book Raising the Ruins, this condition was regarded as a deal-breaker and the WCG was told to prepare to resume litigation. Within hours, the condition to the sale of the copyright was removed from the proposal and an agreement was reached. PCG agreed to pay WCG $3 million. In exchange, PCG would acquire the copyright to Mystery of the Ages and the other eighteen disputed works. In order to pay this amount PCG had to abandon coverage of The Key of David program on all TV spots except on WGN.
The Philadelphia Church of God now owns the copyrights to nineteen of Herbert W. Armstrong's works, including all his full length books.
See also
References
- Martin, Tim (2000), "The Philadelphia Church of God", Profiles, vol. 17, no. 2, Watchman Fellowship
- https://www.pcog.org/about/gerald-flurry
- https://www.pcog.org/about/pcg-beliefs
- Imperial College of Edmond Changes Name, Herbert W. Armstrong College news, December 5, 2005
- "The Weekend Web - January 6, 2008". The Trumpet. Philadelphia Church of God. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
- "Foundational Education". Imperial Academy. Philadelphia Church of God. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
- Philadelphia Youth Camp
- http://www.americanseating.com/architectural/resources/A-ARM-11.pdf
- http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/expert-lighting-installs-largest-chandelier-in-armstrong-auditorium-1322373.htm
- Adam Kemp (15 July 2010). "Brand new, high-class Armstrong Auditorium hopes to be cultural jewel in Edmond". Retrieved 11 June 2011.
- "Stephen Flurry, Raising the Ruins, Our Big Day, Pages 223-224"
- Stephen Flurry, Raising the Ruins, page 220"
- L. A. Mystery of the Ages suit transcript in full, The Journal: News of the Churches of God, March 1997.
- Ambassador Report, May 1997, 'Flurry Wins Big in Court'. Retrieved 20-1-2009.
- Worldwide Church of God v. Philadelphia Church of God, Case number 99-55850, September 18, 2000, PCG Information.
- Ralph Helge, lawyer for WCG, quoted in PCG Information, heading 'Court Case Lost'.
- PCG Information, 'Forced Settlement'.
External links
- The Trumpet Magazine
- Key of David television program
- Herbert W. Armstrong College
- Armstrong Auditorium
- Raising the Ruins
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