Original and revised beliefs & practices

Church beliefs during the period when Armstrong was in control include:

	Identification of the British and American people as descendants of two sons of Jacob: Ephraim and Manasseh.
	Belief that the term "British" is derived from the ancient Hebrew word "beriyth" (covenant).
	Belief that the term "Saxon" originated as "Isaac's Sons"
	As the "lost" ancient Israelite tribe of Dan spread across Europe, they named many rivers, towns etc. after themselves (e.g. Danube River, Denmark, Donegal).
	Rejection of the traditional Christian concept of the Trinity as being of pagan origin. Armstrong accepted a modified Arian view of the nature of God -- the teaching by Arius in the late third century CE. They believed that deity consisted of a dual divinity: The Eternal (their translation of the Hebrew name of God: Yahweh) and Jesus. He taught that that the Holy Spirit is a power, not a person. He promoted the concept of the "Family of God", which consisted of Jehovah, Jesus, and human believers in the WCG who became Gods.
	At the crucifixion, Jesus' body and spirit died for three days and three nights. He was later raised by the Father and his human body was transformed into a spirit body.
	Repentance and faith in Jesus are necessary, but not sufficient requirements, for salvation. Many actions are required to obtain and maintain personal salvation, including: A water baptism Continuing obedience to God's commands "through his chosen Apostle," Armstrong. Observe the Jewish Sabbath Observe the feasts as specified in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament.) Thus, a person had no absolute assurance that they would remain saved later in life.
	Rejection of the conventional Christian belief in heaven and hell. The WCG taught that believers will spend eternity with Christ on earth. Hell exists, but is reserved for Satan and his demons. The wicked will be annihilated, and will not exist in any form.
	Identification of the WCG with the "Philadelphia church" in Revelation 3:7.
	Rejection of the concept of Hell as being pagan in origin. People who die without meeting the dual requirements (faith and works) for salvation will be resurrected, and taught Biblical truths. If they still do not accept the teachings, they will be cast into a lake of fire be annihilated, and cease to exist.

	Observing the Jewish festivals of Passover, Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles, the Great Last Day and the First Day of the Sacred Year.
	Worshiping on Saturday; the Sabbath was believed to start at sundown on Friday night
	They observed three ordinances: baptism by immersion, Lord's supper, foot washing.
	The church opposed divorce and remarriage.
	The church discouraged medical treatment because only God was seen to cure illness.
	The WCG was organized on authoritarian grounds. Armstrong appointed and ordained all ministers.

Under the current Pastor General, Joseph W. Tkach Jr., a major alteration was made to almost all beliefs and practices of the WCG. From their Statement of Beliefs (copyright ' 1995) they now accept:

	the traditional Christian belief in the Trinity
	the virgin birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
	the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Trinity
	Satan as a fallen angel and ruler of this world

"Also abandoned was [exclusively] Saturday worship, the celebration of traditional Jewish holidays such as the Feast of Tabernacles and the Day of Atonement, and even the British-Israelite belief." ₂

Completion of this transition was recognized in a most unusual interview by Hank Hanegraaff of Joseph Tkach Jr and Greg Albrecht (editor-in-chief of the Plain Truth). The interview spanned three episodes of the radio program Bible Answer Man, on 1996-JAN-04, 05 and 12. This was particularly significant because that program is sponsored by the Christian Research Institute whose founder (Walter Martin) wrote a very popular book The Kingdom of the Cults in 1965 which branded the WCG as a cult. Mr. Hanegraaff quoted from an article by Mr. Tkach in the Christian Research Journal that the WCG has abandoned:

	An "obsession...with the legalistic interpretation of the Old Testament;"
	Belief in "British Israelism;
	An "insistence on the fellowship's exclusive relationship with God;"
	Criticisms of medical practices, the use of cosmetics, and the eating of certain foods;
	Paying of the triple tithe, which totals about 13% of ones income; and
	The view that God is a family of many spirit beings into which humans can be born

Mr. Hanegraaff said that there is no precedent within Christianity "of the magnitude of what is happening within the Worldwide Church of God". He defined the WCG had changing from being a "major cult" into now "embracing [the traditional evangelical Christian interpretation of] Scripture.....submitting themselves completely to the Word of God." Mr. Tkach said "I have no reservations in saying that some of the things that Mr. Armstrong taught were in major error"

The WCG has evolved into a conservative Evangelical denomination:
 

	It accepts traditional Christian beliefs, including the second coming of Jesus, the Trinity, the virgin birth, etc. 3
	Christmas celebration had been an "absolute no-no...perhaps the worse thing anyone could do"; it is now considered optional. Most congregations now observe both Christmas and Easter.
	It discriminates against women in positions of power; none are permitted to serve as pastor, local elder or preaching elder).
	It opposes access to abortion, except to save the life of the woman. However, it would not disfellowship a member who chose to terminate a pregnancy caused by rape or incest.
	It supports the proper implementation of capital punishment.
	It is dedicated to the elimination of racism. They conduct racial reconciliation workshops.

The WCG has abandoned the belief that churches are required to maintain Saturday as their main day to meet and worship. They said:

	Evolution: They neither: "...believe or reject the conclusions of scientists that the earth is billions of years old and that life has been on earth for billions of years. Similarly, the church sees no biblical reason to reject evidence that the diversity of life forms has been changing." 4
	Homosexuality: They recognize that homosexual orientation exists, and is in itself not sinful. Like almost all conservative Christian denominations, they condemn homosexual behavior, without exception, as sinful, irrespective of the nature of the relationship. More details.

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Copyright © 1996 to 2010 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2010-JAN-10
Author: B.A. Robinson

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