The Pre-Arise, Shine Era - TCOG

The Pre-Arise, Shine Era

A single event in history is much like a penthouse at the top of a sky-scraper. Both are separate units in themselves but neither can exist without many previous levels of development. The exquisite penthouse, the pride of the entire building, can not become a reality until many under-lying stories precede it. All significant historical events, like the penthouse, are in themselves a product of past experience.

So it is with the significant day of June 13, 1903. On that historical day, the previous levels of development had run their course and the time had come for the fulfillment of one of the most important events of the last days Church of God. Before prophecy could become a reality, the groundwork of the upcoming predicted event first had to occur.

It is in this light that a historical account of what has become known as the "Christian Union" and the "Holiness Church at Camp Creek" can be justified in the historicity of the Church of God. They are not the predicted event itself but they are the necessary "stories of history" for the "penthouse." Because of the importance' of knowing the background of the "arise, shine" of the last days Church of God, they are included in the history of the Body of Christ.

Reference "HISTORY Y POITY" Revised 1985. Copy rights 1977 by the White Wing House Publishing Cleveland, Tennessee, U.S.A.

THE COVENANT - TCOG

THE COVENANT

Jeremiah 31:31-33 Exodus 19:5
“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." Jeremiah 31:31-33.

Exodus 19:5 "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:"

 What does Covenant means?
According to the English-speaking encyclopedic dictionary says: Covenant, an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do something specified.

There is no doubt that when we talk about this issue, we realize that God has always liked to get along with humans through covenants (agreements). In a pact or agreement should be two or more parties. In this case there are two entities: God and man.

In a pact or agreement there are duties or obligations on one hand and on the other hand if it complies with the duties and obligations there is profit, result, for having fulfilled the duties and obligations. So for a covenant to be effective, must comply with the clauses that are in the contract (the duties and obligations) and the clauses that are in our favor will be fulfilled to the letter. Adam in their covenant had the obligation not to take the tree of good and evil and then receive the benefit of living in the most beautiful garden known as the paradise of God. The covenant with Abraham was to follow the Lord out of their land and leaving his family and then receive the blessing of God. Abraham complied with this covenant and God blessed him.

One thing that is difficult to understand is that when man makes a pact or covenant with God is linked or attached to God through the covenant. For this reason the apostle Paul makes the comparison of the Marriage Covenant (union of Man and Woman) with respect to Christ and the church in Ephesians 5:28-32. This was a prophetic fulfillment of Isaiah 62: 1-5; V. 1"For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." This was true when it came salvation in Jesus Christ. After the Lord Jesus Christ, the prophets stopped there were no more prophets of rank or appointment as the Lord Jesus says in Matthew 11:11-13. Matthew v.11 " that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist "V.13"For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John" Obviously the law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24 and Romans 10:4). Isaiah 62: 2 says, "The nations will see your righteousness, and all thy kings your glory ... "If we go back to Isaiah 62:1. we see that the prophet spoke to Zion (the prophetic name of his people) but in this verse 2 says "thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name." The mouth of the Lord on earth was the Lord Jesus Juan 1:1 says "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." No doubt that Christ was the mouth of God here on earth, John 12:49 and 50 says: “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak" In Matthew 16:18 is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 62:2 "... thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name." In Matthew 16:18 is putting his name when he said "My Church."

In these same verses from Matthew 16: 18 and 19, there are three things that the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 62:1-5

1. Would build "His Church." He bought it so it is of Him (1 Peter 1:18 and 19 and 1 Corinthians 6:20)
2. We put a new name.
3. Peter receive the keys of the kingdom and would link (join) that enter into the kingdom. To enter the kingdom is entered through the New Birth and is to be added through the Covenant.

Let me explain a bit more than this because the prophecy of Isaiah 62:1-5 speaks:

1. The end of no more prophets to Christ (Matthew 11:13). No more Law and Prophets as being and the Lord Jesus Christ came the grace, Isaiah 62:1
2. People would look at the Lord's righteousness and salvation at the same time, Isaiah 62:2.
3. I would put a new name that the mouth of the Lord would appoint, Isaiah 62:2B.
4. That Zion (the church) would never be helpless but to be called Hephzibah (my delight is in it) and Beulah (married).
5. That their land would be "Married" Isaiah 62:4 B. No doubt the symbolism of land is the people. In this verse refers literally to the ground. Marriage is the joining between 2 people as Paul said in Ephesians 5:22-32. We can talk literally of the marriage covenant between men and women to explain the union between Christ and the church.
6. Isaiah 62:5 tells us what kind of joint or ligament would Zion (the Church). How serious the union or ligament "As a young man marries a virgin (Union) to marry your children (those born again John 3:3). According to the fulfillment of this prophecy born (children) would have to be "united, married, linked, added" (Isaiah 62:5 and Ephesians 5:30-32).
7. In Matthew 16:19 the Lord Jesus Christ says "And you give the keys of the kingdom of heaven (new birth) and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven (the Covenant).

What we see here? It is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 62:1-5, the Lord Jesus not only organized his church (Mark 3:13, 14), but gave Peter the keys of the kingdom, salvation, new birth (Matthew 16: 16-19). In addition we are talking about linking them, add them, join them as Isaiah 62:5 said "For as a young man marrieth (Covenant) a virgin, so shall thy sons marry (Unite, Add, Linked) thee (Zion): and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride (with the Covenant, together, we’re the wife of the Lord), so shall thy God rejoice over thee” (Isaiah 62:5). "

In the days of Pentecost Peter used the keys of the kingdom with the power of the Holy Spirit. Three thousand were saved, but read as a historian Luke says in Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ (New Birth) for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:41 says, "Then those who gladly received his word (saved), they were baptized (born again children;) and were added to them that day about three thousand souls." Here are 2 things I want to note. A historian or writer writes what he sees so Lucas was looking at something, remember that God liked ceremonies. Lucas saw that they were baptized and were added in response to what the Lord Jesus Christ said to Peter, using the keys of the kingdom and put them into the kingdom (baptism) but also add them according to the text of Matthew 16:19 and said the Lord Jesus Christ in response to what the prophet Isaiah said in chapter 62:5. Now Lucas as a writer, historian, tells what he sees. Obviously, a writer, historian writes what he sees and he is seeing that those who were saved were baptized and were also added (to them) as three thousand people. In support of this assertion see in 2 Corintios11: 2 Paul says the church "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you (together, married, added) to one husband (Christ), that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ”

When someone is saved it needs to be added to the Body of Christ (the Church) as the word of God says. The Kingdom (salvation) is entered through the New Birth and the Church (The Body of Christ) is coming through the Covenant.

As for discipline in the Church and its members (which were added through the covenant).

 Matthew 18:15-18 confirms that an additive is a member of the church because here in these verses concerning discipline in the church body if the member fails to be disciplined and if not then it will be up in isolation from the body as required Matthew 18:15-18"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee (the body), go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. V.16. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. V.17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican (a sinner). V.18. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth (covenant), shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Delink of membership)." In Matthew 18:19 and 20 says the Lord Jesus,"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven" If we follow a sequence of Matthew 18:18 which speaks of releasing the member, no connection to the idea because the Lord says, "Again" means they have already talked about this meeting but in Matthew 18:20 says that "... where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name ... "When we go to the counsel of the apostle Paul to the Church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 5:1-4 where the Apostle exhorts the church to decouple a member who is in fornication . Paul advised in 1 Corinthians 5:4 "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (as advised Christ in Matthew 18:20),Gather yourselves together, you and my spirit, with the power (authority) of our Lord Jesus Christ. "1 Corinthians 5:5 says" this will be handed over to Satan ... "and Jesus said in Matthew 18:17 if you do not hear the church" ... let him be ethnic and collector ... (as a sinner)." So with the League covenant is added or attached to the church and someone with the board or church meeting in compliance (two or three shall agree) will be detached from the church or be dropped from membership and will be like before member as ethnic and publican or sinner.

"The Church of God" The Name a Biblical Reality (TCOG)

"Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory ..." Isaiah 43:7

"Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice"Psalm 50:5
If we go back to Genesis 4:26 we see that the descendants of Seth, Abel’s substitute says: "...then began men to call upon the name of the LORD."

The name! How important is the name. At least I do not liked to be called another name other than my name no matter how nice that name is. That name would not be official recorded name in a government document.

The prophets by the Holy Spirit called her Zion, Hephzibah (my delight is in it), Beulah (married) (Read Jeremiah 8:19, Isaiah 62:4). Isaiah prophesied that the mouth of the Lord appointed (the mouth of the Lord was the Lord Jesus Christ.) John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The meaning of the verb is a word, so God's word (verb) here on earth was the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:10-11). Isaiah 62:2 says, "And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name." No doubt that these first five verses speak of Zion the name Prophetic the people of God, but said it would put a new name that the mouth of the Lord would appoint. No doubt in Matthew 16:16-19 are the fulfillment of Isaiah 62:1-5 when he tells Zion his children (born) would marry (unite) and I would put a new name that the mouth of the Lord would appoint.

When Jesus says to Peter "Upon this rock I will build my church", the word "my" grammatically speaking it is a possessive pronoun. How do you define a possessive pronoun? Grammatically is a possessive pronoun instead of the name, when I say "this object is mine" when people see that object and know it’s mine they will say that object is my property. So when the Lord express "MY CHURCH" means that The Church of God (Christ Jesus was the name). The church is from God, He purchased with His own blood (1 Peter 1:18-19 and 1 Corinthians 6:20). So if God incarnate was delivered and bought his church would be a monumental injustice to name the church of another name and not the name of the owner who bought it.

The church came out of the darkness according to Isaiah 60:1 in this side of the dark ages and a strong signs: the plane Isaiah 60:8 and the fields of the woods in Psalm 132:6. On the morning of June 13, 1903 in fulfillment of these prophecies, the brother Tomlinson after having a time of prayer on the mountain went down the mountain having the understanding that the group who called the Sanctified of river was The Church of God. He entered the house where they met to study the scriptures and said, "If you take the Bible rightly divided as their only rule of faith and practice this means that you are The Church of God. According to writings of the historian C. T. Davidson in his volume # 1 of the work entitled Upon This Rock. Later they named the brother A.J. Tomlinson as their pastor. He took the name the "Church of God" and so was for 19 years.

In the assemblies of 1922, introduced the appointed of 70 elders are 12 that typified the 70 that God told Moses to appoint (Numbers 11:16 and 17) and the 70 and 12 that the Lord command to preach (Luke 10: 1), only these 70 appointed by Moses did not commanded him. Neither the 70 that the Lord commanded to preach. These 70 and 12 appointed at this 1922 assembly wanted to take authority decision-making on all matters of the church and also over the General Overseer which this was not Theocracy. When the brother A.J. Tomlinson returned to the previous system these brothers did not like that decision so they got divided. The People that divided accused brother A.J. Tomlinson of bad diversion of money for more than $10,000.00 dollars. For this situation they went to court where brother A.J. Tomlinson was exempt from this false accusation. For the year 1923, that group led by the people who falsely accused brother A.J. Tomlinson divided. Since then, the group that stayed with brother A.J. Tomlinson could not continue with the name "Church of God." The Church of God led by brother A.J. Tomlinson used a surname of "Prophecy" and the ones that were divided modify their name called only "Church of God” in secret. (Upon This Rock by C. T. Davidson)

In 1990 and previous years, rose a policy against brother M.A. Tomlinson second General Overseer. These people said that the General Overseer M.A. Tomlinson was very old and cannot see and even dared to say that his mind and reason was not right to continue as leader of the Church of God of Prophecy. In 1990 the brother M.A. Tomlinson tired of the Overseers’ pressures, having the Biblical view told them to name the new overseer as God did with Moses and Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:14 and Deuteronomy 34:9). But all the bishops (State and National Overseers) said that first let the position vacancy and then they will choose the new General Overseer. This was not the right way. These bishops wanted to do what the church did when they chose a successor to Judas, but in this case was different due to the General Supervisor was still alive and he needed to deliver the position to the new General Overseer as Moses did with Joshua. Perhaps you might say So What? Well, simply that these brothers diverted from the theocracy. The brother M.A. Tomlinson did as they wanted and pronounce the position vacant. Then each State / National Overseers (Bishops) gave their vote and those who disagreed had to undergo. They forgot the prayer and fasting to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and what they did was vote democratically. This is not Theocracy.

A small group waited three years to see if God will do a change (I waited 20 years to see if they returned to Theocracy). In 1993 this group that was fasting and praying seeking God's direction was rejected by the Church of God of Prophecy. Obviously this small group could not continue to preach the truth under the name of the Church of God of Prophecy and curiously could register with the name "The Church of God." In 1923 the church was unable to register with that name before the government, and now in 1993 this group was accepted under the name "The Church of God" 70 years later as the 70 years God's people was in Babylon (Babylon means confusion). Thus the name and the Church were held captive until now in the year 1993 came to light and is now able to register under the Biblical name.

Is it a coincidence? Or is one of many types and shadows that THE TRUE CHURCH has?

The etymological meaning of Babylon is Babel means confusion. So the name of "The Church of God" was in turmoil, caught (as God's people Israel) 70 years.

The Covering Removed (TCOG)

The Covering Removed
THE CHURCH WE HONOR
A. J. Tomlinson

The conflict is now on. The great forces of right and wrong are in lively combat. We know which side will win, but the wrong claims every inch of the ground and the only way right can prevail is by a lively and continuous struggle. Not only shall the right be on the defensive, but she shall wage a mighty offensive warfare.

There is but little said or written about the Lord's Church in these days except by a few humble followers of the lowly Nazarene. But these few can be numbered by the thousands when they are all put together. But when there are so few in comparison with the millions of earth's inhabitants, I do not see how there can be too much said on the subject.

It seems to amaze many to hear both men and women speaking in honor of this great institution. In our meetings it is very common to hear the people praise God for the great Church of God the same as for salvation. Of course, those who object to this do not really know what the Church is. If they knew it as it is, they would love it like we do.

The Church of God is Christ's own building. It is wrong to suppose some man is its founder. Jesus plainly told the disciples that He would build His Church and I believe what the disciples said about it. And nobody has any right to dispute their word. I fully believe that Christ did just what He said He would do.

There is a beauty and power about the Church of God that are not about other churches. Jesus said of His Church, "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it." No doubt Jesus said this because He knew it would have strong opposition. But to encourage its members, He said it would hold its anchor and not be overthrown.

True, it has been beaten down and bruised and forsaken, but not entirely overthrown. It is strong now and full of glory and power. It is still holding steady and battling against sin with a strong hand. And while the enemy rages the Church still shines and looks good to those who have eyes to see it.

Some people seem to think that we talk about the Church too much, but how can we talk about such a good thing too much? By honoring the Church we honor its Divine Founder, Jesus Christ. He built it, and anything
He would build is surely worth talking about.

There are many people standing off to one side offering criticism, but anybody can do that. It does not take a smart man to offer criticism and object to things they cannot see and understand. I was recently told of an editor who once said that there are plenty of people who know just how to run a paper. They say certain things should not be in it, and certain other things should take the place, but the strange thing to him was that all those people who knew how to run a paper had no paper to run, and did not seem to be wanted for the work, and the responsibility was put upon a man who did not know.

As for myself, I believe that Jesus knew what He was doing when He built His Church. I believe He knew just what name to give it. I do not think any name could have been found more appropriate. If there could have been, I believe He would have found it and used it. But, no, He said, "I will build my Church." The expression would indicate that others were engaged in building churches, or would do so later on, so He wanted it distinctly understood that He would build His own Church, and that no other would be allowed to do it. Others might build churches, but they could not build His Church. He would do that Himself. And this He did.

Some seem to think that we had a hand in establishing the Church of God as it is today, but this is a mistake. We have only been assisting in removing the covering that was put upon it when the first creed was formed in the year 325. It was "snowed under" with creeds. It was covered over with men's laws and ways like a city covered over with ashes from the mouth of a belching volcano. Underneath is the city just like it was. The city of Pompeii lay buried under the cinders, ashes and volcanic stones that belched forth from the great Vesuvius, for nearly seventeen centuries. So completely was the unfortunate city buried under this overwhelming mass, that its very site was forgotten. It was not till 1 7 48 that an accidental discovery drew attention to its remains, and revealed the fact that beneath the vineyards and mulberry grounds which covered the site, there lay entombed the ruins of a city, far more accessible, if not more interesting, than another that had previously been discovered.

In the year 1775, systematic excavations on the site were begun. As this work continued, it revealed the fact that there, beneath eighteen and twenty feet of mixed material, was a beautiful city with streets laid off in regular order and a huge wall with towers and gates around it. As the excavations have continued, the buildings and writings are found and writers have been able to give a good description of the entire city. Once a flourishing beautiful city on top of the ground, then buried and remained covered for seventeen centuries, now uncovered so that it can be seen and occupied again.

This is similar to the Church of God. It was once beautiful and flourishing, and a refuge and a blessing to thousands. Then it was covered over and remained hidden until its very site and laws were forgotten. But it has been discovered, and on digging down it is found to be the very same Church that was built by our Lord. We do not build. We do not institute laws to govern it. It is already built. We only have to uncover. We only have to throw off the creeds and unbelief that have held it in darkness for about sixteen centuries.

There it is with the same laws, the same Holy Ghost, the same sanctified life of its members, the same sacredness, the same healings, the same miracles, the same officers, the same power, the same glory, and everything preserved and without decay. It has kept well. It is time for it to show to the world again. Like Pompeii, it has been unearthed, and the more of it that is uncovered, the more beautiful and regular in form it appears.

No special surprise about Pompeii being discovered and uncovered. Nobody says of it that they are building a new city. No, for it is plain to be seen they are only uncovering an old one. But when the Church of God is being uncovered they begin to say at once that they are building a "new church." But we know we are not building a new one. The gates of hell have not prevailed against the Lord's Church that He built any more than Vesuvius prevailed against the great city of Pompeii. Pompeii is out again. Its streets that were paved are traveled again. Many of its buildings are still in fair condition. Its former inhabitants are gone, but the city itself is still there. Peter and James, and John and Paul are gone, but their writings and instructions are preserved; the same form of government and everything pertaining to the building (Church) itself is sound and solid, just like it was when it was covered up centuries ago.

Since books and books have been written about Pompeii, then why is there anything wrong in writing books and books about the great Church of God that is of far more importance than a million cities like Pompeii? Indeed, there can be nothing wrong in it, and we expect to write and talk about it all we want to. It honors Jesus for us to do it. God honors the messages that are delivered about it by pouring out His Spirit upon the messengers and hearers.

The Church, "My Church," the Church of God! Jesus and Paul named it, and who has a right to object to it? We had nothing more to do with naming it than we had in building it at the first. We only accept the name given by them. Paul said he received the knowledge about it by revelation, and he said he followed Christ, and he hands it down to us as the Church of God and we do not expect to change it for anybody' s whims or criticisms. We are going to let it remain just like it is-just like we found it, except we are trying to clear off the filth and rubbish that was piled upon it by men who took the reins into their own hands and drove recklessly over it and dumped and belched and vomited as they went.

Vesuvius could not have belched more filth upon the beautiful city of Pompeii than was wantonly smeared upon the beautiful face of the Body of Christ. And this has continued for years, but it shall proceed no further. Jesus Christ will not submit to it any longer. He is going to take care of His own. The building has been preserved, but is now being uncovered and people are now flocking to it. They see in this beautiful form just what their hearts have been craving. A letter today (I am now writing late at night) stated that the writer saw in the Church of God just what he believed is right. He said that the church of which he was a member had no beautiful tithing system, and the government was almost nothing. He wants to come to the Church of God. He sees we have system and order. He sees that God is placing His glory upon it as He does not upon other organizations.

The Church of God! Hallelujah! People sometimes talk of establishing the "real Church of God." Let them try it if they want to. They will meet with defeat like hundreds of others have done. His Church is already established, and has been for nineteen centuries, and never has been overthrown. Hallelujah! No, it never has been overthrown! And it never will be overthrown! It was covered up, like Pompeii, as we stated above, but not overthrown. The words of Jesus cannot be broken and He said, "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it"(Matt. 16: 18). That is good enough for me. I'm fearless and bold. I'm not afraid.

When Nehemiah was rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem his enemies tried to weaken his hands by every means they could possibly invent. They tried to scare him, they tried to fight against him, they tried to get him to make a league with them and let them have a part in it, they tried to call him off down into the city of Ono, and at last, when everything else failed, they got a certain man to feign himself a particular friend of Nehemiah to persuade him to flee into the temple with him, and shut themselves up there, "for," said he, "they will come to slay three: yea, in the night will they come slay three.”
 
But listen to Nehemiah’s answer: “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.” In explanation of this Nehemiah says, “Lo, I perceived that God had not sent him, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat hired him. Therefore, was he hired, that should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me” (Neh. 6:1 0-13).

I wonder who has hired certain against me. I suppose it is the same that prompted Tobiah and Sanballat. They do not like to see the Church of God prospering like it is. They want to weaken our hands and intimidate us and try to get us to fear and doubt and thus cause others to do the same, but no, we are as solid as a rock. This is not our work, it is God's work, and we have no cause for fear.

That woman who feigned herself a prophetess, and the men who tried to prophesy against Nehemiah could not weaken him. He was God's man, and God held him up. And God will hold His man up every time. They have been trying me for years in a similar manner, but like Nehemiah, I l13ve made my prayer to my God and gone on. I have prayed similar to Nehemiah who Said, "My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanba/lat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear."

But Nehemiah finished the wall. So God is going to finish His work. And by His help and with the wisdom He gives, we are going to finish the work He has chosen us to do. We are receiving many encouraging communications from many sources. But among these come the others. That is all right, I do not object, but my whole soul is in the work of the great Church of God and nothing discourages nor makes me afraid. I fear God only. I nestle close to Him, and He wonderfully holds me up and gives me a boldness that I know is beyond the natural.

I am always glad to counsel with those upon whom I can depend, but I refuse to counsel with the Tobiahs and Sanballats. God can make me know the difference in people as well as He made Nehemiah know. What God can do for me on these lines, He can do for you who are following this message. You need protection in these perilous times, and you may look out for the Tobiahs and Sanhllats to try to "hire" you, or in some way get you to doubt or draw back or compromise. But you must not do it. You must be bold for God and His Church. Stand for it as Gibraltar's rock. Stand as firm as Paul and we must not weaken and thus fall beneath what God has planned for us. Doubt Paul, when he holds up so strong for the Church of God? No! Never! Doubt Jesus, who said, ''The gates of hell shall not prevail against it?" A thousand times, No! Because He said it, we can say it, and say it fearlessly. Hallelujah! C1od is giving wisdom and knowledge as well as the other gifts. Some people are still looking for the gifts as if they have not yet been given, but where is one mentioned by Paul that has not been manifested?

Don't doubt God any longer by praying such a prayer. Why, just think of the wisdom God has showered down upon His humble followers; and knowledge, too. Many who can scarcely read and never went to school a day in their lives, have stood before large congregations with shining faces, and have spoken the Word of Life as if they had taken a three-year course in a university. Then, look at the faith that has been displayed so marvelously at times by many. Instantaneous healings and many other miraculous things, all by a manifestation of the gift of faith. Gifts of healings! What's the use to say that the gift of healing is not operating when thousands of cases have been instantly healed by the laying on of hands, or speaking the Word, right before your eyes?

The miracles, too! Why look for something miraculous to come from some unknown corner, when you see displays of this gift right before your eyes? Handling fire with no harm! Healings where people have been helpless for years, suddenly leap right out of bed-well in a moment! Lame made to walk! Blind to see! Dead called back to life! Swellings or tumors melted away under your hands, goiters disappear before your eyes! Hallelujah! It is wonderful! It is hardly necessary to mention the other four-prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues and interpretations. These have all been displayed before our eyes, and are manifest more or less in all of our services.

Beloved, be not faithless, but believing. Do not be doubtful about this when God has already given the whole catalogue of gifts. He will do more if you will stop doubting and acknowledge what He has already done and give Him praise and glory for it.

These gifts belong to the Church of God. Let them be manifested more and more. They are already here. They are now in the Church where they belong. Do not weaken them or get bound up yourself by doubting and begging the Lord for what we already have. If you have the Holy Ghost would you continue to ask God to give you the Holy Ghost? Of course not. But He ' may not manifest Himself every moment. But you do not say you do not have Him just because you do not talk in tongues all the time. By no means. You commence to honor Him and claim Him and say He abides and soon He will manifest Himself.

This analogy is just as true with the gifts. You may not see them displayed every moment, possibly not for several days or weeks, but they have been manifested and will be again if it is necessary and you keep the doubts away. I'm sure many of you have seen all these gifts displayed. Then why not accept them as being in the Church and believe God for a display at any time when it will be to the best interests to the Church and a glory to Him?

The Church of God! I will talk about it more and more. I love it because it is built by my Savior. Hallelujah! It is a sacred institution. It will soon outshine all other institutions and governments. By honoring the Church we honor its Divine Founder. Jesus and Paul named it and who has a right to object to it?

The battle will be fought to a finish and will soon be over. Then all who have stood true to the end will be glad, I am sure.

Come on, beloved, let us buckle on· the armor a little tighter and rush into the good fight of faith and win the victory and obtain the prize. God will be with those who stick to Him. He delights to honor and support His faithful and obedient children. He will care for us all in this last great conflict. Hallelujah!

What’s Your Excuse? (TCOG)

What’s Your Excuse?
 
In 1820, a six-week-old girl was given the wrong medication for her eyes.  As a result she became permanently blind.  She was doomed to a life of darkness.  Her parent’s dreams were shattered.  The joy of having a newborn child was transformed to agony and despair.  Her life was destined to be empty and meaningless.  She would exist, but her existence would have little joy and prove to hold no value to the world.  Or would it?

Instead of suing the doctor who made the mistake her parents determined to focus on doing all they could to help their little girl.  Her grandmother deeply loved her, and gave her the two most important things in her life – Jesus Christ and constant Biblical training. As a child she was often found in her grandmother’s arms and a rocking chair hearing the Songs of Solomon.  The little girl literally absorbed Scripture.  It is said that she could recite correctly the first four books of both Testaments by age ten.

When given schoolwork she loved all her studies except one and concerning it she wrote:

I loathe, abhor, it makes me sick,
To hear the word, Arithmetic!

She romped about as did her playmates, climbing fences and trees, riding horses, and playing with pets.  She loved the outdoors – the wind, the sunshine, thunder, the songs of birds, flowers and brooks.

This little girl did not allow her handicap to become an excuse.  She did not spend her time throwing a pity party and inviting everyone to cry with her and bemoan her sad circumstances.  In fact she actually came to believe that her handicap was a blessing instead of a curse.  She committed herself to taking the gifts and talents she did have and using them to excel in service to God.

She was only eight years old when she wrote her first poem.  It read:

Oh what a happy soul am I
Although I cannot see,
I am resolved that in this world
Contended I will be.

She would later become the first woman ever to speak from the floor of the Senate in Washington D.C.  When she gave her testimony in meetings, her listeners would sit in awe as she lifted their spiritual eyes to Christ.  By the time of her death, she had written about 9000 hymns and gospel songs.  More people have probably come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior under the influence of her songs than by any other song-writer.  Her name was Frances Jane Crosby, better known as Fanny Crosby.

This blind woman wrote, “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!  Heir of Salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.  This is my story, This is my song, praising the Savior all the day long”.

If you are unsaved today, what is your excuse?  Are you convinced that God has not treated you right?  Does everyone else get all the breaks?  Is life just not fair?  Maybe you have said you will serve God - when He heals your back, leg, arm, eyes or whatever ailment you suffer under, or when He delivers you from your sickness (cancer, heart disease, aids, etc).  You could do great things for God if he would have given you better circumstances, perhaps different parents or different neighborhood to live in, or perhaps a different job. Then maybe it would not be so difficult for you to serve Him.

And dear saints, what is our excuse for doing so little for the Lord? Do we tend to say, “Well if I weren’t so handicapped with this situation or that circumstance, I could do more for the Lord.”  Isn’t it really a matter of discovering our ministry and putting it to work for Christ diligently, daily, all our life?  And whatever handicap we may have, rather than looking at it as a hindrance, shouldn’t we seek to discover what doors it might open for us to serve God?

Fanny wrote these famous words, “Rescue the Perishing, care for the dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grave, weep o’re the erring one, lift up the fallen, tell them of Jesus mighty to save, Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.”  

Shouldn’t we be ashamed if we find ourselves discontented with our portion in life?  “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay…” (Rom. 9:20, 21). This is one of the greatest lessons of life to learn.  Oh, if only we could accept our God appointed lot in life and realize that He will take us and make us vessels of honor if we will just quit seeking to be a different vessel, or waiting for better circumstances in life.

One time a preacher sympathetically remarked to Fanny Crosby, "I think it is a great pity that the Master did not give you sight when He showered so many other gifts upon you." She replied quickly, "Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I should be born blind?" "Why?" asked the astonished clergyman. "Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!" What a wonderful attitude, and a humbling one for those of us who complain about our lot in life! Fanny did not become bitter, she became better!

She wrote “When my life-work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide, When the bright and glorious morning I shall see, I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side, And His smile will be the first to welcome me.  I shall know Him.  I shall know Him, And redeemed by His side I shall stand.  I shall know Him, I shall know Him by the print of the nails in His hand”
 
Fanny Crosby entered what was then known as the New York Institution for the Blind at the age of fifteen and afterward taught English and history (1847-58). As a pupil and as a teacher, Fanny spent 35 years at the school.  She was often asked to entertain visitors with her poems and she frequently met with presidents, generals and other dignitaries. She played a hymn at President Grant's Funeral. Who would have thought a little blind six-week old baby would someday be used so marvelously?

It is said that Fanny Crosby "set more hearts and voices to praising God than any other woman who ever lived" – possible because she sang more songs of hope than any other human being.

Other famous hymns she wrote contained heart moving lyrics:

Near the Cross – In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever, till my raptured soul shall find, rest beyond the river.   

Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness, Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!

Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word, tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.  Tell how the angels in chorus, sang as they welcomed His birth, Glory to God in the highest, peace and good tiding to earth.  Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word, Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.

A multitude of souls have been blessed by the following wonderful songs:

I am thine O Lord, I have heard Thy voice, and it told of Thy love to me, But I long to rise in the arms of faith, and be closer drawn to thee.  Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, To the cross where Thou hast died; Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, To Thy precious bleeding side.   

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock, that shadows a dry, thirsty land; He hideth my life in the depths of His love, and covers me there with His hand, and covers me there with His hand.

Fanny Crosby said, "It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me."  She also wrote:

To God be The Glory, Great things he hath done, so loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, and opened the Life-gate that all may go in.  Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father, through Jesus, the Son, and give Him the glory – great things He hath done.

Redeemed how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child, and forever I am.  Redeemed, redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed, redeemed, His child and forever I am.

At the age of 95 Fanny Crosby passed on and on her grave in Bridgeport, Conn., there is a simple little headstone with the name "Aunt Fanny," and these words:


Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine. 
 
Many of God’s great men and women have had “handicaps.” In the Word of God we read of Jacob, who was on his way to what appeared to be an unhappy meeting with his brother, Esau.  Years before, he had taken advantage of Esau in a time of great hunger and bought Esau’s birthright with a bowl of pottage.  Later, he deceived his father and obtained the blessing that would have been given to Esau.  Now some twenty years later he must face Esau, who was approaching with 400 men. Jacob sought God in prayer for deliverance and spent the night wrestling with an angel.  He wrestled until he won the victory.

No wonder so few get real, lasting victory today.  The altar is treated like a fast food restaurant.  If it doesn’t come in five minutes people give up and leave.  Many do not want victory enough to pray until they have prevailed!

During the struggle the angel injured Jacob’s thigh, and afterward, Jacob “halted upon his thigh”; he walked with a strong limp.  Jacob’s limp was a reminder of his success in prayer, and of his constant dependency upon God.  What a testimony Jacob had from that day forward, “…for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed…”(Gen. 32:28).  Carnal men may focus on the limp if they wish.  Spiritual men will look beyond the limp and focus on the gifts of God that far outweigh the infirmity, and bring divine power into their service for God.

Jacob now prevailed, not only with God, but with man.  When he faced his brother who hated him and was bent on killing him, God melted his brother’s heart. Instead of harming Jacob, “…Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept” (Gen. 33:4).

God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. No wonder Apostle Paul proclaimed, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9).  Paul did not let his weaknesses become an excuse to have a pity party, but rather he learned to trust in God’s strength to make up for those infirmities. 

Moses was another “handicapped” person.  He was low of speech, not eloquent, and perhaps stuttered.  His weakness no doubt played a role in keeping him humble before God.  Not many people have been used to turn water into blood, bring death to the first-born of the enemies of God’s people, and part the Red Sea so God’s people could pass through on dry land. His speech impediment probably served the same purpose as the Apostle Paul’s thorn in the flesh.  It was given, “…lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations” (2 Cor. 12:&).  How gracious is our God, how immeasurable is His love, that He would allow infirmities in the flesh to come upon us in order to make us mighty in spirit!

What’s your excuse, dear friend?  Isn’t it time we praise God for our “handicap” in life instead of using it as an excuse?  Successful Christians are those who understand that if God has chosen to make us weak in one area of our life, it is so He can magnify Himself through that weakness and make our service to Him far stronger than it could have ever been had we not been “handicapped”.

The world is still waiting for you and I to march forth with the gospel of true salvation.  God is waiting, ready to make his strength perfect in the midst of our weaknesses. Oh, that we would cast away our excuses, glory in our infirmities, and let the power of Christ rest upon us! The world is to be evangelized with the full gospel of The Church of God!  Let’s purge ourselves of our excuses, and give our best to get the work done.  Amen.

Let's Work (TCOG)

 Jesus said unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." John 4:34"

It is no secret, friends that we have a work to do. It has been stated and restated in our Regional Conventions that we are operating under the mandate of the Great Commission given by Christ in Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15. More recently, in our recent General Assembly it was stated multiple times that Jesus Christ was the light of the world while He was here, but now that He is at the right hand of the Father, He has left the church to be that light. Certainly, the scripture bears this out, as in the following verses:

John 9:5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

Matthew 5:14 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."    In considering the two verses, it cannot be doubted what Jesus meant. He would be going back to the Father and His disciples- His church was to be the light in His stead. Now let us read the scriptures which follow.Matthew 5:15-16 "Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven."We can see from this that it is our duty as Jesus' disciples to let our lights shine to the Glory of God! There can be no doubt that the church is here to be a light to the world, but not for our own glory. It is for God's glory that we must shine this light that is within us. After all had He not first shone this light in our hearts, we would have no light to shine. We have learned from the writings of James that we show our faith (in God) by our works. Jesus said our Good works would glorify the Father before all men. It is safe to say that we have work to do!In the passage from John 4 surrounding our theme scripture the disciples returned from a trip to town to buy meat (see verse 8) and found Jesus witnessing to a woman of Samaria. They didn't understand why the Master would even be there talking to this unclean woman. When she left to go and get her friends to come and meet Jesus, the disciples bid Him to eat. Jesus told them in verse 32 "...I have meat to eat that ye know not of." The men questioned whether someone else had brought Jesus something to eat. Their minds were not tuned in to the spiritual, but the natural. (A lesson for us? YES). Then Jesus answered..."...My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." What a message! What a thought for us today. Adam Clarke said this about the Jesus' statement, "Let the salvation of souls lie nearer your heart than life itself. Let eating and drinking, labour and rest, reading, thinking, study, prayer, and all things, be directed to the accomplishment of this great work. Minister’s of Jesus! imitate your LORD!" Amen and AMEN!According to Jesus' words in John 20:21 we are sent now to do that same work.

John 20:21 Jesus said unto them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."

Friends, we are sent by Jesus! That same meat that He partook of is our meat today! It is Spiritually nourishing for you and I as members in particular of His church to do the work that He has sent us to do. When we preach, teach, sing, and witness of His goodness and to His glory it feeds and nourishes our spirit like a good meal feeds and nourishes our natural bodies. We do this ALL by His grace and for His Glory!

There are souls dying daily without Christ.

People are hurting and in despair thinking there is no hope.

Many are desperately looking for someone to love them.

We are sent to be the light. We have been given this work to do, the Bible as our source of instruction, and the Holy Ghost to fill us with the power.

Let's get in the field...Let's do something for God...LET'S WORK!!

Until next time,
Donald R. Estep II
Michigan, Kentucky, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, & Wisconsin
 Regional Overseer

SANCTIFICATION

SANCTIFICATION

Sanctification is an act of God performed by His Word and Spirit, by which "the old man" (the corrupt condition of man) is completely eradicated by the blood of Jesus Christ. Sanctified believer is free from the law of sin and death. In the act of justification, the sinner is forgiven of his personal transgressions, while in the act of sanctification, the result of the pollution of sin which makes the small man, is completely eliminated.

Additional comparisons between justification and sanctification would be of benefit to the understanding of sanctification as a second definite work of grace. The justification, removes the guilt of sins committed, while sanctification removes sin (the corrupt condition of man). Justification takes place in the court of God, God declares the sinner is righteous, while sanctification takes place on the inside of the man-God sanctifies the man through the blood that Jesus Christ shed, through His Spirit. Though justification and sanctification are defined and experiences which can be accomplished once and for all, the holy man must be "ready to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord."

Sanctification is a crucial experience subsequent to salvation of the sinner. The experience of sanctification is carried out at a definite moment of time, and not gradually. However, the holy man has to cultivate his experience and control the impulses of the flesh. A. J. Tomlinson said:

"When one is purified and the carnal mind is removed, then the person is ready to perfect holiness in the fear of God. This purity of heart must be retained unless it is cultivated and used."

Holiness is one of the teachings of the Church, which "refers to a condition or lifestyle." The writer of Hebrews proclaims "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"(Hebrews 12:14) The word" holiness "is translated from the Greek terminology hagiasmos. Hagiasmos is defined as sanctification, essential purity ".

When the Church of God declares that holiness is one of its teachings, the Church is simply implying that its members are encouraged to live a holy life, a life that is characterized by the "purity of heart", freedom from sin, state of being holy or dedicated and consecrated to the will of God. A holiness that can only come from an act of God through the ministry of the Word and the Spirit. Holiness, which is nothing more nor less than purity of heart and life, is made possible through the experience of sanctification.

Note: This is the exact word in Greek is in the original writings. The two words are written almost identical but with different meanings.

ἁγιωσύνη, n \ {hag-ee-o-soo'-nay} (Hgiasmos) 1) majesty, holiness 2) moral purity

aJgiwsuvnh, HJ, (a {gio ") holiness, holy thing, NT Rom. 1:4, II Corinthians 7:1 and 1 Thess. 3:13

aJgiasmov "` ou, oJ, consecration, sanctification, NT 1 Cor. 1:30, 1 Thess. 4:3-4, 2 Thess. 2:13

What is sanctification?
Sanctification is the experience that cleanses or purifies the heart of inbred sin. This is a definite experience (precise, specific, strict). This is ranked as the second definite work of Grace.

"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:2)

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:" (1 Corinthians 1:30)

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour"(1 Thessalonians 4:3-4)

"Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach."(Hebrews 13:12, 13)

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

The Bible verses mentioned above prove that: We have access to this grace after we are justified.

Our sanctification is according to the will of God.

Jesus suffered outside the camp (door) to sanctify His people with His own blood.

We must cleave to Him for this experience.

 SANCTIFICATION WHY IS NEEDED?

Sanctification is necessary because even after being justified, the carnal mind is still present in us. Those who have carnal minds can not fully obey the Bible.

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.'' (Romans 8:7 , 8)

 When referring to the carnal mind we are referring to the Adamic nature. The Bible also calls'' the old man "and the" flesh, "which means the natural or carnal mind man.

The Bible confirms that the "old man" can be "removed" (stripped, eradicated ly "crucified."

"Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:" (Colossians 3:9, 10)

 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. "(Romans 6: 6, 7)

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. " (Galatians 2:20)

The following verses show that people were sanctified, proving that this is a definite experience. "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Hebrews 10:10)

"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus..." (1 Corinthians 1:2)

"Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:" (Jude 1:1)

“And Be Not Conformed to This World” by Felix Garcia - TCOG

“And Be Not Conformed to This World” by Felix Garcia
 
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Baccalaureate Sermon to the 1984 Graduating Class of Tomlinson College
(as printed in the June 16, 1984 edition of the WWM)

My soul weighs heavy as I mediate on the awesome responsibility that rests upon us as “The Church of God” and particularly on those of us who have been called and appointed to the leadership positions in the Church. There is an aura of awe that overwhelms me when I give thought to the magnitude of our responsibility. This brings to me a very deep sense of respect, reverence, and fear. … It is required of this leadership that it possess a positive sense of direction. Positive leadership will cause the Church to perform her role and fulfill the Great Commission mandated by our Lord. This dutiful responsibility frightens me and makes me cry out, “Oh God, please help us, for we stand in a very crucial hour in the history of the Church!” It matters not what phase of the ministry in which we are involved, our responsibility remains equally grave.

It is very evident that a new generation is being prepared to carry on the ministry of the Church. This new generation will be a product of our preaching, teaching and example. What they learn from us will be the motivating force in their lives; therefore, the motivating factor of our vision should be conveyed to this new generation as it was given to us by those before us. It was the powerful preaching and vision within men such as D. H. Queener, José A. Jiménez, L. S. Rhodes and many others, as well as the inspired writings of our former and present General Overseers that have motivated the present generation of ministers. We must not let the excitement of the Church die! We must not let the message of a holy and glorious Church be silenced by the passing away of the Old Guard. It is the responsibility and duty of those of us who are teaching and preaching to see to it that this wonderful message lives on. This new generation must hear this message expounded. They have a right and should hear this message for it is the heritage of every member of the Church. The Apostle Paul told the Thessalonians: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work” (2 Thess. 2:15-17).

We must instill in those whom we are teaching that there is a difference between the Church and the Christian denominations in this world. There seems to be a lot of pressure being directed toward the Church for changes in our way of believing, teaching and standards of holiness. We must not allow the world to dictate to the Church how to live and practice the Word of God.

We are admonished by the Word to remain faithful. Romans 12:1, 2 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

 The Church of God must not be influenced by the world. The Church must never try to imitate the world. We cannot have the image of the world and expect to retain God’s Spirit and attain unto His image. There are those who feel that we must find some neutral ground in order to gain the confidence of the organizations around us. Some feel that we should strive to become more acceptable to those around us. The truth is that we must always strive to be acceptable to God and not worry so much about public acceptance. The Church must be the Church! Let the Church be the Church whatever the cost or consequences! We must carry out our God-given responsibilities as the Church and never conform to the world around us. Men may criticize us and judge us, but we must please Him who has called us.

There seems to be an acceptance syndrome which tends to rationalize, saying, “We’ve been ignored, neglected and rejected by the prominent religious organizations for so long; we must commence doing things that will cause us to relate to others and thus be accepted. This will attract friendship and fellowship with Christians of the denominational structures; then we’ll win them to the fold.” Some feel that the stunting of our growth here in the United States is because of our lack of compatibility to those in the kingdom of God outside of the Church. I reject this theory and repudiate its rationale. If anything, our problem stems not because of how different we are from others, but because of how much we are trying to resemble the others, not being ourselves.

I am thoroughly convinced that people are seeking for the real thing. A “form of” holiness, spirituality and godliness can be found in diverse places; however, “a form of” is not the true and authentic source of these virtues. The spiritual excellence of the Church should not have to be orchestrated or choreographed. It is the nature of the Church to be different from the world. The uniqueness of the Church will not be a “put on” affair. This should be and is by nature our “lifestyle.”
Let me share with you a recent incident. I attended a Youth Convention in Kentucky. Also, in attendance was a brilliant man whose name is Br. Hiro Tanamachi, a theologian, psychologist, and a linguist. He came to lecture and minister to us in a specially prepared class of “Ministerial Counseling.” He very ably and with great professionalism presented his material. He was a blessing. He later wrote me a letter and also corresponded with the Overseer of Kentucky and shared his feelings of what he received during his visit to that Youth Convention. Let me share part of his letter to me with you.

“Some thoughts and feelings defy our verbal ability to express. It is just as well, however, as a thought or a feeling so expressed inevitable becomes, however unintended, delimited by the very limited nature of the vehicle of communication. Nonetheless, I would like to attempt to say that I was blessed by the Lord last weekend in Elizabethtown and Sunday in Waynesburg as never before. What characterized those occasions was the warm, uplifting love of Christ, which was mediated through His children. I shall never forget the memorable worship services at the Waynesburg church and shall never case to thank God for sending you this way…I trust that the Lord will provide us with another opportunity, somewhere, sometime.”

And in his letter to Brother Fred Fisher, the Overseer of Kentucky, Mr. Tanamachi states: “The fellowship was so nurturing and uplifting! I could not help but to marvel at the fact that everyone there was so warm-hearted and caring, reminiscent of what the early Christians in Antioch must have been like. For the very first time in a long while I really felt like I belonged there, that everyone there was my brother and sister in Christ. Their positive and caring attitude toward me indeed was an affirmation of my individuality and as such the reflection of the strength of their love for and faith in Christ. Indeed, Christ was there with us all the way through.”

The Church folks in Kentucky didn’t try to impress this prestigious and eminent visitor. They were just themselves worshipping God as always. We must be what we truly are. The people of the world are searching for this.

Please take note that the growth of the Church is greatest among the people who preach and teach of the Divine Institution, the Church. One of the noticeable facts is that the “churchier” (an old cliché) the people, the grater their growth. The people who are strong “pro-Church” in every sense of the word, are also retaining with greater zeal the high standard of holiness that we should all have. Of course, there will be those who will accuse them of being extremists and even go so far as to say that they border on fanaticism; but I will say one thing, they are having results—the Church grows numerically, financially, and spiritually. Let’s not be too concerned with the judgments of the world or even the judgment of some among us who are passive toward spiritual permissiveness, I mean those who offer little or no resistance to the encroachment of the world upon the Church. WE cannot become the least bit worldly because this has been the tragic downfall of many. Furthermore, God expects us to stand fast and “be not conformed to the world.” It won’t matter what people may say of us. What’s important is what God thinks of us. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 4:3, 4: “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.”
 When men are judging us, what we do may well be good enough for them for men seeth on the outside but God searcheth the hearts. When God is making the appraisal, He requires that our works be perfect, complete, total and without compromise.

Therefore, it is necessary to be found acceptable unto God. Again, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:9, “We…labour…[to] be accepted of him.” The important point then becomes: how acceptable are we to God, and how does our work appear unto God Almighty? So many times our daily worship becomes routine, geared and directed toward making a good impression. Coexistence with the world is displeasing unto God. To coexist with the enemy in a peaceful atmosphere one must make some concessions. Take for example the situation that existed recently between Israel and Egypt. In order to have peace between those two countries, pressure was applied so that “some” concessions were made. Someone had to give in so they could arrive at some type of peace treaty between those two nations that had been enemies for so long. So it is between the world and the Church. Pressure is constantly being made that we give in to the ways and demands of the world and allow the world to dictate our form of conduct. A church that makes concessions and gives in to the pressures of sin and Satan can live peacefully and in tranquility with the world. The world may admire that church and give it the name of being a live church as they did to the church at Sardis:“…that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” It’s a bad sign when people who are supposed to be Christians and the world live happily together.

The last days’ Church of God and the world may never have an armistice and exist in harmony prior to the Rapture. God’s Church is required to resist sin. Its members must live holy and strive toward perfection. We must preach against sin and admonish everyone to forsake all manner of sin—even the appearance of evil. James, in writing to the Church, said: “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).

John wrote to the Church in 1 John 2:15, 16 saying: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

It is clear then, that the world will never accept or endorse the Church and her teachings. It is also clear that even some members and ministers will try to resist the Church’s firm stand on holiness and righteous living. Some may try to persuade you and convince you that we don’t need to be so strict, that we must change with the times, but this can never be! The church of God will continue to teach and preach the old-time religion. We will hold fast to the teachings of the Bible.

The world may accept your salvation by your raising your hand but we will preach CONVICTION, REPENTANCE, REGENERATION and a true BORN-AGAIN EXPERIENCE.

The world will tell you that sanctification is progressive, that you become sanctified little by little but the Church will teach that SNCTIFICATION IS A DEFINITE INSTANTANEOUS WORK OF GRACE and that YOU MUST RECEIVE THIS EXPERIENCE BEFORE YOU CAN RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST. The carnal man must be crucified and all carnality eradicated.

The world may tell you that you can have the Holy Ghost and may even try to teach you to speak in tongues, or that you need not speak in tongues, but the Church will tell you that THE HOLY GHOST WILL ABIDE ONLY IN A SANCTIFIED VESSEL AND THAT YOU WILL SPEAK IN TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT GIVES UTTERANCE when baptized with the Holy Ghost—that is the evidence!

The world will tell you that it’s all right to have a good time in worldly things but the Church will teach that YOU MUST LIVE HOLY EVERY DAY and will continue to advise us against diversions that are frequented by the world.

The world will not accept or endorse the Bible teachings such as: Divine Healing, Tithing and Giving, Restitution, Total Abstinence from All Liquor, Against the Wearing of God for Ornament, Against Swearing or Against the Evil of Divorce and the Sin of Remarriage.

Many will resist the Bible preaching and teaching of: 1)one fold or one church for all; 2) the perfection of the saints, 3) theocracy or government of God for all; nevertheless, the Church of God is committed to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church to preach His Word. WE must not only preach it, but we must live it. It is easy to profess religion, but we must possess true holiness! LET THE CHURCH BE THE CHURCH, and “BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD.” Amen!

Live Righteousely As Christ

“Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 13:43).

Before humanity existed in the world, one man became created by God.  The bible indicates that he was created to the likeness of God.  “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness;…” (Genesis 1:26).  The word image means: physical aspect of a person, in the contrary likeness means: similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things.

This person that was created by God was called Adam, and according to the scripture he was created to the image of God.  Understanding the verse we can comprehend that he was created perfect because God is perfect. After he was created by God he was put in the Garden of Eden, “And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed” (Genesis 2:8).  Speaking concerning the garden, we can colligate it with a person that receives the Holy Ghost; when one is a sinner and repents then they become a new creature like it says in the epistle that Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2nd Corinthians 5:17).  We know that salvation is not the only thing we need in a Christian’s life; we need to grow closer to God.  To get close to God one has to grow spiritually; after being saved one has to seek the sanctification and after seek the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  To be baptized with the Holy Ghost is one of the highest levels of a Christian.  It’s when the Holy Ghost dwells in the individual; he doesn’t just come and touch you, but stays inside the heart.  In this spiritual state one is closer to God and each prayer that is made, reaches God.  The power to heal infirmities and cast out devils comes through the power of the Holy Ghost.  Remembering what Jesus told his disciples, “…In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17,18).  Although the promise of the Father was not yet fulfilled, Jesus had prophesized them what was going to occur, and it was until the days of Pentecost that the promise of the Holy Ghost was fulfilled.

Even if an individual receives the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which does not mean their spirituality will be strong forever, one has to feed their Spirit, needs to keep seeking God.  It’s like a gardener that has a garden full of rose and a beautiful glooming rose begins to sprout, one has to feed it with water (prayer) and the rays of the sun (the word) so it will continue to grow.  These are obligatory requirements if one wants the rose to keep its color and vigor.  It is very important that we maintain ourselves spiritually strong. So if a storm reaches us we can resist it, the financial crisis is adding up, crime continues, and many more things, but that’s why we have to be STRONG to defeat the devil and his traps.  As The Church of God we have a big duty, to live righteous as Christ, which means we have to be righteous in everything!  Not forgetting who we are: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9,10).  Praise God the almighty!!  We are visible; let’s announce to the world being living testimonies that there can be Holy people in this world that live a righteous live before God.  Remembering what the Apostle Paul told Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16).  Every person that hears us speak will believe, each person that witnesses our testimony will be surprised and believe we truly are the CHOSEN GENERATION!! I encourage you brother (sister) that we begin living in holiness and always seeking the Holy Ghost and us who already have it due to the grace of God, let’s continue feeding our spirit and live righteously as Christ. Amen

By Irving Romano
CA, UT, NV & S. ID
Regional Evangelist

Do Not Fall In Temptation

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12).

To be a youth and be faithful to God is a difficult commandment to carry on.  I speak from the prospective of a youth and member of The Church of God.  Depending on how much time you have in Christianity and your spiritual knowledge is how you will be able to respond to the worldly temptations.  But let us know this, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as in common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 The world is a place full of sin (evil, arrogance, envy, destruction, and hatred).  Everything that the world has to offer is momentarily, nothing will last forever; “For the riches are not for ever…” (Proverbs 27:24).  Sometimes the attractions of the world are impregnable and we don’t realize it; we take them lightly but those temptations take us more and more apart from God. Let us remember what the word exhorts us, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).  Temptations can come in many ways; from a friend who isn’t Christian, worldly music, worldly talk, or through a girlfriend or boyfriend.  All of this can have a great power over some if they don’t grasp on to the hands of God.  “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).  Praying and calling unto the almighty God is the only way we can fight against the enemies’ temptations.

The enemy can disguise the temptation in an exclusive form that when it is seen it will not look wrong.  Let us recall that the devil was created perfectly when he dwelled in heaven with God, “Thou was perfect in thy ways from the day that thou was created, till iniquity was found in thee” (Ezekiel 28:15).  The enemy knows what attracts us and if he can disguise it, he will do so as long as the servant of God falls.  If we pay close attention to the scripture that speaks of King David and Bathsheba, “…In an eveningtide, that David arose from of his bed, and walked upon the roof… from the roof saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon” (2 Samuel 11:2).  We can see how temptation came so potent before David that he committed adultery with her.  Bathsheba was Urias’ woman, whom he was a great warrior and servant of David.  When David saw her he went and asked for her and they told him that she was Urias’ lady, but he did not care and entered inside of her.  Temptation will come very strong at times, but what are we going to do?  Are we going to lust with temptation or walk away from it?  Later the story tells that after committing that sin, the Lord grew angry and when David had a baby it died seven days later, “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou has despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife” (2 Samuel 12:10).  God punished David because he knew what he had done was unpleasant before the Lord.  Lets us step away from temptation which will bring consequences; many that fall in temptation lose all the blessings that the Lord has given them.  God loves us and wants the best for us, but the enemy will always place traps so Gods’ children can fall; but there is POWER in Jesus Christ and we can defeat the world!!  “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phillipians 4:13).  His word is promise to us his children, especially for us who belong and are a part in his divine body:  “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones” (Ephesians 5:30).

I encourage each of our youthful brethren, adults, and of any age.  Let us get closer to God and seek his Holy Spirit.  I know it can be difficult to serve the Lord, but I as a youth can confess that one has to leave many things for love of Jesus.  But for all of this the Lord will give us the victory and will honor us.  When temptation comes and we want to make a decision, let us go to God whom will always guide us.  His word has promised us that he will be with us unto the end of the world, “…and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:20).  Then let us not fear and follow Jesus whom will crown us in heaven and will fill us with his glory and blessings on earth.  We will be an example to all those youth that say it is impossible to serve the Lord and that the church is only for the elderly.  The Church of God is for ALL ages and we can all be faithful.  Lets’ unite as youth and represent Christ in all moments and all times.  And that souls can be saved through our testimony.  Let’s keep moving forward oh youth that the Lord is with us!

By Irving D. Romano
CA, NV, UT & South ID
Regional Evangelist

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