Herbert W. Armstrong

An Apostle of God

How important is the office of an apostle of God? Since Mr. Armstrong is dead, should what he taught make any difference for us in the Church today? Do we need to follow the doctrines put into the Church through a man who is now dead? The answer is easy to determine. Is the apostle Paul dead? Is the apostle Peter dead? Is the apostle John dead? I think you get my point!

Did Herbert W. Armstrong fulfill the role of the “Elijah” to come (Matthew 17:11 , Malachi 4:5-6), or is there yet to appear an “Elijah” in the future?

Many questions have been asked regarding this man and his office over the past several years since his death. Many ideas and questions about “Elijah” and the office of an apostle have emerged from both the ministry and Church members bringing more confusion than answers.

Maybe you are one who does not believe he was an apostle of God. That does not change what God says about him. Some, who believe and teach he indeed fulfilled the role of the “Elijah”, refuse to fully follow doctrine as instilled into the Church through him. A good example of this is the doctrine of make-up. Check with your own ministers about this doctrine. You will find most do not follow this teaching as given through an apostle.

Some leaders today, who were closest to him when he was alive, ignore his very instructions about Church doctrine, how it is instilled into the Church, etc. They freely will use his name in teachings when it suits their fancy, but if they wish to change or omit a doctrine, it seems they no longer adhere to Christ’s instructions through him regarding such matters.

As leader of God’s Church during the Philadelphia era, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong taught the true doctrines of God to us as he learned them from Jesus Christ via the Bible, being led by His Spirit. We read in Revelation 3:8: “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

It says this leader kept God’s Word, “ You have kept my word” (Rev. 3:8). Do we grasp the depth of what Jesus is saying? Jesus said, “ Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). What we read here then in Revelation 3:8 is about a leader who kept the truth of God, not just spoke it. What does it mean to keep the word or truth of God? It means he did not compromise the truth of God by watering it down or try to change it’s intended meaning.

Mr. Armstrong himself stated many times that one of the main reasons God could use him was because he would not compromise on doctrine. Sadly, this is not true of most ministers today in God’s Church.

In Revelation 3:8 it also says he “ hast not denied my name.” Let’s examine that statement for a moment. What is important about not denying Christ’s name? Jesus said that if those who obey him were to ask anything of Him or the Father in His name, they would do it (John 14:13-14, 16:23-24).

The name of Jesus Christ carries with it authority. Authority means government! In this case it means GOD’S GOVERNMENT. Mr. Armstrong understood God’s government better than any of us. He regularly taught it to the Church. What Jesus Christ is saying then in Revelation 3:8 is that Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong was properly using the authority of Christ’s name. He claimed to be God’s apostle. That claim carries much weight in the mind of God. Does it in ours? Something we should contemplate.

In your own mind compare the following quotes from God’s end-time apostle with what we are hearing today from most Church leaders, especially those in the two largest splinter groups.

“The word apostle means “one sent forth.” the meaning here is unmistakable --- as Peter was the chief apostle to Israel and Judah, so Paul was chief apostle to the gentiles. Nevertheless, when ALL of the scriptures on this subject are put together, it becomes certain that Peter, in fact, was the overall chief apostle.

The New Testament Church of God received all its teaching, practices, customs, FROM THE APOSTLES, with Peter chief over all the others”... “ Peter did have primacy as chief apostle!”

“ Yet the apostles were the teachers who instilled in the Church the BELIEFS, TEACHINGS, PRACTICES AND CUSTOMS of the Church. And all members of the Church were required by God to BELIEVE and SPEAK THE SAME THING!”

SOURCE of Church Beliefs

Let’s GET THIS STRAIGHT, once and for all! The SOURCE of the beliefs, teachings, customs and practices in the Church of God is GOD HIMSELF! Not any man. Jesus said, “spoken I have nothing of myself” --- the FATHER had instructed Him! Jesus, in turn, taught His apostles in Person! THERE WAS NO DOCTRINAL BOARD! The teachings of the Church did not come from a COUNCIL of ministers and/or lay members, who voted on what to believe.

Right here, SOME are going to ask, “WHAT ABOUT ACTS 15? Wasn’t that the first Church Council at Jerusalem, to settle points of doctrine?” THE ANSWER IS NO!

“ MARK WELL THIS POINT: GOD PUT HIS TRUTH INTO HIS CHURCH THROUGH CHRIST AND THROUGH THE APOSTLES !”

“ So now let it be MADE OFFICIAL --- by Christ’s present-day apostle --- that this binding and loosing PLAINLY, CLEARLY, was given to Christ’s chief APOSTLE --- not to lower-rank ministers ordained by his authority --- not by the CHURCH as a body --- but by the APOSTLE!” (HWA, GN Nov. 20, 1978).

Now read the following: “ “the Presiding Evangelist and Council of Elders of the Living Church of God, led by the Holy Spirit, have the responsibility to clarify and establish doctrine” (Living Church of God web page, Statement of Beliefs, 2003). This is completely against what God’s apostle, Mr. Armstrong, taught. “ only apostles were used by Christ to put doctrine into the Church” (PGR, May 23, 1980).

I don’t think you need reminding of the type of voting government the largest splinter group is practicing. Hear again these words from God’s late apostle: “ “ How does God's Church receive its doctrines, beliefs and teachings? Direct from God, through the channels of Jesus Christ as Head of the Church, and from Him through the apostles! NEVER by any others! NEVER by a group of ministers appointing themselves as a Doctrinal Committee!” (HWA reprint article, “What is a Liberal?”)

How about it? Will you follow and support those teaching differently than God’s apostle and watering down the truth? Or will you have the courage to take a stand for the true doctrines as given through an apostle of God? Think about it!

Please request the booklet, “ The Work of God in the Laodicean Era”. It explains why and how to solve the division in God’s Church today in simple understandable terms.