WHO IS TRULY HOLDING FAST

Are those who claim to be holding fast to all the doctrines taught to the church by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong really doing so?

The WCG leadership has departed from almost every doctrine which was being taught at the time of his death. Many groups have formed since this great apostasy. The majority of these splinter groups have omitted, more or less, part of those doctrines which had been taught up to that point in time. This omission may include a “major” doctrine, such as the form of government or tithing, or it could be the rejection of some “minor” doctrine such as make-up or hair length on men. Sometimes it might be a combination of both “major” and “minor” doctrines. Some returned to a church of the world. Others just quit altogether.

A few leaders have said they never quit holding fast to those doctrines, while others claim to have returned, or are returning, to all the doctrines given to the Church through Mr. Armstrong. But are these statements true? Are they truly holding fast to every doctrine that was in place at the time of his death? Or do they hold fast only the “major” doctrines while omitting some of the “minor” doctrines? In most cases, we find these statements about holding fast to all doctrines are not always true. Being selective in doctrine is not the same as holding fast to all doctrines.

Much confusion and distrust for the ministry and leadership in God’s Church has been generated over these past few years over this issue of holding fast. Some leaders of the varying groups claim they are holding fast. But in most cases, after closer examination, we can declare this statement to usually be a deceptive one.

Is anybody truly being honest about the matter of holding fast? Do leaders really tell the truth anymore? Isn’t the ministry supposed to always tell us the truth? Does their Nay really mean Nay, and their Yea really mean Yea anymore? You would certainly expect the truth from the ministry, wouldn’t you?

I have been through two groups who make the claim of teaching all “major” and “minor” doctrines established through Mr. Armstrong. Technically, they do teach them in word but not by their example. Looking at the history of both leaders, we can find a bloody trail, spiritually speaking, of torn, bleeding, devastated, battered and dying sheep who had been under their leadership within the past several years. After leaving their groups, the stronger sheep recover while the weaker ones usually just lay down to die.

The weightier matters of the law, which is (proper) judgment, mercy and faith, have been omitted in these groups (Matt. 23:23, Luke 11:42). They keep the letter of the law, but forget to practice the spirit of the law which is God’s Love.

I have witnessed misconduct and cruel treatment toward members by leaders in each of these groups. I have heard outright lying from the leadership right on down to the laymen level.

Both these groups claim to be promoting God’s Love, when they haven’t even reached the human level of love yet, except maybe among those of their own group. It’s a pitiful thing to behold.

If you tell the members that these things are taking place within their very own groups, they won’t believe it. The instructions of Jesus Christ given in Matthew 5:43-48, where He says to love even our enemies, have been completely rejected. If you are not in their particular group, you are treated as an enemy.

The leaders display hatred toward those of the other group. They don’t actually say they hate each other, but their words and conduct toward each other display hostility quite loudly and distinctly. This type of conduct is the same as the world around us, which we are told to come out from and be separate. This attitude is perpetuated among the members of both groups. We truly live in sad times.

The attitude of the Pharisees is still around today as much as it was when Jesus Christ walked the earth as a human being (see Matthew chapter 23 and Luke 11:37-52). Both these chapters in God’s Word describe an attitude which is in God’s Church today even amongst its leaders.

God’s love is certainly lacking in the leadership of any group where this attitude is prevalent.

What about leaders who do show genuine love toward others? Are these leaders who have a more compassionate approach toward others, who make the claim of holding fast to all the doctrines given through Mr. Armstrong, really doing so? I have written to some who have made this claim. These same leaders may teach all the “major” doctrines, yet they reject some of the “minor” doctrines. Jesus Christ explains in Luke 16:10 that he who is faithful in little will be faithful in much. The “minor” doctrines, right along with the “major” ones, are important to everyone in God’s Church.

There is one “minor” doctrine which all these leaders have rejected, that of make-up. When I have written to these leaders who claim to be holding fast to all the doctrines, this one doctrine has been rejected every time. Every one has refused to accept this doctrine or teach it to their particular group.

This doctrine makes some ministers very nervous. It seems to be a problem for them to teach it. Some have said Mr. Armstrong had it right, but they still will not teach it as he taught it. Most won’t touch it with a ten foot pole. This doctrine of make-up is taboo for them. Why? Mostly because this doctrine generates much controversy among the members. We wouldn’t want to upset members would we? They may leave us. Who are these ministers afraid of, God or man? Why not accept and teach it along with all the other doctrines. At least they would be honest with the members.

All one has to do is listen to the sermon tapes or read articles on the subject by Mr. Armstrong, including the July 1, 1983 PGR (repeated in the July 11, 1983 WWN), where he makes it very clear why his ruling on this doctrine was right and should be obeyed. He presented God’s view on this subject. Do we truly believe he was God’s Apostle, who had His authority, His government? Do we believe the doctrines Jesus Christ put into His Church through Mr. Armstrong during the era really were from God?

Revelation 3:8 states very clearly that the leader over the Philadelphia era of the Church did have Christ’s truth and His authority, “…Hast kept my word (truth), and has not denied my name (authority, government). This verse shows that Mr. Armstrong was on track doctrinally and had Christ’s authority and approval to put doctrine into the Church.

Where do these men today get their authority to change or omit doctrine? Mr. Armstrong has stated on numerous occasions that doctrine was, and is, put into the Church ONLY THROUGH THE APOSTLES. Are some men today usurping an office which is not theirs? Making a decision to omit or change doctrine is usurping the authority of an apostle. That is treading on very dangerous spiritual ground. There is no apostle today. We must obey the doctrines which God put into His Church through Mr. Armstrong. Unto these we are to hold fast (Rev. 3:11). Let no man take your crown.

Any minister who says that Mr. Armstrong did not have God’s government and authority has, in the same breath, denounced his own ordination. Ministers in this end time have been ordained, directly or indirectly, under Mr. Armstrong’s leadership and authority. Denying his authority is denying Christ’s authority. Such a minister would be denying any authority which he himself thinks he has. Some men are very short-sighted indeed!

Mr. Armstrong certainly made the teaching on make-up very understandable and why it needed to be clarified. He repented of allowing it back into the Church. He made a statement that his decision was FINAL, and it wasn’t going to be changed again, “EXCEPT OVER MY DEAD BODY” (1981 sermon tape). That, brethren is exactly what has come to pass in this era. No man today has the authority to change this doctrine. Have they?

Not addressing this doctrine simply amounts to rejection of the authority (government) given to Mr. Armstrong. Rejection of the make-up doctrine then amounts to rejection of the most important doctrine for God’s Church, GOVERNMENT. One of the reasons we are in God’s Church is to learn God’s government.

This is why it is so important that we keep ALL the doctrines, not pick and choose those we want to keep while rejecting one or more of the others. This is the most common practice with those who claim to be holding fast. It’s time we face the real truth in this matter of holding fast. We need to be like Joshua who didn’t go to the left hand nor to the right. He obeyed everything Moses directed him to do and God blessed him. That should be our approach especially when it comes to doctrine.

The comments made by Mr. Dave Havir in his article written in the Journal dated Jan. 31, 2001 on page three under the heading: "Some questions sure do make you think” was appreciated. He clearly spells out some hypocrisies of these groups who are claiming to be holding fast.

Letters, in which similar questions to those in his article were asked, have been written to ministers requesting them to be totally honest in their proclamations of holding fast. As you may have already concluded, a person is not very welcome if he asks such questions. This article may have your own dander up just a bit. If it does, you should ask yourself, “why”?

The purpose for presenting this article is because we also are a group who lay claim to holding fast to every doctrine give to the Church through Mr. Armstrong. We search the teachings of those who claim to be holding fast to find if what they say is really being taught and practiced or just a camouflage. We seek the full truth and we seek to be with those who also are seeking the full truth.

Of these groups who claim to hold fast, we haven’t found any yet who hasn’t tinkered with, changed, added or omitted something. We have found a few members and one minister holding fast.

We have not changed nor omitted any doctrine. We are actively searching for those who are of like mind. We want to be with those who are truly holding fast to all the doctrines as they were given to us through Mr. Armstrong.

When we hear of others claiming they are returning to all the doctrines, it catches our attention. So far, almost every leader, who has claimed this, has either altered, omitted, or added to those doctrines “new truth” which, in most cases, will alter a doctrine from it’s original intent. Or, their conduct and leadership is not with the love that which Jesus requires of His ministry. These are some of the problems presented in almost every group which claim they are holding fast to all the doctrines.

One leader, who claims to be holding fast to all the doctrines, has usurped the office of “That Prophet” which is the office of Jesus Christ. This proclamation alone, besides many other wrong teachings, disqualifies him from leading God’s people any longer. He teaches his own ideas on prophecy and claims to lead the only true Church.

Another has given sermon after sermon where wrong teachings have been detected, and he also claims that his group is the only true Church. When these wrong teachings are brought to his attention, he discharges any who dare talk to him about them. A trail of blood is what you see. Christ does not approve of this type of leadership.

How about you? Are you one of those who truly wants to hold fast to every doctrine as given to us through Mr. Armstrong? Are you looking for those of like minds and don’t know where to go? Has your searching efforts always ended in disappointment and discouragement? Please contact us and we will help you to get in touch with others who also truly want to hold fast.

There are very few left who truly are holding fast to all the doctrines. We are scattered but we will, God willing, bring those of like mind together