THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF GOD
The pages of this website identify Catholicism/false Christianity as the eighth head of the "Beast", the combine of powers described in Daniel 2 and 7, and Revelation 13 and 17. These are powers that oppose God by conquering and defiling His land, and persecuting His people.
It is quite alarming therefore to be able to identify many Catholic doctrines and practices in the Churches of God in this Laodicea era. However, the facts don't lie.
Below is a brief list, but no doubt more points could be added.
1) Image of the Beast Church government
(a.k.a. "the primacy of Peter" or "one man rule")
Not every Church of God (COG) practises this, but quite a number of large ones do, as they follow in the footsteps of Herbert W Armstrong (HWA).
See "THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD" for a full explanation.
2) Trinitarianism
This erroneous belief is held by most Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh Day Adventists and Messianic Jews, and was also introduced into the Worldwide Church of God after the death of HWA.
3) Baptism in the name of the Trinity
The trinitarian baptismal formula found in Matthew 28:19 was not used in apostolic times. This formula was fraudulently inserted centuries after Matthew's gospel was written. New Testament baptisms were always performed in the name of Jesus Christ.
See the page "BAPTISM INTO THE TRINITY".
4) Futurism rather than Historicism
The Churches of God have in this end time largely adopted a Catholic method of interpreting prophecy known as Futurism. In earlier times the general opinion had been that prophecy provides an overview of history given in advance, an interpretation method known as Historicism. Therefore it was understood that the prophesied times in Scripture are usually of long duration.
For instance, the prophecy about the "man of sin" (II Thes 2:3) was, at the time of the Reformation, commonly accepted by both Protestants and true Christians as referring to the office of the Papacy, and that "power was given unto him to continue" for 1260 years, not a literal "42 months" (Rev 13:5).
During the Catholic Counter-Reformation, however, in order to deflect suspicion from the Papal office, an explanation was concocted by the Catholic Church that most major prophetic events, and especially those found in the book of Revelation, were yet in the future and would be fulfilled in a final apocalypse. Thus arose the unfortunate philosophy of Futurism, which over time made its way into other churches and also, in the 19th century, into God's Church.
See "REVELATION IS HISTORY" and "TRUTHS LOST IN LAODICEA" for more information.
5) Believers cannot interpret God's Word
Only the Priest/Apostle/Prophet/Minister/Church can interpret the Scriptures. Difficult questions from regular members regarding Biblical matters are generally not appreciated. Differing opinions regarding God’s Word are generally not tolerated.
See the page "PRIVATE INTERPRETATION" for more on this.
6) Images depicting leaders or former leaders
As in Catholicism, the Churches will deny that these images are worshipped.
7) Infallibility of the leader
This is a hangover from HWA’s time and does not apply to all COG’s.
See the article "THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD" for more on this subject.
8) The Church's authority overrides God's Word
God says no food is to be purchased on Sabbaths (Neh 10:31 and 13:15-22), but the Church says it's okay. God's Word says we shouldn't follow what the Gentiles do when they cut down a tree, set it up and decorate it (Jer 10:1-5), but some Sabbath keeping Churches do exactly that as they participate in Christmas celebrations.
9) Traditional Christian standards applied to Sabbath keeping
As long as one goes to Church on the Sabbath, there are few limitations on what brethren may do with the rest of the day. Since even frequenting restaurants is allowed by most COG’s, there is little motivation to apply restraint in other areas.
10) The use of relics
As an example, some years ago the Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) identified what it believed to be Herbert Armstrong's "prayer rock" in Oregon and transported it to their Oklahoma headquarters. HWA mentions this rock in his Autobiography. The PCG now teaches that this relic has replaced "Jacob's pillar stone", the stone that used to be under the Coronation Chair in Britain, as being indicative of where God's throne is located today!
11) Clapping for leaders
When the Pope appears at St Peter's Square, or anywhere for that matter, the crowds clap for him. Since Herbert Armstrong's reign we have also begun witnessing this strange phenomenon in Church services when the leader appears. Many of us find this disconcerting to say the least, and are hesitant to join in. Is the Church of God a theatre or a circus? Should leaders in God's Church be idolised like pop stars or movie stars or, amazingly, even like the Pope?
*****
The book of Revelation clearly identifies the Roman Catholic Church as "Babylon the Great" and "Mother of Harlots" (referring to its Protestant daughter churches) (Rev 17:5). As explained at length on this website, she is the "little horn" of Daniel 7 who sought to change God’s laws and persecuted His people for 1260 years.
In Revelation 18, God’s people are admonished to "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues" (Rev 18:4). Although this Scripture is often quoted in the Churches of God, lamentably most members have failed to understand its significance.