THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF GOD
The pages of this website identify Catholicism/false Christianity as the eighth head of the “beast” powers that oppose God. 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) Baptism in the name of the Trinity
See the page "BAPTISM INTO THE TRINITY".
3) Futurism rather than Historicism
The Churches of God have in this end time largely adopted a Catholic method of interpreting prophecy known as Futurism. However, from the time of the Reformation the opinion generally held by Protestants and true Christians was that prophecy provides an overview of history given in advance, an interpretation method known as Historicism. Therefore they 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 held to refer 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 found its way into other churches and eventually also into God's Church.
See "REVELATION IS HISTORY" and "TRUTHS LOST IN LAODICEA" for more information.
4) 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.
5) Images depicting leaders or former leaders
As in Catholicism, the Churches will deny that these images are worshipped.
6) 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.
7) 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.
8) 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.
9) The use of relics
As an example, some years ago the 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!
10) 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?