Christianity Articles - Gerald Flurry is an egomaniac?
Who was the human leader of the early New Testament Church? Was it one man, or a committee? Does the Bible tell us? By Fred Dattolo
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Yes, Peter was the most outspoken, dominant and chief apostle under the Apostle Christ to Jews (Galatians 2:7-8). However, it's clear God worked through all the apostles doing miracles (not just Peter), and brethren supported the apostles (not just Peter), and it was the apostles' doctrine (not Peter's). Regardless, that was then, this is now.
There is no line of succession from Peter to Gerald. Peter also wasn't an egomaniac and false prophet like Gerald Flurry has revealed himself to be (who basically proclaims himself God in the Temple). Don't be so blind and gullible! We're to take all the scriptures on any given subject and see the Big Picture.
Ideally, the Church of God groups would work together and respect each others' ministry, as Paul and Peter did (and in that holy spirit I've shared articles from the PCG, the LCG and UCG all over the Internet even though shamefully none of them has even so much as given an honorable mention to Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall), and I'm on record for initially supporting Gerald Flurry as the leader in these last days of civilization as we know it: Whether we like it or not, God, in His infinite wisdom, chose Gerald Flurry to reveal to God's Church what was going on -- and thereby allow us to show our true colors by how we responded to Malachi's Message. (That doesn't mean Mr. Flurry is infallible or that he doesn't need to continually apply the principles of Malachi's Message to himself and organization, as we all do as explained in my article Worldwide All Over Again?). - Philadelphia Church of God Leads the Laodicean Era (Part 1) I no longer support Gerald Flurry because he has clearly become worse than Diotrephes! I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. (3 John 1:9-11) It appears Satan was feeding Diotrephes' ego (Diotrephes means "fed by Jupiter"). Diotrephes demanded brethren follow him and him alone. John wrote of Diotrephes' rejection of "we" and "us" - he didn't write about his rejection of Peter. John didn't agree that they should just blindly follow "God's man" or whatever Diotrephes had set himself up as, but to imitate what is good. Diotrephes was clearly evil. Gerald Flurry is evil for magnifying himself (2 Corinthians 4:5).
Today, as prophesied, the brethren are scattered in different groups and organizations. Even as the early Church of God headquarters in Jerusalem was history just before their Great Tribulation, the destruction of the Temple and dispersion of the Jews, the Judean Church of God members fleeing to Pella (while the Church of God congregations continued to function in Asia Minor as the apostles carried on their God-given missions to the scattered tribes of Israel), the organized Work of God under Herbert W. Armstrong (that was centered in Pasadena, California) is history.
Gerald Flurry had a God-given opportunity to serve the brethren and has failed, even though God has given him some victories like he did for Ahab for His Overall Purpose and can work though anybody or anything (Philippians 1:15) - including a pagan Gentile sorcerer and a High Priest and can even raise up rocks to do His Work if He chooses to.
Remember salvation is not a group affair, contrary to those who brainwash some to believe such a doctrine of demons. We're to maintain a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ: work out your own salvation with fearfulness and trembling. We're to obey God rather than men who often set themselves up as God! Yet too many are still looking to men or organizations to save them:
1 Corinthians 1:12-14 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Even as the apostles informed the Gentiles if they followed certain basic requirements, they did well, so too today, regardless of which group or organization (if any) they're associated with, the brethren do well to remember the Sabbath and holy days, dietary laws, and basic doctrines.
We await the appearance of the Two Witnesses who will restore, by their presence, the Church of God headquarters to Jerusalem.
PCG: Carrying on "Business as Usual"
Philadelphia Church of God Leads Laodicean Era (Conclusion)
David Ben-Ariel is a Christian Zionist writer and author of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall. Check out www.DavidBenAriel.org
Related Tags: gerald flurry, herbert armstrong, worldwide church of god
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