Righteous doesnt mean sinless, of course. Two of the seven churches have nothing condemning them in the letter because they are the regenerate church. The website was conceived eight years ago, but underwent two long delays in the process. It is nearly 70 ms. e. of Smyrna and about the same distance n.e. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Bible study should always lead us to Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13). A careful scrutiny of these verses shows something is missing that almost all assume is there: They do not say the church at Philadelphia is full of brotherly love. America is full of them. He alone has the . In January 1990 Gerald Flurry and John Amos broke away from the Worldwide Church of God and began a new church called "The Philadelphia Church of God." They have pointed out many of the drastic changes Worldwide is going through, and claims to want to return to the faith of Herbert Armstrong, whom they look upon as "Elijah." It also shows the root word from which the Hebrew or Greek word was derived. So we study to be corrected. The magazines name illustrates that the material within is intended for royalty! Gods Word is a powerful litmus test for our souls and actions. Even if they get their lessons in the mail, we hope they will take tests online to be scored immediately so they can get on with the course.. God's Word contains the answer to resisting temptation before it's too late. Is it the opposite of pride? By Grant Turgeon Dec. 7, 2016 The homepage of the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course What the Bible says about Bible study gives us something that this world desperately needs. Please browse around our website for various information about our church. Expose` on the Royal . Laodicea earned its wealth in the textile industry in the production of black wool [see Revelation 3:18, white garments contrasted] and in the banking industry. 5. There are no "new" temptations in life. The biblical city was located about 28 miles southeast of the city of Sardis. We sponsor the global broadcast of the "Tomorrow's World" television programa weekly half-hour telecast explaining the end-time prophecies of the Bible, announcing the good news of the Kingdom of God, and spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ. Amid the strange and apocalyptic vision described in Ezekiel 1, God called the thirty-year-old exile to be a powerful prophet. Note the qualities He exhibited and ask yourself how you would act and how you should act, according to His example. William Gurnall, Now it came to pass in those days that [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. . It's the city of brotherly love, perfect for the Church of God. Attention Conservation Notice: A long take on why I left a small, cult religious group that I grew up in. The Church of God in Philadelphia. By grouping all the scriptures together that use the same word we gain a deeper understanding of what each aspect of spiritual fruit entails and how specifically we need to change. (Luke 18:8). When all four tires are in motion, we will be able to respond to the authority of the Bible (Isaiah 66:2) and take action. Message to Philadelphia Revelation 3:7-13. John W. Ritenbaugh Often modern translations have been rendered from faulty translations, rather than original texts. Another example would be to study the words used to describe love in 1 Corinthians 13. How often? We can study their livesput ourselves in their shoes. This king had a special devotion to his brother, Eumenes II. When we tune in to God and listen to His words, our faith increases (Romans 10:17). Prayer and a holy life are one. This rosy evaluation is suspect from the standpoint that we also think it is the church . Is it Christ? Be careful in using paraphrases such as the Living Bible or the Amplified Bible. Every single member of that bodyeach of us individuallyis important and necessary. Hiding sin does not remove it from Gods sight; but when we seek Gods forgiveness, the refreshing living water from the Father is poured out on us and we are restoredthat is the power of confession. Philadelphia, [N] [E] [H] strictly Philadelphia ( brotherly love ), a town on the confines of Lydia and Phrygia Catacecaumene, 25 southeast of Sardis, and built by Attalus II., king of Pergamos, who died B.C. The Church of Philadelphia in Revelation covers the era between the second half of the 18 th century and the first half of the 19 th century. How did you feel? I grew up in the Philadelphia Church of God (PCG). The creation is both a monument of Gods power, and a looking-glass in which we may see his wisdom. God always has a plan, and our false starts become His fresh starts. John MacArthur speculates in his study Bible that it was: "probably the fruit of Paul's extended ministry in Ephesus (cf. Another reason to study is to be able to give an answer to those who may want to know more about that hope they see in us (1 Peter 3:15). Christian Kryptonite? During this year, you will read the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice. By giving the Spirit, He gives more of Himself. A great misconception carried by many Christians has to do with the location of heaven. We can develop an overview of why it was written, its major theme or themes and an outline. Although Philadelphia is the only church as a whole that Jesus promises to rescue from the hour of temptation, He reveals that among those taken to heaven will be some from Sardis (Rev. Jonah repented and called on the Lord and was delivered. Special News Report on Philadelphia Church of God. After all, according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, love is known by its actions more than its words. In these cases, topical books such as topical study Bibles, the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (with over 500,000 scripture cross-references and parallel passages) and a book called Where to Find It in the Bible (that lists over 3,700 contemporary topics from abortion to zoology) are very useful. And when he believed God, [God] accounted it to [Abraham] for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). When language obscures a scripture, you can check a more modern translation, such as the one by James Moffatt, the Revised Standard Version or the Ferrar Fenton translation. The ancient city of Philadelphia, which sits near the Cogamus River, is 44 kilometers (27 miles) from Sardis and 77 kilometers (48 miles) from Laodicea. Do the problems and frustrations of this world continually get you down? Inside was $4,000! How to Speak the Truth in Love in a Hostile World. Of all Jesus' comments to the churches, the one to the Church of the Laodiceans is undoubtedly the most sobering and solemn. The church in Corinth was an undisciplined church, and he was letting them know that even though the culture around them was in flux, their faith in Jesus Christ needed to remain focused and sure. In three of Paul's epistles, he uses an open door as a metaphor for an opportunity to preach (I Corinthians 16:9; II Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3). Integrity of heart is indispensable. We continue looking at the seven messages in Revelation 2-3. from Jesus to the churches of Asia. Thats just when God appeared to him as he was among the exiles by the Kebar River. Pauls topic is the grace given by God to each Christian to serve in the Body of Christ. It was named as the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Snowfall in the winter and melting snow in the spring are critical factors in replenishing shrinking reservoirs. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. The Philadelphians have had to knock because they have only a little strength, and they know it. But this metaphor has no connection at all to Christ's quotation of Isaiah 22:22. Church of Philadelphia. Is it things above? They have two sons, who are both married, and four grandchildren. If one of them goes flat, you are stuck until you get it fixed. When His friends let Him down? In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility. Because of volume we may not be able to promptly reply to submissions using the form below. Likewise, we need to be nourished daily while we are in the womb of the Church, otherwise we are in danger of spiritually starving to death. Philadelphia Dallas Monday Night Service. Ezekiel 1:1, NIV, We often need fresh starts after enduring bitter disappointments. Do you often feel that life is passing you by? Hensley said the website represents a huge upgrade for students in the rest of the world, especially. Bible correspondence course students living in Africa, South America and elsewhere have found that receiving and sending lessons and tests through the mail has proven to be not only time consuming but also very unreliable. Doctrines. 2 Peter 3:9. Then review them at least one more time, perhaps the following Sabbath before services. He is also true in the sense that he is faithful and trustworthy. If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to go to His Father in prayer for strengthening and guidance, how much more do we (Psalm 32:6)? Letters From Those Impacted by Philadelphia Church of God (2022) - Exit & Support Network Exit & Support Network Aiding those spiritually abused by Worldwide Church of God and offshoots Letters From Those Impacted by Philadelphia Church of God (2022) Best of the Letters for 2022 Reviews on Bible Study in Roxborough, Philadelphia, PA 19128 - Citylight Church, Christian Stronghold Baptist Church, Lancaster Bible College - Capitol Seminary & Graduate School, House Of Faith Ministries PA, First Haitian Church Of God In Philadelphia Deuteronomy 11:12, In a letter to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, George Washington marveled at how Gods hand had protected him and given success to the cause of liberty: The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.. Gods Church has many doctrines that differ from this worlds contrived religions. Martin Collins explains that Scripture defines virtue as a strength or power that disciplined people use to produce beautiful traits of goodness. Dwight L. Moody, The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. "Its name was given to it in honor of Attalus II, because of his loyalty to his elder brother, Eumenes II, king of Lydia. The deeper we delve into that treasure chestthe Biblethe richer we become and the happier well be, not because of physical riches we put to work at the bank but because of the spiritual riches we put to work in our lives. Someone had used a knife to cut a hole in the middle of the book. When you look at Herbert W. Armstrongs work, its like a pyramid, pcg Pastor General Gerald Flurry said. (Part Four). Christ praised the believers for four principles that we often lose sight of among the practices and programs of modern church culture. For example, the book of Matthew focuses on Christ, the King. Psalm 32:4. If so, you might be neglecting a vitally important aspect of Christian living! Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City Several of the organizers and members of Philly Bible Study worship with the West Philly Assembly of Christ. Then frame the scriptures within that context. First, he believed the promises of God about the future God had planned for him (Hebrews 11:8-12). What was His motivation? .". Books of the Bible. You dont have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods. name of his foundation means "brotherly love.". By devoting time each day to the study of Gods Word. History of Philadelphia Church of God. Theyre building a palace for me over there. A doctrine is a teaching or that which is taught. Together they comprise the Churchs body of beliefs. Jesus faced this dilemma when He healed a paralytic man. Ezekiel looked beyond the sufferings of Christ to the glory that should follow. But they also know that the only way to endure courageously ( Revelation 3:10) is to seek the strength of God. Through Christ, we have entrance into the Holy of Holies, the dwelling place of the Great God, which we may enter with boldness (Hebrews 10:19). But compared to the online course, even that method was a very inefficient process, Hensley said. They are the spiritual food we need in order to grow spiritually (John 6:55-59, 63 and 1 Peter 2:2). The words of the Bible are Gods thoughts in print (2 Timothy 3:16). That its the same old routine day in and day out? 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. Sep. 17, 2020 How God Educates Gerald Flurry Aug. 19, 2022 If your beliefs, and therefore your actions, have become divided, gather them back together as you commit to God and His Word. For the Apostle Paul, doing Gods Work was more important than his own salvation! Useful knowledge will always humble us and prepare us to be in Gods Family. Thats why it is important to review and study those notes. Can we prove the truth? He wants us to be happy, fulfilled and excited about our future in spite of all the pain and suffering in this present evil world. Its the act of becoming too attached to the material things of the worldfalling more in love with the things on earth than on things in heaven. It is said that you truly understand a subject when you can explain it to someone else. The Holy Spirit is the means by which the Father and the Son dwell within the adopted sons of God. Because Christ criticizes Philadelphia very little, opens doors before her, and offers protection from the Tribulation, it is easy to think we "have it made" if we were or are part of Philadelphia. Both the American and British Bible Societies were organized during . People interested in studying the Bible can sign up for the online course regardless of whether they have previously enrolled in the mail correspondence version. They do have good characteristics, but they are weak. God gave him a second chance. Wayne Turgeon Dec. 30, 2022 What Is the Unpardonable Sin? We know that Abraham wasnt perfect. Individually, we may only have a little "power," but if we are faithful with what we have been given, God is pleased, knowing we will also be faithful with great power. 7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. Old Testament Basics New Testament Basics Mining God's Word Navigate the Christian Life Sharing My Faith Making Disciples Living Joyfully Maintaining Purity Practicing My Faith In My Workplace Keeping a Spiritual Journal Early Christianity (Until A.D. 590) Ancient Greece and Rome Before Nicea After Nicea The Apostles' Creed But with Jonah, the second time was because Jonah had failed to speak Gods word the first time. When you see opportunities to care for creationnature or your own bodydo so as a way of glorifying the Creator. Thomas Watson, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. As our lives center on God, giving priority to hearing His voice and reading His Word, we become bolder in sharing our faith. To be honest, we would have to make the same assumption for each of the groups, and no one has been able to make a significant conclusion in this vein for the Ephesian group in regard to the name "Ephesus," or for the Thyatiran group with "Thyatira," or for the others. It lay in the valley of the Cogamus, near the . We may therefore presume that some from the other remaining churches will be taken as well So, what is Philadelphia? Church of God Photos See all Videos See all 13:15 Fly over! If He says something will happen, so be it. Once enrolled, students can download lessons, submit tests, view their automatically graded scores and track their progress. What was Gods advice to them? Commentaries and other Bible helps can be great reference works. What Is Your Area of Weakness? A fifth reason for studying the Bible is to be able to do Gods Work. The Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) is a non-trinitarian, . So, Jesus proved He had the authority to say, I forgive you, by doing something harder. The 'Open Door' of Philadelphia, There is criticism or maybe it is simply a statement of fact. Paul uses that image to say that Christ leads His followers in a victory procession through every difficulty in life (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). Spiritual disciplines are essential to a more vibrant spiritual life and knowing God more intimately. Nevertheless, in todays world, Bible helps can be usefulprimarily in matters of translation and as time-saving tools. As Peter wrote, we look for a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13). The thesis also sparked years of critical study on the Bible. As we read the Bible and immerse ourselves in Gods truth and character, our lives are changedwe become more like Him. EDMONDIndividuals who want to learn about the Bible can now do so online, as the 36-lesson Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course went live this afternoon. Over 98,000 students from around the world have enrolled in this unique, 36-lesson course of biblical understanding. Actually, the church of Philadelphia has arisen already, and it is Eastern Lightning that everyone has heard aboutit is The Church of Almighty God. Privacy Policy, Then God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth. 4. How did He stay on track and endure? Rather, we should think of it soberly and realisticallyhumblyand minister accordingly. Thats nothing compared to the treasure youll find when opening the covers of the Bible. The more we study, the more we become familiar with how God guides, delivers and heals His people. Even more, we should practice demonstrating our forgiveness by our acts of lovingkindness. God has seen to it that His Church is well-fed. That event is a beautiful example of the willingness of God. There are many exciting ways to study the Bible that will enrich your life! W. A. Criswell, Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you. Meeting location Hyatt House 3000 Crawford Place Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Get Directions Don McCoy 410-835-8154 home Email Don McCoy 138. It is true for us today also. The letter to the church in Philadelphia begins with Christ identifying himself as "holy and true" (3:7). Far from suggesting that the Philadelphians are going to heaven, the chapter reiterates the fact of their access to the One in heaven. Or is it things below? What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. Why Would Anyone Accept the Mark of the Beast? Dont let your past keep you from trusting God for a second (or third, or fourth) chance. But he did manifest some qualities that every father should emulate. John Calvin, Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. The annual religious festivals that God commands true Christians to observe are clearly discussed in Leviticus 23. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. However, if we study the scriptures referred to and use them as a basis to construct an outline of the booklet, chapter by chapter, we will have a pretty good synopsis of the booklet based on the scriptures. Hello Jesus! The treasury of Scripture will enrich your mind, refocus your goals, replace your doubts, and redirect your pathbut only if you read it and heed it. In fact, there are no instances of Jesus being asked to help or heal and Him answering, I am not willing. There is a place where the Bible says God is not willing, and that is 2 Peter 3:9. The PCG publishes books and booklets and a correspondence course. Acts 19:10 )." We have not seen many mountains moving out of their places. Using a concordance, one can search out key words related to any one of these doctrines. We have a purpose for being hereto refresh the memory of others regarding the things of the Lord. The False Prophet in the Book of Revelation, 11 Answers to Questions About the End Times, What Is the Millennium? A five-mile-long aqueduct supplied the city with tepid water [Revelation 3:16, the lukewarm reference]. Have we studied in detail what the Bible says about prayer, fasting, trials and overcoming? You can place your steadfast trust in Him. Are you letting Him speak to you? Thus, the One they seek responds, giving more of His Spirit. Thus, the One they seek responds, giving more of His Spirit. It was situated on the lower slopes of Tmolus, and is still represented by a town called Allah-shehr (city of God). When it comes to Bible study, there is no end of knowledge that we can acquire. Television Program. slope of Mt. | By Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church | Facebook Log In Forgot Account? Consider the access He grants, saying in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life. Bible study is one of those assignments! G. Campbell Morgan, When Jesus saw [the friends] faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven you. Australia and the Philippines, campers participate in athletic activities, Bible studies and a wide variety of social and educational activities during the two to three-week camp. Laodicea was also known for its medical school which concocted a spice nard for the treatment of ears and an eye salve [see Revelation 3:18, anoint your eyes with eye salve]. In mathematics two of the basic kinds of numbers are integers and fractions: 2, 100, and 56 are integers, while , , and 2.5 are fractions. But the Bible says our eternal destiny is earthly, not heavenly. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! You know the storyJonah ended up in the sea where he was swallowed by a great fish. Bible Study | pastor | Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church Philadelphia PA A Place Where People Encounter God Family Fellowship and Bible Study Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller, Senior. Ezekiel looked up and saw remarkable visions of Godthe throne of God surrounded by angelic beings. They told the king they would not divide their allegiance, that they would maintain their faith in God and His promises. See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. The words rightly dividing connote making a straight cut. Darris McNeely works at the United Church of God home office in Cincinnati, Ohio. A tent or a cottage, why should I care? Youll be elated with what you discover! Its not just about Christian living today but also about the kind of character Christ is looking for in those He will need to rule with Him. The letter to Philadelphia is not about the mighty works of powerful men. The question is never whether God is willing but whether man is willing. And we see these two churches as the models throughout all of church history of good, solid, regenerate, faithful churches. Philadelphia means brotherly love. The world is very confused about Satan, sin, worldliness and hell.