The Strand Study Bible

JOHN

JOHN

1731

the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches. The United Church of Christ believes in a “social” gospel rather than a “Scriptural” Gospel. They also embrace gay and lesbian people into their worship and have published The New Century Hymnal–the only hymnal released that honors in equal measure both male and female images of God. The United Church of Christ has a current membership of approximately 1.2 million followers. Most Non-denominational churches do bow down to God as a Trinity and most serve God’s great interest by teaching salvation by “grace.” Non-denominational Christians, for the most part, believe in a literal eternal Hell. The founder of the House of Yahweh is Buffalo Bill Hawkins, who in 1982 had his name changed to Yisrayl Hawkins. Hawkins, a one time convert to radio preacher Herbert W. Armstrong’s World Wide Church of God , claims to have had a recurring dream, which has directed the course of his life. In this recurring dream he and his brother become the two witnesses spoken of in Revelation 11:3-12. Hawkins joins other self-proclaimed Apostles and Prophets who claim to be the sole proprietors of God’s only true salvation ( Mt 24:5 ). The House of Yahweh neither bows down to God as a Trinity nor serves God’s great interest by teaching salvation by grace. The House of Yahweh believes in salvation by “works,” one of those “works” being baptismal regeneration. Their modern magazine is The Prophetic Word . Both the United Church of God (approximately 20,000 followers) and the Global Church of God (approximately 7,000 followers) are a break-off of Herbert W. Armstrong’s Worldwide Church of God . The United Church of God believes that the Gospel is “the promise of world peace” in which all of humanity will enjoy after Jesus comes to earth a second time. The United Church of God believes in salvation by “works.” They also believes, contrary to Scripture (Mt 7:13-14), that the “vast” majority of all people who have ever lived will get a second chance at salvation during the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:11-15). Which means, the United Church of God does not believe in an eternal hell. They, like the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Seventh Day Adventists , do not believe that the soul is immortal. They believe that when God destroys one in “hell,” that person’s destruction is permanent. They believe that people who willfully and willingly reject God’s way of life, characterized by obedience to His law of love (works), will die, not suffer forever. They believe this final act of justice upon the incorrigibly wicked is an act of mercy on God’s part. The United Church of God also believes that Christians will literally become God at the resurrection. Although this is a Mormon doctrine, and contrary to Scripture (Gen 3:1-5), they believe that God is reproducing Himself, and that man can be born into the God Kingdom, the God-level of existence. Their dictum, “How can you not be filled with ALL of the ‘fullness of God’ and not be God?”The United Church of God does not observe Christmas or Easter, nor do they believe in serving their country in the military if it means killing others.

Non-denominational - God “ working ” to save men (Jn 3:16)

House of Yahweh (1980) - Men “ working ” to save themselves

United Church of God (1995) - Men “ working ” to save themselves

NOTE – John Frame in Apologetics to the Glory of God notes:

No philosophy, no liberal theology, not even any Christian heresy offers any solution to human sin, beyond encouragements to try harder. However persuasive they may be in other respects, these ideologies agree that there is no free gift of divine forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus. Empiricism, rationalism, idealism, Judaism, Islam, Mormonism, the Jehovah’s Witnesses–all are religions of works righteousness, which is self-righteousness. They offer us only the hollow advice to try harder, or the false and morally destructive claim that God will forgive without demanding anything. 15 1 M. Anderson, The Trinity , Caney, KS, Pioneer Book Co, 1994. Print. 2 Henry Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary . Vol 5. Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co. 1983. Print. 3 The Pulpit Commentary . Vol 17. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 1950 Print. 4 New Age Encyclopedia . Canada: Excelsior Trading Corporation. 1972. Print. 5 Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz. World Religions and Cults 101 . Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2005. Print. 6 Judy Jones and William Wilson. An Incomplete Education . New York: Ballantine Books, 1987. Print. 7 Tayem, Akef. A Muslim, the Quran and JESUS the son of Mary . Dallas, TX: Sons of Abraham Ministries Inc. 2003. Print. 8 Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregation. 16 Jan 2008 . 9 Saal, William J. Reaching Muslims for Christ . Chicago, IL: Moody Press. 1993. Print. 10 Ergun and Emir Caner. Unveiling Islam , Grand Rapids, MI, Kregel Pub., 2002. Print. 11 ”New Apostolic Church USA FAQ.” New Apostolic Church USA. 15 Jan 2008 . 12 “Council on Christian Unity.” Disciples of Christ. 14 Jan, 2008. . 13 Levant, Nancy “School Daze - Parents Are Waking Up”, AmericanChronicle.com . 31 May 2009. .

14 “Constance Cumbey.” Wikipedia. 14 Jan 2008. . 15 Frame, John. Apologetics to the Glory of God . Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Pub. 1973. Print.