Since the November 1998 takeover of the old GCG by the board in the U.S., those once with GCG went to many places. Most of the members and ministers ultimately went with the Living Church of God (LCG), 8-15% went with the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship (CGCF) and smaller percentages ended up with David Pack's Restored Church of God (RCG), Harold Smith's Church of God Fellowship, Northwest (CGFnw), the Continuing Church of God (CCOG), and other groups (at least one which is outside the U.S. uses the term Global Church of God). On July 1, 2001, eight ministers resigned from CGCF and formed the Church of the Eternal God (CEG), similar in name, but not related, to the Eternal Church of God (ECG--founded by a minister removed from the original GCG ministry for impropriety). About a month later CGCF (USA) dissolved and most then with it ended up in the United Church of God (UCG). One former GCG minister (Ronald Laughland) became pastor of the Wholeworld Church of God. In 2004, Raymond McNair, having been in GCG, CGCF, LCG, then went on his own and formed Church of God, 21st Century (COG21); later he died and that group disbanded. Don Haney, once in GCG/LCG, formed the Church of God In Peace and Truth, renamed Congregation of God in Peach and Truth--which looks to be legally inactive. In 2005, Ben Faulkner, who was in GCG/LCG, formed the Church of the Sovereign God (CotSG). In 2006, Charles Bryce who was in GCG/LCG left, and formed the Enduring Church of God (En COG). In 2010, several of the main leaders who went to UCG from CGCF left it and went to a group called COGWA. A couple of people, like Norman Edwards (Servants' News/Shepherd's Voice), left GCG well before the 1998 takeover (he has 'Nashville Christian Media'). On 12/15/11, a minister in good-standing with LCG anointed Bob Thiel with oil and prayed that God would grant him a double-portion of His Spirit (see also How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God): and things have not been the same since (Bob Thiel still, of course, supports the goals and biblical beliefs of Philadelphia era of the Church of God). Website links for most of those who were once part of GCG and that have websites can be found at the COGlinks page. In 2012, certain heresies were officially introduced, accepted, and/or promoted by LCG. After concluding that insufficient value was placed on the truth (and keeing their word) by certain leaders of LCG and that they no longer held to biblical church governance and could not as is be used to lead the final phase of the work (see also Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God), on 12/28/12 Bob Thiel was led to form, and then announced, the beginning of the Continuing Church of God (CCOG). In 2013, Rod Reynolds left LCG and formed COG Messenger In August 2020, Sheldon Monson left LCG and was 'marked' by LCG on 8/19/20, and then on 9/05/20 he announced Church of God Assembly (CGA). In 2023, Terry Nelson (former GCG/LCG/CCOG) co-formed Hope of Israel Worldwide Church of God. The Continuing Church of God (CCOG) is the second largest group, in terms of members, of those groups whose leaders were once part of GCG (LCG is largest). This page reports on those groups that somehow once had ties to the old GCG.
01/03/25 a.m. Received the following in an email today from someone who is not part of a COG:
Dear Sir,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I hope this message finds you well.
I recently came across your article discussing the historical and scriptural concerns about New Year’s and Christmas celebrations, emphasizing their pagan origins and their inconsistency with Biblical teachings. It was both thought-provoking and insightful, and I deeply appreciate the effort you put into shedding light on these important topics.
As I reflected on the points raised in your article, I was prompted to consider how Christians today can navigate these challenges. I wanted to ask you this question:
"Your article highlights the historical and scriptural concerns surrounding New Year’s and Christmas celebrations, emphasizing their pagan roots and misalignment with Biblical teachings. Given this perspective, how do you propose modern Christians should approach these widely celebrated events in a way that aligns with Biblical principles while engaging with a culture that largely embraces them?"
I believe your insights on this matter would be incredibly valuable for Christians seeking to balance faithfulness to God’s Word with the realities of living in a culture steeped in such traditions.
Thank you for your time and dedication to sharing the truths of Scripture. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
My response was as follows
Nice to hear from you., to answer your question, how do you propose modern Christians should approach these widely celebrated events in a way that aligns with Biblical principles while engaging with a culture that largely embraces them?, perhaps the following answer may be appropriate:Many who profess Christianity seem to be unaware that early Christians did not observe holidays like Christmas and New Years. Instead they kept the biblical holy days listed in the 23rd chapter of the Book of Leviticus. That is a historical fact.Among the pagans, the Saturnalia, birthday of the sun, and New Years were popular 2000 years ago. Those festivities included lights, gift giving, wreaths, and even making resolutions. Early faithful Christians did not participate in them.The Bible specifies that God does not want to be worshiped the way the pagans worshiped (e.g. Deuteronomy 12:29-31; Jeremiah 10:2-4). Furthermore, Jesus said that those who worship God must do so in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Since Jesus was not born on December 25th, it is not truth to think Christmas observance is worshiping in spirit and in truth.Consider that the Apostle Peter wrote:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. (2 Peter 2:1-2)
Consider that Muslims point to revelries like pagan holidays as reasons to not consider that Christianity could possibly be God's faithful religion--even though the truly faithful have followed Jude's admonition "to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). That faith included keeping the biblical holy days and being separate from the pagan ones.As far as the modern culture goes, we are to be in the world, but not of the world as Jesus said:13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. (John 17:13-19)
The Apostle Paul wrote:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
"I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people."
17 Therefore
"Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you."
18 'I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty."
( 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).Since those who do are the minority among those who profess Christianity, the observance of pagan holidays by the majority have caused "the way of truth will be blasphemed."But faithful Christians will not accept that. We are to be set apart from the world by the truth of the word of God, hence we do not participate in the world's ways of worship.Hope that helps you.We have lots of literature on this and the ramifications as well.Best regards,Bob Thiel
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