Why The Restored Church of God?

Should You Join?

Introduction

BY DAVID C. PACK

There are over 300 offshoots of the Worldwide Church of God. Most believe there are much too many groups—and already “something for everyone.” Was another really necessary, particularly when many are trying to “get the groups together”? The answer is a resounding “Yes”! This short book introduces The Restored Church of God by answering the most basic, commonly-asked questions about us. Two parts form the starting and ending points of ten books, with accompanying sermons, all of which constitute our Splinter Explanation Packet. We have carefully produced this material for all who want to understand the Worldwide Church of God apostasy—and what to do about it!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The reader is urged to begin this book only after studying the first six listed in the Splinter Explanation Packet (SEP). It contains three sections. Each is important.

Section I was once the first booklet produced by The Restored Church of God. Originally carrying the title Why The RESTORED Church of God?, it was produced in June 1999, approximately one month after we began. It was written to explain why we were very different than all other offshoots of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG). It summarized basic questions about our origin and purpose. This included carefully addressing why there was a need for yet another “organization” among the almost 300 existing to that point.

Some history: With the passing of time, certain elements of that original booklet took on a different relevance. This was due to circumstances playing out among the various splinters, and because the kinds of questions we were receiving were moving on to other issues, now addressed much more thoroughly in other splinter books and sermons. As a result, that first booklet came to be more of an introduction than a full explanation of who and what we were. But it is now useful as a summary.

You will notice certain elements of language and phraseology now reflect a tone of “look-back” rather than a June 1999 timeframe. This was added to the flow of those early events for the purpose of making important clarifications that were needed simply because of the passing of time. It became obvious these modifications to the original text were necessary to make the book more current for readers trying to understand it years later. Some of these changes merely reflect the development and expansion of the Church and the Work.

All of this resulted in what would be a natural introduction to this final “decision-making” book, as the first part of this summary book—I repeat, to be reviewed just before deciding to join The Restored Church of God.

Section I summarizes the more in-depth understanding in the larger books: who and what is the Church and Body of Christ; what and where is the Government of God, and what are the New Testament offices and duties within it; what is the Work of God, and has it changed; is Jesus part of the gospel, and does it matter; what must be understood about personal attacks, accusations and persecution, and from where will the greatest amount of persecution and false accusations be directed and why; was Mr. Armstrong the final Elijah, and what are the implications if he was or was not; how are true prophets distinguished from false, including the identity of “That Prophet”; what about the final two prophets, called the Two Witnesses; what doctrines did the WCG replace; what false doctrines are taught in the splinters; what is causing all of the splinters to add more and more false doctrines to their teachings, and why they cannot see this occurring; what Christ meant by “anoint your eyes that you may see”; among many other subjects.

Section II presents a special insight into the prevailing thinking of the Laodicean age. Prepared by a team of ministers, including me, it takes a careful below-the-surface look at ways that the thinking of brethren and ministers has been altered in the change of eras. Even though it contains some overlap or repetition, it is extremely important that you review this as you examine yourself, and the decision before you!

By May 2000, the need had arisen to create a kind of personal “checklist” for those who had reached the time for a decision whether to join The Restored Church of God. This became another booklet, at that time our sixth to the splinters, Should You Join The RESTORED Church of God? I determined to address the crucial elements of the decision the reader was facing. It was intended to be the last item studied. That booklet has become Section III here, and has only been expanded slightly from its original content. It presents the “checklist” of crucial issues involved in your decision. Understand that we are taking you at your word when you tell us you have examined and accepted these points.

This forms the conclusion of your study—and of your decision!


Continue to: Section I – WHY THE RESTORED CHURCH OF GOD?

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