Philadelphia Church of God
Encyclopedia
The Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) is an international church based in Edmond, Oklahoma
. The Philadelphia Church of God was founded by Gerald Flurry
and his assistant pastor John Amos (1929–1993) and incorporated in the United States on December 20, 1989.
, a split from the Church of God (Seventh-Day), founded by Herbert W. Armstrong
and teaches "new revelation" which Flurry says God has shown to him from the Bible since Armstrong's death. It was founded with the stated purpose to continue Armstrong's teachings, which were repudiated by the Worldwide Church of God after its founder's death in 1986, as it embraced Christian beliefs like the Trinity
that had formerly been rejected.
The church states that it is attempting to carrying on Armstrong's legacy after the doctrinal changes made by new WCG leaders Joseph W. Tkach
and his son Joseph Tkach Jr. Flurry and Amos were disfellowshipped from WCG in 1989 for challenging the changes. They were ministers serving Oklahoma City
and Enid, Oklahoma
WCG congregations at the time.
The church observes sunset Friday to sunset Saturday as the Sabbath day of worship.
PCG members observe dietary laws as laid out in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.
Teaches that British and Americans are descended from the lost ten tribes of Israel (British Israelism
).
PCG also possess a system of tithing in which 10% of one's total increase is donated to the church ("first tithe") for its operations and for spreading its teachings; a second 10% was to be saved for the Christian family's expenses during the Holy Days ("second tithe") mainly the Feast of Tabernacles, and during the third and sixth year of each seven-year cycle, a third 10% was to be used for the indigent, widows, and orphans within the church ("third tithe").
PCG also has strong apocalyptic teachings inherited from WCG. It teaches that a Great Tribulation will soon occur in which a united European power will emerge, composed of ten nations or groups of nations, which will conquer the modern descendants of Israel (the USA, Britain and Israel) and take them into slavery. An alliance of eastern powers (including Russia and China) will gather up its forces and wage war upon the European power. Then Jesus Christ will return and liberate the Israelites and usher in a thousand years of worldwide peace, which is called the 'world tomorrow'. More on this may be seen here.
PCG also teaches some distinctive doctrines which distinguish it from WCG.
It is held by PCG that the adoption of mainstream Christian doctrines by WCG was prophesied in the Bible and that it represents the beginning of the seventh era of God's Church (Laodicea), of which PCG is not a part of, but instead is a remnant of the sixth era (Philadelphia). Gerald Flurry's first book, Malachi's Message, is held to be the 'little book' of Revelation 10, a divine revelation hidden until 1989.
Herbert W. Armstrong is held to be the end time Elijah, as John the Baptist is also held to be a type of Elijah for Jesus' time. A church magazine article in the 1990s stated no one is invited to a PCG service unless they agree with this belief. (Herbert W. Armstrong is also held to be an Apostle.)
Gerald Flurry is also taught to be 'that prophet', a figure held by PCG to be biblically prophesied to succeed Herbert W. Armstrong.
Any WCG member or ex-member or members of similar offshoot groups are held to be a part of the seventh era of God's Church (Laodicea) and hence such people are to be avoided by PCG members. Members are also told to cut off contact with friends and family who have left, were excommunicated from, and/or are in disagreement with the organization (as stated unambiguously by Flurry in his December 10, 2005 Pastor General's Report, "The principle to remember is this: there should not be any contact with converted church members who have left--and that includes family members other than a mate.").
, hosted by Gerald Flurry. A daily program called The Trumpet Daily featuring son Stephen Flurry premiered 9 May 2011. The Philadelphia Trumpet is the church's monthly news magazine.
and theology
college
, Herbert W. Armstrong College
, located in Edmond. The college was established in 2001 as "Imperial College of Edmond," but was renamed after objections by Imperial College London
. Armstrong College graduated its first class in 2006 and was granted permission to accept international students in 2003.
at Ambassador College
. It was completed in September 2010, and became the venue for the foundation's concerts. It has three of the largest chandeliers in the United States. The Auditorium is hosting a world class concert series including such artists as The Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields, Andre Watts, The Eroica Trio, and the Russian National Ballet Theatre.
Edmond, Oklahoma
Edmond is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area in the central part of the state. As of the 2010 census, the population was 81,405, making it the sixth largest city in the state of Oklahoma....
. The Philadelphia Church of God was founded by Gerald Flurry
Gerald Flurry
Gerald Ray Flurry is the founder and Pastor General of the Philadelphia Church of God , a small church based in Edmond, Oklahoma. He is presenter of the television program The Key of David, is editor in chief of The Philadelphia Trumpet magazine, is founder and chancellor of Herbert W...
and his assistant pastor John Amos (1929–1993) and incorporated in the United States on December 20, 1989.
History
This group traces its roots to the Worldwide Church of GodWorldwide Church of God
Grace Communion International , formerly the Worldwide Church of God , is an evangelical Christian denomination based in Glendora, California, United States. Since April 3, 2009, it has used the new name Grace Communion International in the US...
, a split from the Church of God (Seventh-Day), founded by Herbert W. Armstrong
Herbert W. Armstrong
Herbert W. Armstrong founded the Worldwide Church of God in the late 1930s, as well as Ambassador College in 1946, and was an early pioneer of radio and tele-evangelism, originally taking to the airwaves in the 1930s from Eugene, Oregon...
and teaches "new revelation" which Flurry says God has shown to him from the Bible since Armstrong's death. It was founded with the stated purpose to continue Armstrong's teachings, which were repudiated by the Worldwide Church of God after its founder's death in 1986, as it embraced Christian beliefs like the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
that had formerly been rejected.
The church states that it is attempting to carrying on Armstrong's legacy after the doctrinal changes made by new WCG leaders Joseph W. Tkach
Joseph W. Tkach
Joseph W. Tkach was the appointed successor of Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the Worldwide Church of God. Tkach became President and Pastor General of the church upon the death of Armstrong in 1986...
and his son Joseph Tkach Jr. Flurry and Amos were disfellowshipped from WCG in 1989 for challenging the changes. They were ministers serving Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
and Enid, Oklahoma
Enid, Oklahoma
Enid is a city in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. In 2010, the population was 49,379, making it the ninth largest city in Oklahoma. It is the county seat of Garfield County. Enid was founded during the opening of the Cherokee Outlet in the Land Run of 1893, and is named after Enid, a...
WCG congregations at the time.
Teachings
In common with Herbert W. Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God PCG teaches that God is a family of divine beings currently composed of the Father and the Son into which humans may be born into.The church observes sunset Friday to sunset Saturday as the Sabbath day of worship.
PCG members observe dietary laws as laid out in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.
Teaches that British and Americans are descended from the lost ten tribes of Israel (British Israelism
British Israelism
British Israelism is the belief that people of Western European descent, particularly those in Great Britain, are the direct lineal descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. The concept often includes the belief that the British Royal Family is directly descended from the line of King David...
).
PCG also possess a system of tithing in which 10% of one's total increase is donated to the church ("first tithe") for its operations and for spreading its teachings; a second 10% was to be saved for the Christian family's expenses during the Holy Days ("second tithe") mainly the Feast of Tabernacles, and during the third and sixth year of each seven-year cycle, a third 10% was to be used for the indigent, widows, and orphans within the church ("third tithe").
PCG also has strong apocalyptic teachings inherited from WCG. It teaches that a Great Tribulation will soon occur in which a united European power will emerge, composed of ten nations or groups of nations, which will conquer the modern descendants of Israel (the USA, Britain and Israel) and take them into slavery. An alliance of eastern powers (including Russia and China) will gather up its forces and wage war upon the European power. Then Jesus Christ will return and liberate the Israelites and usher in a thousand years of worldwide peace, which is called the 'world tomorrow'. More on this may be seen here.
PCG also teaches some distinctive doctrines which distinguish it from WCG.
It is held by PCG that the adoption of mainstream Christian doctrines by WCG was prophesied in the Bible and that it represents the beginning of the seventh era of God's Church (Laodicea), of which PCG is not a part of, but instead is a remnant of the sixth era (Philadelphia). Gerald Flurry's first book, Malachi's Message, is held to be the 'little book' of Revelation 10, a divine revelation hidden until 1989.
Herbert W. Armstrong is held to be the end time Elijah, as John the Baptist is also held to be a type of Elijah for Jesus' time. A church magazine article in the 1990s stated no one is invited to a PCG service unless they agree with this belief. (Herbert W. Armstrong is also held to be an Apostle.)
Gerald Flurry is also taught to be 'that prophet', a figure held by PCG to be biblically prophesied to succeed Herbert W. Armstrong.
Any WCG member or ex-member or members of similar offshoot groups are held to be a part of the seventh era of God's Church (Laodicea) and hence such people are to be avoided by PCG members. Members are also told to cut off contact with friends and family who have left, were excommunicated from, and/or are in disagreement with the organization (as stated unambiguously by Flurry in his December 10, 2005 Pastor General's Report, "The principle to remember is this: there should not be any contact with converted church members who have left--and that includes family members other than a mate.").
Activities
The PCG sponsors a weekly television program, The Key of DavidThe Key of David
The Key of David is a weekly religious television program hosted by Gerald Flurry and supported by the Philadelphia Church of God, which Flurry founded in 1989 and is an offshoot of the Worldwide Church of God, founded by Herbert W. Armstrong...
, hosted by Gerald Flurry. A daily program called The Trumpet Daily featuring son Stephen Flurry premiered 9 May 2011. The Philadelphia Trumpet is the church's monthly news magazine.
Herbert W. Armstrong College
The PCG administers a small liberal artsLiberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
and theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
, Herbert W. Armstrong College
Herbert W. Armstrong College
Herbert W. Armstrong College is a small liberal arts and theology college located north of Edmond, Oklahoma. The college is run by the Philadelphia Church of God, which is based on the college's campus. Armstrong College offers two-year and four-year degrees, but does not offer accredited...
, located in Edmond. The college was established in 2001 as "Imperial College of Edmond," but was renamed after objections by Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
. Armstrong College graduated its first class in 2006 and was granted permission to accept international students in 2003.
Philadelphia Youth Camp
The Philadelphia Youth Camp (PYC) is the youth camp of PCG. PYC campers participate in athletic activities and a wide variety of social and educational activities during the three week event, encouraging teamwork and cooperation. PYC is located in Edmond, Oklahoma, but PYC camps are also held annually in Australia and the Philippines.Armstrong International Cultural Foundation
The PCG established a humanitarian arm called the Philadelphia Foundation in 1996 when it took over a project in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan that the WCG's Ambassador Foundation had left behind. In 2005 the name was changed to the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation. Since 1998, the foundation has sponsored a performing arts series in Edmond, Oklahoma, and in 2005 it began supporting archaeological excavations in Jerusalem. In January 2008, the PCG broke ground on Armstrong Auditorium, an 800-seat performing arts center located on the Herbert W. Armstrong College campus in Edmond, built in the spirit of Ambassador AuditoriumAmbassador Auditorium
Ambassador Auditorium is located on the historic Ambassador College campus in Pasadena, California, USA. It was built under the guidance of Herbert W...
at Ambassador College
Ambassador College
Ambassador College was a four-year, liberal arts college run by the Worldwide Church of God. The college was established in 1947 in Pasadena, California by radio evangelist Herbert W. Armstrong, leader of what was then the Radio Church of God, later renamed the Worldwide Church of God...
. It was completed in September 2010, and became the venue for the foundation's concerts. It has three of the largest chandeliers in the United States. The Auditorium is hosting a world class concert series including such artists as The Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields, Andre Watts, The Eroica Trio, and the Russian National Ballet Theatre.