Basic HTML Version
PASTOR GENERAL'S
REPORT
TO THE MINISTRY OF THE
WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
VOL.2, NO. 21
PASADENA, CAUFORNfA
DOCTRINE OF WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
ON "PORNEIA"
by Herbert W. Armstrong
MAY 23, 1980
A minister at Pasadena writes, "The ministry from 1976 to 1979 used
this statement (quoted below) as the doctrine of the Church. In August
of 1978 you took the first step in setting the Church back on the track
in the area of divorce and remarriage. Since then many in the ministry
have asked for additional information to counter--with the Scriptures-
this 1976 statement."
The statement foisted on the ministry by liberals now banished from
the Church, is as follows: "At the Minister 1 Conference in May, 1976,
11
(when I was overseas, and after solemn promises by the Executive Vice
President that doctrinal matters would not be touched on in the Confer
ence), "the ministers were given an 'official' statement on divorce and
remarriage. There were 14 pages on the meaning of porneia.
"The Summary Statement reads as follows: 'The term (porneia) in
cludes all illicit sexual activity (before or after marriage) including
fornication, adultery, harlotry, homosexuality, etc.'
"One enclosed paper stated, 'There is not the least indication here
that Jesus is limiting porneia to some premarital act only.'"
Notice, this "liberal" argument states "there is not the least indi
cation here..."
Arguing to water down and liberalize God's Word reminds me of the
Protestant minister in the 1890s, when women adopted the "new" style of
hairdo of a topknot on top of the head. He quoted from one text only,
without regard to others on the subject, shouting out that ''the Bible
says, Matthew 24:17, 'top not come down."' Sure enough it says that,
but in context and in line with other Scriptures, it means no such thing.
Now I will settle this question OFFICIALLY. HOW did Christ put HIS
doctrine into the Church? ONLY THROUGH THE APOSTLES. They frequently
drew on the Old Testament Prophets, but the CHURCH received its doctrine
from the APOSTLES.
How did Christ, the living HEAD of the Church, put doctrine into
God's Church TODAY? Through His chosen APOSTLE!
Jesus, in His statement in Matthew 19, referred to a liberal ALLOW
ANCE by Moses, but said, "because of the hardness of your hearts... but
from the beginning it was not so" (Verse 8).