The Holy Spirit – What Is It?
Is the Holy Spirit the third person in Trinity? See the Bible answer to this question.
All About Water Baptism
Make no mistake about it, baptism is a requirement for salvation. Since God alone is immortal (1 Tim. 6:15-16), He reserves to Himself the power of imparting eternal life or death (John 5:21, 1 John 5:11-12). Because all men have sinned-that is, they have broken the...
What Does It Mean To Be Born Again?
Many Christians say they are “born again.” What do they mean? What does the Bible really say about being born again? Read this article to find out.
The Nature of Man
Is man’s nature plastic and changing, capable of unlimited improvement? Is it evolving for the good? You may be surprised what the Bible reveals about human nature!
Why Were You Born?
Why did God create man? What is man’s purpose here on the Earth? Read this very informative article and find what God has in store for man.
Is God Fair?
In His dealings with men, is God fair? If He is, why does He allow so much suffering? Read this article to find out.
The Makings of a Cult
Religious cults are numerous today. How do you know you are not in one?
The Value of the Scriptures
Have many Old Testament examples been marginalized or overlooked? See their importance for yourself.
Understanding the Bible
Is the Old Testament necessary for Bible understanding? Or just portions of the New Testament? Why study all the Bible if it isn’t necessary? Find out the truth in this article.
Reasons Why the Bible Is Misunderstood
This article gives the reasons the Bible is misunderstood. Do you really want to find out why?
Getting Along with People
What is the key in getting along with others? Here are some things that may be helpful. This article will give some insight.
How Tolerant Should Christians Be?
Is political correctness the answer to tolerance? This article spells it out.
So You Want to Have Friends?
Few men are an island to themselves. What is the key to having and keeping good friends? And are they necessary for happiness?
How NOT to Be A Christian!
Can one profess Christ and not be a Christian? Is there more to Christianity than merely accepting Christ? See how not to be a Christian!
What Does It Mean To “Grow In Grace And Knowledge?”
What has been misunderstood about this important subject will be seen in this article.
The Value of Good Works
How important are good and bad works? What will be the basis of judgment? See what the Bible has to say.
To Make Your Calling Sure
What does it take to ensure salvation? This articles pulls no punches.
“The Truth Shall Make You Free” – Free From What?
What did Jesus mean when He said: “The truth will make you free?” Free from what? You need to know the answer to this question.
Who Is a Man of Faith?
Hebrews 2 is a list of Gods Faith Hall of Fame. See what made these servants of God, men of faith, did.
Faith – What We Should Know About It
What is faith? What is faith all about? Is there such a thing as a dead faith? Can one have faith in vain? This subject is too important to be misunderstood.
Are You a Christian?
Millions profess Christ believing they are Christian. Are they? See what the signs are that identify true Christians.
Seven Reasons Not to Worry
Have you ever been called a worry wart? This article explains how you can overcome it.
To Be Better Husbands and Wives
Can a dull or unhappy marriage improve? What is the key for both husbands and wives?
Mastering Fear
Fear plagues us all. What is the cause and what can we do to overcome fear? You cannot afford not to know the answer.
Handling Despondency
What is the solution to the problem of despondency — the plague that affects millions?
Managing Inferiority
Can feelings of inferiority be managed so that one may have a normal life? See how from this article.
The Balanced Mind and the Christian
Some Christians are so unbalanced that they bring a reproach upon Christianity. Why is this so? This article may help you to avoid such a problem.
What Is a “Feel Good” Religion?
Why do you attend church? To feel good or to learn God’s truth? This article explains the difference.
All of a Sudden, He Got Religion
We may have heard the joke Bob Hope once made about religion. He said he was on an airplane when the left engine quit. People began to gasp, then suddenly the right engine quit. The lady next to him screamed, “Do something religious.” Bob Hope said,...
The Difference Between Love and Lust
Can one lust and not love? Can one love and not lust? Find out the difference.
Obstacles to the Real Goal of Life
Jesus said the path to salvation is hard. What are some of the obstacles?
True Christian Fellowship Today?
Many True Christians are unable to fellowship with those of like mind. What should they do, and what fellowship can they have?
Financial Advice From the Bible
Why do so many people have financial problems? This article may help you if you are one of them.
What Is True Wealth?
Most people regard money as true wealth. But is this the wealth that really counts?
What Is True Success?
Financial success — making money — is a major goal for many. Is this true success? Do you really know what the New Testament teaches about success?
The Key to Happiness
Is happiness as elusive as many find it to be? What is the key to true happiness? Perhaps this article will enlighten you.
Using Prayer to Overcome
Why do so many suffer from insurmountable problems? Is help available? Do they not understand the value of prayer in overcoming? This article shows how.
The Keys to Answered Prayer
Why have your prayers not been answered? This article may give you the reasons.
How To Make Prayer More Effective
Many people do not receive answers to their prayers. Why is this? See the Bible reason.
Fundamentals of Belief of Bethel Church of God
1. We believe in God, eternally existing in the heavens, who is Spirit, a personal Being of supreme intelligence, knowledge, love, justice, power, and authority, the Creator of the heavens and the Earth and all that in them is, and the source of life (Deut. 6:4, Isa....
Predestination – What Is the Truth About It?
Are some predestined to be saved while others predestined to be lost? What does the Bible reveal about this subject? Read and see for yourself.
The Trinity & The Nature of God
How scriptural is the Trinity? Does the Bible reveal God’s nature? Read this article for the answers to these questions?
Understanding Divine Healing
Hebrews 13:8 states: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Christ healed many in His day. Does Hebrews 13:8 still apply? This article will give the answer.
Marriage and Separation – What You Should Know
Can Christian couples separate, yet not divorce? See the Bible answer.
Divorce & Remarriage – What The Bible Really Says
What the Bible really says about divorce and remarriage may surprise you. Read this article to find out.
Can We Rely On the Hebrew Calendar?
Is there any truth to the argument that the Hebrew Calendar is unreliable, that it is unauthorized, inaccurate, and has no place in holy day observance? See what the real facts are.
Pentecost Arguments
Many have not understood the “other side of the coin” in the Pentecost argument
The Facts About Pentecost
Those who keep Pentecost on Sunday ridicule a Monday Pentecost. Are there some things Sunday advocates are overlooking? Read this article to get all the facts.
Are You Worthy To Take The Passover?
One must be worthy to take the Passover. What is required, and what is required for the Christian life in general?
The Passover – What Is The Correct Day?
Much confusion exists over the correct day to keep the Passover. You cannot afford to be mistaken about this important observance. Find out the truth for yourself in this article.
Doctrine & Administration – What Is The Difference?
When doctrinal changes were made by the Worldwide Church of God, was this issue confused? The answer may help you to avoid the pitfall of so many.
Was The Worldwide Church of God The True Church?
Many former members of the World Wide Church of God believe they were duped. Are they right? Read this article to find out.
Your Worship – Is Something Missing?
Thousands of professing Christians are deserting the established churches and seeking spiritual satisfaction elsewhere. Is something missing in many mainstream churches? Maybe you should take a closer look at what the Bible indicates about true spirituality.
What Is The Faith Once Delivered?
Does Truth come by scholarship and progressive change? Should each generation have its own set of doctrines? What is the faith once delivered? This article may surprise you.
Prove The Truth – What Does It Mean?
Can truth which was once “proven” be “reproven?” What if “reproven” truth differs from that originally proven? What does it mean to really prove the truth?
Knowledge Of Truth – How Does It Come?
Does Bible understanding come from scholarship and research? Where does revelation fit in? What is the truth about this important matter?
Could You Be Deceived?
Thousands know the Worldwide Church of God is no longer the church it was. Was this the prophesied “falling away”? And if so, when did it begin?
What Has Liberalism Done To The Church of God?
Liberalism pervades society. What has it done to the Church of God? The truth may surprise you.
The Doctrine of Divorce & Remarriage – How And Why It Was Changed
By Paul Royer and Bryce Clark In May of 1974, the Worldwide Church of God changed its teaching on the doctrine of divorce and remarriage. In order to pave the way for this change, Mr. Armstrong had been told for many months that the church was losing members. And that...
The Doctrine Of Pentecost – How And Why It Was Changed!
By Paul Royer and Bryce Clark In 1974 the Worldwide Church of God changed its teaching on which day to observe Pentecost-from Monday to Sunday. Pentecost is the only holy day that must be counted. The Bible instructs us to count 50 days and then keep Pentecost. In...
The Apostasy – When Did It Begin?
Many church groups today were once a part of the Worldwide Church of God. The last count is over 200, and the number seems to be growing. Some believe the apostasy occurred as late as 1995, but the common view held by the majority of these groups is that after Herbert...
The Falling Away – Has It Happened?
The Apostle Paul prophesied that a “falling away” would occur shortly before the return of Christ. Has it happened yet? And if so, when? In 1974 two dramatic announcements were made to the ministry and membership of the Worldwide Church of God. The...
The Fruits of Immorality
Whether realized or not, an invisible law that God has set in motion affects all mankind. Some refer to it as “karma.” Others call it “cause and effect.” Regardless of how men may choose to label it, this law is irrevocable. It produces either...
How To Pray
How important is prayer? Your salvation depends on it!
What Is The Lord’s Day?
Does the Lord’s Day refer to Sunday? Or does it refer to something else? The truth may shock you!
“And Who Shall Stand When He Appeareth?”
Are we saved by merely accepting Christ? Or is more required? You may be surprised at the answer.
The Coming Millenium
Statesmen, scientists, and world leaders desperately want a one world government. They know this alone can avert nuclear war. Will world government bring world peace? See the Bible answer.
What You Should Know About World Conditions:
Many theologians believe the last days are here and that Armageddon is at hand. What does the Bible reveal about world conditions in the “last days”? And what are the signs that indicate the final time is truly near?
The Coming Tribulation
The Bible prophesies of terrible events ahead. Who will escape this coming tribulation? Your future may depend on what you do now before it is too late.
Modern Babylon – Why Be Concerned?
The Bible warns about a mysterious world system that is to appear in the last days. Why should we be concerned?
The Gospel – What Is It?
Did Jesus preach about Himself, or did he come with a message? What was His message? What is the Gospel Jesus preached? You may be surprised by what you read.
Great Men of the Old Testament – Foreword
Jesus Christ asked this question, ” . . . when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Jesus implied there would be little. In a world that is bent on ungodliness, the threat of nuclear war, new and incurable disease...
Part One—The Patriarchs: Noah
Noah is the first of the patriarchs we should examine. Righteous Abel and Enoch lived before his time, but we have little information about them. Noah was the tenth in line from Adam, having descended from the line of Seth. He was the son of Lamech, as well as the...
Part One—The Patriarchs: Abraham
Abraham was one of the most important men of the Old Testament. In Genesis 11, the genealogy of Abraham is given, going back to Shem, the son of Noah. Abraham was born at about 2016 BC, or 350 years after the Flood. Bible commentaries point out that the genealogy of...
Part One—The Patriarchs: Isaac and Jacob
Jesus said Isaac and Jacob would be in the Kingdom of God (Luke 13:28). They must, then, be considered great men of the Old Testament. Isaac, the son of Abraham, was the father of Jacob. His birth was as follows: And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s...
Part One—The Patriarchs: Joseph
Among the great men of the Old Testament, Joseph is truly unique. Joseph’s father, Jacob, originally intended to take only one wife, but his father-in-law, Laban, deceived him, and he ended up with two wives who were sisters. The account is given in Genesis...
Part Two—the Judges: Joshua
Upon the death of Moses, Joshua was chosen to replace him. He was the conqueror of the Promised Land, and set the stage for the period of the judges that followed. This is why he is included in the section of the judges. The Byzantine historian, Procopius, wrote that...
Part Two—the Judges: Gideon
The Israelites served God all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived him. But in time a new generation arose that had not seen Gods power and works. They forsook God and turned to Baal worship (Judges 2:7, 10-11). According to the punishment...
Part Two—the Judges: Jephthah
After the death of Gideon, the Israelites again turned from God. We read: And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the...
Part Two—the Judges: Samson
The last of the Judges to be covered in this work is Samson. In many ways he was one of the most unusual. In our English Bible he is called Samson, but in the Hebrew tongue his name was “Shemshon,” pronounced with a long “e.” His name meant...
Part Three —The Kings: Saul & David
David was the second king over the 12 tribes of Israel, and certainly a man who trusted God and practiced righteousness. But his life is so entwined with that of Saul, it is necessary to consider the background and life of Israel’s first king-King Saul. Saul is...
Part Three —The Kings: Solomon
There was no king of Israel who accomplished more for the prosperity of his people than Solomon. People who lived at that time were truly privileged to be a part of the nation of Israel. In spite of the fact that Solomon turned from God in his old age, his...
Part Three —The Kings: Asa
Upon Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam took the throne. He was unrighteous, and early in his reign the ten tribes of the North broke away from the house of David. Rehoboam reigned 17 years and upon his death, his son Abijah took the throne. Abijah reigned only...
Part Three —The Kings: Jehoshaphat
Upon the death of his father, Asa, Jehoshaphat took the throne. He was a righteous king and followed in the footsteps of his father. At this time there was a serious threat of war with Israel. Jehoshaphat took measures to protect his country. And Jehoshaphat his son...
Part Three —The Kings: Jehu
Jehu was not a righteous man in the sense that he was dedicated to God’s Way of Life. But he should be considered great because of his zeal in obeying God’s instruction to avenge the house of Ahab. He was given a commission through the prophet Elijah-a...
Part Three —The Kings: Hezekiah
The father of Hezekiah, Ahaz, was a wicked king (2 Chr. 28:1-4), but Hezekiah did not follow in his footsteps. We may never know why some evil kings did not follow in the footsteps of their righteous fathers, or why some righteous kings did not follow in the footsteps...
Part Three —The Kings: Josiah
Josiah, the last of the righteous kings of Judah, is the final king to be considered in this section. Josiah is perhaps unusual because a wicked father and wicked grandfather preceded him on the throne. His grandfather, Manasseh, was the most wicked king that ever...
Part Four—the Prophets: Moses
The Bible defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). In brief, it is belief in God’s existence, and that what He has promised He will perform (v. 6). With this explanation, the first of the...
Part Four—the Prophets: Samuel
The advent of Samuel introduces a new era in the history of Israel. During the period of the judges, “open visions” were scarce. This was about to change. A theocracy under kings was also soon to begin, and God would now make His will known to the king,...
Part Four—the Prophets: Elijah
One of the most fascinating of the prophets was Elijah. He is also one of the greatest, a man truly zealous for God. Little is known about the background and personal life of Elijah. He appears to have been middle-aged, at least, when he came on the scene-at a time...
Part Four—the Prophets: Elisha
Elisha was chosen by God to continue the office of Elijah. His primary mission was to advise the kings of Israel. In that sense, what he accomplished was a continuation of the work of Elijah. Among the prophets who performed miracles, none surpassed Elisha. The number...
Part Four—the Prophets: Isaiah – Jeremiah – Ezekiel
The reason these three prophets are not covered as separate individuals in this work is because information about their personal lives and accomplishments is scant by comparison to others. It is for this reason we have not included a number of the “minor...
Parables Part 1
During His ministry Jesus spoke often of the Kingdom of God. At times He used parables when referring to this kingdom. A parable is an allegorical story that illustrates some truth, or religious principle, or moral lesson. The common belief today is that Jesus spoke...
Part Four—the Prophets: Daniel
Daniel is the last of the great prophets to be covered in this section. He was one of the three most righteous men in the Bible (Ezek. 14:13-14). His name means “God is Judge.” He was one of the Jewish exiles taken to Babylon in 640 BC, and as a member of...
What The Ten Commandments Really Mean: 1st Commandment
We all know what happens to one who falls off a building or some other height. The law of gravity carries with it a severe penalty. It is one of the laws of nature. We do not doubt its existence, yet we cannot see gravity. We only see its results. The Law of God-the...
The Mighty Acts of God – The Creation
When it comes to man’s existence, and our presence on this planet, there are two choices. We can either believe in a special Creation, or we can believe in evolution. Both Creation and evolution, as theories of origin, cannot be subjected to the scientific...
Part Five —The Governors: Ezra
About 150 years before the time of Ezra, Isaiah the prophet prophesied of the work that Ezra was to accomplish. These prophecies did not refer to Ezra directly, but it did foretell his essential role in their fulfillment. Here are the prophecies: “Thus saith the...
The Mighty Acts of God – The Flood
The Bible does not give the length of time between the creation of man and the deception by Satan. Genesis 3 describes this deception. Both Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They sinned-transgressed the law (1 John 3:4)....
Parables Part 2
In Matthew 13:24-30 we find “the parable of the tares.” It reads as follows: In the parable of the tares Jesus gave an illustration of what the kingdom of heaven is “likened unto,” that is, what it resembles. Then He went on to illustrate. The...
What The Ten Commandments Really Mean: 2nd Commandment
People fashion idols and images out of metal, wood, stone, and plastic. They also fashion idols mentally, that is, they create false ideas about God. These ideas about God are man’s feeble attempt to describe God. The Bible tells us, “Touching the...