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Was Mr. Armstrong an Apostle?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMr. Herbert W. Armstrong's status as an apostle has been questioned, yet his title is one that many have accepted alongside other ministerial roles such as prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. He often referred to himself as Christ's apostle in sermons and writings, raising the need to validate such a claim through evidence. An apostle, from the Greek term apostolos, is defined as a delegate, envoy, or representative sent with a special message or commission, acting as the direct representative of the one who sent him. In the New Testament, Jesus, appointed and sent by the Father, serves as the pattern for apostles, ordaining twelve to represent Him with authority to preach, heal, and cast out demons. Other men, including Paul, Barnabas, and James, the Lord's brother, are also named as apostles, often set apart by the church under the Holy Spirit's direction for specific missions, bearing signs of their apostleship through visible fruits like preaching the gospel, healing, conversions, and raising congregations. Regarding Mr. Armstrong, he was ordained as an apostle by the Church of God, Seventh Day, Oregon Conference from the beginning. Christ Himself, as stated in Revelation 3:8, set before him an open door that no one could shut, indicating that Christ sent him forth. The signs of an apostle are evident in his life's work: preaching the true gospel of the Kingdom of God worldwide, healing, casting out demons, converting thousands, raising congregations, and distributing millions of publications like the Plain Truth and Good News to provide vision and hope. Through him, God restored true doctrines lost over centuries. Like apostles who came later, out of due time, Mr. Armstrong fulfilled his office as one ordained by the church, the body of which Christ is Head, and sent to accomplish a mission.
Anarchy in God's Church? (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeIf we reject the spiritual gifts God gave to others, we put ourselves at risk of being deceived, and altering our belief system in response to every new idea.
Titus (Part Two): A Faithful Ministry
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughTitus had the remarkable ability for being a problem solver, exercising tact, diplomacy, strength, stability, and leadership when sent to problem areas.
Principles of Church Leadership
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughA major responsibility for the fracturing of the WCG rested with the leadership, based on a philosophy of authoritarianism Christ warned against.
The Messenger of Christ
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughHerbert W. Armstrong was single-minded about preaching the Gospel. The scattering of the church could have been caused by members making him a type of idol.
What's So Bad About Busybodies?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Bible lists busybodies with murderers and robbers. We must learn to operate in our appointed spheres of responsibility and not take the job of another.
Should All Believers Lay Hands on the Sick?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThere is a diversity of gifts, but not everyone in the Body has the same gifts. It is presumptuous to attempt to use gifts one has not received from God.
Themes of I Corinthians (Part 5)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughI Corinthians gives ready instruction in the order and decorum that is fitting for church organization, as well as the Passover and weekly service.
Unity (Part 3): Ephesians 4 (A)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod alone chooses the servants through whom He works His will. Sometimes the rationale God uses for selecting His vessels defies worldly wisdom.
For the Perfecting of the Saints
Booklet by John W. RitenbaughDo Christians need a church? With all the church problems in recent years, many have withdrawn. Yet the church—problems and all—serves a God-ordained role.
Matthew (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe transfiguration prefigured the Kingdom of God, with the disciples only seeing Jesus in the end, showing salvation is through Him alone.
Unity (Part 5): Ephesians 4 (B)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAdopting a revolutionary stance for the sake of change, variety, or relieving boredom will systematically destroy the faith once delivered.
Stewardship
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughA steward is responsible for the supervision or managing of something entrusted into his care by a superior. As God's stewards, have been entrusted with much.
What Is the Work?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe work of God does not always stay the same, continually shifting media, techniques, and approaches, similar to the Israelites following the Cloud.
Government (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe ministry's authority consists of teaching, edifying, and equipping the members for sainthood, but not to wield dictatorial power over their lives.