Does Your Church Possess…
“The Whole Truth”?
Are you sure the “Church of God” you attend has the “full truth”?
by Raymond F. McNair
Members of the Churches of God believe we have “the Truth.” So do the Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox, Muslims, and other groups. God’s Word says Satan has deceived the “whole World” (Rev. 12:9). Have some of us in God’s Church also been deceived?
Must one understand and accept the “whole truth” in order to be saved? If not, what are the essentials of salvation? According to Jesus Christ, what must a person do to be saved (Matt. 16:18)? Other N.T. verses reveal additional things Christians must do, like accept Christ as Savior, be baptized, etc. (Acts 2:38-39).
Some Church leaders claim they teach the “full truth”—the “whole truth”—but is that claim accurate? In fact, is it possible for anyone to ever come to know the full truth of the Bible?
Jesus Christ Defines “Truth”
Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea, asked Christ, “What is Truth?” (John 18:38). Jesus did not answer him because He knew Pilate would not understand. However, shortly before He was apprehended and sent to be judged by Pilate, He had previously told His inner circle, the 12 apostles, “Thy Word is TRUTH?” (John 17:17).
Jesus told a Samaritan woman, “You [Samaritans] worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship him in Spirit and truth” (John 4:22-24).
And in Jesus’ prayer to His Father, he asked Him to set His disciples apart: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is Truth…. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth” (17:17-19).
During Christ’s temptation by the Devil, He told Satan: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every WORD OF GOD’” (Luke 4:4). The entire Bible comprises God’s Word. But, in order to live by every Word of God, we must first study and come to understand His Word: “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD OF TRUTH” (2 Tim. 2:15 KJV).
Paul told the evangelist Timothy that he had “from childhood…known the HOLY SCRIPTURES, which are able to make you wise unto salvation…. All SCRIPTURE is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (3:15-17). Paul also tells us, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17).
The foregoing Scriptures reveal that we can only know the “will of the Lord,” and “the truth,” if we study and obey the Word of God. Jesus told the believing Jews, “If you abide in My word, then are you My disciples indeed. And you shall know the TRUTH, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).
Jesus also told some unbelieving Jews: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not abide in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me…. And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?” (vv. 44-46). Satan also has “his ministers,” who love lies but hate the “truth” (2 Cor. 11:13-15).
Christ told His twelve disciples, “I am the way, the TRUTH and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). He often spoke of God’s Spirit as “the Spirit of Truth” (14:17; 15:26): “However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into ALL TRUTH” (16:13).
“The Whole Counsel of God”
Christ said that nothing can ever destroy God’s Church: “…I will build My church: and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). Neither Satan nor his demons, nor his Satan-inspired ministers, can destroy the Church of God.
Following the death of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong in 1986, a wholesale abandonment of the Truth led to the end-time apostasy—a terrible scattering of “God’s sheep”? Hundreds of Churches of God have sprung from the organization which Mr. Armstrong established. Even though some of those “Churches of God” continue to faithfully follow the teachings of the Bible, as taught by him, many no longer believe or practice the “whole counsel of God”!
The warnings which God’s end-time apostle gave to hundreds of ministers of the WCG, shortly before his death in 1986, closely parallels the solemn warning the Apostle Paul gave to the Ephesian elders: “You know…in what manner I always lived among you…. And how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house…. For I have not shunned to declare to you the WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD…” (Acts 20:17-27).
He warned: “Therefore take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the Church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after themselves. Therefore watch…” (vv. 28-31)! Regrettably, Paul’s inspired warning came true. Some of those elders departed from the truth of the Gospel, and led many into serious doctrinal error.
What was “the whole counsel of God”? Unfortunately, some leaders of the “Churches of God” believe their particular “corporate organization” preaches the “full truth” of the Bible, and give the impression that only they are preaching the “whole truth.” One can’t help but notice the “spiritual pride” (We are the best!—We are doing the best Work!) apparent in the words of some Church of God leaders. This same boasting was prophesied of these end-time Church leaders (Rev. 3:16-19). Christ warns those proud leaders who lord it over others.
Does Any Church Possess “All Truth”?
Does any “Church of God” possess the “whole truth”—that is, “all truth”? Or do members of the Church of God—including God’s ministers—possess only a limited, although vital, portion of the total “Truth of God”? When Paul said he had declared unto the Ephesian elders the “whole counsel of God,” did he imply that he possessed the “whole truth”? Or did he simply mean that he had communicated to them all of the necessary components of the true “Gospel of Christ,” so that, in turn, they could teach the true “way of salvation” to others? Paul did not fail to give to the elders all of the truths which they needed to know in doing their job of nourishing and protecting God’s sheep.
But none of us as yet has the “whole Truth”! None has “all Truth”! Only God is omniscient. Only His knowledge of “total truth” is infinite. His infinite mind enables Him to name billions of stars. “He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power: His understanding is INFINITE” (Psalm 147:4-5). But does any human have all knowledge, all truth?
The wisest man who ever lived was King Solomon, to whom God gave great wisdom and understanding (I Kings. 3:5-14; 2 Chr. 1:7-12). Nevertheless, he admitted there were truths far beyond his limited ability to comprehend: “When I applied my heart to know wisdom…. Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out…. though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it” (Eccl. 8:16-17). All knowledge, understanding, wisdom and “truth” resides within God’s infinite mind.
“We [only] Know in Part”
The Apostle Paul told the Corinthians that even if he had the “gift of prophecy” and understood “all mysteries, and all knowledge” and had “all faith…so that [he] could remove mountains” but didn’t have “charity,” he was “nothing” (1 Cor. 13:1-2). He then reveals the true characteristics of Christian charity: long-suffering, true humility, not being easily provoked, not bragging or being puffed up, not seeking one’s own good, not rejoicing in “iniquity,” but rejoicing in “the truth.”
Paul then said, “Love never fails. But whether there be prophecies, they will fail; whether there be tongues, they will cease; whether there be knowledge, it will vanish away. For WE KNOW IN PART, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part will be done away…. For now we see in a mirror, dimly [we don’t have all knowledge and all truth!]…. Now I know in part… [but] the greatest of [God’s gifts] is LOVE” (vv. 4-13). The Apostles Peter and Paul both realized that no human has “all knowledge,” or perfectly understands prophecy. Peter urged God’s people to “GROW in the grace and KNOWLEDGE of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” (2 Pet. 3:18). We all still have a lot to learn.
A further proof that we do not understand “all truth” concerning end-time prophecies is found in the book of Daniel: “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (12:4). Daniel also was told, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end…. and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand” (vv. 9-10) There were truths which God’s prophets and apostles couldn’t know until God’s time came to reveal them.
Furthermore, spiritual truths can only be revealed to those who have spiritual minds—minds enlightened by God’s Holy Spirit. King David said, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding, have all those who do His commandments…” (Psa. 111:10).
Jesus knew that genuine spiritual truths could only be revealed by God and could only be comprehended by His disciples—after God opened their minds and enlightened them with His Truth. “At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hid these things [spiritual truths] from the wise and prudent [of this world] and have revealed them to babes [in Christ, i.e. His disciples]. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight’” (Matt. 11:25-26).
The Apostle Paul, likewise, explained that the natural, unconverted human mind cannot grasp spiritual truths: “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew…. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit…. Now we have received… the Spirit which is of God…. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned…. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him: But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:6-16 KJV).
The New Testament often mentions the “mystery” of God, which those without a spiritual mind simply cannot comprehend. And the N.T. speaks of God’s called-out-ones—those whom He puts into His Church—as being “enlightened” (Eph. 1:18; Heb. 6:4): “But you are a chosen generation…His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9).
Rejoice in God’s Precious Truth!
Brethren, how thankful we ought to be to Almighty God for having called us out of this dark world of ignorance and superstition. How thankful we should be that our Creator has chosen us out of “a crooked and perverse nation, among whom [we] shine as lights in the world” (Philip. 2:15). And how thankful we ought to be to realize that, in our time, God Almighty sent a unique man, Herbert W. Armstrong, who, through the grace and power of God, showed forth a “great light” to the peoples and nations of this world—just as John the Baptist was “a burning and a shining light” to the peoples who sat in darkness during the first century A.D. (John 5:33-35).
Even though Mr. Armstrong taught the Truth of God, and had all essentials of the true Gospel of Christ, he himself never claimed to have discovered, or to have possessed, “all truth.” Only God possesses all truth. There are still thousands of biblical truths that no one fully understands. God’s truth is revealed to man by God Himself, and He has chosen not to reveal His Truth to over six billion people inhabiting this earth. God has highly favored a few of us by calling us out of this world and revealing His wonderful Truths to us, while concealing those same truths from the “wise and prudent” of this world (Luke 10:21; 1 Cor. 1:19-31; 2:1-16).
None of us should ever proudly assume that we have “all truth,” and that only we have the “whole truth” of God. As we have noted, God’s Word says, “For we know IN PART and we prophesy IN PART…” (1 Cor. 13:9). The OMNISCENT God is “the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the ONLY WISE GOD…” (1 Tim. 1:17). Truly, “His understanding is infinite” (Psa. 147:5).
For some time after their conversion, Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong did not understand many of the Bible “truths” that God later revealed to them, such as the need to observe God’s seven annual Holy days, God’s tithing system, the truth concerning the origins and identity of the modern descendants of the “Lost Ten Tribes of Israel.” And neither did Mrs. Loma Armstrong, nor her son, Richard D. Armstrong, ever understand the biblical truths concerning keeping Pentecost on the “first day” of the week rather than on a Monday, nor did they fully understand the biblical grounds for “divorce and remarriage.” Those truths were revealed to God’s Church, and communicated to the entire membership of the WCG after the deaths of Mrs. Armstrong and her son Richard. God reveals truths from His Word to His people in His own time and way!
God marvelously revealed many prophecies to Mr. Armstrong, but we don’t have all “truth” concerning the meaning of those end-time prophecies—which are yet to be revealed (Dan. 12:4)! God has not only given His people “saving knowledge,” but has also given us additional truths concerning many biblical subjects, including prophecy, which are not essential knowledge one must possess for salvation (1 Cor. 13:1-13)!
Today’s commandment-keeping “Churches of God” generally believe that, since the death of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong in January 1986, a great “falling away” has occurred. Many have concluded this is the greatest apostasy that has occurred in the Churches of God, since its inception in 31 A.D. Scores of thousands of brethren—who once faithfully observed “the commandments of God and [kept] the testimony of Jesus” (Rev. 12:17)—became confused, turned off, disillusioned. Others became bitter, or just went back into the “world” and were scattered to the four winds!
Therefore, I appeal to all of God’s ministers—the leaders of the “Churches of God” in particular—to humbly recognize that we are to carefully build on those wonderful foundational truths which God revealed through Mr. Armstrong. God’s Word warns all of us to take heed how we build on that “foundation” (1 Cor. 3:4-15): “If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward” (v. 14). If not, “he will suffer loss” (v. 15).
Let none of us arrogantly think we have a “corner” on “all truth.” Although we know “the Truth” (2 Tim. 3:7; Heb. 10:26), there is much more to learn—much more that God will reveal if we maintain a “poor and…contrite spirit and tremble at [God’s] WORD” (Isa. 66:2, 5).
I repeat, we in the “Churches of God” have the Truth. We not only were given “saving knowledge” through the ministry of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, but we were also given many additional truths from God’s Word—truths which are wonderful to have, but not all of them are essential for salvation! God’s revelation to man is progressive. He revealed truths to His apostles that were not known by the Old Testaments prophets and saints. (Matt. 13:17; Luke 10:24; 1 Pet. 1:10-12). And we now know many truths, especially in prophecy, which the apostles weren’t privileged to know.
Each and every one of us should humbly thank our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, for the many wonderful “truths” we have been given. But we must never be lifted up with spiritual pride, thinking we or our “church” possesses “all truth”—the “whole truth.” Instead, we must strive to “GROW in the grace and KNOWLEDGE of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and seek to “live by…every WORD OF GOD” (Luke 4:4)!
A PERSONAL NOTE. Here is a brief note regarding my varied experiences in the Work of God during the past 55 years. Most of you will have become familiar with my articles in various Church publications (the Good News, Plain Truth, Tomorrow’s World, etc), and more recently in articles which were published in other “Church of God” publications. I have served for nearly 50 years as a writer and editor.
My appointment to serve on the WCG Doctrinal Teams. Mr. H.W. Armstrong appointed me to serve under him over the Headquarters Doctrinal Team in 1974, knowing that I would not introduce “liberal” doctrines into God’s Church. After Mr. Armstrong’s decease, the Pastor General who succeeded Mr. him appointed me to be over the Doctrinal Team in Pasadena; but shortly afterward, my wife and I were sent to the South Pacific to head the Work of God in New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, etc. Since I would not endorse the strange doctrines then being seriously considered at our Pasadena Headquarters, my continued presence would have been a big obstacle in the eyes of those who planned to make sweeping doctrinal changes in the WCG.
My ordination as an Evangelist in the WCG. Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong ordained me as an Evangelist—over 51 years ago. During those 51 eventful years I served as the pastor of 14 churches in the U.S., Britain and New Zealand, and in 1954-1955, I founded the Chicago Church of God, the first WCG Church east of the Mississippi River. I also served as Director of the Work of God in Britain (1958-1973).
Appointed Deputy Chancellor of Ambassador Colleges in England, and Pasadena, CA. In 1960, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong appointed me Deputy Chancellor of Ambassador College, near London. Later, in 1978, Mr. Armstrong asked me to serve as Deputy Chancellor of Ambassador College in Pasadena, California—in order to help him put Ambassador College back on track. I continued serving God’s Work in that position for nearly ten years—until 2 years after Mr. Armstrong’s death in 1986. I was gratified to hear him say, before his decease, that he was very pleased to see Ambassador College back on track. I always counted it a great honor and a fantastic privilege to work with God’s end-time Apostle for over 36 years, from the time I entered Ambassador College in 1948, until his death in 1986—approximately 36 years.
I was privileged to conduct many baptismal tours while serving in the Worldwide Church of God. In the summer of 1949, Mr. Armstrong sent Raymond Cole and me on the first student-led, nation-wide baptismal tour, during which time we baptized about 125 brethren. In the following years, I conducted seven more baptismal tours in the U.S. and Canada before being sent to London, England in 1958 to take charge of God’s Work in Britain, where I continued to serve the Work of Jesus Christ during the next 15 years. After arriving in London, England, I conducted several baptismal tours in the British Isles, and was later sent to Southern Africa with another minister to baptize a number of people in Northern and Southern Rhodesia, and in South Africa.
Copyright 2005 Raymond F. McNair. All Rights Reserved.
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