January 28, 2011

". . . I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the Seven Churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea" (Revelation 1:11).

The History of God's One and Only True Church

By

Alton (Don) B. Billingsley

Continued from 4-13-2010, 4-23-2010; 4-30-2010; 5-7-2010; 5-17-2010; 5-21-2010; 5-28-2010; 6-11-2010; 6-18-2010- 6-25-2010; 7-2-2010; 7-16-2010; 7-23-2010; 7-30-2010; 8-6-2010; 10-15-2010; 11-12-2010; 11-26-2010; 12-3-2010-12-17-2010;1-21-2011

Regarding the establishment of His Church, Jesus Christ said to the apostle Peter and the rest of His disciples:

". . . On this ROCK (Greek: Masculine, Petros, Feminine, Petra, meaning Jesus Christ Himself, Deuteronomy 32:3-4; I Corinthians 10:4) I will BUILD My Church, and the gates of Hades (graves, I Corinthians 15:54-55) shall NOT prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18).

The Church in Philadelphia - The Church of Brotherly Love - began in October 1933 (with 19 members) and is ongoing -

 “And to the angel of the Church in Philadelphia write, "These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens, and no one can shut, and shuts and no one opens: I know your works.  See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 

Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews, and are not, but lie- indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trail which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 

Behold, I am coming quickly!  Hold fast which you have, that no one may take your crown.  He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God and he shall go out no more. 

I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God.  And I will write on him My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches (Revelation 3:7-13).

Continued History of the Philadelphia Era of God's True Church-

This writing will continue to focus on the history of the Philadelphia Church Era from the death of God's apostle January 16, 1986, to the present date of January 1, 2011, focusing on the evolving transition from that time to what came to be the Church of God, Faithful Flock in 2002.

An Overview

The evolving transition of the faithful few members began after their departure from the parent Church that had now become totally corrupted by the apostate leadership (Daniel 12:7).

It took about 14 years before circumstances directed by Jesus Christ brought about the Church of God Faithful Flock into a place whereby He could use this small handful of members to once again open the door to His Gospel and the Ezekiel warning message going forth to this world that Christ had closed at the time of the death of Mr. Armstrong.

The simple fact is that Jesus Christ was not going to use an apostate pastor general to continue with His Work so He closed the door (Revelation 3:7).It should be understood that Jesus Christ would only use a leader of a corporate Church of God who would prove to be faithful to Him in truth and in name.

This required time to see if any evangelist would stand up for the fullness of the doctrinal teachings and rulings Jesus Christ used His late apostle to restore within His Church regardless of the deceptive pressures brought about by Satan the devil through his human instruments.

Not one did.

My Personal History-

Up to almost that time in 1994, I had remained as pastor of the local Churches in Stockton/Modesto, California without being dealt with by headquarters though I had not preached any of the changes.

It was my intention to remain as long as I could as pastor to be there for the loyal members of the two Congregations that totaled approximately 450 people. 

I did not realize how few there would be of the faithful members among them until the changes to pagan teachings were made known to the ministers in a regional conference in Santa Barbara by Mr. Tkach.

After having made known what Mr. Tkach had said to the ministry about all of the laws being done away during that regional ministerial conference in Santa Barbara, California on December 20, 1994, I was stunned to find that instead of sadness and tears, most of the membership was overjoyed to learn what he had said.

Restrained from Preaching

Almost immediately, one particular woman member in the Modesto Congregation, who claimed she had a hotline with Joe Tkach, Jr., began calling him saying I was not in agreement with them and not preaching the changes.  He would then call me. 

Monday, March 27, 1995, Joe, Jr. called and made known that I could not preach anymore and would be replaced by a minister from Canada.

Prior to this my last two sermons had to do with the dietary laws of the holy Bible, proving from a health point of view, as well as from God's laws, why these laws were to be obeyed.

I was accused later by the minister who replaced me that I had thrown a bombshell in the Church by preaching those sermons knowing they were going to be changed. I did not know - but I suspected it.

In the interim, Joe, Jr. told me that Bill Bradford and Leroy Cole would come and preach in my place until the new pastor, Rod DeVrees, arrived to take over the Churches as the new pastor.

A few days later, I was called by John Anderson from Church Administration who made known that Joe Jr. told him I had to be retired or fired. 

After making known I did not want retirement, Joe Jr. made the decision to give me a payout for my 41 and one/half years in God's service. Five years as an employee of Ambassador College and the remaining years as a minister serving in various Church areas.

My employment ended on Friday the 31^st of March, 1995. 

I was Disfellowshipped

Shortly thereafter my name, along with the names of other ministers, was read by Dr. Hoeh before the Pasadena Congregation as being disfellowshipped.  He added that he was glad his name was not on the list. 

Looking for Leadership

It was about this time the longtime evangelists and pastors were trying to do something toward forming a new corporate church and were looking for leadership.

Knowing I had a close friendship with Dr. Hoeh, Mr. Dennis Luker called and asked if I would make a telephone call to Dr. Hoeh importuning him to give a positive sermon on the following Sabbath in Pasadena since he was scheduled for the sermon that day. The tapes could then be passed around underground.

I did call Dr. Hoeh and told him that since he was the longest tenured minister in the Church he would be the logical leader of all of us. He agreed with me, but followed up by adamantly saying, “I will not stand up just to be counted!” And he didn’t.

I was told by Dr. Fowler that Mr. Tkach must have suspected something for he asked Mike Feazzel, I believe, to listen to Dr. Hoeh’s sermon on that Sabbath to hear what he would say. It was just a normal sermon without saying anything positive at all on our behalf. I was disappointed.

Later in one of our telephone conversations I asked Dr. Hoeh if he were going to stay with WWCG all the way. He replied that he had responsibilities. He had the widows and also was a member of the board. I asked if his vote would mean all that much. He replied by saying there were other ways to do it.

The next time we talked, I asked how he was doing and he said, “Fine and that is sufficient!” He repeated it – meaning he did not want me to pry anymore.

The last time we talked I told him that I was now on my own and teaching the same teachings we had been taught by Mr. Armstrong. He replied by saying, “God bless you.”

I dearly loved that man. He had been not only a close friend, but my mentor through the early years of the 1950s.

Part 2, Continued  

The Transition Begins

April 1, 1995, two Sabbaths before the Passover, a small number of us from the two congregations I had pastored attended Church services in the Oakland/ San Francisco Churches.

The first Sabbath, April 1, 1995: A number of us drove to the Bay Area and attended services with Bill Bradford (the pastor, Oakland/San Francisco Churches).

The First Step of the Transition to be on our Own

The second Sabbath, April 8, 1995: We made the decision to begin our own Church service, with the name Church of God, Modesto, in Modesto, California. The only hall we could find for services was located in Escalon, California.

There were 125 members in attendance for that Sabbath service. The subject of my sermon: “Faithfulness to God’s Covenant”.

The name Escalon is a Spanish name and means: a stairway, rung, or beginning step. This is both interesting and also very meaningful for this would be the first or beginning of steps that would lead to others before we would come to where we are now, and where we hope to be later.

Modesto is another interesting name and is also very meaningful for its meaning fits us real well. It means: little or small.

The Passover was observed in Modesto, California on the evening after dusk Thursday, April 13, 1995. Our attendance: 105. The attendance for the last Day of Unleavened Bread was 166.

SECOND STEP, April 28, 1995:

Not knowing what else to do, we elders flew to Indianapolis, Indianana, to meet with the long-time evangelists, pastors, and elders to hear what they had to say about forming a corporate Church. The meetings began on Sunday, April 30, 1995, and ended on Tuesday, May 2, 1995.

To maintain control of the meetings we were introduced to “Roberts Rules of Order”. I suppose they use this worldly book yet today instead of the Bible.

Though we had trepidations we made the decision to become part of them while not knowing what else to do at the time.

UCG Urged to Pick Up Where Mr. Armstrong Left Off

Almost immediately I began writing letters urging the leadership to begin sounding the Ezekiel warning message.

It went nowhere.

In addition, before the United Church of God came together, I told Mr. Luker this was a golden opportunity to go back to 1986 and pick up with the teachings we had been taught by God through Mr. Armstrong.

It did not happen!

I should have had my head examined by going with them and staying as long as I did before leaving them. I kept hoping they would make the good changes but it never happened.

Pentecost 1995

All the Churches in our regional area had a combined service in Sacramento on the Day of Pentecost Sunday May 4, 1995. I was chosen as the guest speaker in the morning service and spoke on prophecy.

Mr. Victor Kubic was our guest speaker. During our noon day meal, with elders, deacons and wives present, he admitted there were ministers among them who had accepted Dr. Hoeh’s theory on “The Thinker” which is a form of the pagan trinity doctrine.

Though I was unhappy with the leadership of what came to be the United Church of God, I remained with them until I could no longer handle it.

My Objection to a Regional Director

I, along with the elders in our regional area, met together with Dennis Luker, Richard Pinelli, and Gregg Sargent, in Sacramento on Tuesday, February 20, 1996 for the possible appointment of Gregg Sargent as the regional pastor in our area.

I had contested his appointment to Mr. Hulme based on what Mr. Tkach proudly had said that Mr. Sargent had embraced the pagan doctrine of being born again. Mr. Hulme then had all of to meet together to try and smooth it over.

After addressing my objection during that meeting of Mr. Sargent’s appointment before all of the elders there, I also said before all of them that I was going to remain faithful to all of the teachings we had learned from God’s apostle Mr. Armstrong.

All heads were looking down at the table where we were sitting. No one supported or stood with me.

Had I known that most of the ministers there, if not every one of them, believed this pagan doctrine, I would have been really shocked and left in dismay.

Even Mr. Hulme believed it as I found after I left him.

Mr. Sargent’s name was withdrawn and Mr. Clyde Kilough was then named and accepted by all of us.

From my observations it appeared that every one of them was satisfied with the beliefs and teachings of the UCG.

These were sad and trying times, bewildering for many.

The Feast of Tabernacles 1995

Sunday, October 7, during a pre-Feast meeting with the co-coordinator of the Feast held in Redding, California, we speakers were to make known the subjects of our sermons to him and the other ministers. When it came my turn I said my sermon would be on Born Again.

Immediately, Larry Walker (a minister and speaker) spoke up and said I should not speak on that subject for it had not yet been settled. Mr. Chapman (co-coordinator) approved my sermon.

After I gave it I saw Mr. Hulme afterwards and asked him what he thought of my sermon. He replied, “Interesting, interesting,” and nothing more.

A Meeting with Mr. Roy Holiday

During a meeting with Mr. Roy Holiday in Sacramento with other ministers in our region, and knowing he was on the doctrinal committee, I asked their findings on Born Again. One or two ministers spoke up and said I should leave it alone. I insisted. Mr. Holiday replied, “It is neither going to be this way or that way.”

I learned later that he had preached the protestant teachings and so did Richard Pinelli, which included ‘Born Again Now’ before December 1994.

Prior to my departure from UCG, I attended my final conference with all of the elders in Louisville, KY on March 8, 1998 and ended March 9, 1998. After seeing there was no change – same liberals voted into office – I knew there was no hope for change for the better.

A Meeting with Mr. David Hulme

March 4, 1998, Steve LeBlanc, David O’Malley, Wayne Carlson (from Fresno and Modesto), Mr. Handy (an elder and a deacon from the Oakland/San Francisco Church), and I, together with them, met with Mr. David Hulme to ask questions of him regarding his beliefs in connection with the doctrinal teachings we were taught by God through Mr. Armstrong.

He satisfied our minds by indicating that he was in agreement with those teachings. We made the tentative decision we would go with him. However it was some few days before he could form a Corporate Church with members in his newly formed corporate church..

It was not until April 10, 1998, that we finalized our decision to be with Mr. Hulme.

My Final Regional Conference with UCG

March 16, 1998, Mr. Kilough, regional director of UCG, asked for a regional conference in Sacramento. Each one of us was asked what we thought of the conference. When it came my turn I said there was too much wallpapering, and to much going by Roberts Rules of Order, instead of the Bible.

Jim Chapman, pastor of the Redding California Church, pleaded with me to give it a chance. I figured I had been there long enough to give them a chance and they were going farther off track with no hope for a right and good change.

They were unhappy with David Hulme as their president and he ceased to be part of them after that conference. At the same time they would never openly say what their problems were with him. Had I fully known, I possibly would not have gone with him.

Combined Services with Guest Speakers from UCG

April 4, 1998, I permitted Dr. Don Ward from UCG to address the Modesto Congregation with Mr. Kilough. After asking for unity he opened it up for questions. Most were not satisfied with the answers.

Physical Sin

After the services I went to lunch with him and brought up the subject of ‘Physical Sin’. When I told him I was in disagreement with their stand on it by their saying that ‘sin is sin’ and no such thing as physical sin, he responded by saying if I could have you alone for an hour or so I could convince you of it. I replied that he could not for I had proved it. Nothing more was said about it. A little later they went their way.

During the daytime of April 10, 1998, I submitted my letter of resignation to the ruling elders of UCG.

That evening after dusk was the beginning of the Passover. At the conclusion of the service, I made it known to the assembled members that I was no longer with UCG.

I asked how many wanted to remain with UCG. Two elders, Dr. Philip Fowler and Bob Coser, held up their hands. Mr. Coser then said those who wanted to be with them could meet in Dr. Fowler’s home for the 1^st Day of Unleavened Bread.

We lost a few people again.

To be continued

Your servant and friend in the Lord Jesus Christ,

Don Billingsley

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