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What is the Living Church of God and What do they Believe? – Viral Believer
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What is the Living Church of God and What do they Believe?

Introduction

The Living Church of God (LCG) is a denomination that claims to uphold the teachings and practices of the original New Testament Church. Born out of the Worldwide Church of God’s doctrinal controversies in the 1990s, the LCG was formed under the leadership of the late Dr. Roderick C. Meredith.

With the objective to restore and preserve the truth, this religious group has attracted many believers who are in search of a more authentic interpretation of Christianity.

In this blog post, we will delve into the core beliefs of the Living Church of God, shedding light on their interpretation of Scripture, unique teachings, and practices.

We will also discuss areas where LCG’s beliefs differ from mainstream evangelical Christianity. As we explore the teachings of the LCG, let us keep in mind the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV), “Test all things; hold fast what is good.”

The Core Beliefs of the Living Church of God

The Godhead

The LCG believes in a divine Godhead consisting of two eternal beings: God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. This is in contrast to the traditional Trinitarian belief held by most evangelical Christians, which includes the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Godhead.

The LCG, however, sees the Holy Spirit as God’s divine power, rather than a distinct person (Acts 1:8, NKJV).

The Sabbath and Holy Days

The Living Church of God observes the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) as the day of rest and worship, as opposed to the mainstream Christian practice of Sunday worship. They believe that Jesus, the apostles, and the early Church observed the Sabbath (Luke 4:16, NKJV).

The LCG also celebrates the annual biblical Holy Days, such as the Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Tabernacles. They view these days as essential for Christians to observe, whereas most evangelical denominations see them as Jewish traditions that are no longer obligatory (Colossians 2:16-17, NKJV).

The Kingdom of God

The LCG teaches that the Kingdom of God is a literal, future world-ruling government that will be established on Earth by Jesus Christ at His second coming (Revelation 11:15, NKJV).

They believe that faithful Christians will be resurrected as immortal spirit beings and will reign with Christ during the Millennium, a thousand-year period of peace and prosperity.

This belief is in line with the premillennialism held by some evangelical Christians, but differs from the amillennialism and postmillennialism held by others.

The Three Resurrections

The Living Church of God believes in three resurrections. The first resurrection, at the return of Jesus Christ, is for the faithful Christians who will inherit eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:52-53, NKJV).

The second resurrection, occurring after the Millennium, is for the rest of humanity, who will have an opportunity to learn God’s way and achieve salvation.

The third resurrection is for those who have rejected God’s way of life; they will face the second death, signifying eternal destruction (Revelation 20:13-15, NKJV). This view differs from the mainstream evangelical belief in a general resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked, followed by the final judgment.

Tithing

The LCG upholds the practice of tithing, which involves giving a tenth of one’s income to the Church for the work of God. They believe that tithing is a biblical command for Christians and a means of expressing faith in God’s provision (Malachi 3:10, NKJV).

While some evangelical denominations also practice tithing, others view it as an Old Testament regulation that is not binding on Christians under the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 9:7, NKJV).

Points of Contrast with Mainstream Evangelical Christianity

Salvation by Grace Alone

One of the key differences between the Living Church of God and mainstream evangelical Christianity is the understanding of salvation. Evangelical Christians hold to the doctrine of sola gratia, or salvation by grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV).

They believe that good works are an expression of a believer’s faith but do not contribute to their salvation.

The LCG, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s commandments and laws, including observing the Sabbath and Holy Days, as a requirement for salvation.

They believe that God’s grace and the believer’s faith must be accompanied by obedience to God’s law, which reflects a works-based approach to salvation (James 2:24, NKJV). This distinction is critical, as it touches on the very core of the Christian faith and understanding of the Gospel.

The Role of the Church

Another significant difference between the LCG and mainstream evangelical Christianity is the role of the Church. The LCG believes that they are the only true continuation of the original New Testament Church, and that their teachings and practices are the only authentic form of Christianity.

They maintain that other Christian denominations have adopted pagan traditions and compromised biblical truth.

In contrast, mainstream evangelical Christianity recognizes a diversity of denominations and expressions of faith, believing that the essential truths of the Gospel are preserved across various Christian traditions.

While evangelicals may disagree on secondary issues, they generally emphasize unity in the essentials of the faith (Ephesians 4:4-6, NKJV).

Conclusion

The Living Church of God represents a unique and distinct expression of Christianity, claiming to preserve the original teachings and practices of the New Testament Church.

While some of their beliefs align with those of mainstream evangelical Christianity, such as the premillennial return of Christ, other teachings, such as their view of the Godhead, observance of the Sabbath and Holy Days, and understanding of salvation, diverge significantly from the evangelical tradition.

As believers in Christ, it is essential to approach the teachings of the LCG, or any other religious group, with discernment and a commitment to the truth of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NKJV).

It is crucial to remember the centrality of Jesus Christ and the Gospel message, ensuring that our faith is built upon the solid foundation of God’s Word (1 Corinthians 3:11, NKJV).

Ultimately, the Christian journey involves seeking God’s truth, submitting to His authority, and embracing His grace, as we endeavor to grow in our understanding and relationship with Jesus Christ (John 17:3, NKJV).

May we continue to be guided by the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures as we examine the teachings of the Living Church of God and any other religious group, with the goal of remaining steadfast in our faith and growing ever closer to our Lord and Savior.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.