About This Book | Foreword | About the Editor | About the Author | Acknowledgments
What is Faith?
Faith is the assurance that God will
fulfill His promises. Faith is God's gift, the faith of Jesus living in us, not
just faith in Jesus. What Kind of Faith is Required for Salvation? Living
faith, the gift of God, produces good works, the keeping of God's Law. The
doers of the word, and not the hearers only, have the faith required for
salvation. Dead faith, without obedience, is not saving faith.
Does God Heal Today?
The day of miracles is not past. God
is the only real physician. Modern medicine has a pagan origin and can become
idolatry. Healing is the forgiveness of sin, something only God can do.
Christ's death paid for our sins; it is God's will that we be healed. We do
need natural doctors. Let the elders of the church anoint and pray over the
sick, and leave the way and the time for healing to God.
Divorce and
Remarriage
Divorce and remarriage is America's national
sin. God holds the ministers to blame for not telling the nation His Truth.
God, not man, joins husband and wife together. God's Laws of Marriage apply to
all peoples and races. Jesus said whosoever puts away his wife, except for
fornication (illicit sex before marriage), and marries another, commits
adultery. Thus, adultery is not the Bible grounds for divorce. Many divorced
and remarried people are living in adultery, and must not continue to sin.
Fundamentals
of Belief
Twenty basic doctrinal beliefs of
the Radio Church of God, including the Holy Spirit, Nature of Man, Passover,
Sabbath, Holy Days, Clean and Unclean Foods, Carnal Warfare, Church of God and
its Mission, Resurrections, and Return of Christ.
Did Christ
Reorganize The Church?
The Church is a spiritual organism,
not an organization of men. Most churches today are organized according to a
Gentile form of government, contrary to God's instructions. The 12, 7, and 70
were not to continue on to our time. Church organization has split up and
divided the Church of God. We should come out of Babylon.
Why Should We
Have Churches?
Human government is based on
Nimrod's example of men ruling over other men. God's government is totally
different. The function of the New Testament Church is to Spread the Gospel,
and Feed the Flock. Which Day is the Sabbath of the New Testament? This article
is an examination of the eight New Testament texts where the phrase,
"first day of the week," is mentioned, contrasted with New Testament
references to the seventh day Sabbath.
The
Sabbath A Perpetual Covenant
The Sabbath Covenant is not part of
the Law of Moses. The Sabbath is a sign between God and His people, Israel.
Does Easter Really
Commemorate the Resurrection? Gives
Bible proof that Jesus really was in the grave exactly three days and three
nights, that the crucifixion was on Wednesday, and the resurrection was late on
Sabbath, not Sunday morning.
The Plain Truth About
Christmas!
Christmas is a pagan, not a
Christian, festival. It is not Christ's birthday, but a continuation of the old
Roman feast of the birth of Sol, the sun. Christmas was not observed by
professing Christians for the first 200-300 years.
When, and How
Often Should We Observe the Lord's Supper?
How the Lord's Supper should be
observed.
LORD'S SUPPER
-- Shall We Take It On the Eve of 14th, or 15th?
The Christian Passover should be
observed annually, on the beginning of Abib 14.
How to Figure
Pentecost
The Feast of Pentecost is always on
a Monday, fifty days from the Sunday after the Sabbath during the Feast of
Unleavened Bread.
Beautiful Secluded
Mountain Resort Taken Over for Feast of Tabernacles
Description of Belknap Springs,
Oregon, 1945 Feast of Tabernacles site. Explanation of Second Tithe to finance
the spiritual festivals.
Do You Want the
Baptism With Fire?
Are You Sure You Know What It Is?
The "baptism with fire" is God's judgment on rebellious sinners, the stubble
(chaff, tares) to be burned up.
Tongues: Is the
Pentecost Experience Being Repeated Today?
"Speaking in tongues" is
not the Bible evidence of the baptism with the Holy Ghost. It is everyone
hearing the speaker in their own language. Acts 2 was a unique experience in
history.
The Kingdom -
Bible Study Quarterly
The Kingdom of God is God's
government on this earth, to be established by Christ as His Second Coming. The
purpose of Christian life is to prepare us for positions of responsibility in
the Kingdom.
The Truth About
Israel
Bible Study Quarterly Britain and
America are descended from the House of Israel. This truth about Israel is a
key to understanding Bible prophecy.
The United States
and Britain in Prophecy
The 1945 version of Herbert W.
Armstrong's most well-known book. The United States and Britain are largely
descendants from the "Lost" Ten Tribes of Israel.
The Key to
the Book of Revelation
The keynote of Revelation is the Day
of the Lord, and is to be understood by His people. The seven seals cover the
entire book. The Olivet prophecy of Jesus in Matthew 24 is the key that unlocks
the seals of Revelation: (1) false prophets, (2) wars, (3) famines, (4)
pestilences, (5) Great Tribulation, (6) Heavenly signs, (7) Day of the Lord
(seven trumpets, the seventh of which is the seven last plagues). The
Tribulation is NOT the Day of the Lord.
Editorial,
February, 1934, Plain Truth
The Truth of God is simple and
plain, not hard and difficult, to understand. One must have a willing attitude
to be corrected.
Editorial,
March, 1938, Plain Truth
Truth can come only through love.
Doctrine should not be the basis for church fellowship.
April 10, 1943
Letter
The World Tomorrow program is a
necessary part of America's war effort. Unless our people repent of their wrong
ways of living contrary to God's ways, God will not permit us to win the war.
April
12, 1943 Co-Worker Letter
There is a movement to shut the
Gospel broadcast off the air. We are shouting the last warning message to
America. Prophecy says that we shall lose this war unless we repent and turn to
God and put our trust in Him. Give to God's Work as quickly as you can.
Co-Workers'
Bulletin, November 29, 1946
The importance of education. Opening
of Ambassador College in Pasadena, California.
The Importance of
Fasting
There are two vital reasons for
occasional fasting: health and physical fitness, and spiritual reviving. When
you fast, spend a third of your time studying the Bible, a third of your time
in meditation, and a third of your time in prayer on your knees. Fasting and
prayer open the lines of communication with God, allowing Him to talk with you.
Ten Simple
Rules That Lead to Health
Health principles based on the
Bible.
Can a
Sabbath-Keeper Believe in Evolution?
Evolution is the opposite of faith
in God.
Constitution of the
Radio Church of God
Key points: Herbert W. Armstrong has
been called by divine authority to hold office perpetually; basic doctrine is a
plain and literal understanding of the Bible; basis for fellowship is LOVE;
dismissal of members only after a public meeting and approval of the pastor and
two thirds of the members present.
Which Day is the
Sabbath of the New Testament?
An expose of the Biblical Sabbath
and its New Testament relevance
Appendix A
Technical Notes
Appendix B
Comments by Richard C. Nickels
Appendix C
Biography of Herbert W. Armstrong
Thanks to Raymond C. Cole, who gave me
access to his personal library, including copies of Herbert Armstrong's early
writings. Thanks to my daughters Rachel and Amanda, as well as John Guffey, for
typing many of these articles. Thanks to our proofreaders, who wish to remain
anonymous. Above all, I give praise and thanks to the Almighty Creator who
revealed His truths to fallible human beings such as ourselves. May we be
faithful stewards of His Grace and Truth.
Remember the days of old; consider the
generations long past. Deuteronomy 32:7
The sayings of old, which we have heard and
known, and which our fathers have told us, we will not hide them from our children.
Psalm 78:2-4
. . . ye should earnestly contend for the
faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude 3.
The articles re-published in this book are
all in the public domain. They may be copied and distributed by any person. For
a printed copy of this book, or a computer disk, please write:
In the summer of 1961, my father and I
cleared a wooded lot on the Oregon coast, and began construction of a new home
for our family. Each night, we slept in a construction shack, and listened to
the radio. We were introduced to Herbert W. Armstrong, and the "World
Tomorrow" radio broadcast, via radio station KGO San Francisco, which came
in loud and clear at night. Dad and I talked about Armstrong's religious
message, and studied the Bible together. In the years to follow, we became avid
subscribers to The Plain Truth magazine, and eager readers of all of the literature
produced by the Radio (later renamed "Worldwide") Church of God.
In 1967, my parents and I visited the
Church's Ambassador College in Pasadena, California. And, in 1969, I was
baptized, and became a member of the Worldwide Church of God. From 1971-1973, I
was an employee of the Church at Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; Big Sandy, Texas;
and Pasadena, California, where I was Administrative Assistant to Raymond C.
Cole in Church Administration. Mr. Cole was one of the original graduates of
Ambassador College. My office was just a few doors down the hall from Herbert
W. Armstrong. I became intimately involved in the Church's work. I assisted
Armstrong on an article published in The Good News magazine.
However, in 1974, the Church began a process
of major doctrinal change, which accelerated after the death of Herbert W.
Armstrong in 1986. Since 1978, I have been independent of church organizations,
and seek to study God's Word and share it with others through Giving &
Sharing, a non-profit bookstore.
One of my most precious treasures have been
the Bible Truths that I have learned through the teachings of Herbert W.
Armstrong. When I worked for Raymond Cole, I copied original articles written
by Herbert Armstrong, which were in Mr. Cole's personal library. These articles
were suppressed and buried by the Worldwide Church of God, in an attempt to
destroy the Church's historical doctrines. As early as 1973, members were told
to burn copies of certain articles, as the Church veered towards a liberal
doctrinal position. I later discovered that all of the early articles were
originally published without copyright. Since I continue to believe these
eloquently powerful presentations of Biblical Truth, why not make them
available once again, to the whole world?
I realize that in publishing this material,
I may receive a great deal of criticism. Some might say, "You are
worshipping a man." I recognize many of the shortcomings of Herbert
Armstrong, and I abhor his sins. But, I love the man who, in spite of his human
frailties, taught the Truth of the Almighty in a most powerful and unique way.
I have learned many Bible Truths through Herbert Armstrong. He always preached,
"don't believe me because I say something, believe what you prove from the
Bible!" Armstrong helped me to lay my foundation on the Messiah, not on an
organization of men.
"Armstrong's corrupt lifestyle
invalidates his message," some are saying. That is a foolish statement. Do
the sins of David and Solomon invalidate their inspired teachings, which are
part of the Bible? We should judge a minister's teaching by the Bible, not by
his own personal sins. In the vast majority of cases, the original doctrines
taught by Herbert W. Armstrong have stood the test of time. Unfortunately, in
his later years, Armstrong departed from his own teachings in a number of key
areas: church government, divorce and remarriage, and healing. Personal Bible
study has convinced me that Herbert Armstrong initially preached more Bible
Truth than a trainload of "orthodox" Christian ministers. His
speaking, and writing, style was dynamic, interesting to the average person,
plain and simple, to the point, and above all, solidly based on the Bible.
The core teaching of Herbert W. Armstrong
can be summed up in one word: FAITH. Armstrong defined faith in God, made faith
plain and understandable, and showed how faith and works are one
characteristic, that we need to have faith in God to be healed, that we should
be faithful in marriage, that we need to trust the Savior to run His Church,
that the Sabbath is a test of faith, that we can faithfully trust Christ when
He said He would be three days and three nights in the grave before His
resurrection, that God has not cast off His people Israel today, and that we in
faith look forward to the return of the Messiah and the establishment of the
Kingdom of God on this earth, the World Tomorrow. The world is on the verge of
end time wars, earthquakes, famines, disease epidemics, and martyrdom of God's
people. FAITH is the missing ingredient that we need to carry us through to the
return of our Savior, to overcome all and to endure to the end. Herbert W.
Armstrong was indeed an apostle of faith.
All the articles in this book are in the
public domain. They were written by Herbert W. Armstrong from 1928-1953. I have
attempted to preserve them as close as possible to their original form,
including following Armstrong's custom of frequent use of CAPITALIZATION and
italics for emphasis. For consistency, I have spelled out all Scripture
references with bold type. I have not reproduced many early articles on
prophecy, because Armstrong made a number of prophetic predictions which failed
to come to pass.
Appendix A, Technical Notes, gives
information regarding the condition of the original documents I used. In the
Appendix B, Comments, section, I have given my understanding on some of the
major articles in this book. Finally, in Appendix C, Biography of Herbert W.
Armstrong, are little-known facts about the life of Armstrong. This book is not
a monument to Herbert W. Armstrong. Instead, it is a memorial to the Eternal,
whose Word is the foundation of knowledge, and to His scattered people, who
have not bowed the knee to Baal.
Richard C. Nickels (1947-2006), a native of
Oregon, has also lived in Texas, California, Missouri, Washington, and Wyoming.
He and his wife Shirley have three children: Barbara, Rachel and Amanda. An
accountant and computer consultant, Nickels currently works for a major coal
mining company in Gillette, Wyoming. He is a graduate of Linfield College (BA,
1969, Summa Cum Laude).
Richard Nickels became a World Tomorrow
broadcast listener in 1961, was baptized in 1969, and was employed by the
Worldwide Church of God from 1971-1973 in festival site construction and church
administration. Since 1978, he has written numerous articles and books for
Giving & Sharing, a non-profit mail order bookstore serving Sabbath-keepers
around the world. These include History of the Seventh Day Church of God, Six
Papers on the History of the Church of God, Biblical Holy Days, Biblical Law,
Biblical Health and Healing, Biblical Doctrine, Bible Studies, Newsletters, and
other articles.
By the grace of God, Richard Nickels has learned
much of his understanding of the Bible through the teaching of Herbert W.
Armstrong. This compilation of Armstrong's early writings is a tribute to the
Almighty, who has restored much of His Truth in the end time. In his later
years, Herbert W. Armstrong strayed from many foundational principles he
originally taught. Richard Nickels hopes that the publication of Early Writings
of Herbert W. Armstrong will serve to preserve the legacy of revealed Truth.
Early Writings of Herbert W. Armstrong is a
compilation of public domain articles, written from 1928-1953. Armstrong's
doctrinal teachings are hard-hitting, and frequently are diametrically opposed
to orthodox Protestant beliefs. Drawing from a straightforward understanding of
the Bible, unfettered by theological nitpicking, Herbert W. Armstrong presents
the plain truth of Scripture on a variety of practical Christian topics. His
masterpieces, including What Is Faith? Does God Heal Today? and Divorce and
Remarriage, provide a solid foundation for the true believer who seeks to live
by the Almighty's faith.
The purpose of reproducing these vital
articles is to encourage the Church of God to renew its zeal during this time
of luke warmness. May we all earnestly contend for the faith which was once
delivered to the saints.
Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986) was the
most famous Sabbath-keeping Christian minister of the Twentieth Century.
Baptized in 1927, Armstrong was ordained an elder by the Oregon Conference of
the Church of God, Seventh Day, in 1931. In 1934, Armstrong launched an
independent radio work, on radio station KORE, Eugene, Oregon, which became
known as The World Tomorrow, and began publishing The Plain Truth magazine. In
1947, he moved his Church's headquarters to Pasadena, California. The
Sabbath-keeping church he founded, the Radio Church of God (renamed Worldwide
Church of God in 1968), grew to a worldwide membership of over 100,000.
The worldwide printing and radio and
television broadcasting sponsored by the church grew to reach an audience of
many millions. Its wide appeal was no doubt due in part to Armstrong's
advertising skills, and his unique ability to present complex Biblical truths
in a simple, yet interesting, manner. While many lay members would not tolerate
corrective Bible teaching from their own minister, they would nevertheless
listen to Herbert Armstrong's captivating radio voice. Many of his early
articles were transcribed from radio broadcasts.
Armstrong married Loma Dillon in 1917. The
Armstrong's had four children: Beverly (1918-1992), Dorothy (1920- ), Richard
David (1928-1958), and Garner Ted (1930-2004). Loma Armstrong died in 1967.
Richard David died as the result of a tragic car accident. In 1978, Garner Ted
Armstrong was expelled from the Worldwide Church of God and began his own
organization, Church of God International. In 1986, Herbert W. Armstrong died,
passing the leadership of the Worldwide Church of God to Joseph W. Tkach. The
vast majority of the teachings in Early Writings of Herbert W. Armstrong, are
no longer held by the Church.
For a listing of Herbert W. Armstrong’s
Co-Worker Letters, 1938-1948, please click
here.
For additional articles of Herbert W. Armstrong
please click here.
For a photo of Herbert W. and Loma D.
Armstrong, click here.