Portland, Oregon Church  -  Affiliated with the Intercontinental Church of God and the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association

SUBJECT:  Church Attendance

 

QUESTION:  I follow your teachings, but there is no ICG church near me.  Would it be okay to visit another Sabbath keeping church nearby, even though I may not agree with all their doctrines and teachings.  Couldn’t I just tune out their preaching when they are speaking of a doctrine of which I do not agree?

 

ANSWER:

 

I just had a question from a member who was attending a SDA church, because there was no ICG church nearby.  She asked me if it was okay to attend such a church knowing that she disagreed with some of their doctrine, including that of Ms. White.  Following was our answer:

 

"It might be okay, if one so chooses, to visit such a church, but you have stated a number of things that you do not agree with.  It is not always easy to believe that one can just tune out the offensive material.  Material (right or wrong) is preached for a reason, so that it gets etched on your brain cells.  Regardless of your personal beliefs and your best of intentions, you are getting foreign materials---things you don't believe---etched on your memory cells.

 

It is something to think about as you come to your own conclusion."

 

Notice the Word of God:

 

Titus 3:10-11
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

 

Note:  This rejection is clear connoting that one should flee this heresy.

 

2 John 10-11
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

 

Note:  It would follow that one should not enter into his "house".

 

Also read Deuteronomy 13.

 

There is much more:

 

1 Timothy 3:9
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

 

1 Timothy 1:3-4
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

 

Note:  We should not listen to fables and false doctrines rather than Godly truth.

 

Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

 

Note:  We should have no fellowship where false doctrine is preached and taught.

 

Galatians 1:6-7
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

 

Note:  Clearly these other religions are perverting the gospel of Christ.

 

Romans 14:1
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

 

Note:  Members that have attended these other organizations have invariably mentioned these doubtful disputations.

 

2 Timothy 3:5-7
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

Note:  The message is clear:  from such turn away (or leave).

 

Galatians 1:8-9
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

 

Note:  Clearly if these false teachings are to be accursed, we should not be around where they are preached.

 

Romans 16:17-18
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

 

Note:  This is an admonition for the congregation, but it would follow that the organization we are visiting (other than what we attend).  The verse says that we should avoid that which is contrary to the doctrine we have learned.
 
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Portland, Oregon Church  -  Affiliated with the Intercontinental Church of God and the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association