Church provides answers to questions frequently asked by researchers

The Worldwide Church of God is often asked about its history and beliefs.

Following are answers to questions frequently asked by researchers.

The responses are short answers and do not necessarily reflect all the church has to say on any given subject.

History

In the early 1930s, Herbert Armstrong began a radio ministry, a magazine and a church that eventually became The World Tomorrow, The PIain Truth and the Worldwide Church of God.

After Mr. Armstrong died in 1986, church leaders began to believe that many of Mr. Armstrong's doctrines were not biblical.

These doctrines were rejected, and today the church is in agreement with the statement of faith of the National Association of Evangelicals.

When the church changed its views, some members continued to hold Armstrong-era doctrines. Many of these left the Worldwide Church of God to form other denominations. Most WCG congregations meet for worship on Saturdays.

Church tradition also includes observances for the Festival of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the Festival of Tabernacles. Although attendance at these festivals was once required of all members, they are now optional.

Many members observe Holy Week and the Advent season.

There are about 440 churches with 47,000 members in the United States.

Abortion: Under ordinary circumstances, abortion is not a legitimate biblical or ethical choice.

When a mother's life is at stake, however, abortion is considered to be a legitimate choice. Members' choices about abortion in other extraordinary circumstances, such as rape or incest, are not considered a test of fellowship.

Baptism: Baptism signifies a believer's repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Worldwide Church of God does not baptize infants and practices baptism by immersion.

Birth Control: The church permits most forms of birth control.

Capital Punishment: God has placed responsibility for human government and justice into human hands, under his sovereign authority.

Capital punishment may or may not be appropriate, depending on its administration. All human government is ultimately responsible to God and will answer to God for all injustice.

Christ's Return: Jesus Christ, as he promised, will return to earth to judge and reign over all nations in the Kingdom of God. His second coming will be visible, and in power and glory.

This event inaugurates the resurrection of the dead and the reward of the saints. The church makes no predictions as to when this will be.

Communion: At the Lord's Supper, baptized members participate in the new covenant as they partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the Savior.

Members of other denominations may participate if they have faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Once each year the ceremony includes the washing of feet.

Creation vs. Evolution: God is the creator and sustainer of heaven and earth and of all life and all that is. The church sees no biblical reason to reject the conclusions of scientists that the earth is billions of years old and that life has been on earth for billions of years.

Similarly, the church sees no biblical reason to reject evidence that life forms have been changing for billions of years.

Deity of Jesus: Jesus is the Word, by whom and for whom God created all things. As God was manifest in the flesh for the salvation of man, he was begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, fully God and fully human, two natures in one person. Jesus is the Son of God and Lord of all, worthy of worship, honor, and reverence.

Divorce and Remarriage: The church upholds the sanctity of marriage but also recognizes that humans have hardened their hearts. The church discourages divorce, but in most cases permits divorced persons to remarry.

Homosexuality: Homosexual behavior, like all sexual relations outside of marriage, is a sin. However, a homosexual orientation is not a sin in itself. The church does not sanction discrimination against homosexuals in the workplace.

Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the converted homosexual forsakes the gay life-style and enters into the new life in Christ. This does not necessarily mean that the homosexual becomes heterosexual.

Inspiration of Scripture: The 66 canonical books of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, the foundation of truth, and the accurate record of God's revelation to humanity.

The Holy Scriptures constitute ultimate authority in all matters of doctrine and embody the infallible principles that govern all facets of Christian living.

Miracles: The church believes in the supernatural--including angels, demons, miracles, and answers to prayers. God still works miracles, such as instantaneous healings and intervention in physical circumstances.

Restrictions: The church permits card-playing, dancing and alcoholic beverages in moderation. The use of tobacco is strongly discouraged, and smoking is not permitted at church gatherings. Illegal drugs are forbidden.

Speaking in Tongues and Other Gifts of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit distributes gifts to believers, gifts that are to be used to serve others. The church neither forbids nor encourages members to speak in tongues. However, tongues-speaking is not permitted in the congregational worship service.

Trinity: Scripture teaches that there is one God. It also teaches the divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Based on the biblical revelation, the church believes in the doctrine of the Trinity: that God is one divine being in three eternal, co-essential, yet distinct persons.

Women in Ministry: The church encourages women to contribute in leadership roles of every kind. However, based on the teachings of the apostle Paul, the church does not ordain women as elders.