True Original Church/Faith Once Delivered

(Proof Herbert Armstrong Lied About the "Lost" Church Century)

By Kelly Marshall

Let's continue with the next apostolic father, the well-known Polycarp. The short introduction below shows that Polycarp was living during 65-155 A.D. We can see that this date not only falls well before the "taint date," proving that anything written up to and shortly beyond the 150 A.D. date should still contain truth and not be riddled with error since Polycarp was living during this time. Of course we know that HWA previously said that Polycarp was a true disciple of Christ, thus endorsing Polycarp’s status as a "true apostle."

INTRODUCTORY NOTE TO THE EPISTLE OF POLYCARP TO THE PHILIPPIANS.
....

[a.d. 65-100-155.] The Epistle of Polycarp is usually made a sort of preface to those of Ignatius, for reasons which will be obvious to the reader. Yet he was born later, and lived to a much later period. They seem to have been friends from the days of their common pupilage under St. John;…His pupil Irenaeus gives us one of the very few portraits of an apostolic man which are to be found in antiquity, in a few sentences which are a picture: "I could describe the very place in which the blessed Polycarp sat and taught; his going out and coming in; the whole tenor of his life; his personal appearance; how he would speak of the conversations he had held with John and with others who had seen the Lord. How did he make mention of their words and of whatever he had heard from them respecting the Lord."

We see in the above text, that Polycarp knew Ignatius and had been friends while under the pupilage of John. Interestingly, HWA did not acknowledge Ignatius and Irenaeus as true apostles, even though the historians verify that Ignatius was also a disciple of John, and Irenaeus a disciple of Polycarp while John was still living. This should make us suspicious, and rightfully so. What could HWA possibly be hiding? Let's read Polycarp's epistle and see if HWA’s teachings are in agreement with the primitive church.

Chapter I.-Praise of the Philippians.

I have greatly rejoiced with you in our Lord Jesus Christ, because ye have followed the example of true love [as displayed by God], and have accompanied, as became you, those who were bound in chains, the fitting ornaments of saints, and which are indeed the diadems of the true elect of God and our Lord; and because the strong root of your faith, spoken of in days long gone by, endureth even until now, and bringeth forth fruit to our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sins suffered even unto death, [but] "whom God raised froth the dead, having loosed the bands of the grave." "In whom, though now ye see Him not, ye believe, and believing, rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory"; into which joy many desire to enter, knowing that "by grace ye are saved, not of works," but by the will of God through Jesus Christ.

In every authentic historical text, without exception, you will see the same theme over and over: Jesus is the Christ, He died for our sins, He was raised from the dead—believe in Him—do His will. Polycarp taught the gospel ABOUT Jesus! Polycarp instructs believers to walk in His commandments, which are immediately defined by a list of spiritual fruits that God desires, and a list of evil acts that Christians are to abstain from. Nothing is mentioned of keeping Sabbaths or Holy Days, no clean and unclean meats, no tithing, and none of the mysteries outlined in the Mystery of the Ages! What is emphasized? JESUS. Not "mysteries"!

Chapter III.-Expressions or Personal Unworthiness.

These things, brethren, I write to you concerning righteousness, not because I take anything upon myself, but because ye have invited me to do so. For neither I, nor any other such one, can come up to the wisdom of the blessed and glorified Paul. He, when among you, accurately and stedfastly taught the word of truth in the presence of those who were then alive. And when absent from you, he wrote you a letter, which, if you carefully study, you will find to be the means of building you up in that faith which has been given you, and which, being followed by hope, and preceded by love towards God, and Christ, and our neighbour, "is the mother of us all." For if any one be inwardly possessed of these graces, he hath fulfilled the command of righteousness, since he that hath love is far from all sin.

Polycarp validates Paul’s teachings and reiterates them. Polycarp goes on to let us know that he that has love is far from all sin, and one who inwardly possesses these graces has fulfilled the command of righteousness! Where are all the "truths" that HWA supposedly restored from the original apostles? If the truths espoused by HWA are proof of the original true church, then why does Polycarp not mention even one present teaching of Armstrong? Look at what Polycarp is emphasizing—LOVE toward God and Christ—not laws, not Jewish customs! We know from historical records that Polycarp observed the Passover but nowhere does he command anyone to do so as a requirement for salvation!

Let's continue:

Chapter VIII.-Persevere in Hope and Patience.

Let us then continually persevere in our hope, and the earnest of our righteousness, which is Jesus Christ, "who bore our sins in His own body on the tree," "who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth," but endured all things for us, that we might live in Him. Let us then be imitators of His patience; and if we suffer for His name's sake, let us glorify Him. For He has set us this example in Himself, and we have believed that such is the case.

Chapter IX.-Patience Inculcated.

I exhort you all, therefore, to yield obedience to the word of righteousness, and to exercise all patience, such as ye have seen [set] before your eyes, not only in the case of the blessed Ignatius, and Zosimus, and Rufus, but also in others among yourselves, and in Paul himself, and the rest of the apostles. [This do] in the assurance that all these have not run in vain, but in faith and righteousness, and that they are [now] in their due place in the presence of the Lord, with whom also they suffered. For they loved not this present world, but Him who died for us, and for our sakes was raised again by God from the dead.

Notice once again that the gospel or "good news" is about Jesus. Polycarp informs us that Paul and the rest of the martyrs have not run in vain, but are [now] in the presence of the Lord! This is in agreement with Clement’s text that was examined earlier. The real reason HWA never informed his followers about Polycarp's Epistle is quite clear—he never wanted them to know that Polycarp’s writings contradicted with his contrived doctrines since he already categorized Polycarp as a true disciple!

The following section shows Polycarp endorsing the Epistles of Ignatius (30-107 A.D.) which we will cover next. We see that Polycarp himself had possession of them, and enjoined them to his own Epistle. If there had been any error contained in the Epistles of Ignatius, Polycarp would have stated so. He certainly had plenty of opportunity to correct them before sending them out to the other churches. So we can safely surmise that the Epistles of Ignatius did not contain error, since Polycarp personally approved his writings:

Chapter XIII.-Concerning the Transmission of Epistles. Both you and Ignatius wrote to me, that if any one went [from this] into Syria, he should carry your letter with him; which request I will attend to if I find a fitting opportunity, either personally, or through some other acting for me, that your desire may be fulfilled. The Epistles of Ignatius written by him to us, and all the rest [of his Epistles] which we have by us, we have sent to you, as you requested. They are subjoined to this Epistle, and by them ye may be greatly profited; for they treat of faith and patience, and all things that tend to edification in our Lord. Any more certain information you may have obtained respecting both Ignatius himself, and those that were with him, have the goodness to make known to us.

Ignatius lived during 30-107 A.D., therefore his writings do not fall anywhere close to the 150 A.D. date. Looking at the date, we can safely assume that Ignatius' Epistles qualify as pure, "primitive church" writings. Let's look at what Ignatius had to say in his Epistle to the Ephesians about how one can recognize a true Christian.

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians
Chapter XIV.-Exhortations to Faith and Love.

None of these things is hid from you, if ye perfectly possess that faith and love towards Christ Jesus which are the beginning and the end of life. For the beginning is faith, and the end is love. Now these two, being inseparably connected together, are of God, while all other things which are requisite for a holy life follow after them. No man [truly] making a profession of faith sinneth; nor does he that possesses love hate any one. The tree is made manifest by its fruit; so those that profess themselves to be Christians shall be recognised by their conduct. For there is not now a demand for mere profession, but that a man be found continuing in the power of faith to the end.

So a true Christian is recognized by faith and love toward Christ Jesus and will stay faithful to that belief to the end [of his life]. Nothing here about Old Testament laws, or any of HWA's doctrines which he insists the original, primitive church observed and that he supposedly "restored." Now fasten your seatbelts because the following texts are going to blow you away. Earlier, we observed that HWA did not mention the writings of Ignatius even though Polycarp endorsed them, and now we are going to see that HWA is clearly in the business of "suppressing the truth." In his Epistle to the Magnesians, Ignatius defines the false doctrines that Christians of the early church were to avoid:

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians
Chapter VIII.-Caution Against False Doctrines.

Be not deceived with strange doctrines, nor with old fables, which are unprofitable. For if we still live according to the Jewish law, we acknowledge that we have not received grace. For the divinest prophets lived according to Christ Jesus. On this account also they were persecuted, being inspired by His grace to fully convince the unbelieving that there is one God, who has manifested Himself by Jesus Christ His Son, who is His eternal Word, not proceeding forth from silence, and who in all things pleased Him that sent Him.

Be not deceived with strange doctrines, "nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies," and things in which the Jews make their boast. "Old things are passed away: behold, all things have become new." For if we still live according to the Jewish law, and the circumcision of the flesh, we deny that we have received grace. For the divinest prophets lived according to Jesus Christ. On this account also they were persecuted, being inspired by grace to fully convince the unbelieving that there is one God, the Almighty, who has manifested Himself by Jesus Christ His Son, who is His Word, not spoken, but essential. For He is not the voice of an articulate utterance, but a substance begotten by divine power, who has in all things pleased Him that sent Him.

Chapter IX.-Let Us Live with Christ.

If, therefore, those who were brought up in the ancient order of things have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord's Day, on which also our life has sprung up again by Him and by His death-whom some deny, by which mystery we have obtained faith, and therefore endure, that we may be found the disciples of Jesus Christ, our only Master-how shall we be able to live apart from Him, whose disciples the prophets themselves in the Spirit did wait for Him as their Teacher? And therefore He whom they rightly waited for, being come, raised them from the dead.

Chapter X.-Beware of Judaizing.

Let us not, therefore, be insensible to His kindness. For were He to reward us according to our works, we should cease to be. Therefore, having become His disciples, let us learn to live according to the principles of Christianity. For whosoever is called by any other name besides this, is not of God. Lay aside, therefore, the evil, the old, the sour leaven, and be ye changed into the new leaven, which is Jesus Christ. Be ye salted in Him, lest any one among you should be corrupted, since by your savour ye shall be convicted. It is absurd to profess Christ Jesus, and to Judaize. For Christianity did not embrace Judaism, but Judaism Christianity, that so every tongue which believeth might be gathered together to God.

Chapter XI.-I Write These Things to Warn You.

These things [I address to you], my beloved, not that I know any of you to be in such a state; but, as less than any of you, I desire to guard you beforehand, that ye fall not upon the hooks of vain doctrine, but that ye attain to full assurance in regard to the birth, and passion, and resurrection which took place in the time of the government of Pontius Pilate, being truly and certainly accomplished by Jesus Christ, who is our hope, from which may no one of you ever be turned aside.

Can it be said any more plain than this? I hope the reader is beginning to understand the magnitude of deception that Herbert Armstrong was willing to stoop to. HWA knew, without a doubt, that these writings existed, but outright manipulated the reader into believing that early church records did not exist or were corrupt. Since HWA mentioned Polycarp and Eusebius in his writings, there is no doubt that he knew these other records existed but conveniently omitted them because they did not corroborate any of his "restored" doctrines! We must continue to question why God would commission a man that would engage in intentional deception. If HWA was willing to deceive readers about church history, would he also be willing to deceive his readers about his divine calling and commission?

Let’s look at Ignatius’ warnings to the Philadelphians.

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians
Chapter VI.-Do Not Accept Judaism.

But if any one preach the Jewish law unto you, listen not to him. For it is better to hearken to Christian doctrine from a man who has been circumcised, than to Judaism from one uncircumcised. But if either of such persons do not speak concerning Jesus Christ, they are in my judgment but as monuments and sepulchres of the dead, upon which are written only the names of men. Flee therefore the wicked devices and snares of the prince of this world, lest at any time being conquered by his artifices, ye grow weak in your love. But be ye all joined together with an undivided heart. And I thank my God that I have a good conscience in respect to you, and that no one has it in his power to boast, either privately or publicly, that I have burdened any one either in much or in little. And I wish for all among whom I have spoken, that they may not possess that for a testimony against them.

May the reader heed the warning of this early true apostle! Ignatius was willing to die for the testimony of Jesus. The documented martyrdom can be read fully online, but I have excerpted two chapters that apply to our current discussion.

Below we see Ignatius anticipating his destiny in heaven, secured through martyrdom:

The Martyrdom of Ignatius
Chapter IV.-Ignatius Writes to the Churches.

And these things he thus spake, and thus testified, extending his love to Christ so far as one who was about to secure heaven through his good confession, and the earnestness of those who joined their prayers to his in regard to his [approaching] conflict; and to give a recompense to the Churches, who came to meet him through their rulers, sending letters of thanksgiving to them, which dropped spiritual grace, along with prayer and exhortation. Wherefore, seeing all men so kindly affected towards him, and fearing lest the love of the brotherhood should hinder his zeal towards the Lord, while a fair door of suffering martyrdom was opened to him, he wrote to the Church of the Romans the Epistle which is here subjoined.

After his death, some of those in the Church testified that they saw Ignatius in a vision. Notice the reference to the Father, Christ Jesus (Son) and the Holy Spirit, one of the earliest references to the Trinity. (Polycarp, while burning at the stake, also praised the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.)

Chapter VII.-Ignatius Appears in a Vision After His Death.

Now these things took place on the thirteenth day before the Kalends of January, that is, on the twentieth of December, Sura and Senecio being then the consuls of the Romans for the second time. Having ourselves been eye-witnesses of these things, and having spent the whole night in tears within the house, and having entreated the Lord, with bended knees and much prayer, that He would give us weak men full assurance respecting the things which were done, it came to pass, on our filling into a brief slumber, that some of us saw the blessed Ignatius suddenly standing by us and embracing us, while others beheld him again praying for us, and others still saw him dropping with sweat, as if he had just come from his great labour, and standing by the Lord. When, therefore, we had with great joy witnessed these things, and had compared our several visions together, we sang praise to God, the giver of all good things, and expressed our sense of the happiness of the holy [martyr]; and now we have made known to you both the day and the time [when these things happened], that, assembling ourselves together according to the time of his martyrdom, we may have fellowship with the champion and noble martyr of Christ, who trode under foot the devil, and perfected the course which, out of love to Christ, he had desired, in Christ Jesus our Lord; by whom, and with whom, be glory and power to the Father, with the Holy Spirit, for evermore! Amen.

Our next author is Barnabas, whose definite identity has been debated by historians. Regardless, the content is orthodox, and considered genuine. Polycarp, Ignatius, and Papias were fellow contemporaries during this period. His Epistle was written between A.D. 90 and 120.Notice that this epistle was "accepted by the primitive faithful." (All emphasis in bolding is mine.)

INTRODUCTORY NOTE TO THE EPISTLE OF BARNABAS
....

[a.d. 100.] The writer of this Epistle is supposed to have been an Alexandrian Jew of the times of Trajan and Hadrian. He was a layman; but possibly he bore the name of "Barnabas," and so has been confounded with his holy and apostolic name-sire. It is more probable that the Epistle, being anonymous, was attributed to St. Barnabas, by those who supposed that apostle to be the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews,5 and who discovered similarities in the plan and purpose of the two works…

The Maccabaean spirit of the Jews never burned more furiously than after the destruction of Jerusalem, and while it was kindling the conflagration that broke out under Barchochebas, and blazed so terribly in the insurrection against Hadrian. It is not credible that the Jewish Christians at Alexandria and elsewhere were able to emancipate themselves from their national spirit; and accordingly the old Judaizing, which St. Paul had anathematized and confuted, would assert itself again. If such was the occasion of this Epistle, as I venture to suppose, a higher character must be ascribed to it than could otherwise be claimed. This accounts, also, for the degree of favour with which it was accepted by the primitive faithful.

The Epistle of Barnabas is filled with intricate details of the Old and New Covenants, all which point to Christ. I have listed the titles of each chapter below, as I am sure you will find them highly interesting. You can read this complete epistle online. (Go to: http://www.ccel.org/fathers.html)

The Epistle of Barnabas

After the Salutation, the Writer Declares that He Would Communicate to His Brethren Something of that Which He Had Himself Received

The Jewish Sacrifices are Now Abolished

The Fasts of the Jews are Not True Fasts, Nor Acceptable to God

Antichrist is at Hand: Let Us Therefore Avoid Jewish Errors

The New Covenant, Founded on the Sufferings of Christ, Tends to Our Salvation, But to the Jew’s Destruction

The Sufferings of Christ, and the New Covenant, Were Announced by the Prophets

Fasting, and the Goat Sent Away, Were Types of Christ

The Red Heifer a Type of Christ

The Spiritual Meaning of Circumcision

Spiritual Significance of the Precepts of Moses Respecting Different Kinds of Food

Baptism and the Cross Prefigured in the Old Testament

The Cross of Christ Frequently Announced in the Old Testament

Christians, and Not Jews, the Heirs of the Covenant

The Lord Hath Given Us the Testament Which Moses Received and Broke6

The False and the True Sabbath

The Spiritual Temple of God

Conclusion of the First Part of the Epistle

Second Part of the Epistle. The Two Ways

The Way of Light

The Way of Darkness

Conclusion

The titles reveal much. We can readily see the various contrasts between the Old and the New Covenants. Barnabas reveals the new, spiritual counterpart of the shadows practiced in the old covenant, all which point to Christ. Barnabas warns against Jewish errors, and places the believer’s focus back onto Christ. HWA came 1900 years later and took the focus off of Christ and placed it back on the old covenant!

Let’s take a quick look at what day Barnabas said the early church worshipped on:

Chapter XV.-The False and the True Sabbath.

…Further, He says to them, "Your new moons and your Sabbath I cannot endure." Ye perceive how He speaks: Your present Sabbaths are not acceptable to Me, but that is which I have made, [namely this, ] when, giving rest to all things, I shall make a beginning of the eighth day, that is, a beginning of another world. Wherefore, also, we keep the eighth day with joyfulness, the day also on which Jesus rose again from the dead. And when He had manifested Himself, He ascended into the heavens.

Yes, indeed—Sunday. Can you detect the harmony these church fathers had amongst themselves? The only person out of step with the primitive church is HWA. Below, Barnabas gives a detailed description of the Way of Darkness.

Chapter XX.-The Way of Darkness.

But the way of darkness is crooked, and full of cursing; for it is the way of eternal death with punishment, in which way are the things that destroy the soul, viz., idolatry, over-confidence, the arrogance of power, hypocrisy, double-heartedness, adultery, murder, rapine (forcible seizure of another's property), haughtiness, transgression, deceit, malice, self-sufficiency, poisoning, magic, avarice, want of the fear of God. [In this way, too, ] are those who persecute the good, those who hate truth, those who love falsehood, those who know not the reward of righteousness, those who cleave not to that which is good, those who attend not with just judgment to the widow and orphan, those who watch not to the fear of God, [but incline] to wickedness, from whom meekness and patience are far off; persons who love vanity, follow after a reward, pity not the needy, labour not in aid of him who is overcome with toil; who are prone to evil-speaking, who know not Him that made them, who are murderers of children, destroyers of the workmanship of God; who turn away him that is in want, who oppress the afflicted, who are advocates of the rich, who are unjust judges of the poor, and who are in every respect transgressors.

Notice what is missing from this list? Where are "Sabbath-breaking, refusing to tithe and give offerings, rejecting the holy convocations, eating unclean meats, etc."? HWA emphasized rebellion against (HWA’s version of) God's laws and His government as epitome of evil, yet we don’t see it listed here as one of the works of darkness.

Next we will examine a short fragment of Papias and the historical remarks concerning him.

Introductory Note to the Fragments of Papias.

[a.d. 70-155.] …Papias has the credit of association with Polycarp, in the friendship of St. John himself, and of "others who had seen the Lord." He is said to have been bishop of Hierapolis, in Phrygia, and to have died about the same time that Polycarp suffered; but even this is questioned. So little do we know of one whose lost books, could they be recovered, might reverse the received judgment, and establish his claim to the disputed tribute which makes him, like Apollos, "an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures."

The following is the original Introductory Notice:

The principal information in regard to Papias is given in the extracts made among the fragments from the works of Irenaeus and Eusebius. He was bishop of the Church in Hierapolis, a city of Phrygia, in the first half of the second century. Later writers affirm that he suffered martyrdom about a.d. 163; some saying that Rome, others that Pergamus, was the scene of his death. He was a hearer of the Apostle John, and was on terms of intimate intercourse with many who had known the Lord and His apostles. From these he gatherered the floating traditions in regard to the sayings of our Lord, and wove them into a production divided into five books. This work does not seem to have been confined to an exposition of the sayings of Christ, but to have contained much historical information.

Notice that the Apostle John was still living during the time of Papias, and that Papias associated with Polycarp and others who had seen the Lord. Notice also that Papias was martyred in A.D. 163 (others say it was A.D. 155), proving that even up to and beyond the 150 A.D. date set by HWA, there were those who knew and were intimate with many who personally knew Jesus and His apostles. Papias' writings were corroborated by Eusebius and Irenaeus. Unfortunately only small fragments have been recovered. But even in small fragments, much can be said. Below, observe where this church father said "those who are deemed worthy" have an abode:

Fragments of Papias

V.

As the presbyters say, then those who are deemed worthy of an abode in heaven shall go there, others shall enjoy the delights of Paradise, and others shall possess the splendour of the city; for everywhere the Saviour will be seen, according as they shall be worthy who see Him.

That's right—heaven! And all who go there shall see Jesus. In the Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course, HWA made stabbing remarks about Christians going to heaven, playing harp music, and staring into the face of the Savior for all eternity. We need to pause and ask why, if the church fathers desired to be in heaven with the Savior, does this modern day, self-appointed "end time Apostle" openly deny heaven as the abode of the saved? Why would he feel repulsed in seeing Jesus for all eternity? Shouldn’t this tell us something? Once again, we see that HWA’s teachings do not conform one iota to the early New Testament church doctrines. So who is teaching "another gospel" here?

Our next writer whom we will examine is Justin Martyr. Justin was living during the time of Polycarp, Ignatius, Papias, Mathetes, and Irenaeus. He, along with Irenaeus, was a prolific writer and considered one of the earliest "apologists." An apologist is one who writes in logical defense of the faith. Since Justin studied philosophy and was a disciple of Socrates and Plato, HWA made his members believe that Justin introduced pagan teachings into Christianity. Not so! Because of his clear understanding of pagan philosophy, Justin could thoroughly refute their beliefs—not agree with them and infuse them into Christianity! Nor did he introduce their immortal soul teachings into Christianity, as HWA wanted us to believe. Justin and Irenaeus are known as the next, successive generation, or sub-apostolic, fathers. Their writings span into the second century of church history.

Pt. 1 | Pt. 2 | Pt. 3

Back to Questioning HWA's dogma