“Living by every word” is not just a motto. It is the guiding principle behind the Philadelphia Church of God. Here we stand before a congregation deeply rooted in biblical teachings.
The Philadelphia Church of God emerged from a schism. It began with Gerald R. Flurry and John Amos in 1989. These former members of the Worldwide Church of God sought to continue Herbert W. Armstrong’s teachings. They named their church after Philadelphia. This references one of the seven churches in the Book of Revelation. The Philadelphia Church of God proclaims itself the true church.
Gerald Flurry leads the Philadelphia Church of God. He claims to be a prophet. He says that God gives him new revelations. Flurry warns the United States, British Commonwealth, and Israel of impending destruction. He does this through media programs and publications.
The Philadelphia Church of God emphasizes adherence to the Bible. It believes the Bible is the full word of God. The church rejects the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity. It teaches that the Holy Spirit is not a separate aspect of God. Instead, it is the power of God.
The Philadelphia Church of God also supports British Israelism. This belief suggests the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel became the Anglo-Saxons. According to this view, the British and Americans are specially blessed by God. The church recognizes the Sabbath from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown. Members refuse medical care and military service. This is similar to Christian Science.
The Philadelphia Church of God publishes an array of materials. These include the Philadelphia Trumpet. The church says tithes and offerings from members pay for these publications. It also runs Armstrong College in Edmond. The Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology in Jerusalem is also affiliated.
The Philadelphia Church of God has faced media scrutiny. Some reports compared Flurry to David Koresh. They likened the church to the Branch Davidian doomsday cult. The church disputed these comparisons. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the church was accused of spreading misinformation.
A legal battle once raged over Herbert W. Armstrong’s book Mystery of the Ages. The Worldwide Church of God sued the Philadelphia Church of God. The Philadelphia Church of God countersued. A settlement was reached in 2003. The Philadelphia Church of God acquired rights to 19 of Armstrong’s books for $3 million.
Financially, the Philadelphia Church of God operates as a charity. It is exempt from federal income tax. Members are expected to tithe ten percent of their income. Most of the church’s income comes from members. The peak revenue was $6.6 million in 2023.
The Philadelphia Church of God began with just 12 members. It has grown into a worldwide organization. It has congregations in places like the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Philadelphia Church of God fulfills two primary responsibilities. It proclaims the good news of the coming Kingdom of God. It also warns of disasters preceding Christ’s Second Coming. The church spiritually nourishes its members. It prepares them for future responsibilities under Christ. The Philadelphia Church of God stands as a testament to unwavering faith. It is dedicated to its interpretation of biblical teachings.