Saturday, January 12, 2013

Bob Thiel: Is He Really Following In The Footsteps of Polycarp?



Poor Bob Thiel.  He is in such a conundrum right now. He is talking today about the apostolic secession of the leadership of the Church of God and how the men in church through the centuries were ordained and carried on with the "truth."  It seems to be really important to prophet Thiel that this link back to the apostles is noted. The reason being is that prophet Thiel claims he is now the only one carrying the mantle for the 1st century Christianity he claims is valid.

He starts his daily missal stating that he had to cease affiliation with the Living Church of God, of which, he will not name.  How stupid is that?

As most readers now know, it became necessary for me to cease my affiliation with a group based out of North Carolina and form the Continuing Church of God.
 He then tries to defend the silly name he called his personality cult.

So, since the word “continuing” is part of the title, the question to be briefly addressed today is:  Continue what?

First, it needs to be understood that according to Jesus, the church itself would continue and the gates of Hades (death) would not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).
The prophet uses Hebrews as the scriptural justification for the name of his personality cult:

Let us look at what Jesus and the Apostle Paul taught on this matter:
22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes (Matthew 10:22-23).

14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come (Hebrews 13:14).
Since Christians have no continuing city, it is the Church of God, not some city such as Rome or Alexandria that was supposed to continue to lead Christ’s church.

Prophet Thiel traces the lineage of his new personality cult down through the ages to Polycarp.  The main problem with this is that false prophet Thiel is NOT ordained and cannot be the legitimate heir to the legacy of Polycarp.

Notice that Irenaeus is claiming that Polycarp was appointed bishop (pastor/overseer) of the Church in Smyrna by the apostles in Asia (which would most likely have been John and Philip and perhaps some others) and that Polycarp continued the faith and practices of the original apostles. Notice that Irenaeus is claiming that there was a list of men who have succeeded Polycarp until the late 2nd century and that they held to the teaching of the apostles. Thus the only universally accepted apostle to “bishop” transfer of leadership for the 1st and 2nd centuries that continued until at least the end of the 2nd century was through Polycarp of Smyrna 
Prophet Thiel claims his small personality cults doctrines are exactly like Polycarp's in order to give his little group legitimacy:

So, Polycarp realized that the true church was called the Church of God and that he placed a high priority on the scriptures and the doctrines in them, including the commandments and love.

This is what we in the Continuing Church of God also are striving to do.

Now, here are some of the beliefs that Polycarp and others in the early Church of God held to that we in the Continuing Church of God also hold to. (which I am not listing)

 Prophet Thiel's arrogance continues to grow stronger.  He and his small personality cult are now the only ones that best represent the true remnant.

We in the Continuing Church of God are striving to best represent the most faithful remnant  of the original Church of God that began on Pentecost in Acts 2 (c. 31 A.D.) and we believe and teach the doctrines of the original apostolic and faithful post-apostolic Church of God, and in particular, the Philadelphia-era of the Church of God.
There is nothing original, apostolic or Christan about false prophet Thiel's personality cult.  A personality cult is exactly all his group is.  The few people that have agreed to follow him are obviously weak in their faith, so much so, that they still need a "strong figure" tell them what to believe.  These people have been through at least 3 splinterings to reach Thiel's group (which makes 4).  Worldwide to Global, then Global to Living, then Living to Continuing.  Whats going to happen in 4-5 years when someone stronger than Thiel comes along and discredits hm?  Will group 5 then start?  Then how long till splinter group 6?  Joining the Church of God 7th Day makes far better sense than joining up in another impotent little personality cult.