Dear Michael Vinson
I was greatly pleased to stumble across your web site. I have read much of your web site and just wanted to let you know that your work in revealing God’s truth to those of us called is greatly appreciated. I am a former member of the PCG which is an offshoot of the WCG. It has taken me many years to truly realize that Herbert Armstrong’s teachings for profit is shameful to God. Once one truly studies all of the material of the WCG from 1934 through to 1986, one can discover from his own words a pattern of deception and lies.
One of my physical brothers is still in the PCG and has abandoned our relationship, because I have left the church. This greatly saddens me, but I can understand his way of thinking as I am sure you can as well. I have come to understand that it is very hard for the mind to comprehend being deceived for so long when one has believed it with all your heart, mind and soul. I still, even after ten years of leaving the church, feel a certain gratefulness to Armstrong and Flurry for revealing so much truth, even though so much was false. It is sort of a love, shame and anger relationship I have with that part of my life.
I have been studying much of Ernest L. Martin, A. E. Knoch, A. S. K website, Gelesnoff and many others who I believe had God’s Spirit. It is good to see lately that we are not alone out there. Just wanted to let you know many of your articles have helped me a great deal, especially the Law of Moses vs. the Law of the Spirit. The articles Strong Delusion and Rightly dividing the Word of God were outstanding. I hope to meet you, God willing, this summer in London, Ontario.
Keep up the Labour of Love and may God continue to Bless you.
Thanks, M____
Hi M____,
Thank you for your encouraging words. It is so gratifying when I receive letters like yours. You will in time come to realize that every step of your life, even the part you now describe as “shameful,” are simply part of “the revelation of Jesus Christ” in you. Every step is necessary to show us all what we are without Christ to save us from ourselves. And it is all Him Working All Things After The Counsel Of His Own Will.
I too, look forward to meeting you! But before we get to know each other let me get this out of the way. I don’t consider myself to have anything in common with A. E. Knoch or Mr. Gelesnoff, other than the fact that in the end God will save all. So far as I am concerned Mr. Knoch’s ‘no works’ doctrine is designed by Satan Himself to keep us out of that “blessed and holy first resurrection.” According to Mr. Knoch: “Nothing you do or don’t do can in any way affect your standing with God.” Here on the other hand is Paul’s words:
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing [ Greek- good works] seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Go to the site and type the name A. E Knoch into the Google search engine. Read the letters and exchanges I have had with A. E. Knoch’s followers. It will open your eyes to the insidiousness of his false doctrines concerning the difference between those few who are granted the honor of being in that blessed and holy first resurrection and all the rest of mankind. The fact that Mr Knoch saw the truth of universal reconciliation makes his lies concerning our relationship to Christ even more appealing to the average person who is just coming to see how far from Truth orthodox Christianity is.
I hope to hear from you after you have read those letters in archive 2. Just click on the link I’ve created above. It will take you to the at archive. Just scroll down about half way and you will come to the letter entitled The Teachings Of Paul Versus The Teachings Of A. E. Knoch. Read that letter and the one linked to it.
Let me know what you think.
Mike
M___ responded:
Dear Mike Vinson
Thanks for your quick response to my e- mail. I have went to and read your response to A. E. Knoch followers and your replies. Your responses were very enlightening. It shocked me to read that Mr. Knoch’s belief in the no works doctrine. Was I so easily deceived or did I not read some of his material close enough? So I went to my computer archive and read an article he wrote on “Grace” and sure enough Mr Knoch expounds on the no works doctrine. I thank you for wisdom and pointing me in the right direction. I very much believe in God’s spiritual laws. I very much believe Paul’s words in Rom 2:7 when he states “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal Life” I do believe we must always seek to overcome by loving one’s enemies, swear not at all and return good for evil.
I thank you for your time and patience for I seek “God’s Will” and not my own. I have much to learn but know that God is opening my mind to his wonderful truths and feel truly blessed that I am slowly growing in grace and knowledge. We must be careful to maintain good works. God’s truths are so easily corrupted by so many.
I will continue to read your articles on your website and prove all things.
May God continue to bless you in truth and knowledge
Thanks, M____