The Church of God movement has evolved since it started in 1886. It began when former Baptist minister Richard Spurling and his son, Richard Green Spurling, rejected traditional Roman Catholic themes and formed a Christian Union.
The Church of God movement has evolved since it started in 1886. It began when former Baptist minister Richard Spurling and his son, Richard Green Spurling, rejected traditional Roman Catholic themes and formed a Christian Union.
“5. “The Lost Link” was published in 1920. Written by the elder Spurling, the book “speaks concerning the fall into apostasy of the Church established by Jesus Christ and of the rise of the dark ages,” according to the description on Amazon.com. The author’s purpose was to restore the Church of God of the Bible, and he also discusses the cause of denominationalism and division among churches and the call for Christian union.”
What happened to the restoration? It would seem that there has been a “replacement”, in reference to the 2016 minutes. Seems to me that the slide is always in a downward direction. Most unfortunate that the passion that Elder Spurling had was not retained down through the years, much To the COG’ loss.
http://cogheritage.org/index.php/original_documents/page/the_lost_link_by_r.g._spurling/
There ya go, Charles. Now we both can review the book.
From Chapter 1 – “Being divinely called, as we trust, and looking to God for the guidance of the Holy Spirit who should guide us into all truth and whom Jesus said He would give to them that ask Him, we claim the promises. I have prayed, studied and preached on the doctrines which I do here set forth in the following pages by songs and short lectures, all pointing to a needed reformation among God’s people. But before the reader can feel the need of a reformation from the laws of men to the laws of Christ he should have the laws of God put in his heart and written in his mind. We realize that we cannot reach the millions of noble, pious and loving hearted Christians who are in bondage in the various denominations of the earth, and have never known that they were not keeping God’s law. So we come before the world in this way that we may reach as many as possible. We also kindly ask the reader not to be offended for we must talk plainly. If you find something you don’t believe go to the Testament and if it gives it the lie do not have it. Do not be prejudiced but let the love of God fill your heart.”
Oh, oh, oh. If only the COG, Cleveland had this as direction today. What a mighty army for the LORD it would be. But then I suppose that every denomination has this opportunity, if only they would abandon their “polity”, and take up the Bible as being sufficient for all things needed in Christian living and leadership.
I’m going out for the evening. I’ll pick up this book tomorrow.I look forward to discussing it with you. Shalom.
[…] The Church of God movement has evolved since it started… […]