UCG Raleigh

Recently, I had an online interaction with someone who saw some posts I had made about the spring holy days… the person brushed everything aside saying “that was all settled at the Jerusalem Conference in Acts 15”. This is a very common way of saying that Sabbaths and holy days are no longer to be taught or promoted as an outworking of Godly living by Christians.What Did The Jerusalem Council Decide?The Jerusalem Council was a meeting of church leadership convened sometime between 45 AD. and 55 AD. The meeting was called to settle some doctrinal disputes related to the inclusion of non-Jews into the church. A brief report on the council and its decision is found in Acts Chapter 15. The Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 is very often presented as a turning point in church history in which supposedly a distinct break was made with the principles of teaching obedience to God's law. The Jerusalem Council argument is trotted out to justify abandoning the 7th day Sabbath, and the annual Sabbaths we call holy days. Our purpose today is to demonstrate that the Council's discussion and decision was limited to defining the role of circumcision in God's formation of a special assembly of people which would be composed of both Jew and non-Jew. It was not written to address the entirety of God’s commands, judgments and statutes. Request a FREE copy of The New Covenant: Does It Abolish God's Law? Keep Reading »

Is the Resurrection A Hoax?Did the early followers of Jesus make up the story of Him arising from the dead... was it merely a pathetic attempt to keep the dream alive after the unexpected execution of their spiritual guru from Galilee? Was it wishful thinking... was it malicious deceit... was it a trick to gain followers and fame... or extract money from credulous fools... an opiate to control the masses? Our purpose today is to review the record of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and examine the witnesses. Request this free bible study guide - What Happens After Death? Keep Reading »

People often want God to prove Himself. Let me see some miracle or mighty act. Then I will truly believe. Some generations have witnessed mighty acts and miracles… but when that small group of eyewitnesses dies and new generations come along those mighty acts fade into distant memory. What if one of those mighty acts were indelibly written into human history… that would be helpful! But where is that mighty act embedded in human history? Its found in Jesus prophecy of His own death.Matthew 12:40 – The scribes and pharisees wanted proof from Jesus. Some mighty act or indisputable miracle to verify that He was for real. Jesus did not give them some flashy display of power. He told them he would be in the grave for a duration of 3 daytime periods and 3 night time periods. The sign He gave probably meant little to them. Bu,t for future generations the 3 days and 3 nights provide  in human history. Verified by the most reliable source of time keeping in the physical world… the sun moon and stars. Genesis 1:14 the moon circles the earth, meanwhile the earth spins on its axis, that spinning earth circles around the sun. This means that there are certain alignments of these three objects that only happen at certain times… like a full moon or an eclipse. Another important factor is that these alignments are visible to the human eye… everybody can see them. You can get the graphic of the 3 days and 3 nights at this link https://www.ucg.org/system/storage/serve/899081/the-chronology-of-jesus-christ-death-burial-and-resurrection.pdf Keep Reading »

Many ideas about Jesus Christ are out there: Protestant, Catholic, Mormon, Muslim, even atheists have a way of explaining Jesus.Does God just leave it up to you to figure it all out... does he leave you floating here and there... picking up little tidbits of truth until you start to piece it all together into some semi-logical personal religious outlook? Are you left to figure out the truth all by yourself? No. The resurrected Jesus is real, alive, and actively at work as high priest. He has a real and definite body of teaching. He has a purpose and is operating according to a plan that can be known and understood. To perform this active work in the world he said, "I will build [establish] My church" Matthew 16:18.The word church is ekklesia in Greek, which means people who are called out to form an assembly. Note: in the original Greek usage it referred to citizens called out to discuss affairs of state. Request a free copy of The Church Jesus BuiltKeep Reading »

One of the great deceptions and false teachings is to spiritualize away the reality of the coming kingdom of God, and the reality of its implementation on earth as a form of government which regulates economic and social policy. The true gospel of the kingdom proclaims that there are real world solutions leading to a peaceful just society on earth. Those solutions are found in submission to the commands, judgments, and statutes of God and the righteous rule of God's chosen king which is Christ alone. The false gospel teaches that your destiny is to fly away to heaven and leave the earth behind along with all its nasty problems. They also teach God's law is done away, its a curse, it useless, so why would we look at it as offering any real world solutions. Request a free copy of

Our understanding of human sexuality and what its all about is crippled by some very fundamental errors, and false assumptions. Request your free copy of Marriage & Family the Missing Dimension 1. The Theory of Evolution: among other implications, this theory presents us with the idea that a human being is nothing more than a highly functioning animal… and that sex is a completely biological act (which it is not). However, if we dig deeper into the theory of evolution it contains a more fundamental premise: that the path of trial and error is the only way forward. Evolution's starting point is: there is no intelligent Creator executing a grand purposeful design… therefore, something else must be causing all this to happen. Keep Reading »

Revelation 13:15-17 will the mark be a tattoo on your flesh, your social security number, a digital chip implanted in your body, facial recognition, retinal scans? In our technological times the idea of a universal identification that can be used to keep track of you and regulate your ability to buy & sell make a living, to survive doesn’t seem far fetched at all. Today it seems inevitable, either as a matter of convenience or security… and on the surface it seems rather practical. Click to request a free copy of: The Book of Revelation UnveiledKeep Reading »

Would  you like to be better able to exercise greater self control in your life?You could use self control and personal discipline to: lose weight, stop snacking, take better care of your body... to get out of debt or improve your financial situation... how tackling about substance abuse, gaming addiction, etc. All of the above are worthy goals which self control and discipline can help you reach.  Your Creator/Father wants you to develop the quality of self discipline. But His goals are even higher than a better bank statement, better health, escaping addiction. For the children of God developing self control is about becoming like your Father in attitude and thought… which moves you forward in the process of spiritual creation... so you can mature into the fullness of sonship in the Family of God. God’s method for developing self control in you  is as different as His goals. The type of self control God has in mind is not gotten through the strength of your own will... but through desiring and allowing His power flowing through you.  You gain control by giving control of your life to Him. SPS: Today we are going to look into how the power of God's Spirit and your freedom to choose create meaningful self control/self discipline over your thoughts, emotions, and habits. Download a free bible study aide: The Power of the Holy SpiritKeep Reading »

God's grace is a very uplifting, happy, subject. The idea that we can have a positive, warm, friendly relationship with the Creator of the Universe should make you feel good. I believe the prospect makes God feel good as well. If you have a run-in with someone at work, in your social circle, your family, at church, the tension between those involved can tie you up in knots. Restoring good vibes with the people in your life results in mental peace, smoother operations, even spiritual joy. Graciously extending mercy and forgiveness feels good, receiving mercy and forgiveness feels good too. Question: once you have reconciled what do you do? How do you follow up? Request a free copy of What Does the Bible Teach About Grace?. This free bible study guide is available in a variety of digital formats... or you can request a printed copy sent to your address. Let's say you lose your temper with a co-worker... they're upset, you're upset... lots of tension... you realize you’ve been stupid… you apologize, they forgive. Where do you go from that point? Do you change your behavior? Or do you intend to keep on letting your temper flare assuming the other party will keep on forgiving you? If you make no effort to change... what do you think is going to happen in the workplace if this pattern continues? You might say that with God such a scenario is possible: He is infinitely merciful, always ready to forgive etc. This is true, God is infinitely merciful and forgiving. But His infinite mercy, and infinite forgiveness is graciously extended to you to accomplish an greater purpose: to make change possible. Keep Reading »

May I have your attention?  May I have your undivided attention?  Undivided attention in the 21st century is a scarce commodity... everyone wants your attention... keep you watching... keep you listening... keep you clicking. They want your attention because they want something from you [money, power, sex]... but to get that they first need your attention. Request a free copy of The Church Jesus Built Keep Reading »