Church of the Kingdom of God
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The church of the kingdom of God , also philanthropic work , philanthropic assembly , philanthropist , angels of the Lord or philanthropic society is a Christian denomination and forms a separate branch of the Bible Students' movement .
history
The community goes back to the Swiss Alexandre Freytag . When in 1914 the millennium predicted by Charles Taze Russell did not materialize, he gradually developed his own thoughts in which he saw himself as the messenger of the last chapter of world history and as the second Elijah . In doing so, he combined religious and natural philosophical ideas and set up several experimental stations that were supposed to convey eternal life to the participants by following religious commandments and certain life and dietary rules.
In 1919, Freytag's followers formed the Church of the Kingdom of God . In 1920 there was a break with the Watchtower Society . From 1934 to 1945 the community was banned in Germany, since 1945 it has been active again, in 1950 it was banned again in the GDR. From his center, the Philanthropic Works in Cartigny GE , Freytag propagated his ideas until his death in 1947.
In 1976, the Church of the Kingdom had approximately 71,000 members, most of whom lived in Switzerland, France, Germany, and Austria. The organization is divided into three circles, the Small Flock, the Army of the Almighty and the Friends of the Army of the Almighty. In Germany there are two branches, Schloss Sternberg and Haus Waldeck in Weilrod , in Austria one in Mödling .
Teaching
With regard to creation and the fall of man , Freytag's teaching is consistent with that of Jehovah's Witnesses . However, he organized these views around a “universe law”, the order of which had been destroyed through human guilt. According to Jehovah in the Old Testament, Jesus finally fully restored the right order of life. In the following "Gospel Age " God sent seven messengers in seven periods: Paul , John , Arius , who resisted the establishment of the Satan throne in Rome, Petrus Waldus , Wiclif , Luther and finally Alexandre Freytag. The latter has to carry out the gathering of people who want to belong to the kingdom of God on earth. Whoever is in harmony with the universal law and adheres to certain regulations such as an altruistic and vegetarian way of life will not die. Freytag's own death is interpreted by his followers as a voluntary atoning sacrifice made by all members of the Little Flock.
Unlike the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Church of the Kingdom of God does not expect a decisive battle at Armageddon , but is convinced that the parousia of Jesus is already present. The kingdom of God is gradually being realized until finally the “Party for the establishment of the kingdom of justice” builds paradise in all countries. Jesus will then raise the dead to new life and give them the opportunity to make a decision.
rite
The full body baptism is performed by complete immersion rear. On Good Friday there is a sacrament service, which is a Passover meal and expresses the renewal of vows. These vows have a special meaning for the Church of the Kingdom of God. With them, the members of the Little Flock consecrate themselves to God and in particular to the law of the universe and the holy constitution of the kingdom of God. At Sunday gatherings, vows are read and exhorted to be sanctified, with bearing witness playing a major role. Maintaining the prayer community and reading Freytag's books are also important.
literature
- Handbook of Religious Communities for d. VELKDE working group on behalf of d. Luth. Church Office ed. by Horst Reller, Gütersloher Verlagshaus Gerd Mohn, Gütersloh 1978, 2nd edition 1979, ISBN 3-579-03585-1