All graphics and images are copyright of A True Church

Charles Blake and the West Angeles Church Of God In Christ are leading people to hell, not heaven. This is exemplified by the following:

I. Unholiness

On the COGIC web site at the beginning of "The history of The Church of God in Christ" it says,

THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST is a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in which the word of God is preached, ordinances are administered and the doctrine of sanctification or holiness is emphasized, as being essential to the salvation of mankind. (www.cogic.org/history.htm, hard copy on file)

Holiness is indeed essential to the salvation of men (Hebrews 12:14). But, in hypocrisy they write that they emphasize holiness. The West Angeles Church is unholy by their association with Promise Keepers (see our report on Promise Keepers, and "West Angeles Christian Links Page," www.westa.org, hard copy on file).

They are likewise unholy in their openly stated ecumenism. Mr. Blake is,

founder and Co-chair of the Los Angeles Ecumenical Congress (LAEC), an interdenominational coalition of religious leaders and pastors ("About Bishop Charles E. Blake," www.westa.org/about_bishop.html, hard copy on file).

Moreover, their ecumenism is seen in the COGIC "Commission On Education and Doctrine."

Thus the COED will offer the church a comprehensive vision that encompasses ecumenism, doctrinal/historical, graduate and undergraduate educational policies, and related areas.

B. Fostering ecumenical relationships within and outside the United States.

E. The Ecumenical Division - serves as the church's liaison to other religious denominations and ecumenical agencies. (http://bbless.org/cogic.commission.ed.htm, hard copy on file)

Ecumenism fosters unholy relationships with people who do not faithfully follow the Scriptures. Ecumenism teaches people to not "receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10; John 14:6). Ecumenism teaches people to not contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 3). It tolerates "certain men who have crept in unnoticed" (Jude 4). It makes people unable to "know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error" (1 John 4:6). It denies the words of Christ who said, "He who is of God hears God's words," and "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word . . . He who does not love Me does not keep My words" (John 14:23-24). It teaches people to not fight the good fight (2 Timothy 4:7), and leave strongholds standing and high things high against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) as they tolerate deviant doctrines of different denominations. The truth (Jesus, John 14:6) is radically important. Ecumenism, in deceit, denies Christ, the Truth (2 Peter 2:1; John 14:6).

II. A False Gospel

The West Angeles Church Of God In Christ promotes a false gospel by having a "Substance Abuse Ministry 12 Step Recovery Program" (www.westa.org/ministry_counseling.html, hard copy on file). This denies the Lord who bought them (2 Peter 2:1), because Jesus Christ is all anyone needs to be free from any ungodly addiction (see John 8:31-36). It does not take a 12 step recovery program; it takes Jesus Christ. Therefore, if you have Jesus Christ, there is no place for a recovery program since, "if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36).

A 12 Step Recovery Program gives a man made way to overcome sin. Therefore, the trust is placed in man, in his devising, and not in Christ. As a result, this will bring a curse (Jeremiah 17:5), and if they continue in this false way, they will go to hell, as 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 says. Christ will come,

in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.

Another example of West Angeles' false gospel can be seen in Charles Blake's statement in the L. A. Times in which he denies Paul's gospel regarding the wrath of God.

At Wednesday's gathering, the advisory board faced questions on the idea, held by some churches, that AIDS is a plague from God to punish homosexuals. "We certainly do not believe that is true," Blake said, "It is a problem that can be explained scientifically." (The Los Angeles Times, Thursday, April 22, 1999, "Ministers Seek to Cut AIDS Toll Among Blacks," by Jocelyn Y. Stewart, Times staff writer)

According to this, Blake rejects Romans 1:18 which says, "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men." And, in this same chapter Paul includes in his gospel (Romans 1:16f),

Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Romans 1:27)

III. Covetousness

West Angeles promotes covetousness by their "Millionaires in Training" "ministry" (www.westa.org/ministry.html, hard copy on file). In complete opposition to this, Paul said,

And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:8-10)

Desiring to be a millionaire is desiring to be rich and it is loving money; and helps drown West Angeles members into destruction and perdition (i.e. eternal torment, hell).

Another way in which COGIC promotes covetousness is "through the National Church Of God In Christ Homebuyer's Program" (www.cogic.org/homebuy.htm, hard copy on file). They teach people how to get in debt and reject Romans 13:8 and Hebrews 13:5.

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8)

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. (Hebrews 13:5)

Borrowing money for something that is not a necessity is not being content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5), is therefore covetous (Hebrews 13:5), is a desire to be rich (1 Timothy 6:9), and completely discards God's command in Romans 13:8, "Owe no one anything." The Lord says,

 

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience (Colossians 3:5-6)

For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.(Ephesians 5:5-6)