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Basic Teachings of The Church of God
As our covenant given on our About Us webpage indicates, The Church of God accepts the whole Bible “rightly divided” (cf. 2 Timothy 2:15). That could seem like a very broad statement capable of encompassing most any beliefs. To clarify our understanding of what “rightly divided” means, we have identified twenty-nine biblical teachings that we believe are made “prominent” or emphasized by the volume of Scripture the Bible has devoted to them. Many of them are controversial in nature. That is, multiple conflicting interpretations of these scripture currently are promulgated by different denominations and religious followings throughout the world.
These twenty-nine prominent biblical teachings are listed along with a brief description of each and with selected Scripture (though many more could be listed) that provide the foundation for each one. Thus, one begins to understand what constitutes “rightly dividing the word of truth.”
The explicit listing of these twenty-nine Biblical teachings does not imply that they constitute a "Declaration of Faith" for The Church of God. Ultimately, as our covenant indicates, The Church of God accepts the whole Bible as our guidebook by which to live!
Repentance
* Repentance is the act of turning from and forsaking sin. Read Mark 1:15;
Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19.
Justification
* Justification is a state and an act. It is the state of being void of offense toward God by the act of God's forgiveness of the transgressions for which one has repented. See Romans 5:1-9; Titus 3:7.
Regeneration
* Regeneration is an act of God performed in the justified heart whereby new, spiritual life is generated. See Titus 3:5. ... Regeneration is simultaneous with the new birth. Also see, Matt. 19:28.
Born Again
* To be born again is to become a new creature in Christ and a child of God. This new birth is the result of repentance, justification and regeneration and is accompanied by a definite inner witness. See John 3:3; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9. ... The new birth is a prerequisite for the experience of sanctification.
Sanctification
* Sanctification is the second definite work of grace, an instantaneous work wrought in the regenerated heart by the Holy Ghost with the blood of Christ.
In regeneration actual transgressions are forgiven, but in sanctification the Adamic nature, or inbred sin, is eradicated. Sanctification restores man to the holy estate of Adam before the fall, and gives him the grace to live a life of holiness, thus making him eligible for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. Sanctification is subsequent to justification. See Romans 5:2; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:12; 1 John 1:9.
Holiness
* Holiness is the state of being free from sin, a condition made possible by the experience of sanctification. God requires man to live sinless in this present world and provides the means through the shed blood of Christ. See Luke 1:74, 75; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; Hebrews 12:14.
Water Baptism
* Water baptism is the act of being immersed in water according to the instructions of Christ. Although this ordinance has no power to wash away sin, it represents the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Only those who have already been born again are eligible for water baptism. See Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:8-10; John 3:22, 23; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47, 48; 16:33.
Baptism with the Holy Ghost
* The baptism with the Holy Ghost which is subsequent to sanctification is the enduement of power for service. This baptism is always accompanied by the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. It is the filling of the temple already made clean by sanctification and is a gift of God in answer to the prayer of Christ. Read Matthew 3:11; Luke 24:49-53; Acts 1:4-8.
Speaking in Tongues
* Speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance is the initial, physical evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. This is separate and distinct from the gift of tongues, which is one of the nine gifts of the Spirit. Read John 15:26; Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6.
Full Restoration of the Gifts to The Church
* The gifts of the Spirit were set in the Church to be operated by the Spirit according to the will of God. They are manifested through individual members. The gifts are given to the Church and not to individuals. These gifts were all operated in the early Church and were restored to the Church in these last days. See 1 Corinthians 12:1, 7-10, 28, 31; 1 Corinthians 14:1.
Signs Following Believers
* Miraculous signs will accompany the work and ministry of true believers.
See Mark 16:17-20; Romans 15:18, 19; Hebrews 2:4.
Fruit of the Spirit
* The Spirit-filled life will manifest the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. These virtues are divine in origin and spring from a Spirit- filled heart. See Romans 6:22; Galatians 5:22, 23; Ephesians 5:9; Philippians 1:11.
Divine Healing
* The sacrifice of Christ provided not only for the salvation of the souls of men but also for the healing of man's physical ailments. Divine healing is healing accomplished by the power of God and is available to all who believe, the
same as salvation. Read Psalms 103:3; Isaiah 53:4, 5; Matthew 8:16, 17;
James 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:24.
The Lord's Supper
* The Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ and is a sacred ordinance which we are commanded to observe in commemoration of Christ and His death.
Only sinless and consecrated Christians are eligible to partake of this Supper. See Luke 22: 17-20; 1 Corinthians 1 1:23-33.
Washing the Saints' Feet
* Feet washing was instituted by Jesus on the night of the Last Supper and is a New Testament ordinance we are enjoined to observe. Its observance was taught by the apostles and practiced by the early Church. See John 13:4-17;
1 Timothy 5:10.
Tithing and Giving
* Tithing is the paying of one tenth of one’s increase into the treasury of the Church. The practice began with Abraham, continued under the law and received Christ's approval. Giving differs from and is in addition to tithing. Both are part of God's plan to finance His work on earth. Read Genesis 14:18-20; 28:20-22; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9; Hebrews 7:1-21.
Restitution Where Possible
* Restitution is the act of restoring something wrongfully taken or the satisfying of one who has been wronged. God requires those who become converted to perform such tasks if at all possible. See Matthew 3:8; Luke 19:8, 9;
Romans 13:8.
Pre-Millennial Second Coming of Jesus
* First, to resurrect the dead saints and to catch away the living saints to meet Him in the air. Read in Matthew 24:27,28; 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. ... Second, to reign on earth a thousand years. Also read, Zechariah l4:4, 5; Luke 1:32; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Jude 14, 15; Revelation 5:10; 19:11-21;20:4-6.
Resurrection
* All the dead will be resurrected. The righteous dead will be raised in the first resurrection which is at Christ's appearing. The resurrection of the wicked dead will occur after the thousand years reign of Christ on earth. See Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15; Revelation 20:5, 6.
Eternal Life for the Righteous
* Those who die in the Lord and those who are serving Him when He returns will receive a reward of eternal life. Read in Matthew 25:46; Luke 18:30;
John 10:28; Romans 6:22; 1 John 5:11-13.
Eternal Punishment for the Wicked
* The unconverted and the wicked are doomed to eternal punishment, from which there is no escape-no liberation or annihilation. See Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 3:29; 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9; Revelation 20:10-15; 21:8.
Total Abstinence from all Liquor or Strong Drinks
* The Bible expressly forbids the use of intoxicating beverages. Even slight indulgence is not in keeping with the Scriptural standard of holiness. Read Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-32; Isaiah 28:7; 1 Corinthians 5:1 1; 6:10; Galatians 5:21.
Against the Use of Tobacco in Any Form, Opium, Morphine, Etc.
* The use of tobacco and the habitual use of narcotics are sinful practices which defile the body, the temple of the Holy Ghost, and is an outward evidence of an impure heart. Read Isaiah 55:2; 1 Corinthians 10:31, 32; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:3-8; James 1:21.
On Meats and Drinks
* The New Testament makes no rigid rule concerning what the Christian shall eat or drink (with the exception of strong drink). We have no right to judge
what our brother eats or what he drinks. Read in Romans 14:2-3, 17;
1 Corinthians 8:8; 1 Timothy 4:1-5.
On The Sabbath
* The observance of the Sabbath was a requirement of Jewish law and as such was not carried over into the Grace Dispensation. Sunday is not the Sabbath but is merely a day set aside to give special attention to the worship of God. Instead of keeping only the Sabbath day holy, we are required in this dispensation to keep every day holy. The Jewish Sabbath is a type of Christ, who is our rest, rather than the day. See Hosea 2:11; Romans 14:5,6; Colossians 2:16,17.
Against Wearing Gold for Ornament
* Ornaments of precious stones and metals are evidences of a prideful heart and are unbecoming to a child of God. See 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; 1 John 2:15-17; Ezekiel 14:3-8; Ephesians 5:5; 1 Timothy 2:9; 1 Peter 3:3, 4.
Against Belonging to Lodges
* The Bible is opposed to the people of God being unequally yoked together with unbelievers; it is opposed to deeds done in secret. Many secret societies require the taking of an oath, which is expressly forbidden in Scriptures.
Read Matthew 5:34; John 18:20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; James 5:12.
Against Swearing
* The taking of an oath is a vain thing and condemned by the Scriptures. An affirmation to the truth of anything is sufficient. Read Matthew 5:34-37;
James 5:12.
Against Divorce and Remarriage
* Divorce and remarriage constitutes the sin of adultery. The only allowable causes for remarriage are fornication and death. However, fornication is not unfaithfulness or simple adultery, but is a state of being married to another's wife or husband. See Matthew 5:32; 14:3, 4; 19:3-12; Mark 10:12; Luke 16:18; Romans 7:2, 3; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, 13; 6:9, 13, 16-18; 7:2, 10, 11; Acts 15:28, 29; Revelation 2:20-22.
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