The Churches of God (headquarters
Morrow, Georgia) in many parts of the world form a unique segment of
the religious world with which you as a seeker for truth should be
familiar. While small in size, its contribution to Bible
understanding has been great. In many ways its leaders have
pioneered a reawakening in the understanding of Bible truths that
were long hidden in the darkness of human traditions and philosophy.
What This Means to You
We are living in an age of crisis when all thinking persons are
contemplating world events and their present and future place in the
scheme of things. With the threat of war, morality and ethics at a
low ebb, and economic uncertainty, no person can long hide his head
in the sand and say, “This does not affect me.”
The Church of God can help each person find a place in this life and
a secure hope for the future. Standing upon the promises of God and
trusting implicitly in the grace of God, the believer can find a
solid foundation for this life and for life in the age to come.
With confidence in the ability of God to lead and bless His own even
in crisis times, and with assurance in the promises of God for a
better day to come, the child of God has a distinct advantage in
this life. With proper understanding of the Word and will of God,
the Christian also has a challenging and rewarding work in this life
to witness for the Lord in life and word. Christ offers to the
believer a full, rich life now, and hope for an eternal life in the
perfect Kingdom of God on earth in the age to come.
The Church of God can help you find the way to this new life and the
stability that it offers. It does not offer psychology or philosophy
or schemes for social reform or legislative proposals or the
solutions of authors, but the plan and will of God revealed in His
Word, the Bible, presented in an easy to understand and practical
way.
If you attend a Church of God, you will find the people are
friendly, dedicated, and interested in the spiritual welfare of
their neighbors. Services emphasize worship, Bible study, and
Bible-based sermons. You will find a friendly welcome and great
personal benefit in the Church of God.
Who We Are
The Church of God as it is known today came into being as small
groups of individuals in England and North America who, through
personal Bible study, became convinced of the doctrinal truths that
are set forth as the Statement of Faith. In most cases, these groups
and their leaders did not even know of the existence of the others.
In the mid-1800s, however, some of the leaders, Joseph Marsh in
Rochester, New York, the Wilson family who had migrated from England
to Geneva, Illinois, and other leaders in Texas, Minnesota, Iowa,
and Pennsylvania, began to publish papers which gained wide
circulation. Through these publications the small groups of Bible
students and individuals became aware of one another and began to
exchange correspondence. Circuit preachers visited back and forth
among these various local groups, and new churches soon grew up in
other places.
Over a period of years, groups of churches formed state conferences
and eventually a General Conference was organized in 1921.
Churches of God are congregational in government. They maintain
complete local independence. There is close cooperation, however, in
the maintaining of publishing facilities, the operation of Atlanta
Bible College, and the mission programs of the Church of God. There
are established standards for the ministry, cooperation in the work
of the Sunday schools and the Berean youth fellowships, and close
fellowship between the scattered members of the Church of God.
The Church of God places great emphasis upon the Word of God, and
Bible preaching and teaching are prominent. Bible classes and Bible
study groups are the backbone of its work.
The Church of God believes in the literal, visible second coming of
Christ. We support adult immersion for the remission of sins. We
believe that man will inherit immortality on the condition that he
accepts Christ as his Savior and is found in Him at His coming.
We believe God the Father, the Creator, is above all. Jesus Christ
is His Son who came into existence by the power of God by birth to
the virgin Mary. We believe the Bible is the only inspired Word of
God, and adhere to it as the only authority for faith and doctrine.
We believe that Jesus will return to this earth and establish the
Kingdom of God on the earth, reigning in it for a millennium.
We believe that the promises made to Abraham will be fulfilled in
the church and in the faithful of Israel through Christ. “If you
belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according
to the promise” (Gal. 3:29).
Copyright 2008 - Church of God
General Conference - All Rights Reserved
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