What does the Church of God stand for?
Known as God the Father. God is Eternal, he has neither beginning nor end. In Psalms 90:2 David proclaimed: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.” God is omnipotent-he has unlimited and all power. He is omniscience – he is an all wise and all-knowing God. Lastly God is omnipresent – he has the ability to be everywhere and anywhere at all times. God is God!
The Holy Ghost is the third part of the Trinity. He is God’s agent of action. “And the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Gen. 1:2) The Holy Spirit is Eternal; he was in the beginning, and he is here now. In the beginning, God worked through his Spirit in Creation. Today, his Holy Spirit creates hope and conviction in the hearts of would-be Christians. (John 6:44)
Jesus Christ is known as God the Son in the Trinity. Essentially, he is known as the son of God. (Rom. 1:4) “And the angel answered and said unto her, the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore, also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) Though a miraculous conception Jesus was born of a woman who had knew no man. In that God is his father he is Divine, Mary being his mother he was human. For further reference: Phil. 2:6-9/ Heb. 4:15-16
The Bible, otherwise known as the Holy Bible, the Sacred Scriptures, and the Word of Life is Infallible. Which means it is exempt from fallacy or error of judgment. We understand that man in his finite wisdom and knowledge is fallible at best. But Gods word is not. Though recorded by man it was divinely inspired by a Holy God.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God.” (2 Tim. 3:16) “Knowing this first that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation, for the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Pet. 1:21)
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, and he shall save his people from their sin.” (Matt. 1:21)
“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine, which was delivered unto you, being then made free from sin ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Rom. 6:17-18) All true Christians live a life that is free from sin by the power of God unto salvation. (Rom. 1:16) The Apostle Paul said: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13) This would include overcoming sin on a daily basis. (Rom. 8:37)
The first step in a life of productive Christianity is to be born again. –“Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) People can see getting religion or joining church through their natural eyes. But you cannot see the kingdom of God or God’s true plan of salvation until you are born of the spirit. (1 Cor. 2:14) The New Birth or Born-Again experience is what it says it is. It is an experience, instantaneous, something that happened unto you and rendered you different. You are a New Creature, old things have passed away, behold all things are become new. (2 Cor. 5:17) It is now turning over a new leaf, or kicking an old habit, or getting religion. John 3:1-10
All true Christians must live a Holy Life. Holiness is not an option, it is mandatory. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14) A Holy Life comes natural for all Christians professing Full Salvation. “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy, in all manner of conversation; because it is written; be ye Holy, for I am Holy.” (1Pet. 1:15-16) What is a Holy Life? A Happy life, free from the guilt and condemnation of sin! A life that is void of offense towards God and Man. (Acts 24:16)
It is a life free from worldliness (1 John 2:15, 16). It is a life free from worldly adornment and immodest apparel. (1 Tim 2:8-10; 1 Peter 3:3-6). We also are to keep ourselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27), whether it be worldly amusements, social events or evil associations. We are to stay free from the evil that is in this world. (John 17:14-20)
Sanctify is defined as: To cleanse, purify or make holy. Holy as in whole, entire, perfect, in a moral sense. Hence pure in heart, temper, and disposition; free from sin, and sinful affections. –Webster
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:23) “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification...”
(1 Thess. 4:3) Sanctification is a 2nd work of grace done to the heart, purifying it from inbred depravity or tendency bent toward sin. The heart is cleansed, entire, and perfect. Therefore motives, actions and reactions are pure and holy. The old carnal man has been crucified with all of his lusts and carnal affections and you receive power to overcome all of the enemy, world, and sin. (Acts 1:8)
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word, that they all may be one…” (John 17:20-21a) Whenever Jesus prayed, he prayed in the spirit, and he prayed for God’s will to be done. We can plainly see here that it is the express will of God (not man) that his people, his children, all truly saved Bible Christians be ONE. Be unified in the same body, under the same head (Christ) led by the same spirit. “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace. (Eph. 4:3-6) Denominations, sects, and traditions of man have divided the body of Christ and destroyed the Unity of the Spirit. They must be forsaken! —Christians all should dwell together in the bond of peace, all the clashing of opinions, all the strife should cease, let divisions be forsaken, all the holy join in one, and the will of God in all be done!
The Ordinances (1 Corinthians 11:1, 2)
The definition for Ordinance: is and authoritative rule, and order or decree, a religious rite or ceremony.
Matthew 28:18-20; And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
“After the same manner he took the cup, when he had supped saying: this cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Cor. 11:25)
“If then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done unto you.” (John 13:14-15)
1 Corinthians 16:1, 2: Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 2 Corinthians 9:7; Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. An ordinance is not something Christ suggested we do, but it is something he practiced himself and wants us as his body, his church to continue to practice.
The definition for Divine Healing is: Physical healing obtained by no other means than relying on prayer to God. “Is there any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:14-14)DDivine healing is the children’s bread it is for the saints of God. It is a promise by God to heal his children’s bodies. In order to stand on any of God’s promises, you must first have a clear life before God and man. (John 5:17; 1 John 3:21) Then trust God’s word and call for the elders and believe that the prayer of faith works. Divine Healing is a formula, and it works!
“And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even Eternal Life” (1 John 2:25)
Of the 7.847 recorded promised in the bible this may be the most significant of them all! God has promised us a more abundant life in salvation here and now, (John 10:10) but also He has promised us Life Eternally. Eternal, meaning forever and ever we shall be with the Lord in Heaven. (1Thess.4:17) God has never made a promise he couldn’t keep. As a matter of fact he has already prepared a mansion for us in his wonderful heaven! All we have to do is see that we get there! “In my father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you….” (John 14:2)
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels; and these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matt.25:41-46) We can see plainly that hell was not created for God’s beloved mankind, but for the devil and his angels. And no, God who is infinite in love would not send anyone to Hell! But, many however have made their choice in this life where they will spend the rest of their life–Eternally. “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12) God is infinite in Love And Justice!