Is the Church of Is the Church of God God

really really the church of the church of

God?God?

                                                                

IntroductionIntroductionThe following presentation is not intended to judge nor to condemn any man.I will spend much of our time educating you on the practices and doctrines of the Church of God.With the time remaining I want to address specifically some of what I believe to be the error and false teaching contained.Galatians 1:6-9

                                                                

IntroductionIntroductionThe information that I will share with you was obtained by permission from the Church of God International offices located in Cleveland, Tennessee.If you wish to verify any of these claims, you may contact them at (423) 472-3361.In our study tonight, we will examine the history, practice, and doctrinal commitments of the Church of God as it relates to the Word of God.

                                                                

My DutyMy DutyLet me emphasize again that as a preacher of the gospel, it is my duty to “preach the word” and to “reprove, rebuke and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Timothy 4:2-4)

Founded in 1886 on the Tennessee – North Carolina border by 8 Christians at the Barney Creek Meeting House.21 years after the formation of this union, the growing movement would establish itself permanently as the Church of God.

Presently, the Church of God has a world-wide membership of over 6 million with a presence in nearly 150 countries.Leaders of the Church of God are recognized as some of the most respected Pentecostal leaders of today.

ChristianFirst and foremost the Church of God is a determinedly Christian church. It is built upon the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The doctrines and practices of the church are based upon His teachings.

Protestant The Church of God is founded upon the principles of Protestantism, although not a traditional follower of any specific leader of the Protestant Reformation. The denomination stands firmly for justification by faith, the priesthood of believers, the authority of the Bible, religious freedom and the separation of church and state. It stands against the abuses and extravagance of ecclesiastical ritualism and dogmatism.

FoundationalThe Church of God subscribes to the following five foundational Christian doctrines:1. The inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible.2. The virgin birth and complete deity of Christ.3. Atoning sacrifice of Christ’s death for the world’s sins.4. The literal resurrection of the body.5. Christ’s second coming in bodily form to the earth

EvangelicalThe church of God has aligned itself with the basic statement of faith of NAE (National Association of Evangelicals), the largest association of evangelicals in the USA. Members of NAE subscribe to a common statement of faith. The Church of God can be described as positioned in the mainstream of Evangelical Protestantism.

PentecostalIn 1896, many members of the Church of God experienced a spiritual outpouring they identified as the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Because it was so similar to the experience of the early Christians on the day of Pentecost, it came to be called a Pentecostal experience, an enrichment of the Christian life through the power of the Holy Spirit that empowered believers to be effective witnesses of Christ.

CharismaticThe charismata (Gr.) or gifts of the Spirit appeared early in the life and ministry of the Church of God. The Holy Spirit bestows these gifts and those who accept the validity of these gifts are called Charismatic.The gifts can be divided into three categories:1. Gifts of Revelation – wisdom, knowledge,

discernment2. Gifts of Power – faith, miracles, healing3. Gifts of Utterance or Inspiration – prophecy, tongues

EvangelisticFrom its inception the Church of God has been a revival movement. Evangelism has been in the forefront of all its activities. The church has maintained an aggressive effort to take the message of Christ throughout the world by all means and methods. Every program of the church reflects an evangelistic attitude: revivalism, conferences, worship services, teaching, preaching and its missionary efforts.

OrganizedThe magnitude of the Great Commission requires a united effort. This united endeavor is efficiently served by guidance, support, resources and leadership from a common center. The church of God is centrally organized. Centralized church government is administration from the international, state or local levels. It helps facilitate the fulfillment of the mission of the church.

The Church of God believes the whole Bible to be completely and equally inspired and that it is the written Word of God. The Church of God has adopted the following Declaration of Faith as its standard and official expression of its doctrine.

The Church of God’s Practical Commitments offer Scriptural guidelines for practical Christian living. They are:

1. Spiritual Example 5. Behavioral Temperance

2. Moral Purity 6. Modest Appearance3. Personal Integrity 7. Social Obligation4. Family Responsibility

You should have all received a copy of the “Doctrinal Commitments” as promoted by the Church of God International Office located in Tennessee.Please keep this list and search the Scriptures to see if these things are so!

We have spent much of our time this evening looking at what exactly the Church of God does and what it teaches.Although I believe there are more than just three, I want to address what I believe to be three key points of error that are held by the Church of God.

1. HistoryThe Church of God openly admits to being a denomination that has its roots among men starting in 1886.The church of God has biblical & historical references beginning a few years after the death of Christ – Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2; 11:22; Gal. 1:13

2. DenominationalismAgain, the Church of God openly admits to being a denomination that has its roots among men starting in 1886.The church of God is not denominational!John 17:20-21; Acts 20:28-30; 1 Tim. 4:1-3Ephesians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 12:13 – ONE BODY!

3. LeadershipThe Church of God is led by the General Assembly that is made up of laity and ministers and meets biennially.The church of God is led by its head, Jesus Christ, and local churches are led by elders who oversee the flock.Eph. 1:22-23; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Titus 1:5

                                                                

ConclusionConclusionTime does not allow me to address many of the fundamental key points of doctrine that are taught by the Church of God.I hope that by simply seeing these three basic errors in the Church of God, that although it may claim to be the Church of God it is,in fact, not the church of God that we read about in the New Testament.Galatians 1:6-9