What we believe

 
People often ask us just what do we believe. To answer this question, we have listed below some of our fundamental beliefs. Prove all things and hold fast to that which is true. (1 Thessalonians 5:21). These points of doctrine represent years and even lifetimes of study of the scriptures on the part of dedicated men of God who devoted their lives to rightly dividing the word of truth.
They are and have been the teachings of the Church of God for generations and are in harmony with the doctrine as taught by Christ and the Apostles in the early days of the Church. All these points of belief have been taken directly from the bible, the Holy word of God, which is our guide and scriptural references are given after each one.
1. God, the Heavenly Father, is the creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is therein. Genesis 1:1; Acts 17:24; Hebrews 1:10.
2. The Bible - both the Old and New Testaments is the inspired Word of God; and is complete, and infallible, and expresses God's will to mankind. Deut. 8:3; Luke 4:4; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21.
3. The Seventh Day of the week is the Sabbath of the Lord, and is to be observed from even to even, from sunset to sunset. Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Acts 13:42-44, 18:4; Matt. 28:1; Hebrews 4:4-11; Mark 1:32.
4. Jesus of Nazareth (in Hebrew, Yahshua), our Saviour, is the only begotten Son of God; born of the virgin Mary, conceived of the Holy Ghost; with God the Father, before the world began. Matt. 1:20,21; John 3:16; John .17:5. He is our living Messiah, our-High Priest and Mediator before the throne of God. I Tim. 2:5. I
5. Jesus proved His Messiahship by remaining in the tomb exactly 3 days and 3 nights; being crucified in the midst of the week (the fourth day, Wednesday), and rising from the dead in the end of the Sabbath (Saturday). Matt. 12:40; Dan. 9:27; Matt. 28:1-6.
6. The Saint's life must be patterned after the example of the perfect man, Christ Jesus. I Peter 2:21, 22.
7. Repentance and remission of sins through the shed blood of Jesus must be preached. Acts 2:38.
8. Conversion is necessary in order to be saved. Acts 3:19
9. We must be baptized by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Acts 2:38; Mark 1:9, 10.
10. Sanctification and holiness is commanded for the people of God. Acts 20:32; Hebrews 12:14; I Peter 1:15, 16.
11. There is power in the prayer of the righteous. James 5:16; John 14:13, 14.
12. The prayer of faith and anointing with oil will heal the sick. James 5:14, 15.
13. The laying on of hands is to be practiced. Acts 8:17, 6:6.
14. The Holy Spirit is the comforter which abides in the believer, and is manifest by power and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2; Gal. 5:22-26. Manifestations regulated according to I Cor. 14.
15. Satan is a personality, and as the devil is an adversary of God and the children of God. I Peter 5:8; I John 3:8; Jude 9; Matt. 4:1-11.
16. Man was created perfect, but through disobedience fell, bringing imperfection, death, and God's wrath upon mankind. Gen. 3; I Cor. 15:21, 22.
17. The Lord's Supper is to be observed annually at the beginning of the 14th day of Nisan (Hebrew month), Jesus being our example. Luke 22:7-20; I Cor. 11:23-26.
18. The washing of the feet is to be done before the breaking of the bread in connection with the Lord's Supper. John 13:4, 5.
19. The paying of tithes on all increase is a continued obligation. Mal. 3:10; Matt. 23:23. This portion of our earnings belongs to the Lord and should be placed in his work.
20. The Law of God, the Ten Commandments, should be taught and observed. Romans 3:31; James 2:8-11; Rev. 22:14.
21. Sin is the transgression of the law. I John 3:4.
22. Justification from sin is through Christ Jesus alone. I Cor. 6:11; Romans 4:25, 5:16-18.
23. A Saint should dress modest, and should refrain from all worldliness. I Tim. 2:9; I Cor. 11:7,14,15; I John 2:15,16.
24. All carnal warfare and the participation therein is condemned by the Lord. Matt. 5:38, 39; 2 Cor. 10:4; Ex. 20:13.
25. The law of the clean and the unclean meats is to be observed. Lev. 11
26. The use of intoxicating liquors, alcoholic stimulants, tobacco, or any habit forming or mind-bending drug is forbidden. I Cor. 3:16, 17; Prov. 20:1.
27. Jesus condemned divorce and re-marriage as being sin and adultery. A man is permitted to have only one living wife, and a woman only one living husband. Luke 16:18; Romans 7:2, 3; I Tim. 3:2.
28. There is a final re-gathering of the dispersed of Israel back to their own land. Jer. 16:14, 15; Amos 9:14-15.
29. The third angel's message is a present-day message, and will continue to the advent of Jesus. Rev.14:9-11.
30. The seven last plagues are future and literal. Rev. 16.
31. The return of Jesus will be literal, visible, personal and is imminent. Matt. 24:27; Rev. 1:7.
32. The institution of the Kingdom of Heaven is at the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the throne of David will be established at Jerusalem in the person of Jesus Christ. Isa. 9:6,7; Luke 1:32, 33.
33. Christ will return and fight in the battle of Armageddon. His coming will bring peace to the earth, and He will rule the world from Jerusalem during the 1,000 years of restoration (the Millennium). Zachariah 14; Revelation 20:4-6; Micah 4:3-7.
34. The righteous dead will be resurrected and rewarded at the coming of Jesus. I Thes. 4:16; Rev. 22:l2.
35. The meek shall inherit the earth and dwell therein forever. Matt. 5:5; Prov. 10:30.
36. After the 1,000-year restoration period, Christ will deliver the kingdom to God, the Father. It is then that the wicked will be resurrected to final judgment. I Cor. 15:22-24; Rev. chapters 20, 21 and 22; John 5:28.29.
37. The wicked will be eternally destroyed. Rev.20:11-15; Romans 6:16, 23.
38. The inspired name for God's called out assembly is the "Church of God" and the members are called Saints of God. I Cor. 1:2, 10:32, 11:16, 22, 15:9; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:13; I Thes. 2:14; 2 Thes. 1:4; I Tim. 3:5, 15; Acts 20:28.
39. Ministers of the Church of God are called "Elders" and are those disciples accepted into the ministry upon recommendation by an ordained Elder, through investigation, both from inside and outside the church, as to character, his attributes as a Saint, his ability to teach, and his faithfulness in doctrine of the church. No one being entangled in adultery may hold any office in the church. Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5-9; I Tim. 3:1-5.
40. No minister have any sovereign power over other ministers. All ministers are servants and are called to serve and not to be served. Matt 20:28
41. Wedding bands and engagement rings are not scriptural and have no significance in the ordinance of marriage. Gen 2:21-24, Math 19:1-6
42. A man should not wear that which pertain to a woman, neither should a woman wear a man’s garment. Deut. 22:5
43. It is a shame for a man to have long hair and must be uncovered during worship services. A woman on the other hand must cover her head during worship services. 1 Cor. 11:4, 14
44. Offspring are offered unto the Lord through an ordained minister by a special prayer. Luke 2:21-28
45. Burial services must be conducted at the burial ground by a civil status officer and not in the building dedicated for worship. (Abraham bury his wife/Joseph bury Jacob/Jesus, Ananias and Sapphira are examples) Gen 23:1-19, Gen 50:1-13 John 19:30-42 Acts 5:1-10
46. No women are suffered to teach or preach or to be ordained as a minister. 1 Tim 2:11-14
47. The sacrificial law, circumcision and feast days were all fulfilled in Christ and should not be kept. Col. 2:13-14, Rom 2:28, 1Cor. 5:6-8
48. Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, Mother’s and Father’s Day are all pagan holidays and should not be observed by the saints of God. Jer. 10:3-50