Doctrines of the Church of God In Christ
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the word of God and contains one harmonious and sufficiently complete system of doctrine. We believe in the full inspiration of the word of God. We hold the word of God to be the only authority in all matters and assert that no doctrine can be true or essential, if it does not find a place in this word.
The Father
We believe in God, the Father Almighty, the author and creator of all things. The Old Testament reveals God in diverse manners, by manifesting His nature, character, and dominions. The Gospels in the New Testament give us knowledge of God the "Father" or "my Father", showing the relationship of God to Jesus as Father, or representing Him as Father in the Godhead, and Jesus himself that Son.
Reference:
St. John 14:20- "At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you."
St. John 15:8- "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
Jesus also gives God the distinction of "Fatherhood" to all believers when He explains God in the light of "your Father in Heaven."
Reference:
St. Matthew 11:25- "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."
The Son
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the second person in the Godhead of the trinity or triune Godhead. We believe that Jesus was and is eternal in His person and nature as the Son of God who was with God in the beginning of creation.
Reference:
St John 1:1- "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin called Mary according to the scripture (St. Matthew 1:18), thus giving rise to our fundamental belief in the virgin birth and to all of the miraculous events surrounding the phenomenon.
Reference: St. Matthew 1:18-25
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. (19) Then Joseph her husband, b4eing a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. (20) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save His people from their sins. (22) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, (23) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (24) Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: (25) And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus."
We believe that Jesus Christ became the "suffering servant" to man; this suffering servant came seeking to redeem man from sin and to reconcile him back to God His Father.
Reference:
Romans 5:10- "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."
We believe that Jesus Christ is standing now as mediator between God and man.
Reference:
I Timothy 2:5- "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"
The Holy Ghost
We believe the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity, proceeds from the Father and the Son, is of the same substance, equal in power and glory, and is together with the Father and the Son, to be believed in, obeyed, and worshipped. The Holy Ghost is a gift bestowed upon the believer for the purpose of equipping and empowering the believer, making him a more effective witness for service in the world. He teaches and guides one in all truth.
Reference:
St. John 16:13- "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come"
Acts 1:8- "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Acts 8:39- "And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost
We believe that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is an experience subsequent to conversion and sanctification and that tongue-speaking is the consequence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the manifestations of the frut of the Spirit.
Reference:
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Acts 19:6- "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied"
We believe that we are not baptized with the Holy Ghost in order to be saved, but that we are baptized with the Holy Ghost because we are saved.
Reference:
St. John 3:5- "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
When one receives a baptismal Holy Ghost experience, we believe one will speak with tongues unknown to oneself according to the sovereign will of Christ. To be filled the Spirit means to be Spirit controlled as expressed by Paul in Ephesians 5:18-19 -"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"
Since the charismatic demonstrations were necessary to help the early church to be successful in implementing the command of Christ, we therefore, believe that a Holy Ghost experience is mandatory for all men today.
Man
We believe that man was created Holy by God, composed of body and soul. We believe that man, by nature, is sinful and unholy. Being born in sin he needs to be born again, sanctified and cleansed from all sins by the blood of Jesus.
We believe that man is saved by confession and forsaking His sins, and believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, and that having become a child of God, by being born again and adopted into the family of God, He may, and should, claim the inheritance of the sons of God, namely the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Angels
The Bible uses the term "angel" (a heavenly body) clearly and primarily to denote messengers or ambassadors of God whose duty in heaven is to praise God, and to His will, and to behold His face.
Reference
Revelations 4:5- "And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God."
Psalms 103:20- "Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word."
St. Matthew 18:10- "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."
But since heaven must come down to earth, They also have a mission to earth. The Bible indicates that they accompanied God in the creation, and also that they will accompany Christ in his return in Glory.
Demons
Demons denote unclean or evil spirits; they are sometimes called devils or demoniac beings. They are evil spirits, belonging to the unseen or spiritual realm, embodied in human beings. The Old Testament refers to the prince of demons sometimes called Satan (adversary) or Devil as having power and wisdom, taking the habitation of other forms such as the serpent.
Reference:
Genesis 3:1a- "Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made."
The New Testament speaks of the Devil as Tempter, and it goes on to tell the works of Satan, the Devil and Demons as combating righteousness and good in any form, proving to be an adversary to the saints. Their chief power is exercised to destroy the mission of Jesus Christ. It can well be said that the Christian Church believes in Demons, Satan, and Devils.
Reference:
St. Matthew 4:3- " And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread."
We believe in their power and purpose. We believe they can be subdued and conquered as in the commandment to the believer by Jesus (St. Mark 16:17- "In my name shall they cast out devils").
The Church
The Church forms spiritual unity of which Christ is the divine head. It is animated by one Spirit, The Spirit of Christ it professes one faith, shares our hope, and serves one King. It is the citadel of the truth and God's agency for communicating to believers all spiritual blessings. The Church then is the object of our faith rather than of Knowledge. The name of our Church, "CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST," is supported by I Thessalonians 2:14 and other passages in the Pauline Epistles.
Reference:
I Thessalonians 2:14- "For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like thingss of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews."
The word "CHURCH" or "EKKLESIA" was first applied to the Christian society by Jesus Christ in St. Matthew 16:18, the occasion being that of his benediction of Peter at Caesarea Phillipi.
Reference:
St. Matthew 16:18- "And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
The Second Coming of Christ
We believe in the second coming of Christ; that he shall come from heaven to earth, Personally, Bodily, Visibly, and that the Church, the bride, will be caught up to meet him in the air. We admonish all who have this hope to purify themselves as He is pure.
Reference:
St. Matthew 24:30b- "and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
Acts 1:11b- "this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
I Thessalonians 4:16-17 "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
Divine Healing
The Church of God in Christ believes in and does practice Divine Healing. It is a commandment of Jesus to the Apostles.
Reference:
St. Matthew 16:18b- "they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Jesus affirms his teachings on healing by explaining to his disciples, who were to be Apostles, that healing the afflicted is by faith. Therefore, we believe that healing by Faith in God has scriptural support and ordained authority. St. James' writings in his epistles encourage elders to pray for the sick, lay hands upon them and to anoint them with oil, and that prayers with faith shall heal the sick and the Lord shall raise them up. Healing is still practiced widely and frequently in the Church of God in Christ, and testimonies to healings in our Church testify to this fact.
Miracles
THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST BELIEVES THAT MIRACLES OCCUR TO convince men that the Bible is God's Word. A miracle can be defined as an extraordinary visibly act of Divine power, wrought by the efficient agency of will of God, which as as its final cause the vindication of the righteousness of God's Word. We believe that the works of God, which were performed during the beginnings of Christianity do and will occur even today where God is preached, Faith in Christ is exercised, the Holy Ghost is active, and the Gospel is promulgated in the truth (Acts 5:15; 6:8; 9:40; St. Luke 4:36; 7:14,15; 5:5,6; St. Mark 14:15).
Reference:
Acts 5:15- "Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
Ordinances of the Church
Acts 6:8- "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people."
St. Luke 7:14-15a "And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, young man, I say unto thee, Arise. (15) And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak."
ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
It is generally admitted that for an ordinance to be valid, it must have been instituted by Christ. When we speak of ordinances of the Church, we are speaking of those instituted by Christ, in which by sensible signs the grace of God in Christ, and the benefits of the covenant of grace are represented, sealed, and applied to believers, and these in turn give expression to their faith and allegiance to God. The Church of God in Christ then recognizes only three ordinances as having been instituted by Christ Himself and therefore, binding upon the Church practice.
A. The Lord's Supper (Holy Communion)
The Lord's Supper symbolizes the Lord's death and suffering for the benefit and in the place of His people. It also symbolizes the believers participation in the Crucified Christ. It represents the death of Christ as the object of faith which unites the believers to Christ, but also the effect of this act as giving life, strength, and joy to the Soul. The communicant by faith enters into a special spiritual union of his soul with the glorified Christ.
B. Feet Washing
Feet Washing is practiced and recognized as an ordinance in our Church because Christ, by His examle, showed that humility characterized greatness in the Kingdom of God, and that service, rendered to others gave evidence that humility, motivated by love, exists. These services are held subsequent to the Lord's Super, however, its regularity is left to the discretion of the Pastor in charge.
C. Water Baptism
We believe that water Baptism is necessary as instructed by Christ. However, we do not believe that water Baptism alone is a means of salvation, but as an outward demonstration that one has already had a conversion experience and has accepted Christ as his personal Savior.
As Pentecostals, we practice immersion in preference to "SPRINKLING", because immersion corresponds more closely to the Death, Burial and Resurrection of our Lord. It also symbolizes regeneration and purification more than any other mode. Therefore, we practice immersion as our mode of Baptism Formula. We believe that we should use the Formula given us by Christ for all BAPTISM: "IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY GHOST.." (St. Matthew 28:19).
Reference:
St. John 3:5- "Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Colossians 2:12- "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
Sin
Sin, the Bible teaches, began in the angelic world, and is transmitted into the blood of the human race through disobedience and deception motivated by unbelief.
Adam's sin committed by eating of the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, carried with it a permanent pollution or depraved human nature of all his descendants. This is called "original sin". Sin can now be defined as a volitional transgression against God and a lack of conformity to the will of God.
We, therefore, conclude that man by nature, is sinful and that he hath fallen from a glorious and righteous state from which he was created, and has become unrighteous and unholy. Man, therefore, must be restored to his state of holiness from which he has fallen by being born again.
Reference:
Isaiah 14:12- "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!"
Ezekiel 28:15- "Thou was perfect in thy ways from the day that thou was created, til iniquity was found in thee."
Salvation
Salvation deals with the application of the work of redemption to the sinner with his restoration to divine favor and communion with God. This redemptive operation of the Holy Ghost upon sinners is brought about by repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ which brings about conversion, faith, justification, regeneration, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Repentance is the work of God which results in a change of mind in respect of man's relationship to God.
Faith is a certain conviction wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, as to the truth of the Gospel and heart trust in the promises of God in Christ.
Conversion is the act of God whereby he causes the regenerated sinner, in His conscious life, to turn to him in repentance and faith.
Regeneration is that act of God by which the principle of the new life is implemented in man, and the governing disposition of soul is made holy and the first holy exercise of this new disposition is secured.
Sanctification is that gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Ghost, by which He delivers the justified sinner from the pollution of sin, renews his whole nature in the image of God and enables him to perform good works.
Reference:
Acts 26:18- "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
The Church forms spiritual unity of which Christ is the divine head. It is animated by one Spirit, The Spirit of Christ it professes one faith, shares our hope, and serves one King. It is the citadel of the truth and God's agency for communicating to believers all spiritual blessings. The Church then is the object of our faith rather than of Knowledge. The name of our Church, "CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST," is supported by I Thessalonians 2:14 and other passages in the Pauline Epistles.
Reference:
I Thessalonians 2:14- "For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like thingss of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews."
The word "CHURCH" or "EKKLESIA" was first applied to the Christian society by Jesus Christ in St. Matthew 16:18, the occasion being that of his benediction of Peter at Caesarea Phillipi.
Reference:
St. Matthew 16:18- "And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
The Second Coming of Christ
We believe in the second coming of Christ; that he shall come from heaven to earth, Personally, Bodily, Visibly, and that the Church, the bride, will be caught up to meet him in the air. We admonish all who have this hope to purify themselves as He is pure.
Reference:
St. Matthew 24:30b- "and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
Acts 1:11b- "this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
I Thessalonians 4:16-17 "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
Divine Healing
The Church of God in Christ believes in and does practice Divine Healing. It is a commandment of Jesus to the Apostles.
Reference:
St. Matthew 16:18b- "they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Jesus affirms his teachings on healing by explaining to his disciples, who were to be Apostles, that healing the afflicted is by faith. Therefore, we believe that healing by Faith in God has scriptural support and ordained authority. St. James' writings in his epistles encourage elders to pray for the sick, lay hands upon them and to anoint them with oil, and that prayers with faith shall heal the sick and the Lord shall raise them up. Healing is still practiced widely and frequently in the Church of God in Christ, and testimonies to healings in our Church testify to this fact.
Miracles
THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST BELIEVES THAT MIRACLES OCCUR TO convince men that the Bible is God's Word. A miracle can be defined as an extraordinary visibly act of Divine power, wrought by the efficient agency of will of God, which as as its final cause the vindication of the righteousness of God's Word. We believe that the works of God, which were performed during the beginnings of Christianity do and will occur even today where God is preached, Faith in Christ is exercised, the Holy Ghost is active, and the Gospel is promulgated in the truth (Acts 5:15; 6:8; 9:40; St. Luke 4:36; 7:14,15; 5:5,6; St. Mark 14:15).
Reference:
Acts 5:15- "Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
Ordinances of the Church
Acts 6:8- "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people."
St. Luke 7:14-15a "And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, young man, I say unto thee, Arise. (15) And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak."
ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
It is generally admitted that for an ordinance to be valid, it must have been instituted by Christ. When we speak of ordinances of the Church, we are speaking of those instituted by Christ, in which by sensible signs the grace of God in Christ, and the benefits of the covenant of grace are represented, sealed, and applied to believers, and these in turn give expression to their faith and allegiance to God. The Church of God in Christ then recognizes only three ordinances as having been instituted by Christ Himself and therefore, binding upon the Church practice.
A. The Lord's Supper (Holy Communion)
The Lord's Supper symbolizes the Lord's death and suffering for the benefit and in the place of His people. It also symbolizes the believers participation in the Crucified Christ. It represents the death of Christ as the object of faith which unites the believers to Christ, but also the effect of this act as giving life, strength, and joy to the Soul. The communicant by faith enters into a special spiritual union of his soul with the glorified Christ.
B. Feet Washing
Feet Washing is practiced and recognized as an ordinance in our Church because Christ, by His examle, showed that humility characterized greatness in the Kingdom of God, and that service, rendered to others gave evidence that humility, motivated by love, exists. These services are held subsequent to the Lord's Super, however, its regularity is left to the discretion of the Pastor in charge.
C. Water Baptism
We believe that water Baptism is necessary as instructed by Christ. However, we do not believe that water Baptism alone is a means of salvation, but as an outward demonstration that one has already had a conversion experience and has accepted Christ as his personal Savior.
As Pentecostals, we practice immersion in preference to "SPRINKLING", because immersion corresponds more closely to the Death, Burial and Resurrection of our Lord. It also symbolizes regeneration and purification more than any other mode. Therefore, we practice immersion as our mode of Baptism Formula. We believe that we should use the Formula given us by Christ for all BAPTISM: "IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY GHOST.." (St. Matthew 28:19).
Reference:
St. John 3:5- "Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Colossians 2:12- "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
Sin
Sin, the Bible teaches, began in the angelic world, and is transmitted into the blood of the human race through disobedience and deception motivated by unbelief.
Adam's sin committed by eating of the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, carried with it a permanent pollution or depraved human nature of all his descendants. This is called "original sin". Sin can now be defined as a volitional transgression against God and a lack of conformity to the will of God.
We, therefore, conclude that man by nature, is sinful and that he hath fallen from a glorious and righteous state from which he was created, and has become unrighteous and unholy. Man, therefore, must be restored to his state of holiness from which he has fallen by being born again.
Reference:
Isaiah 14:12- "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!"
Ezekiel 28:15- "Thou was perfect in thy ways from the day that thou was created, til iniquity was found in thee."
Salvation
Salvation deals with the application of the work of redemption to the sinner with his restoration to divine favor and communion with God. This redemptive operation of the Holy Ghost upon sinners is brought about by repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ which brings about conversion, faith, justification, regeneration, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Repentance is the work of God which results in a change of mind in respect of man's relationship to God.
Faith is a certain conviction wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, as to the truth of the Gospel and heart trust in the promises of God in Christ.
Conversion is the act of God whereby he causes the regenerated sinner, in His conscious life, to turn to him in repentance and faith.
Regeneration is that act of God by which the principle of the new life is implemented in man, and the governing disposition of soul is made holy and the first holy exercise of this new disposition is secured.
Sanctification is that gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Ghost, by which He delivers the justified sinner from the pollution of sin, renews his whole nature in the image of God and enables him to perform good works.
Reference:
Acts 26:18- "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.