The Essentials We Believe...

I. The Holy Trinity

We believe in one living and true God, eternal and of infinite power, wisdom, goodness and righteousness. He is a loving and faithful God who is the Creator and preserver of all things. (Genesis 1:1; Jeremiah 10:10; I Timothy 1:17) In the unity of this Godhead there are three persons of one substance with identical qualities and attributes: the Father (God), the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit (John 1:1,2; 4:24; 5:18; 10:30).

II. The Son of God

We believe in the divine nature of Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin, Mary. Christ was both fully man and fully God. He walked our earth, suffered at the hands of men, was crucified, died and buried as a sacrifice for the sins of all men and women everywhere. The purpose was to restore our relationship to God which is broken by sin (disobedience) (Luke 1:27; 31:35; John 3:16; Romans 5:10; Ephesians 5:2). Christ rose from the dead and ascended into heaven in full victory over Satan and sin. He now intercedes for the body of believers to God the Father (Matthew 28:5-9; Luke 24:4-7).

III. The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit as the person of the Holy Trinity who lives within us, giving us the power to live a holy life and guiding us to truth (Romans 8:9; Galatians 4:6).

IV. The Authority of Scripture

We believe that the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments combined constitute the Holy Bible; no books may be added or deleted. The Holy Bible is inspired and inerrant (that is, without error or failure of basic contents and meaning in the original manuscripts). The Holy Bible contains all the necessary truth to lead men and women into salvation (Psalm 19:7; John 17:17; Romans 15:4; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 3:15-17).

V. Man

We believe that mankind was created by God in His own image (Genesis 1:27), but because of Adam’s sin (disobedience) man inherits a corrupt nature that inclines him to do wrong (Genesis 3:6; 6:5; Romans 5:12). Man is not capable of achieving a life without sin on his own (Proverbs 20:9; Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16). Because man was created in God’s own image, we have a "God-likeness" which includes knowledge between right and wrong, the ability to choose which course we will take, and the responsibility for our actions, or our choices (Joshua 24:15; I Kings 20:40; John 7:17).

VI. Salvation

We believe that Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, was given by God as a sacrifice for the sins of all men. Christ died on the cross to mend the broken relationships which were caused by man’s sin of disobedience. This severed relationship between God and man may be restored into perfect harmony through belief in Jesus Christ by faith, and not on the basis of our works (Galatians 5:4,5; Ephesians 2:8,9). This belief and faith in Jesus Christ, recognizing Him as Lord and Savior, gives men and women the free gift of eternal life (John 1:29; 3:16; I Cor. 5:7; Eph. 5:2; I Peter 1:19). After receiving salvation by faith through belief in Jesus Christ, the "born-again" (John 3:3) believer may live free from the judgment of God, by living a life according to the teaching of the scriptures and trusting the Holy Spirit for the power to live a holy life according to God’s Word.

We believe that after we have experienced regeneration it is possible to fall into sin, for in this life there is no such height or strength of holiness from which it is impossible to fall. But by the grace of God one who has fallen into sin may, by confession and true repentance, find forgiveness and restored fellowship with God (Matthew 18:21,22; I John 1:9; 2:1, 24-25).

VII. Good Works

We believe that even though men and women cannot receive salvation by good works, their good works are still pleasing to God and show evidence of a true faith in God, and Jesus as Lord of the Believer’s life (Matthew 5:16; 7:16-20; Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16; James 2:18,22).

VIII. Sanctification

We believe that sanctification is the work of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, making the believer pure in heart and totally committed and dedicated to God. This work is both instantaneous and gradual (or progressive). It begins when a person is saved and continues throughout life. In this process of sanctification there is a time when the believer is convicted of a "lukewarm" Christian life and looks to Christ with a total commitment and dedication to "Christ-like" living. There is no black and white time line involved; for some this occurs soon following salvation and for others much time elapses. But for all believers sanctification is the will of God (I Thessalonians 4:3). Sanctification is the point in life when a believer renounces the desire to live for self and desires to live totally for the glory of God. Christ indeed becomes Lord of your life. The believer is then empowered by the Holy Spirit, making him able to live a life of holiness. This does not mean perfection of the believer, but purity of heart, soul and mind (Deuteronomy 30:6; Luke 1:74-75; Acts 15:8-9; I Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 4:13,24; I Thessalonians 4:3,7; James 4:8).

IX. Unity

God’s church is intended to be a unified community. The division among Christian people today is not just unfortunate; it is inappropriate and wholly unacceptable. Unity is clearly God’s will for the church. Participation in the Lord’s Supper dramatizes the intended unity of Christians as they celebrate their one Lord, one salvation , and one mission. But that unity, symbolized in worship, must find visible expression in the life and witness of the church. The goal is less a contrived peace treaty among deeply divided church organizations and more a radical reconsideration of what is an appropriate network of relationships among brothers and sisters in Christ (Luke 22:14-19; John 17:20-21; Romans 12:4-5; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 4:4).

The intended unity among Christians is not based on the achievement of full agreement on all theological questions. Rather, it is based on a common membership in the church through the grace of God and is anchored by a common commitment to the centrality of Christ and the authority of the Word of God.

X. Divine Healing

Because God cares for all of us as though there was only one of us, and loves deeply and redemptively, we have the privilege of looking to God for healing of soul, mind, and body. The current widespread interest in divine healing is no new thing in a movement where it has been emphasized for a century. The God of Jesus who healed persons in Bible times is just the same today. It is our privilege to pray for and expect to receive healing, though it may come in various ways and in different channels.

We believe, of course, that God works through the skill and knowledge and ministry of a physician, surgeon, and nurse. God works through expanding the laws of hygiene, preventive measure, and wise health care. God works through the growing knowledge and skill of science in the field of health maintenance, health care, and healing ministries. We also know God constantly works miracles beyond the miracles of science. The God who cares for daisies and sparrows cares immeasurably more about the well-being of His children—all of them and each of them. (Mark 2:32-34a; Hebrews 13:8; I Cor. 12:30; Col. 4:14; James 5:14-15)

XI. Eternity

People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16; Mark 9:42-48; Luke 16:19-31; John 14:1-2,17; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; I Cor. 2:7-9)

XII. The Second Coming of Christ

We believe that those who have not accepted Christ as their personal Savior and are unrepentant will be judged by God in His perfect justice and doomed to eternal punishment (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 25:31-46; II Cor. 5:10; Romans 2:16). We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ to receive His believers into heaven and eternal life. The time of His return is unknown, but may be at any moment. This is the glorious hope of all God’s children (John 14:1-3; I Thess. 4:13-18; James 5:7-8; Revelation 22:12,20).

 Church of God?

If you are not a Christian (that is, not saved, not born anew, not a disciple of Jesus Christ), then you will want to confess your sins in prayer, ask God to forgive your sinful way of living, and invite Jesus Christ to come into your life as Savior and Lord. You may be able to do this alone, but many persons have found that the assistance of a thoughtful and mature Christian is helpful at this time. When you accept Jesus Christ as Savior, you are born into God's church. You are a new creation in Christ (John 3:1-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Through the cross you have become a member. 

While believers are called to personal faith in Jesus Christ, they are not called into a private faith. Throughout Scripture the church is understood in terms of fellowship and community--that is, a gathering of believers who join together for regular times of worship, instruction, prayer, and fellowship. "While being born again places you in the family of God as a member, participation in a local congregation is required to enjoy the blessings of the Church. Regular, consistent participation in a local fellowship of believers is essential to maintain a healthy spiritual life (Heb 10:25)."

(From The Church of God, Anderson, www.chog.org).