Doctrine - Basis of Fellowship 

        The following is a summary of the teachings, precepts and examples of our Lord, which The (Original) Church of God stands for and practices.
        We stand for the whole Bible, rightly divided as set forth by the prophets, Jesus Christ and the Apostles, accepting nothing but the plainly written Word of God on all subjects.

Repentance toward God

        Repentance toward God - a Godly sorrow which arises from the seeking, searching, convicting, calling Holy Spirit.  Repentance is a decision that results in a change of mind, which in turn leads to a change of purpose and action.  The result is a hatred of sin, a love for holiness, a fixed resolution to forsake sin, and an expectation of favor and forgiveness through the words of Christ.  This is Evangelistic or Gospel Repentance.  (Matthew 3:2-8;  II Corinthians 7:10;  Acts 20:21;  Luke 13:3;  Acts 3:19;  John 16:8).

Restitution

        The blood of Jesus will never blot out any sin that we can make right:  We must have a conscience void of offense toward God and man.  Restitution includes restoring where one has defrauded, paying back debts, and confessing when necessary.  (Luke 19:8,9;  Psalms 69:4;  Exodus 22:3).

Regeneration

        Regeneration - a change and renovation of the soul by the Spirit and grace of God  (Matthew 19:28;  Titus 3:4,5);  to be born again, or from above;  to receive spiritual life in the soul, enabling us to perform spiritual actions and live to God;  to be Regenerated, renewed, to receive spiritual life.  (John 3:3,5;  I Peter 1:23).

 Justification

        Justification - a state of being justified before God at any time in the Christian experience.  It is that act of God’s free grace by which we receive remission of sins.  (Romans 5:1;  II Corinthians 5:21;  Philipians 3:9;  Romans 3:24-26;  John 1:12).

Baptism with the Holy Ghost or filling with the Spirit

        Baptism with the Holy Ghost is subsequent to cleansing:  the endowment of power for service and holy living which comes upon sanctified believers, and is Jesus Christ’s Baptism (Matthew 3:11) and is received through faith in the Word of God, and obtained through perfect obedience with a full surrender and complete dedication to Christ.  (John 20:22;  Luke 24:49;  John 14:16,17,26;  Acts 1:5-8; 2:1-4; 10:44-46; 19:1-6).

        With the Baptism of the Holy Ghost comes such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39), and intensified consecration to God and dedication to His works (Acts 2:42), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43), and a deepened concern for fellow believers in need (Acts 2:44,45; 4:32).

Speaking with Other Tongues

        As the initiating evidence of the filling of the Holy Ghost to an overflowing:  you will have the same sign or evidence that the disciples had on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem (Acts 2:4), and the Gentiles had at the home of Cornelius (Acts 10:44-49), and at Ephesus (Acts 19:1-8).  It is one of the signs that shall follow believers (Mark 16:17), and it is one of the gifts of the Spirit to “The Church of God”, for the day of grace until the return of the Bridegroom (I Corinthians 12:10).  And it was “other tongues” for it had to be interpreted.

        The above Scriptures correctly read and prayerfully studied should convince every honest seeker of the truth that when one is filled with the Holy Ghost to overflowing, as were the saints at Jerusalem, they will “speak with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.”  Every man, woman and child filled with the Holy Ghost Will Speak with Other Tongues.

Divine Healing

        Jesus not only made provision for the salvation of the soul in His suffering on earth, but for the healing of the body as well.  (Isaiah 53:4,5;  Matthew 8:16,17;  Mark 16:14-18;  James 5:14-16;  Exodus 15:26).  Divine healing is obtained by faith, laying on of hands, the anointing of oil, and by special gift (I Corinthians 12:9)

        The (Original) Church of God considers it not as a test of fellowship but as a privilege of every member to seek healing through the exercise of faith.  (I Peter 2:24;  Hebrews 12:12,13).

Spiritual Gifts Accompanying God’s Church

        To be actively welcomed and expected to profit the body of the church in expanding its ministry of evangelism.  (I Corinthians 14:1).  They are all available  to believers as the Holy Spirit distributes them.  (I Corinthians 12:1-12,28,31).

 Signs Following Believers

        As we go out unselfishly and obediently seeking to exalt Christ and make Him known, with our exercise of power being only to extend the love of God to the lost, the sick, and those in bondage, we believe signs will follow as God’s sovereignty wills it.  (Mark 16:17-20;  Hebrews 2:4;  Romans 15:18,19).

Fruit of the Spirit

        If we live in the spirit, we will manifest the fruit (attitudes and actions) of the Spirit and will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.  (John 15:1-11;  Romans 6:22;  Galatians 5:16,22,23;  Ephesians 5:9;  Phillipians 1:11).  Relationships with others are a natural outgrowth of our positive relationship with the Lord.  (Matthew 22:37-40).

        A lack of fruit bearing in our lives will be judged.  (Matthew 7:16-20;  Luke 13:6-9).

Works of the Flesh

        The world system is dominated by the works of the flesh as listed in Galatians 5:19-21 and they have no place among God’s redeemed people.  These works fall into four categories: sexual sins, sins connected with pagan religion, sins of temper, and sins of drunkenness.  (II Corinthians 12:20).

Pre-Millennial Second Coming of Christ

        The return of Jesus is just as literal as His going away.  (Acts 1:11;  John 14:3).  There will be two appearances under one coming.

        First, to resurrect the sleeping saints, and to catch away His waiting bride (both living and dead) to meet Him in the air.  (Matthew 24:40-44;  I Thes. 4:16,17).

        In the First Resurrection every soul shall come out of Paradise, and shall enter their immortal bodies to live forever with Christ (Revelations 20:4).  Revelations 20:6 tells us who will have a part in the first resurrection.

        Second.  Christ’s coming down to earth at the close of the great tribulation.

        The Millennium will be a reign of peace and blessing with Jesus Christ our King and Ruler, and takes place between the resurrection of the saints and the resurrection of the wicked.

Eternal Life for the Righteous

        Matthew 25:46;  Luke 18:29,30;  John 10:28;  Romans 6:22;  I John 5:11-13;  Matthew 25;34-36.

The White Throne Judgment

        At the end of the Millennium, or the one thousand years have expired, the ungodly and sinner will be called into judgment.  (Revelations 20:7,10,13-15;  II Thes. 1:7-9).  This is the resurrection of the wicked dead only, the second death.

Eternal Punishment for the Wicked

        Concerning the punishment for the wicked we read the following Scriptures and let the Word of God decide the question.  On one thing we can be assured, that God will do right and give justice to everyone.  (Matthew 25:41-46;  Mark 3:29;  Revelations 20:10-15; 20:18,19).

        The foregoing Scriptures teach that the lake of fire is just as eternal as heaven.  The wicked shall be cast into the lake of fire where the beast and the false prophet are.  Read the above Scriptures and flee the wrath to come on all them that know not God and who obey not His commandments.

Total Abstinence from All Liquor and Strong Drink

        A benefit of our liberty in Christ is freedom from the domination of negative forces.  (John 8:32,36;  Romans 6:14; 8:2).  We are not to put ourselves again under bondage (Galatians 5:1).  As Christians, we must totally abstain from all alcoholic beverages and other habit-forming, mood-altering chemical substances and refrain from use of tobacco in any form, marijuana and all other addictive and enslaving substances.  “Wherefore come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing;  and I will receive you.”  (II Corinthians 6:17;  Revelations 18:4;  I Corinthians 9:25;  Galatians 5:25;  I Thes. 5:22;  Judges 13:4;  Habakuk 2:15;  Proverbs 23:29-32).

Against All Uncleanness and Filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit

(II Corinthians 7:1)

        God’s people should be pure, holy, devout, reverent, with “Chaste conversation coupled with fear,” not yielding to the lust of the flesh;  therefore, vulgar conversation, secret vice, and other improper and sinful conduct which give rise to social evils are entirely outside the boundary of Christian living.  We must refrain from any activity which defiles the body as the temple of the Holy Ghost or which dominates and enslaves the spirit that has been made free in Christ.  (I Peter 1:15; 2:12; 3:1;  II Peter 3:11-14;  Galatians 5:19-25;  I John 3:3;  Hebrews 12:14;  I Corinthians 10:21;  II Corinthians 6:17,18;  I Thes. 4:7).

        No one should be taken into the church or assume leadership positions until they have cleansed themselves or been delivered from filthy and sinful habits that would bring reproach upon the church family and the cause of Christ.

Relation to Members Going to War

        The letter and the Spirit of the Gospel are emphatically against strife, contention and carnal warfare.  We are thankful to the government of the United States of America for the freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience,  and thankful for any defensive deterrents of our government to defend against aggression.  Jesus said, “Thou shalt not kill.”  Therefore, when required to serve in the military, we shall be glad to be of service in any way consistent with the non-combative service.  (Examples: Field medic or rescue, cook, maintenance, supply, etc.)  (Matthew 5:38-45; 26:52;  John 18:36;  I Corinthians 6:1-8;  Romans 12:17-21;  II Corinthians 10:4;  Luke 22:49-52; 3:10-14).

Sabbath

        The Sabbath (cessation) appears in the Scriptures as a day of God’s rest in the finishing work of creation (Genesis 2:2,3).  For the next 2500 years of human life, there is absolutely no mention made of it in the Scripture. 

  This important passage fixes beyond all quibbling the time when the Sabbath, God’s rest (Genesis 2:1-3), was given to man.  The seventh day Sabbath was never made a day of sacrificial worship, or any manner of religious service:   it was simply and only a day of complete rest for man and beast -- a humane provision for man’s needs.  In Christ’s words, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27).  Christ, Himself, was held to be a Sabbath-breaker by the religious authorities of that day.

        The Christians first day perpetuates in the dispensation of Grace the principles that one-seventh of the time is especially sacred, but in all other respects is in contrast with the Sabbath: one is the seventh day, the other the first.  The Sabbath commemorates God’s creation rest;  the First Day, Christ’s Resurrection from the dead.  On the seventh day God rested:  on the first day Christ was busy all day.  Jesus appeared to His disciples eight times that day.  The Sabbath was a day of legal obligation, the first day one of voluntary worship service.

Against Members Swearing

        Matthew 5:34;  James 5:12.

Sanctity of Marriage

        Marriage is ordained of God and is a spiritual union in which a man and a woman are joined by God to live together as one.  (Genesis 2:24;  Mark 10:2-12).  Because of the divine character of marriage, it is a lifelong commitment with the only clear Biblical allowance for divorce being sexual immorality.  (Matthew 5:32; 19:3-12).  Sexual involvement, either before marriage or with some one other than the marriage partner, is strictly forbidden in scripture.  (Exodus 20:14;  I Corinthians 6:15-18).  There should be no marriage between a believer and an unbeliever.  (I Corinthians 7:39).  Understanding the sanctity of marriage, partners should strive to maintain a happy, harmonious and holy relationship.  Should divorce occur, the church should be quick to provide love, understanding and counsel to those involved.  The re-marriage of divorced persons should be undertaken only after a thorough understanding of and submission to the scriptural instructions concerning the issue.  (Matthew 19:7-9;  Mark 10:2-12;  Luke 16:18;  Romans 7:2,3;  I Corinthians 7:2,10,11).

        Should a Christian desire to remain single, this decision should be respected and should be seen as a viable scriptural alternative.  (I Corinthians 7:8,32-34).

        When a divorce and re-marriage has taken place prior to salvation, we do not hold them responsible, for “...old things have passed away and behold all things have become new.”  (II Corinthians 5:17;  I John 1:7).        God’s law does not govern sinners.  Jesus told the Samaritan woman that she had had five husbands, and she admitted it, and the man she was now living with was not her husband.  (John 4:10,14,39).  Jesus offered her salvation:  told her she could have it by asking, as all the past was done in sin.  (See page 48 for qualifications for Ministers, Bishops, Elders and Deacons.)

The Tribulation

        Jesus prophesied a great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world.  (Matthew 24:21,29;  Revelations 9; 16).  This will come under the ten-toe government of Daniel just ahead.

Christ’s Millennial Reign

        One thousand years of a literal reign on Jesus on earth.  It will be ushered in by the coming of Jesus back to earth with ten thousands of His saints.  (Jude 14,15;  II Thes. 1:5-10).  During this time the devil will be bound.  (Revelations 20:2,3).  This will be a reign of peace and blessing.  Read the prophesy which shows the quality of the kingdom during this time.  (Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:6-9; 65:25;  Hosea 2:18;  Micah 4:3).

Doom of the Unbelieving Dead

        The last judgment of the Great White Throne.  God will judge the quick and dead according to their works.  (Revelations 20:11-15;  Acts 10:42;  Daniel 12:2).

A New Heaven and a New Earth

        The word teaches that this earth, which has been polluted by sin, shall pass away, or be regenerated, cleansed, purified and made holy, after the Great White Throne Judgment, and God will make a new heaven and a new earth in which dwelleth righteousness.  This will be a glorious scene.  The heaven and the earth like as they were before there was any sin.  (Matthew 24:35;  II Peter 3:12,13;  Revelations 21:3).

 Modesty in Appearance and Dress