We Hold These

"TRUTHS"

These vital points of New Testament doctrine are some of the prominent teachings of "The Church of God". Not all Christian church organizations teach these points of doctrine the same way. The Church of God accepts the whole Bible rightly divided and holds these sacred truths as they have been revealed in the Scriptures by the Holy Ghost. All those who become members of The Church of God must accept the following covenant in the affirmative: "Will you sincerely promise in the presence of God and these witnesses that you will accept this Bible as the word of God - believe and practice its teachings rightly divided - the New Testament as your rule of faith and practice, government and discipline, and walk in the light to the best of your knowledge and ability? This is a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten."

REPENTANCE; is the act of turning from and forsaking sin. Read Mark 1:15...and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. also Luke13:3..."I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish". and also read, Acts 3:19...Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins maybe blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

JUSTIFICATION; is a state and an act. It is the state of being void of offence toward God by the act of God's forgiveness of the trangressions for which one has repented. See Romans 5: 1-9 ... Therfore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed aboad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Also read, Titus 3:7... That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

REGENERATION; is an act of God performed in the justified heart whereby new, spiritual life is generated. See Titus 3:5...Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Regeneration is simultaneous with the new birth. Also see.. Matthew 19:28...And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

BORN AGAIN; To be born again is to become a new creature in Christ and a child of God. This new birth is the result of repentance, justification and regeneration and is accompanied by a definite inner witness. See John 3:3... Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily,verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Read also, 1 Peter 1:23 ... Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. Also read, 1 John 3:9 ... Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. The new birth is a prerequisite for the experience of sanctification.

SANCTIFICATION; is the second definite work of grace, an instantaneous work wrought in the regenerated heart by the Holy Ghost with the blood of Christ. In regeneration actual transgressions are forgiven, but in sanctification the Adam nature, or inbred sin, is eradicated. Sanctification restores man to the holy astate of Adam before the fall, and gives him the grace to live a life of holiness, thus making him eligible for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. Sanctification is subsequent to justification. See Romans 5:2....By whom also we have access by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: also read, 1 corinthians 1:30 ... But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: also see, 1 Thessalonians 4:3 ... For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that should abstain from fornication: Read Hebrews 13:12 ... Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. and also read 1 John 1:9...If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

HOLINESS; is the state of being free from sin, a condition made possible by the experience of sanctification. God requires man to live sinless in this present world and provides the means through the shed blood of Christ. Please read...Luke 1:74, and 75,...That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. Also read...1 Thessalonians 4:7... For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. And also see, Hebrews12:14...Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

WATER BAPTISM; is the act of being immersed in water according to the instructions of Christ. Although this ordinance has no power to wash away sin, it represents the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Only those who have already been born again are eligible for water baptism. Please Read..Matthew 28:19 ... Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Also read...Mark 1:8-10.... I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descended upon him: Read also, John 3:22,23 ...After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John was also baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. also read , Acts 8:12,13 .... But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and woman. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Also verses 36 - 38 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. also Acts 10:47,48..Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. And see also, Acts 16:33....And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY GHOST; .The Baptism with the Holy Ghost which is subsequent to sanctification is the enduement of power for service. This baptism is always accompanied by the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. It is the filling of the temple already made clean by sanctification and is a gift of God in answer to the prayer of Christ. Read Matthew 3:11.... I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. also read Luke 24:49--53 ... And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. Read also, Acts 1:4-8... And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 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.