As a Christian constituency of New Testament believers, we, the Pentecostal Church of God, subscribe to the following declaration of the things which are more surely believed among us (Luke 1:1), praying that there be neither harmful nor divisive difference of belief to the injury of any, nor the disturbance of the peace and harmony of the church, and that we maybe all of the same mind and same judgment, speaking the same things in love (1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 2:42) and with one voice glorifying God, to the edification of His people, and to give Christian witness to the world.
1. The Scriptures
The
Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God
(2 Timothy 3:16) presenting to us the complete revelation of His will
for the salvation of men, and constituting the Divine and only rule of
Christian faith and practice (2 Peter 1:2 1).
We
believe there is but one true and living God, who is everlasting,
infinite in power, wisdom and goodness; that He is the Creator of all
things, visible and invisible, and Preserver of all things (Romans
1:20; Colossians 1:16). In the unity of this Godhead, there are three
persons of one individual essence, who are co-equal, co-existent and
co-eternal; namely, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost (Matthew
3:16, 17; 28:18, 19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1,2, 18; 10:33; 14:26;
15:26; Philippians 2:6; Hebrews 9:14).
The Son is the eternally begotten of the Father, and accepted earthly
limitations for the purpose of incarnation, being true God and true
man; conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. He died
upon the cross, the just for the unjust as a substitutionary sacrifice,
and all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed
blood. He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures. He is now at
the right hand of the Majesty on High as our great High Priest, and He
will return again to establish His Kingdom of righteousness and justice.
The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, Executive of the Godhead on earth,
the Comforter sent by the Lord Jesus Christ to indwell, to guide and to
teach the believer, and to convince the world of sin, of righteousness
and of judgment.
3. Man, His Fall and Redemption
Man
is a created being, made in the likeness and the image of God, but
through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world (Romans
5:12). "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans
3:23). "As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans
3: 10). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work
of the devil, and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and
restore man to God (1 John 3:8).
Salvation
is made possible through the meritorious work of Jesus Christ on the
cross and through Holy Spirit conviction. Godly sorrow works repentance
and makes possible the experience of the new birth, and Christ formed
within us is the gift of eternal life (Titus 2:11; Romans 10:13-15;
Luke 24:47; Titus 3:5-7).
Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the Law,
and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing
works acceptable to God (Ephesians 2:8).
Man is a free moral agent and can at any time after the new birth
experience turn away from God and die in a state of sin; with the
consequences of hell to look forward to.
The
true Church, built upon the Foundation of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians
3:11; Ephesians 2:20), is the Body of our Lord (Romans 12:5; 1
Corinthians 12:27); Christ being the Head (Ephesians 1:22; Colossians
1:18). Its earthly constituents are all true believers, born again of
the Spirit (John 3:6) and of the Word (I Peter 1:23), who are living an
overcoming Christian life (Ephesians 5:27; Revelation 21:27).
To the Church, through its members, is delegated the various gifts and
offices of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 27, 28) which are
necessary for the successful evangelization of the world and the
perfecting of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:11,
12). This
universal, invisible, sanctified Church is the chaste virgin Bride of
Christ (2 Corinthians 1:1,2; Ephesians 5:26, 27; Revelation 21 :9b,
27). It is this Bride for whom Jesus Christ returns, just prior to the
Great Tribulation, to catch her away and take her to heaven (John
14:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
God,
through the Holy Spirit, definitely calls such as He desires to serve
as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, and
specifically endues the one called with the talents and gifts peculiar
to that office or offices (Ephesians 4:11-13). Under no circumstances
should anyone be ordained or set apart to any such office unless the
calling is distinct and evident.
Baptism in water is by immersion, a direct commandment of our Lord
(Matthew 28:19), and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol
of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial and
resurrection (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39).
The following recommendation regarding the water baptism formula is
adopted, "On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the
Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
8. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost
The
Baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire (Matthew 3:11), is a gift from God,
as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this
dispensation, and is received subsequent to the new birth (John 14:16,
17; Acts 1:8; 2:4, 38, 39; 10:44-48). The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is
accompanied by the speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself
gives utterance as the initial physical sign and evidence (Acts 2:4).
The
Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord (Hebrews
12:14). We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite, yet
progressive, work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and
continuing until the consummation of salvation (Hebrews 13:12; 2
Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 12 Ephesians 5:26; 1 Corinthians 6:11; John
17:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).
The
ordinance of the Lord’s Supper is a commandment of our Savior; and
being a memorial to His death and resurrection, is strictly limited to
Christian believers (1 Corinthians 11:27). The time and frequency of
its observance is left to the discretion of each congregation (1
Corinthians 11:26).
Only unfermented
grape juice, the fruit of the vine, as recommended by our Lord (Matthew
26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18) shall be used in connection therewith.
Foot
washing is recognized among many believers as a Christian practice, and
the time, manner and frequency of its observance is left to the
discretion of each local congregation (John 13).
Healing
is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power
of God, through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands
(Mark 16:18; James 5:14, 15). It is provided for in the atonement of
Christ and is available to all who truly believe.
13. The Resurrection of the Just
The
Bible promises, "This same Jesus shall so come in like manner" (Acts
1:11). His coming is imminent; when He comes, "The dead in Christ shall
rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" (1
Thessalonians 4:16, 17). Following the tribulation, He shall return to
earth as King of kings and Lord of lords, and together with His saints,
who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years
(Revelation 20:6).
14. Setting a Time for the Lord’s Return
It
is unwise to teach that the Lord will come at some specified time,
thereby setting a date for His appearing. It is also unwise to teach,
preach or publish visions of numbers and dates which would tend to fix
the time of the second coming of the Lord (Mark 13:32, 33).
15. The Coming of the Lord
We
believe the Bible presents the coming of Christ as personal, imminent,
pre-tribulational and pre-millennial. We further contend that this
position alone admonishes watchfulness, incites holy living, prevents
spiritual declension, and provides maximum incentive and motive for
urgency and zeal in evangelizing the unsaved. As demonic deception and
satanic darkness deepens, we urge our ministers to maintain and
proclaim this doctrinal viewpoint as the "blessed hope" of the Church.
Furthermore, we recommend that should any of our preachers hold to the
mid or post-tribulation doctrine, they refrain from preaching and
teaching it. Should they persist in emphasizing this doctrine to the
point of making it an issue, their standing in the fellowship will be
seriously affected.
16. Hell and Eternal Retribution
The
one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and
eternally lost in the Lake of Fire, and therefore has no further
opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance (Hebrews 9:27). The
Lake of Fire is literal (Revelation 19:20). The terms "eternal" and
"everlasting" used in describing the duration of the punishment of the
damned (Matthew 25:41-46) in the lake of fire, carry the same thought
and meaning of endless existence, as used in denoting the duration of
joy and ecstasy of saints in the presence of God.
We recognize the scriptural duty of all our people, as well as ministers, to pay tithes as unto the Lord (Hebrews 7:8).
Tithes should be
used for the support of the active ministry and for the propagation of
the Gospel and work of the Lord in general and not given to charity or
used for other purposes (Malachi 3:7-11; Hebrews 7:2; 1 Corinthians
9:7-11; 16:2).
For more information on the Pentecostal Church of God please visit their website at www.pcg.org
Some FAQ's Regarding Pentecostal Churches
Why do we sing as we do?
“Let the word of
Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in
your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16)
“And be not
drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:18 & 19)
Why do we lift our hands?
The act of lifting our
hands is a form of praising the Lord. More than fifty times in the
Psalms the word “Towday” or “Yadah” is translated “praise” where in
actuality the word to extend the hands in praise. Some other scriptures
that mention praise are:
“Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.” (Psalm 63:4)
“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” (1 Timothy 2:8)
Why do we clap our hands?
The act of clapping our hands is a form of praise which is mentioned frequently in scriptures.
“O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.” (Psalm 47:1)
“For
ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains
and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the
trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)
Why do we praise the Lord out loud?
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.” (Psalm 100: 1 & 2)
“And
after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven,
saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the
Lord our God: ...And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude,
and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty
thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” (Revelation 19:1 & 6)
Why do we sing and pray in tongues and in English?
“For if I pray in an
unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with
the understanding also.” (1 Corinthians 14:14 & 15)
“I
would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for
greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues,
except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.” (1 Corinthians 14:5)
What is prophesy and how is it used?
Prophesy is a supernatural utterance from God in an understood or known tongue.
“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” (1 Corinthians 14:3)
“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1)
“Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.” (1 Corinthians 14:39)
Why do we have speaking with tongues and interpretations of those tongues in the church?
Various kinds of tongues
are a supernatural utterance by the Holy Spirit in a language that was
never learned by the speaker nor is it understood by the speaker. The
interpretation of tongues is the supernatural showing forth by the Holy
Spirit the meaning of an utterance in other tongues.
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to
profit withal ...To another the working of miracles; to another
prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of
tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:7 & 10)
“Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.” (1 Corinthians 14:39)
“I
would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for
greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues,
except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.” (1 Corinthians 14:5)
“If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.” (1 Corinthians 14:27)
Why are musical instruments a part of the worship service?
“Praise him with the
sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him
with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and
organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high
sounding cymbals.” (Psalm 150:3-5)
“And I heard a voice
from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great
thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps.” (Revelation 14:2)
Why does the whole church pray at once for specific needs?
“And when they heard
that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said,
Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and
all that in them is.” (Acts 4:24)
“Again I say unto you,
That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they
shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19)
Why do we pray for the sick and anoint with oil?
“Is any sick among
you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over
him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of
faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he
have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”
(James 5:14 & 15)
Why do we practice laying on of hands?
“And these signs
shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils;
they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if
they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay
hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:17 & 18)
“Now
when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers
diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of
them, and healed them.” (Luke 4:40)
“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” (Acts 19:6)