CHURCH OF GOD BELIEFS

"Our purpose as a family of God is to honor Him as we proclaim His kingdom through Christ,
develop mature relationships with Christ and discover and use our spiritual gifts."

Be the family of God.......................................................who we are (fellowship)
Honor God.....................................................................our primary purpose (worship)
Proclaim God's kingdom through Jesus Christ..................how we worship (evangelism)
Develop mature relationships with Christ..........................how we worship (discipleship)
Discover and use our spiritual gifts...................................how we worship (misistry)

Statement of Faith:

This simplified Statement of Faith is taken from the Constitution and By-Laws of the Church of God General Conference. While it is not a creed, it is a summary of the truths commonly believed and taught in the Church of God. These statements presented here as modified are also shared by the Church of God Faith of Abraham in Gatesville.

We believe that only one person is God, being - almighty, eternal, immortal, and the Creator of all things (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 44:6-8; Isa. 45:18; 1 Tim. 2:5).

We believe that Jesus Christ, born of the virgin Mary, is the sinless and only begotten Son of God. He existed only from His birth (Lk. 1:32, 33, 35; 3:22; 1 Pet. 1:18-20).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is God's divine power and influence manifest in God's mighty works and in the lives of His people. It is not a person (Gen. 1:2; Rom. 8:11).

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, given by divine inspiration. It is the only authoritative source of doctrine and practice for Christians (2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 4:12; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21).

We believe that man was created innocent, but through disobedience to God fell under condemnation of death - the cessation of all life and consciousness. All persons, being both sinful and mortal, are in need of salvation (Gen. 2:7, 17; 3:4, 19; 5:5; Eccl. 9:4, 10; Rom. 3:9-11; 6:23).

We believe that salvation is by the grace of God, through the atoning blood of Christ. It consists of God's forgiveness of sin, the imparting of His Spirit to the believer, and finally the gift of immortality at the resurrection when Christ returns. The steps in the gospel plan of salvation are:

1.Belief of the things concerning Jesus Christ and the gospel of the Kingdom (Acts 8:12; Rom. 1:16); 2.Sincere repentance and confession of sins (Acts 2:38); 3.Baptism - which is immersion - in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Mark 16:15, 16; Rom. 6:1-6; Acts 22:16); 4.Indwelling of the believer by Christ through God's Spirit (Gal.4:6; Eph. 3:16, 17); 5.Growth in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2:1-3).

We believe that the Church of God is the scriptural name for that body of people who have been called out from among all nations through obedience to the gospel plan of salvation. Christ is the Head of the church; and the nature, work, and government of the church are set forth in the New Testament (2 Cor. 1:1; Eph. 5:23-25).

We believe that the Christian life is primarily a life of consecrated discipleship to Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, and Teacher. It will be exemplified by love, prayerful dependence on the fruit of the Spirit, stewardship, and tithing. The church will recognize those members who, because of their religious convictions, claim exemption from military service (1 Tim. 4:11-16; Titus 2:11-14; Mal. 3:10).

We believe that the Kingdom of God will be established on earth when Christ returns personally and visibly to reign as King in Jerusalem over the whole earth, with the church as joint-heirs with Him. His millennial reign will be followed by the final judgment and destruction of the wicked, after which will be established "new heavens and a new earth" wherein there will be no more death and God will be all in all (Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:16, 17; Rev. 5:9, 10; 20:4, 5; 21:1-4, 7, 8; 2 Pet. 3:12-14).

Church of God Faith of Abraham

Gatesville, Texas

Beliefs and Purpose

Our Purpose Statement:

Statement of Faith: