CHRISTIAN
First and foremost, the Church of God is a determinedly Christian church. It is built upon the person of Jesus Christ, the Son

of God. The doctrines and practices of the church are based upon His teachings.

 

PROTESTANT
The Church of God is founded upon the principles of Protestantism, although it is not a traditional follower of any specific

leader of the Protestant Reformation. The denomination stands firmly for justification by faith, the priesthood of believers,

the authority of the Bible, religious freedom, and the separation of church and state. It stands against abuses and

extravagance of ecclesiastical ritualism and dogmatism.

 

FOUNDATIONAL
The Church of God subscribes to the following five foundational Christian doctrines:
1. The inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible.
2. The virgin birth and complete deity of Christ.
3. The atoning sacrifice of Christ's death for the sins of the world.
4. The literal resurrection of the body.
5. Christ's second coming in bodily form to earth.

 

EVANGELICAL
Evangelical is the term used to describe those who affirm the primary doctrines revealed in the Scriptures. These doctrines

include the inspiration and authority of the Word of God; the Trinity; the deity and virgin birth of Jesus Christ; salvation by

faith in the atoning death of Christ; His bodily resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father; the ministry of the

Holy Spirit; the second coming of Christ; and the spiritual unity of believers in Jesus Christ.

 

The Church of God has aligned itself with the basic statement of faith of NAE (National Association of Evangelicals) the

largest association of Evangelicals in the USA. Members of NAE subscribe to a common statement of faith. The Church of

God can be described as positioned in the mainstream of Evangelical Protestantism.

 

SPIRIT FILLED
In 1896, many members of the Church of God experienced a spiritual outpouring they identified as the baptism of the Holy

Spirit. Because it was so similar to the experience of the early Christians on the day of Pentecost, it came to be called a

Pentecostal experience, an enrichment of the Christian life through the power of the Holy Spirit that empowered believers to

be effective witnesses of Christ.

 

EVANGELISTIC
From its inception the Church of God has been a revival movement. Evangelism has been in the forefront of all its activities.

The church has maintained an aggressive effort to take the message of Christ throughout the world by all means and methods.

Every program of the church reflects an evangelistic attitude: revivalism, conferences, worship services, teaching, preaching

and its missionary efforts.

 

DENOMINATIONAL
The magnitude of the Great Commission requires a united effort. This united endeavor is efficiently served by guidance,

support, resources and leadership from a common center. The Church of God is centrally organized. Centralized church

government is administration from the international, state or territorial and local levels. It helps facilitate the fulfillment of the

mission of the church. The control of the Church of God rests with the laity and ministers, who jointly form a governing body

called the General Assembly which meets biennially. Benefits of centralized government include the following: uniformity of

doctrine and practice; principles that bind together local churches in the same manner; membership commitments in all

churches; expansion and extension of fellowship; accountability; cooperative decision-making; and united efforts in

evangelism and world outreach.