| Beliefs The Church of God of Prophecy (COGOP) is a Christian, Bible-believing, Spirit-filled fellowship that has been in existence since the late 1800s. Our headquarters are located in Cleveland, TN, but our vibrant churches extend all over the world. Our Commitments We will worship God with all our being by: Acknowledging Him as the Sovereign of all creation Submitting to the headship of Christ over the Church Practicing fervent, Spirit-led corporate worship Allowing the full manifestation of spiritual gifts in our lives Modeling personal worship through sacrificial living We will evangelize the lost with all our resources by: Utilizing every available means to take the gospel to all people Depending on the Holy Spirit to empower our witness Dedicating ourselves to a lifestyle of evangelism Cooperating with other Bible-believing Christians in outreach efforts Examining every major corporate decision in light of the Great Commission We will equip believers, using all our gifts by: Faithfully preaching and teaching the whole Word of God Providing a loving environment for individual spiritual growth Fulfilling the command to "bear one another's burdens" Administering the scriptural ordinances Applying biblical church discipline with love We will prepare for Christ's return with all our hearts by: Covenanting to the inerrant Word of God Committing ourselves to lives of biblical holiness Being agents of reconciliation in a fragmented world Modeling and promoting unity among all God's children Helping to take the gospel to every people group on earth THE BELIEFS OF THE CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY From its beginning, the Church of God of Prophecy has based its beliefs on the "whole Bible rightly divided." We accept the Bible as God's Holy Word, inspired, inerrant, and infallible. We believe the Bible to be God's written revelation of Himself to mankind and our guide in all matters of faith; therefore, we look to the Bible as our highest authority for doctrine, practice, organization, and discipline. It was a strong desire to rely solely on the Bible that led the early pioneers of the church to declare their willingness to be free from all man-made creeds and traditions, to take the New Testament as their only rule of faith and practice, and to give each other equal rights and privileges to read and interpret the Bible as their consciences might dictate. These basic tenets remain intact today; however, as the church grew and spread throughout the world, it was seen that there was safety in a "multitude of counselors" when making doctrinal decisions. Thus, today, all doctrinal matters are agreed upon in one accord by the General Assembly. The Church of God of Prophecy is firm in its commitment to orthodox Christian belief. We affirm that there is one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe in the deity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in the physical miracles He performed, in His atoning death on the cross, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory at His Second Coming. We profess that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential for the salvation of sinful man. We believe that sanctification by the blood of Christ makes possible personal holiness. We affirm the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling we are able to live godly lives and have power for service. We believe in the ultimate unity of believers, as prayed for by our Lord Jesus Chris in John 17. We believe in the sanctity of human life; we are also committed to the sanctity of the marriage bond and the importance of strong, loving Christian families. Furthermore, the church makes prominent other biblical doctrines that have clear New Testament support but may not always be espoused by modern Christianity. These "Important Bible Truths" constitute some of the doctrinal beliefs and practices that enable the Church of God of Prophecy to be named among those organizations that preach the fundamental principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. These truths are an indication of our continuing commitment to walk in the light of God's Holy Word to the best of our knowledge and ability. Important Bible Truths Repentance: Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19; 2 Corinthians 7:10 Justification: Romans 3:23-26; 5:1; Titus 3:7 Regeneration: John 5:24; Ephesians 2:1, 4, 5; Titus 3:5 Born Again: John 3:8; I Peter 1:23 Sanctification: Subsequent to justification; Romans 5:2, 6:6, 7; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1Thessalonians 4:3, 4, 7; Hebrews 13:12, 13; 1 John 1:9 Holiness: Luke 1:74-75; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; Ephesians 4:24; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15, 16 Water Baptism: Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:8-10; 16:15, 16; John 3:22, 23; Acts 10:47, 48; 16:33; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:21 Baptism With The Holy Ghost: Subsequent to cleansing, the endowment of power for service; Matthew 3:11; Luke 11:13; Acts 1:4-8; 19:2 Speaking In Tongues: The evidence of the baptism with the Holy Ghost; Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 11; 14:2, 4, 15 Full Restoration Of The Gifts To The Church: Romans 12:6-9; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1Corinthians 12:28-31; Ephesians 4:8-13 Signs Following Believers: Mark 16:17-20; Romans 15:18, 19; Hebrews 2:4 Fruit Of The Spirit: Galatians 5:22, 23; Ephesians 5:9 Divine Healing: Provided for all in the atonement; Psalms 103:2, 3; Isaiah 53:4, 5; Matthew 8:17; James 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:24 The Lord's Supper: Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 17; 11:23-30 Washing The Saints' Feet: John 13:4-17; 1Timothy 5:10 Tithing And Giving: Genesis 14:18-20; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; 1Corinthians 9:13, 14; 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9; Hebrews 7:1-10 Restitution Where Possible: Matthew 3:8; Luke 19:8, 9; Romans 13:8 Pre-Millennial Second Coming Of Jesus: First, to resurrect the dead saints and to catch away the living saints to meet Him in the air, 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Second, to reign on earth a thousand years; Zechariah 14:4-9; Revelation 19:11- 16; Revelation 20:4-6 Resurrection: Daniel 12:2; John 5:28, 29; 1 Corinthians 15:12-23, 41-58; Revelation 20:5, 6 Eternal Life For The Righteous: Matthew 25:46; Luke 18:29, 30; John 10:27, 28; Romans 6:22; 1 John 5:11-13 Eternal Punishment For The Wicked: no liberation or annihilation; Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9; Revelation 2:8; 20:10-15 Total Abstinence From All Liquor Or Strong Drinks: Proverbs 20:1; Isaiah 28:7; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:18 Against The Use Of Tobacco In Any Form, Opium, Morphine, Etc.: Isaiah 55:2; 1 Corinthians 3:17; 10:31; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:3-8; James 1:21 On Meats And Drinks: "…The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17); Romans 14:2-17; 1 Corinthians 8:8; 1Timothy 4:1-5 On The Sabbath: Romans 14:5, 6; Colossians 2:16, 17; Hebrews 4:1-11 Adornment: The Christian's use of adornment should be guided by the biblical principles of sobriety, modesty, submission, and self-discipline; Matthew 16:24; 1Timothy 2:1-10; 1 Peter 3:17; 1 John 2:16. The Scripture explicitly teaches that the use of adornment for occultic, lascivious and idolatrous practices is prohibited; Isaiah 3:18-22; Acts 8:9; 13:6; 19:19; 1 Corinthians 5:10; 6:9; Galatians 5:19-21 Against Belonging To Lodges: John 18:20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Ephesians 5:12, 13 Against Swearing: Exodus 20:7; Matthew 5:12, 13; James 5:12 Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage: Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:18–25; Deuteronomy 6:7; Matthew 5:32; 14:3, 4; 19:3–12; Mark 10:12; Luke 16:18; Romans 7:2, 3; 1 Corinthians 5:1–5, 6:9–18; 7:2, 11; Colossians 3:18–21. |