BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES, BELIEFS AND PRACTICES
NOTE: Below you will find both broad statements concerning the beliefs of the Church of God of Prophecy, as well as more focused statements concerning issues relevant to our current cultural climate.
Important Bible Truths
From its beginnings, 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.
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, His virgin birth, His sinless life, the physical miracles He performed, His atoning death upon the Cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and 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 mankind.
• We believe the sinner is brought to an awareness of the need for salvation through the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. We believe that in sanctification by the blood of Christ, one is made holy.
• We affirm the present, active ministry of the Holy Spirit who guides the Church and by whose indwelling and empowerment we are able to live godly lives and render effective service to God and others.
• We believe in the oneness and ultimate unity of believers for which our Lord prayed, and that this should be visibly displayed “that the world may know, see, and believe” God’s glory, the coming of His Son, and the great love He has for His people (John 17:20–23).
• We are committed to the sanctity of the marriage bond and the importance of strong, loving Christian families.
• The Church embraces all biblical doctrines as taught in the New Testament and are outlined in the church’s 29 Biblical truths.
Statement on Marriage, Sexuality, and Human Life
The Church of God of Prophecy affirms the biblical teaching that marriage is sacred and should not be entered into lightly without proper preparation. Marriage was originally instituted by God as a properly recognized covenant relationship between one man and one woman for life. The Church affirms the biblical family as a father and mother in wedlock who may procreate children. The Church further asserts that the home, including the extended family, is to be guided by love, discipline, and other nurturing aspects as taught in God’s Word. Because the Church is committed to the sanctity of marriage and human life, we diligently stand against abortion, incest, abuse, euthanasia, adultery, divorce, homosexuality, and lesbianism, which we believe are contrary to God’s original design as expressed in His Word. All biblically unlawful unions such as same-sex, incestuous, or polygamous marriages are renounced by the Church even if they are recognized as legal by civil governments. Statement on the Sanctity of Human Life We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps 139.)
Final Authority for Matters of Faith and Conduct
The International Assembly, a meeting open to all members of the Church of God of Prophecy, is the highest decision-making body. It serves as an interpretative and decision-making body that deals with pressing universal truths requiring definitive decisions for translocal matters in expediting the proclamation of the Gospel (Acts 1:21–23; Ephesians 2:13–16, 19, 20; Acts 15:6–9). It is the place at which members of the Church and their official representatives assemble together under the headship of Christ to search the Scriptures. As the Bible is illuminated by the Spirit, understanding and resolution of differences of interpretations, which tend to be divisive among the churches, will be received. The International Assembly accepts the Bible as its highest authority.
Important Bible Truths
From its beginnings, 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.
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, His virgin birth, His sinless life, the physical miracles He performed, His atoning death upon the Cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and 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 mankind.
• We believe the sinner is brought to an awareness of the need for salvation through the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. We believe that in sanctification by the blood of Christ, one is made holy.
• We affirm the present, active ministry of the Holy Spirit who guides the Church and by whose indwelling and empowerment we are able to live godly lives and render effective service to God and others.
• We believe in the oneness and ultimate unity of believers for which our Lord prayed, and that this should be visibly displayed “that the world may know, see, and believe” God’s glory, the coming of His Son, and the great love He has for His people (John 17:20–23).
• We are committed to the sanctity of the marriage bond and the importance of strong, loving Christian families.
• The Church embraces all biblical doctrines as taught in the New Testament and are outlined in the church’s 29 Biblical truths.
Statement on Marriage, Sexuality, and Human Life
The Church of God of Prophecy affirms the biblical teaching that marriage is sacred and should not be entered into lightly without proper preparation. Marriage was originally instituted by God as a properly recognized covenant relationship between one man and one woman for life. The Church affirms the biblical family as a father and mother in wedlock who may procreate children. The Church further asserts that the home, including the extended family, is to be guided by love, discipline, and other nurturing aspects as taught in God’s Word. Because the Church is committed to the sanctity of marriage and human life, we diligently stand against abortion, incest, abuse, euthanasia, adultery, divorce, homosexuality, and lesbianism, which we believe are contrary to God’s original design as expressed in His Word. All biblically unlawful unions such as same-sex, incestuous, or polygamous marriages are renounced by the Church even if they are recognized as legal by civil governments. Statement on the Sanctity of Human Life We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps 139.)
Final Authority for Matters of Faith and Conduct
The International Assembly, a meeting open to all members of the Church of God of Prophecy, is the highest decision-making body. It serves as an interpretative and decision-making body that deals with pressing universal truths requiring definitive decisions for translocal matters in expediting the proclamation of the Gospel (Acts 1:21–23; Ephesians 2:13–16, 19, 20; Acts 15:6–9). It is the place at which members of the Church and their official representatives assemble together under the headship of Christ to search the Scriptures. As the Bible is illuminated by the Spirit, understanding and resolution of differences of interpretations, which tend to be divisive among the churches, will be received. The International Assembly accepts the Bible as its highest authority.