The Church of God (Jerusalem Acres) - Faith and Practice

Faith and Practice

The faith and practice of The Church of God at Jerusalem Acres is similar to the related Church of God bodies, but with more of a "Jewish" flavor, which they call "New Testament Judaism". Because the church believes that Judaism is God's plan of worship, "New Testament Judaism" reflects the fact that Jesus came to reform Judaism, not to destroy it. In fact this body is often identified, and occasionally self-identified, as The Church of God (New Testament Judaism). This body teaches Theocratic government and teaches that the whole Bible is the inspired word of God; salvation by accepting Jesus as Saviour; the seventh-day Sabbath; the nine gifts of the Spirit and five gifts of ministry; and the post-tribulational premillennial return of Jesus Christ. While the group accepts prophecy as ongoing today, they believe that modern prophets are fallible, and therefore modern prophecies are not considered equal with the Bible.

The Church of God at Jerusalem Acres does not celebrate traditional holidays which were introduced by the Roman Catholic Church, such as Christmas, Easter, and All Saints Day. Their church calendar is based on the Hebrew calendar. They observe or celebrate a number of days, some of which are peculiar to their denomination. For example:

• Reformation Day – February 13, the day the church was reformed from apostasy
• Passover – 14th of Abib (Jewish month); the "New Testament" Passover include the observance of the Memorial Supper and feet washing
• Pentecost – the feast of 50 days after Passover; the church celebrates this day "in much the same manner in which the early church observed it in Acts 2..." This is also the time of their General Assembly, in which members from their churches travel to Cleveland, Tennessee for a week-long gathering and special service schedule.
• Arise, Shine Day – June 13, the day A. J. Tomlinson "found" the Church of God; (June 13, 1903)
• Feast of Tabernacles, which they recognize as the time of the birth of Jesus Christ, in the Jewish month, Tishri

The Church of God at Jerusalem Acres observes the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath.