Church of God of Prophecy - Beliefs

Beliefs

From early on, the Church of God of Prophecy has believed its principles are based on the Holy Bible, and continually researches scriptures through various committees. At the Eleventh Annual Assembly in 1915, the General Overseer stated in his annual address, "We do not claim to have reached perfection; we are only searching for it." The following doctrinal insights reflect current findings through the Church of God of Prophecy International Assembly. The leadership acknowledges through various studies and writings that there are human limits of spiritual comprehension. Therefore, the organization continually studies for greater knowledge of God's design for His Church and attempts to better align itself to the New Testament teachings of Christianity in order to continually grow and develop into the "fullness of the stature of Christ".

Henceforth, following each Assembly, the Biblical Doctrine and Polity Committee would be expected to make any further adjustments that would be required in light of this mandate to reflect Assembly decisions.

From its beginnings, the Church of God of Prophecy has asserted that its beliefs are based on "the whole Bible rightly divided." Water baptism by immersion, the Lord's Supper, and feet washing are held to be ordinances of the church. Individuals must profess to be born again in order to become members, as well as maintain a consistent Christian witness. This group does not maintain that an individual must be a member of their specific denomination to be a Christian.

The Church of God of Prophecy is firm in its commitment to orthodox Christian belief. It affirms that there is one God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It believes 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. It professes that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential for the salvation of sinful mankind.

It teaches the belief that the sinner is brought to an awareness of the need for salvation through the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. It teaches the belief that in sanctification by the blood of Christ, one is made holy. It affirms the present, active ministry of the Holy Spirit who guides the Church and by whose indwelling and empowerment that individuals are able to live godly lives and render effective service to God and others. It teaches 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). The organization is committed to the sanctity of the marriage bond and the importance of strong, loving Christian families.

The Church teaches (and many members believe) that it embraces all biblical doctrines as taught in the New Testament. The particular interpretation of the teachings (primarily from the New Testament) were originally introduced in a series of 29 sermons delivered on the Voice of Salvation radio program by M. A. Tomlinson, several doctrinal beliefs of the church became summarized by the 29 Prominent Teachings.

1. Repentance
2. Justification
3. Regeneration
4. Born Again
5. Sanctification
6. Holiness
7. Water Baptism
8. Baptism With the Holy Ghost
9. Speaking in Tongues
10. Full Restoration of the Gifts to the Church
11. Signs Following Believers
12. Fruit of the Spirit
13. Divine Healing
14. The Lord's Supper
15. Washing the Saints' Feet
16. Tithing and Giving
17. Restitution Where Possible
18. Pre-Millennial Second Coming of Jesus
19. Resurrection
20. Eternal Life for the Righteous
21. Eternal Punishment for the Wicked
22. Total abstinence from liquor or strong drink
23. Against the use of tobacco, opium, morphine, etc.
24. On Meats and Drinks
25. On the Sabbath
26. Adornment (historically Against Wearing Gold for Ornament)
27. Lodge/Secret Society Membership (historically Against Belonging to Lodges)
28. Wholesome Speech of the Believer ( (historically against swearing))
29. Divorce and Remarriage (historically Against Divorce and Remarriage Evil)

In recent years, some of these teachings have fallen out of prominence by its membership and/or have continued to evolve with recent and ongoing studies, some available on their international website concerning: issues of marriage, outward adornment, and total abstinence of strong drink, and use of prescription drugs. Some of these are core doctrinal shifts based on recent studies, and some are changes in common practice among the members.