Key Points:
The Church of God General Conference (Also Known as The Church of God of Abraham Faith) has roots in several similar groups in North America that eventually united in 1921 in Waterloo, Iowa to form the current national organization. These small groups had reached similar doctrinal convictions through independent Bible study. In the mid 1800s, some of the individuals and groups, including Joseph Marsh of New York, Nathaniel Field of Indiana, and the Wilson family of Illinois (Benjamin Wilson's family), began to circulate religious writings which made the groups aware of one another. This led to fellowship, the development of state conferences, and an attempted national organization in 1888. Strong convictions on the autonomy and authority of individual congregations, though, led to the demise of the original attempt.
In 1921 the groups divided, with the larger becoming the Church of God General Conference. Also the their was the brake off of the Christadelphians, who deny the belief that the Devil is a real person, and The Advent Christian Church who came to embrace the trinity, which contrast with the others.
Doctrines
Doctrines of the Church of God General Conference include belief in the authority of the Bible as the rule of faith, one God, who is the Father, Jesus is God's Son, who came into existence beginning with his miraculous conception in Mary's womb, repentance is life long change, the literal premillennial second coming of Jesus Christ, those who have accepted the gospel will be resurrected at the return of Christ, and that the promises of God to Abraham will be literally fulfilled, referred to as the "Kingdom of God" being established on earth.
Statement of Faith
The Oneness of GOD Non-Trinatarian (1 COR. 8:6);
The Holy Spirit is GOD’S Power (ACTS 1:8);
Jesus Christ is GOD's only Begotten Son (MATT. 16:16), AND IS OUR MEDIATOR (1 TIM. 2:5);
The Bible is the Inspired word of GOD (2 TIM. 3:16);
The Mortality of Man (JOB 4:17; PSA. 146:4);
The Near Return of Christ (ACTS 1:11), And Life Only Through Him (COL. 3:3);
The Literal Resurrection from the Dead (JOHN 5:28);
The Immortalization of those in Christ (1 COR. 15:53, 54);
The Destruction of the Wicked (REV. 21:8);
The Final Restoration of Israel as the Kingdom of GOD; Under the Kingship of Christ (LUKE 1:32); The Church will be Joint Heirs with Him (ROM. 8:17), AND Israel to be made head over the Gentile Nations (ISA. 60:1-3);
The “Restitution of all things Which GOD hath spoken by the mouth of all His Holy Prophets since the world began” (ACTS 3:21).
It Also firmly advocates: Repentance And Immersion in the name of JESUS CHRIST for the remission of sins (ACTS 2:38), and a consecrated life as essential to Salvation
Organization The Churches of God are congregational in government, yet cooperate in publications and missions ministries, and the Atlanta Bible College. International headquarters are located in McDonough in Henry County, Georgia in the metro-Atlanta area. The Restitution Herald is the official periodical of the church, and is published bi-monthly. A journal dealing with the doctrines of the movement, A Journal From the Radical Reformation, has been published quarterly since 1991. According to the Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches, the Church of God General Conference had 89 churches and 5018 members in 2002. See also Benjamin Wilson Church of the Blessed Hope
References
Handbook of Denominations in the United States, by Frank S. Mead and Samuel S. Hill Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches (2009), National Council of Churches
Hemingray, Peter (2003). John Thomas: His Friends and His Faith. Canton, MI: Christadelphian Tidings. ISBN 81-7887-012-6.
[edit] External links
Official website Atlanta Bible College
Restoration Fellowship
Profile of the Church of God General Conference on the ARDA website
Back to Home Page
Read More About The Abraham Faith COG Here At Wikipedia...
Read More About The Christadelphians Here At Wikipedia
Read More About The Adevnt Christian Church Here At Wikipedia
