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THE CHURCH OF GOD
The Church is the spiritual body of Christ, a
group of persons called out by God and impregnated with His Holy Spirit. As a spiritual
body, the Church is made up of baptized, spirit filled individuals who are scattered
around the world. As a physical, external organization, the Church has meeting places in
many areas worldwide where members and non-members alike, as well as. children and guests,
meet in harmony to worship God and to learn His Way under the guidance of an ordained
minister as their spiritual elder and leader. The main commission of the Church is to
preach the gospel as a witness to the world and to baptize and spiritually nurture those
whom God has called.
While God at times has dealt with particular human beings on an
individual basis, He has normally worked through the congregation of Israel; in New
Testament times this became "spiritual Israel" or the Church. The Greek word for
"church" (ekklesia) is a common noun meaning group, "crowd" or
"assembly." It is used collectively of the group of persons with whom God is
dealing and in whom dwells God's Holy Spirit.
The New Testament Church was originated and developed through Jesus
Christ and the preaching of His twelve disciples who were later called apostles. The
Church dates its origin from the first Pentecost following Christ's ascension as explained
in Acts 2. Here Luke records the assembling together of Christ's disciples, the outpouring
of God's Holy Spirit upon them, and the consequent conversion of 3,000 of them who
believed in the gospel and person of Jesus Christ. From this point on, "the Lord
added to the Church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).
A number of metaphors or analogies are used by the Bible to clarify the
organization of the Church and to explain the place of the members within it.
Corinthians 12 describes God's Church as a unified organism with the various members
depicted as various parts of the body with various responsibilities, administrations and
duties. Each member has an important contribution to the overall well-being of the whole
body; each has his own unique part in enabling the whole body of the Church to accomplish
its ultimate objectives. The Church is also referred to as a spiritual building (1 Cor.
3:9-17) and as a familythe members being spiritually related one to another (Eph.
3:15). They are called the siblings of Christ (Rom. 8:29) who, as their elder brother,
leads them and directs them in their way (Heb. 2:10).
The name most often used by the Bible to refer to God's Church is
"the Church of God" (1 Cor. 1:2;
2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:13; 1 Tim. 3:5; etc.). In
accordance with this biblical example, we are named the "Church of
God"adding the description "Intercontinental" to form our official
corporate name, "Intercontinental Church of God" in order to differentiate
ourselves legally from other groups who call themselves "Church of God." Our
name also delineates the scope of this Church.
The Church is also pictured as Christ's bride. The members live in a
state of expectation and preparation for the return of the divine bridegroom (Eph.
5:22-32; Rev. 21:9). The bride is striving to prepare herself to be acceptable to Christ
by the process of spiritual growth, in order to become perfect and to measure up to the
full stature of the bridegroom, Christ.
Becoming a part of the Church of God is not an incidental matter. A
person is first called of God (John 6:44), given an invitation as it were. Before
accepting, Jesus said a person should "count the cost" (Lk. 14:28), because the
Christian life is often difficult. When a person accepts this calling, he must repent of
his past sins and go through the ordinance of baptism by immersion. This symbolizes the
washing away of all his past sins. Then, with the laying on of hands by the ministry, the
person receives the begettal of the Holy Spirit. His covenant with God is now signed and
sealed. At this point a person becomes a full-fledged member of the Church of God. He
becomes a Christian, a "saint," a begotten child of God reserved for the
Members of the Church are exhorted to become a cohesive family unit.
Judging each other (Rom. 14:13), making spiritual comparisons among themselves (2 Cor.
10:12), forming cliques, favoring one minister over another (1 Cor. 1:11-13), gossiping,
etc. are all divisive and counterproductive of collective goals. What Christians should
strive for is working together to further the preaching of the gospel, serving the poor,
helping weak brethren, encouraging the dejected, visiting the sick, aiding the elderly,
bearing each other's burdens; these are the fundamentals of Christianity and produce a
The Church constitutes the body of Christ, a spiritual entity (Col.
2:19). As such, "the Church" is not merely a building, or even strictly speaking
a physical organization of persons who have "joined" the Church by having their
names placed on a computer listing. It is rather that group of persons in whom dwells
God's Holy Spirit. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether
we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into
one spirit" (1 Cor. 12:13). Likewise, Romans 8:9 states that "if any man have
not the spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Although any person in whom God's Holy
Spirit dwells is by definition a member of God's Church, it is nevertheless erroneous to
assume that any and all nominal Christians are actually part of God's true Church. The
Bible also maintains that: "There is one body and one Spirit, even as you are
called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism..." (Eph.
One area where the Intercontinental Church of God has been accused of
deviating from the early New Testament Church ironically demonstrates just the reverse.
The claim is sometimes made that while the early church preached the doctrine of grace
through Christ, the Intercontinental Church of God preaches the doctrine of obedience to
the Law of God. Though often distortede.g. the Church does not preach that
salvation can be earned (see the appropriate doctrinal statements in this
systematic theology)there is an element of truth here, and a significant element at that. To
understand the critical parallelism, it is necessary to first compare the religious
environments of first century Judaism in which the early church began
with twentieth century Christianity in which the Intercontinental Church of God began. Judaism of the
first century was extremely strict by modem standards; its teachings were well known and
stressed the enormous importance of keeping not only God's law but numerous additions to
that law as well. In this environment, it would have been ludicrous for the early apostles
to emphasize the need to keep God's Sabbath, for example (see Sabbath). They stressed what
was new and revolutionarythat salvation was a free gift and could not be earned,
that Christ's death paid the penalty for sin, that forgiveness and grace was available
through Christ, that Christ was resurrected, etc. Today, the religious environment is
almost diametrically the reverse, necessitating a change in the emphasis of
doctrinal teaching in order to produce the same overall result. The prevalent Christian
message for centuries has been about the person of Christ, His shed blood, grace,
salvation, etc. to the exclusion of the importance of keeping God's law which Jesus and
the apostles knew so well. Consequently, owing to opposing religious situations and
circumstances, in order for the Church of God to clearly present to the world precisely
the same overall concept of God's total revelation as did the early New Testament church,
it is essential that more emphasis be put on keeping God's law. What we preach and
practice today is, in the final result, as close as possible to what the apostolic church
preached and practiced. Whatever differences there may be only reflect either cultural
disparities and/or shifts in stress or accent needed to generate the desired doctrinal
Another demonstration of God's Church is its fidelity to the Word of
God. While recognizing that it has developed a certain body of traditional beliefs,
interpretations, and practices, the Church of God is unique in its willingness to abandon
tradition when it becomes convinced that such is out of harmony with the Bible. The
biblical teachings rather than church tradition are considered the absolute standard of
right and wrong. Many other churches make this claim as well. However, our own history
over the past decades has backed up the claim with decisive action. When certain
understandings and beliefs were examined and found to be incorrect or lacking, they
were changed or modified. This fact has produced some astonishment in certain students of
religious history because churches as a rule are quite reluctant to go against established
tradition and usually greatly resist any movement for change, no matter how much they may
also claim to follow the Bible as their ultimate authority.
The Church of God is administratively organized in
accordance with general biblical guidelines and in a manner viable in this 21st century society. The head
of the Church is Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:22-23), who leads and inspires the Church and its
leadership through His Holy Spirit. Under Christ in authority are the ministers,
theologians, and Church executives who fulfill religious and administrative
responsibilities respectively in accord with such scriptures as
1 Corinthians 12:28-30 and
Throughout biblical history, God's Church has had a relatively unified
basic commissionthat of carrying God's message to those who have yet to hear and
accept it. Two scriptures which outline this commission are Matthew 24:14 and Matthew
28:29-30: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a
witness unto all nations;
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
(and] teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. .
." (v. 19-20).
This message may at times be delivered through speaking, writing, by
one's very life or any combination of these and other possible means. But regardless of
the means, to preach the gospel to the world is the express purpose, goal, commission and
very reason for being of the Church. Consequently, the central thrust of the leadership of
God's Church today is towards preaching the gospel which is referred to both as an
"announcement" and as a "witness and warning." The membership realizes
that the purpose of the Church is for the preaching of the message and not merely for its
own spiritual sustenance. The membership is wholeheartedly and enthusiastically behind
this effort; indeed they recognize that the purpose for their own calling now is to help
do the Work of God in addition to growing in their own Christian development.
Although the Church is described as a comparatively small group or
flock (Luke. 12:32; Matthew 7:14), Christ nonetheless assigns it an awesome task to fulfill. The
members are to be worthy ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20)i.e. effective
representatives of the godly way of lifeand proclaim to the world God's plan for
mankind. They are required to let their "manner of life be worthy of the gospel of
Christ" (Phil. 1:27), i.e. they should be a positive example of Christianity in
presenting the gospel to the world.
The Church recognizes that its local congregations are a powerful means
by which the gospel may be preached both through the example set by the membership of true
Christianity and through the effect that the local congregation should have on the
community it serves.
The objectives of the local congregation include more than just the
spiritual development of its members. Every congregation supports the work of preaching
the gospel worldwide. Every congregation also serves as a nucleus for new converts. It
also fosters educational programs to help all from the very young to the very elderly to
grow in the knowledge of Christ.
But "pure religion" involves more than preaching; it is a way
of life exemplified by the biblical teachings of "love of God" and "love
your neighbor as yourself. " The local congregations of the Church of God endeavor to
bear the burdens of the needy and be a light to their communities through service to their
fellow man and by the example of their personal lives (James. 1:27).
Since the first qualification for being able to help others is for the
individual himself to be a living success, the Church actively seeks to develop the
potential of each member through nationwide programs for its adults and its youth. These
programs are designed to aid each individual in sustained, personal growth and development
so that all might better reflect God's way of life to those around them.
But personal development is not satisfying unless it can be channeled
in a productive and creative way. Jesus exhorted His disciples to come to the aid of those
in need (Matthew 25:34-36). Such humanitarian activities are the highest expression of love
for God and one's fellow man (v. 45). Therefore, the Church of God recognizes this
God-enjoined responsibility and strongly encourages each local congregation "as we
therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of
the household of faith" (Gal. 6:10). And though the Church does not promote a
lay-ministry concept it is firmly believed that each member can be a powerful witness for
Christ by living a truly exemplary life of service and growth (1 Pet. 2:9-17).
Members of the Church of God are encouraged through weekly Sabbath
services, periodic Bible studies and other religious and social events, to learn the true
qualities of Christianity that are expressed in love for God and love for neighbor. This
love for one's neighbor means that a true Christian will help his fellow man both in and
out of the Church in every reasonable way. A true Christian will set an example of hard
work on his job, during recreation and in all aspects of daily life. His example of
leading a godly life should positively influence those around him and serve as his
personal and individual witness of the truth of the gospel of Christ. Historically, the
example of the membership of God's Church in the community has had a powerful effect on
those with whom they came into contact.
Likewise, as a group, the combined membership of a local
congregationled by its ministermay, as a the opportunity arises, serve its
local community during disaster or time of special need. Once again, the positive
Christian example of such a local congregation in the community will be a great testimony
to the proper principles of God. Thus the working nucleus of the Church of God, letting
its "light so shine before men" (Matthew 5:16), is the local congregation.
Members of God's Church are therefore exhorted to attend the religious
activities of the Church. These are not ends in themselves but directives of God, designed
to spiritually strengthen the individuals and the local congregation as a whole so that
the light of their Christianity might burn more brightly. This policy is in accordance
with the command of God that Christians should not neglect to meet together (Heb. 10:25).
This scripture is actually a warning from Paul to Christians "not to forsake the
assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is" (Heb. 10:25). This warning
was made in the realization that daily cares can distract us from God and His plans for
us. Meeting together regularly on God's weekly Sabbath and His annual holy days provides
Christians with the opportunity to have spiritual goals reestablished and spiritual vision
renewed. One who would habitually neglect Church services, with the exception of
circumstances beyond his control, is neglecting an important aspect of his spiritual life.
Local Church services also provide the community, as well as the membership, with an open
meeting to hear the truths of God that the minister expounds from the Bible.
As already mentioned, the Church of God traces its spiritual history
back to the apostolic church of the New Testament. This claim is founded on the fact that
what we believe and teach in the twentieth century are the same basic doctrines that the
original Church believed and taught in the first century.
Jesus said, "I will build my church, and the powers of death shall
not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). Consequently, we believe that God has always
had, from Christ's time to this, some faithful group which He has used to perpetuate and
propagate His truth.
Although the Church of God recognizes that its recent history is short,
it sees many spiritual and doctrinal predecessors through the last two millennia and
traces its history genealogically as well as spiritually to the New Testament Church.
It has never been the responsibility of God's Church to evangelize for
the express purpose of proselyting new members. God is the one who calls persons to His
Church by opening their minds to His gospel (John. 6:44; Rom. 9:15-16). Nevertheless, as a
result of the preaching of Christ's disciples, new convertsas called by God (John.
6:44) and in numbers God chooses (Acts 2:47)are brought into the Church. Here they
are nurtured through God's Word and helped by the ministry and each other to grow in grace
and the knowledge of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18).
This publication is intended to be
used as a personal study tool. Please know it is not wise to take any man's word
for anything, so prove all things for yourself from the pages of your own Bible.
The Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association
P.O. Box 747
Flint, TX 75762
Phone: (903) 561-7070 • Fax: (903) 561-4141
More FREE literature is available at our Internet Web Site:
The activities of the Garner Ted Armstrong
Evangelistic Association are paid for by tithes, offerings and donations
freely given by Christians and co-workers who are dedicated to preaching the
gospel according to Jesus Christ.