Fundamental Beliefs

Our teachings and beliefs are based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the first-century, apostolic Church.  We adhere strictly to the entire Word of God, the Bible.  The following statements present the fundamental beliefs of the Church of God in Truth and Love.

The Nature of God

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The one, true, Most High God, the Eternal Father is present everywhere but has never been seen by men.  Jesus Christ, His Son, has always existed alongside His Father.  Jesus Christ was seen and worshipped long before He came as a man.  He is our Lord and Master, Savior, Redeemer, High Priest, Intercessor, Mediator, and the Head of the Church.  The Father and Son have the same character of love and outgoing concern and are one, which means They are completely united in purpose and will.  God has all power, glory, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.  God created the universe, angels, and all life, including mankind.

Genesis 1:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 45:6-7; 102:25-27; Isaiah 45; John 1:1-3,14,18; 5:36-37; 14:28; 15:1; 17:11,21-23; Acts 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 8:6; Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:14-15; 4:4-6; Colossians 1:15-20; 1 Timothy 6:13-16; Hebrews 1:1-4

Angels and Demons

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God created angels, powerful spirit beings with free will.  Before humans existed, one high-ranking angel (later called Satan) rebelled and led one-third of the angels in defiance of God.  They were defeated and became demons.  For a limited time, God allows them to influence and deceive the world and to tempt people to sin. Satan is the god of all false religion.  He is the originator and inventor of every false way.  Faithful angels continue to follow God by serving, protecting, and helping those who respond to God.

Psalm 91:11-12; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17; Matthew 25:41; John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 2:1-2; 1 Peter 5:8; Hebrews 1:14; Jude 1:6; Revelation 12:3-9

Humanity

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Human beings, both male and female, were created by God in His own image and likeness.  God instituted the family through the marriage of one man and one woman to reflect the family of God.  Human beings are created with a spiritual component called the spirit of man.  The spirit of man works with our physical brain to form our mind, the nature, and record of our life.  It gives us the ability to think, reason, and communicate with God.  The spirit of man is not immortal.  When we die, we are no longer conscious.  The spirit of man returns to God for safe-keeping until we are resurrected.  The purpose and potential of all human beings is to ultimately become sons and daughters of God in His eternal family and kingdom.

Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7,21-25; Job 32:8; Ecclesiastes 9:5,10; 12:7; Ezekiel 18:20; Zechariah 12:1; Romans 6:23; 8:14-17, 29; Ephesians 3:14-15; 5:22-32; 1 Timothy 6:16; 1 Corinthians 2:11; 15:45-49; Hebrews 2:10; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:1-2; Revelation 21:7

The Bible

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God the Father and Jesus Christ inspired the writing and preservation of the Bible as the word of God to reveal Themselves, Their law, and Their plan of salvation to mankind.  The Bible is free from error in its original form and is our only reliable source of truth and authority for what we believe, live, and teach.

Psalm 19:7-11; 119:142; 119:151; 119:160; Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 4:4; John 1:1-3; 5:39; 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 1:1

God’s Law and Sin

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The mind, character, and nature of the Father and Jesus Christ are expressed in the law of God, which is based on loving God and loving other people. The law of God begins with the Ten Commandments, but includes much more. The law defines what is right and what is wrong.  Obeying the law of God produces blessings and an understanding of the mind of God.  Breaking the law of God is called sin, which produces pain, heartache, misery, and death. Jesus Christ gave, taught, magnified, and perfectly exemplified God’s standard of righteousness and explained the full spiritual intent of His law. Christians are expected to obey both the letter and the spirit of God’s law.

Exodus 20:1-17; Leviticus 19:2; Deuteronomy 4:13-14; 5:5-22; 28:1-14; Psalm 111:10; 119:98-100, 172; Isaiah 42:21; Ezekiel 18:20; Matthew 5:17-20; 22:36-40; Romans 3:23, 6:23; 7:12; James 1:15; 2:7-12; 1 John 3:4; 5:2-3; Revelation 20:12-15

The Sabbath

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God commands all mankind to recognize the seventh day of the week (from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) as the Sabbath, a day made for mankind from creation.  He commands that it be kept holy as a day of rest and worship.  It is a day to cease from work, focus on God, and study His word in fellowship with God’s people, following the example of Jesus Christ and the early Church.  The Sabbath is the sign of the people of God.

Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 16:23-30; 20:8-11; 31:13-17; 35:1-3; Leviticus 23:1-3, 23; Ezekiel 20:12, 20; Isaiah 58:13-14; Matthew 12:9-12; Mark 2:27-28; Luke 4:16; Acts 13:42-44; 17:2; 18:4; Hebrews 4:4-11; 10:24-25

The Passover

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In Egypt God commanded the Israelites to kill the Passover lamb between sunset and darkness at the beginning of the 14th day of the first month.   Several hours later, at midnight on the 14th, God sent the destroyer to kill the firstborn of the Egyptians but to pass over the homes marked by the lamb’s blood.  God commands that the Passover be kept each year between sunset and darkness at the beginning of the 14th day of the first month.  Jesus Christ instituted the New Covenant symbols for the Passover on the night that He was betrayed: foot washing, unleavened bread, and wine.  Baptized members keep the Passover in this way as an annual memorial of His sacrifice.

Exodus 12:1-14; Leviticus 23:5; Numbers 9:1-14; Deuteronomy 16:1-7; Matthew 26:17-30; Luke 22:7-20; John 13:1-17; 18:28; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 11:20,23-30

God’s Annual Holy Days

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God commanded mankind to observe His annual festivals, each at a specific time on the Hebrew calendar (as preserved by the Jews) and in a specific manner.  Each festival pictures a step in God’s plan of salvation for all humanity.  Jesus Christ, the apostles, and the early Church kept them.  They continue to be observed today by God’s people and will be observed in the kingdom of God under the reign of Jesus Christ.

Exodus 23:14-17; Leviticus 23:1-44; Deuteronomy 16:1-17; Isaiah 66:22-23; Zechariah 14:16-19; Luke 2:41-42; 22:1; John 7:2,8-10,14,37; Acts 2:1; 18:21; 20:16; 27:9; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; Colossians 2:16-17

God’s Food Laws

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God’s people are to avoid all foods that contain what He identifies as unclean or unfit to eat.  God commanded that only certain mammals, birds, fish, and insects are “clean” and suitable for food and that others are “unclean” and not suitable for food.  God also commands that no blood or excess fat should be eaten, so the meat of clean animals must also be properly bled and fat trimmed or it also becomes unfit to eat.

Genesis 7:2-4; 9:4; Leviticus 3:17; 7:26-27; 11:1-47; 17:10-14; 19:26; Deuteronomy 12:16,23-25; 14:3-21; 15:23; Isaiah 66:17; Acts 10:13-15,28; 15:20

Tithing

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God commands each person to give a tenth of their increase to support the work of preaching the gospel message and the teaching of His word.  He also commands each person to save or set aside another tenth for the purpose of joyfully keeping His festivals.  In addition, God expects those in need to receive care.

Genesis 14:18-20; 28:20-22; Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:21-26; Deuteronomy 14:22-29; Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:6-12; Matthew 23:23; 1 Corinthians 9:4-14

Christ’s Life, Death, and Resurrection

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Jesus Christ willingly left His place with the Father and lived as a man to be our example.  Then, according to Their plan, after living without ever sinning, He kept His final Passover.  In the garden, He began to shed His blood as our Passover lamb.  He was arrested, tortured and the following afternoon freely gave His life to pay for the sins of all humanity.  He was buried just before sunset, when the Feast of Unleavened Bread began.  Then, after three days and three nights in the grave, at the end of the weekly Sabbath, the Father raised Him from the dead.  This is the only sign He gave that He is the Messiah, the sign of Jonah, which He prophesied and fulfilled exactly.  He appeared before the Father as the wave-sheaf offering to become the first of the firstfruits, making our resurrection to life possible.

Leviticus 23:5-6, 9-14; Jonah 1:17; Matthew 12:40; 26:17; 27:57-60; 28:1-10; Mark 15:42-16:6; Luke 22:7-20, 39-46; 23:50-54; John 1:4-5,9-14; 3:13-16; 19:31; 20:1,17; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8,20-23; Philippians 2:6-11; 1 Peter 2:21-24; Hebrews 2:19-18; 4:14-15; 9:24

God’s Calling and Election

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Today is not the only time that salvation will be offered to humanity.  God the Father is only calling a relatively small number of people out of this present evil world.   He gets to know a person and if He determines to call them now, He opens their mind to understand the truth.  God grants His spirit to give the ability to understand and live by His truth.  The rest of humanity will be given their opportunity for salvation later.

Jeremiah 1:5; Ezekiel 37:1-15; Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9; 10:1-4; 11:20-24; 20:16; John 1:45-51; 6:44,65; 10:3-5; 14:16-17, 26; 16:13; Acts 2:39; Romans 1:6-7; 8:9-14, 11:25-26; 28-30; 9:10-12,24; 11:29; 1 Corinthians 1:9,22-29; 2:9-14; 7:17-24; Galatians 1:6,15; 5:8,13; Ephesians 1:18; 4:1-4; Colossians 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Hebrews 3:1; 9:15; 1 Peter 1:15; 2:9; 5:10; James 1:18; Jude 1:1; Revelation 17:14; 20:11-15

The Conversion Process

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Four related concepts: Repentance, Faith, Forgiveness, and Salvation are all part of the process to convert or transform mortal men and women into children of God, ready to inherit immortality and eternal life in the family of God.  Once a person is called by the Father, it is their responsibility to decide to respond to His call and repent.  To repent means a person changes their way of life, turning from their life of sin and turning to a life pleasing to God.  It requires a person to make a lifelong commitment to live according to God’s law and allow Jesus Christ to lead them as their Lord and Master.  But this requires the person to have faith that God exists, that He loves them, that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, and that the blood of Jesus Christ will pay the debt (the death penalty) for their sins.  Their sins must be forgiven, they must continue to repent and grow in their faith, becoming more like Jesus Christ.

2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 86:5; 103:2-4; 130:3-4; Ezekiel 18:23, 30, 32; 33:11; Matthew 9:1-8; 16:24; Luke 9:23; John 3:16-17; 8:11; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:30-31; 17:30; Romans 3:21-26; 5:1,8-10; 6:23; 8:29; 12:1-2; 13:12-14; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 7:10; Galatians 3:26-27; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-9; 4:13-15; Hebrews 2:17; 9:22; 11:1, 6; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 John 1:7-10; 2:2; 3:1-2; 4:10; Revelation 2:5; 3:19-20; 19:1

Baptism and Receiving God’s Spirit

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After genuine repentance, a person must be baptized by full immersion in water as a symbol of the death and burial of their old way of life and coming under the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.  Coming out of the baptismal water represents the resurrection to a new way of life dedicated to keeping God’s law.  Following baptism, elders lay their hands on the person and ask God to give them His spirit.  God’s spirit is the guarantee (or down payment) of our inheritance of eternal life.  It is the power by which the newly baptized person can become converted, live pleasing to God, and develop the mind, character, and nature of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 2:38; 8:12-17; 16:30-34; 19:1-7; Romans 6:3-5; 8:9-11, 13-14, 28; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 3:18; 5:5; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 13-14; Philippians 2:5; Colossians 2:11-12; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7

The Church of God

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Jesus Christ founded the Church of God, which is the spiritual body of Christ rather than a physical building or merely a human organization.  It is composed of those who have genuinely repented, been baptized, and received God’s spirit.  Its members pray to the Father, study and think deeply about God’s Word, and strive to live according to His way of life.  The Church gathers in holy convocations on the weekly and annual Sabbaths for worship, instruction, encouragement, and fellowship.  The mission of the Church is to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God to the world and prepare itself for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, as His bride.

Matthew 5:16; 16:18; 24:14, 42-44; 28:19-20; Mark 1:14-15; Acts 2:42,47; 17:11; 1 Corinthians 12:4-14,26-28; Ephesians 3:9-12; 4:4, 11-16; 5:26-27; 1 Timothy 3:14-15; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-17; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 10:23-25; 12:22-23; James 1:22; Revelation 19:7-9

Elders and Deacons

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Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church of God.  Elders and deacons are ordained to serve under His leadership, teach, preach, and strengthen the members.  The primary function of elders is to meet the spiritual needs of the Church, while deacons function to meet the physical needs.  The Biblical pattern is that elders of the Church are to lay hands on a person, anoint with oil, and ask God to give His spirit to them at baptisms, in the blessing of little children, for healings, and in ordinations to positions of special service in the Church.

Matthew 4:23-24; Mark 6:13; 10:13-16; Luke 13:10-13; Acts 5:12; 6:1-6; 8:14-17; 13:2-3; 14:23; 19:1-6; 20:28; 28:8; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Hebrews 6:1-2; James 5:14-15;

The Promises to Abraham

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God made specific promises to Abraham and his descendants.  The fulfillment of the physical promises and blessings have shaped several nations throughout history.  The spiritual promises are fulfilled through Jesus Christ.  Understanding these promises helps explain God's ongoing work with people and nations and provides an important foundation for understanding biblical prophecy concerning the return of Jesus Christ.

Genesis 12:1-3; 17:1-8; 22:15-18; 26:2-5; 35:9-12; 48:15-22; 49:8-12, 24-26; Deuteronomy 33:13-17; Romans 4:13, 16; 9:7-8; Galatians 3:8-9, 14-18, 26-29; Hebrews 11:8-12, 39-40

The First Resurrection

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After 3 ½ years of great, unparalleled turmoil, natural disasters, and warfare, known as the Great Tribulation, Jesus Christ will return to the Earth.  At that time, the faithful who have died will be raised and with the faithful who remain alive will be changed into immortal, spirit beings and will rise to meet Jesus Christ in the air.  These are the firstfruits.  They will live and reign with Him on Earth.  This is the first resurrection.

Daniel 7:25; 12:7; Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:1-12; Jeremiah 46:10; Ezekiel 39:17-20; Zechariah 14:1-19; Malachi 4:1-3; Matthew 24:21-31; Luke 21:35; 1 Corinthians 15:23-25,51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; 5:1-3; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 3:10; 5:10; 11:2-3, 12:6, 14; 13:5; 15-19; 16:13-16; 19:11-21; 20:1-10

God’s Kingdom

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The good news, the gospel message, our hope of salvation, is that Jesus Christ will return, remove Satan as the god of this world, and establish God’s kingdom on this earth forever.  All the nations and kingdoms of this Earth will come under the rule of Jesus Christ and His saints.  The saints, as spirit beings, will be added to the family of God as heirs of the kingdom.  It is the time of restoration, increase, and peace.  The first thousand years in God’s kingdom is known as the millennium.  The people who survive the Tribulation will be subjects of the kingdom.  They will be taught God’s way, have access to God’s spirit, and be offered salvation.  At the end of that age, Satan will be released and deceive a vast multitude to rebel against God.  God will send fire to devour them and Satan will be cast into the lake of fire.

Ezekiel 37:1-14; Matthew 11:21-24; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 20:5-6,11-15; 21:8

The Final Judgment

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After the thousand years of Jesus Christ’s rule and Satan is removed forever, all who have ever lived and died without knowing the truth will be raised back to physical life.  This is the second resurrection.  Each person will be given the opportunity to learn God’s way and receive salvation.  Each person will face the judgment at the Great White Throne and will either be given immortality and eternal life or suffer the second death and be completely obliterated.

Isaiah 2:2-4; 9:6-7; 11:9-12; 30:20-21; Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14, 18, 27; Zechariah 14:9, 16-19; Matthew 3:1-2; 4:17,23; 9:35; 10:7; 13:3-52; 16:28; 19:23-24; 20:1-16; 22:1-14; 24:14; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:43; Acts 1:3; 3:19-21, 8:12; 28:30-31; Romans 8:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:24, 50; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:13-14; Hebrews 12:28; 2 Peter 1:10-11; Revelation 5:10; 11:15; 20:1-10