Church of God of Prophecy
Church of God of Prophecy | |
---|---|
A. J. Tomlinson | |
Origin | 1886 |
Branched from | Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) |
Separations | Church of God (Huntsville, Alabama) (1944)
The Church of God (Jerusalem Acres) (1957)
The Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee) (1993) |
Congregations | Over 12,000[1] |
Members | 1,500,000[2] |
Official website | cogop |
The Church of God of Prophecy (COGOP) is a Holiness Pentecostal Christian Church. It is one of six Church of God bodies headquartered in Cleveland, Tennessee, that arose from a small meeting of believers who gathered at the Holiness Church at Camp Creek near the Tennessee/North Carolina border on Saturday, June 13, 1903.[3]
The Church of God of Prophecy has congregations and missions in over 130 countries, with a membership of over 1,500,000.
History
The Church has, in the past, internally referred to itself as "Church of God" in its worship services. Many past official records utilized that name with the parenthetical qualifier of "(Cleveland, Tennessee)". However, the more generic moniker fell out of common official use many decades ago. There was controversy over which side of the division had the legal right to the name and who was really the true "Church of God". This (COGOP) body was definitely a part of the original "Church of God", over which originally
Early history
In August 1886, Elder Richard Spurling (1810-1891), an ordained
Around 1895, a
New churches were organized in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. The first annual meeting of all the churches was held in 1906 in Cherokee County, North Carolina, and the name "Church of God" was adopted in 1907. Tomlinson professed a baptism of the Holy Ghost experience in 1908, which firmly established the Church as part of the Pentecostal Movement. This took place under the preaching of Gaston B. Cashwell, a minister who was very influential in bringing Pentecostalism to North Carolina, the Appalachians and the east coast. In 1909, Tomlinson was elected general overseer of the Church of God.
The present day Church of God of Prophecy officially accepts the Bible as God's holy word, inspired, inerrant, and infallible and as the highest authority in matters of faith and practice.[6] This expression, rightly divided, is evidence that the early 20th century organizers of the Church of God of Prophecy were heavily influenced by the works of C. I. Scofield, in particular his writings on dispensationalism.[7]
In 1923, the Church of God was disrupted by matters concerning finance and governance, leading to a division. The largest body resulting from the division exists as the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee). What is now known as the Church of God of Prophecy was the smaller body and remained under the leadership of Tomlinson. Tomlinson continued as general overseer over this Church until his death in 1943.
The
Schisms
In 1943–44, Homer Aubrey Tomlinson, older brother of Milton, left to form a denomination headquartered in Queens Village, Queens. This denomination would become the Church of God (Huntsville, Alabama), when it relocated its headquarters after Homer's death in 1968. Homer founded the Theocratic Party and was its candidate for U.S. president in 1952 and 1964. He was a Bishop who planned to crown himself King of the World or "King of All Nations of Men" in Jerusalem on October 7, 1966.
In 1957, Grady R. Kent went out of the Church of God of Prophecy and formed
When the Church elected a new general overseer in 1990 after the retirement of Milton Tomlinson, the stage was set for another division. A small body left in 1993 after a division in the Church led to another Church being formed by a group that felt that its congregation was led by God to appoint Robert J. Pruitt as their general overseer. That group, called is commonly known as The Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee).
Recent history
"Exclusivity" has never been an official Church teaching. However, some ministers have subscribed to such teachings, and still hold them today, separate from the Church's official stance on the subject. The Church is working hard to correct the negative impression that this assumption has caused. In 2004, a joint cooperative world evangelism effort began between the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) and the Church of God of Prophecy. This, and other efforts, are steps toward healing the effects of the long-time hurt and mistrust between the two organizations. [citation needed]
In 2006, at the Church's bi-annual General Assembly, General Overseer Fred Fisher retired from this leadership role and a new general overseer was appointed, Randy Howard. After a week-long discussion between members at this same General Assembly, the Church changed its long-standing interpretation of acceptable reasons for divorce and remarriage. The Church agreed that people who had been divorced (for the cause of fornication) and were later remarried may become members of the Church of God of Prophecy. There was an overwhelming majority, made up of several thousand voting members, that voted for the change.
Bishop Howard announced his resignation on April 26, 2013, for a season of spiritual renewal and to focus on personal issues within his family. With Howard's resignation, the general presbyters of the Church were Bishops David Browder (Asia and Oceania), Sam Clements (North America), Clayton Endecott (Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Middle East), Benjamin Feliz (Central America, Mexico and Spanish-speaking Caribbean), Clayton Martin (Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean Isles), Stephen Masilela (Africa) and Gabriel Vidal (South America) served as a plurality of leadership until before the International Assembly convened in Orlando, Florida in late July 2014.[citation needed]
During the pre-Assembly meeting of International Presbytery, after days of prayer and discussion, it was discerned that Bishop Sam N. Clements, North America General Presbyter, was God's choice as the sixth general overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy. Bishop Clements began his term on September 1, 2014.[citation needed] The current Presiding Bishop is Tim Coalter, who was selected at the 2022 International Assembly.[10]
Beliefs
From early on, the Church of God of Prophecy has claimed belief in principles based in the 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 the 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".
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, 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.[11]
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).[12] The organization is committed to the sanctity of the marriage bond and the importance of strong, loving Christian families.[citation needed]
The Church teaches (and many members believe) that it embraces all biblical doctrines as taught in the New Testament. The particular interpretations 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.[8]
- Repentance
- Justification
- Regeneration
- Born Again
- Sanctification
- Holiness
- Water Baptism
- Baptism With the Holy Ghost
- Speaking in Tongues
- Full Restoration of the Gifts to the Church
- Signs Following Believers
- Fruit of the Spirit
- Divine Healing
- The Lord's Supper
- Washing the Saints' Feet
- Tithing and Giving
- Restitution Where Possible
- Pre-Millennial Second Coming of Jesus
- Resurrection
- Eternal Life for the Righteous
- Eternal Punishment for the Wicked
- Total abstinence from liquor or strong drink
- Against the use of tobacco, opium, morphine, etc.
- On Meats and Drinks
- On the Sabbath
- Against Wearing Gold for Ornament[8]
- Lodge/Secret Society Membership (historically Against Belonging to Lodges[8])
- Wholesome Speech of the Believer [citation needed] (historically against swearing)[8]
- Against Divorce and Remarriage Evil[8]
References
- ^ COGOP Global - World Info
- ^ About the Church of God of Prophecy Archived 2007-05-25 at archive.today
- The Church of God for All Nations; and The Church of God, Alexander Jackson Sr. General Overseer
- ^ History the Church of God of Prophecy Archived 2013-04-14 at archive.today, Church of God of Prophecy website, accessed Aug 10, 2008
- ^ "2008 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches". The National Council of Churches. Archived from the original on 2013-03-08. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
- ^ The Beliefs of the Church of God of Prophecy Archived 2008-08-28 at archive.today, Church of God of Prophecy website, accessed June 22, 2008
- ^ a b Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth (1896)
- ^ a b c d e f Basic Bible Beliefs (1961), White Wing Publishing House And Press,
While these doctrinal sermons were written by Bishop Tomlinson, they are not to be considered as reflecting only his opinion. They represent the collective judgments of thousands of dedicated men of God who have sought the guidance of the Spirit for a true interpretation of God's Word. The language is the author's but the truths that language expresses belong to God and all those who sincerely seek his will.
- ISBN 0-86554-758-0.
- ^ Presiding Bishop Tim Coalter". Church of God of Prophecy.
- ^ "Biblical Principles, Beliefs and Practices". Church of God of Prophecy. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
- ^ Bible Gateway, John 17:20-23
Further reading
- Lillie Duggar, A. J. Tomlinson, Former Overseer of the Church of God, White Wing Messenger: 1964.
- R.G. Robins, A. J. Tomlinson: Plainfolk Modernist, New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.
- Encyclopedia of Religion in the South, Samuel S. Hill, editor
- Gates Shall Not Prevail, by Raymond A. Carpenter
- The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, by Stanley M. Burgess and Eduard M. Van Der Maas
- The Church of God of Prophecy History & Polity, James Stone
External links
- Official website
- Tomlinson Center - official Church college web site
- Iglesia de Dios de la Profecia RNH.D1.New England (in Spanish)
- Fields of the Wood - biblical theme park
- Profile of the Church of God of Prophecy on the Association of Religion Data Archives website Archived 2013-03-08 at the Wayback Machine