Doctrinal Statement

As a covenant community comprised of followers of Jesus Christ devoted to the Word of God, the Pentecostal Church of God adheres to the following essential values as foundational doctrines and those things which we hold as absolute beliefs (Luke 1:1); seeking always the global advancement of the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:8); endeavoring to be connected and serve with a Christ-honoring approach that there be no divisive disturbance of the peace and harmony within the Body of Christ (Mark 10:45, 1 Corinthians 1:10) in order that we will be a relevant voice to reach the unreached peoples of our generation and send the reached into the harvest (Acts 13:36). 

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) presenting to us the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men and constituting the Divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice (2 Peter 1:21). 

We believe there is but one true and living God, who is everlasting, infinite in power, wisdom and goodness; that He is the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, and Preserver of all things (Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16). In the unity of this Godhead, there are three persons of one individual essence, who are co-equal, co-existent and co-eternal; namely, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:16, 17; 28:18, 19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1, 2, 18; 10:33; 14:26; 15:26; Philippians 2:6; Hebrews 9:14). 

The Son is the eternally begotten of the Father and accepted earthly limitations for the purpose of incarnation, being true God and true man; conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. He died upon the cross, the just for the unjust as a substitutionary sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood. He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures. He is now at the right hand of the Majesty on High as our great High Priest, and He will return again to establish His Kingdom of righteousness and justice. 

The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, Executive of the Godhead on earth, the Comforter sent by the Lord Jesus Christ to indwell, to guide and to teach the believer, and to convince the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. 

Man is a created being, made in the likeness and the image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world (Romans 5:12). “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3: 10) Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the works of the devil, and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man to God (1 John 3:8). 

Salvation is made possible through the meritorious work of Jesus Christ on the cross and through Holy Spirit conviction. Godly sorrow works repentance and makes possible the experience of the new birth, and Christ formed within us is the gift of eternal life (Titus 2:11; Romans 10:13-15; Luke 24:47; Titus 3:5-7). 

Man is a free moral agent and can at any time after the new birth experience turn away from God and die in a state of sin facing the consequences of hell (II Peter 2:20-22). 

Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the Law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God (Ephesians 2:8). 

The true Church built upon the Foundation of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 

2:20), is the Body of our Lord (Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:27); Christ being the Head (Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18). Its earthly constituents are all true believers, born again of the Spirit (John 3:6) and of the Word (1 Peter 1:23), who are living an overcoming Christian life (Ephesians 5:27; Revelation 21:27). To the Church, through its members, is delegated the various gifts and offices of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 27, 28) which are necessary for the successful evangelization of the world and the perfecting of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:11, 12). 

This universal, invisible, sanctified Church is the chaste virgin Bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:1, 2; Ephesians 5:26, 27; Revelation 21:9b, 27). It is this Bride for whom Jesus Christ returns, just prior to the Great Tribulation, to catch her away and take her to heaven (John 14:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). 

God, through the Holy Spirit, definitely calls such as He desires to serve as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, and specifically endues the one called with the talents and gifts peculiar to that office or offices (Ephesians 4:11-13). Under no circumstances should anyone be ordained or set apart to any such office unless the calling is distinct and evident. 

Baptism in water is by immersion, a direct commandment of our Lord (Matthew 28:19) and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39). 

The following recommendation regarding the water baptism formula is adopted, “On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” 

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire (Matthew 3:11), is a gift from God, as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth (John 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 2:4, 38, 39; 10:44-48). The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is accompanied by the speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance as the initial physical sign and evidence (Acts 2:4).

The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite, yet progressive, work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation (Hebrews 13:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Corinthians 6:11; John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). 

10. The Lord’s Supper 

The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper is a commandment of our Savior; and being a memorial to His death and resurrection, is strictly limited to Christian believers (1 Corinthians 11:27). The time and frequency of its observance is left to the discretion of each congregation (1 Corinthians 11:26). 

Only unfermented grape juice, the fruit of the vine, as recommended by our Lord (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18) shall be used in connection therewith. 

Foot washing is recognized among many believers as a Christian practice, and the time, manner and frequency of its observance is left to the discretion of each local congregation (John 13). 

Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God, through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands (Mark 16:18; James 5:14, 15). It is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is available to all who truly believe. 

The Bible promises, “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner” (Acts 1:11). His coming is imminent; when He comes, “The dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17). Following the tribulation, He shall return to earth as King of kings and Lord of lords, and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years (Revelation 20:6). 

14. Setting a Time for the Lord’s Return 

It is unwise to teach that the Lord will come at some specified time, thereby setting a date for His appearing. It is also unwise to teach, preach or publish visions of numbers and dates which would tend to fix the time of the second coming of the Lord (Mark 13:32, 33). 

We believe the Bible presents the coming of Christ as personal, imminent, pre-tribulation and pre-millennial. We further contend that this position alone admonishes watchfulness, incites holy living, prevents spiritual declension, and provides maximum incentive and motive for urgency and zeal in evangelizing the unsaved. As demonic deception and satanic darkness deepens, we urge our ministers to maintain and proclaim this doctrinal viewpoint as the “blessed hope” of the Church. 

Furthermore, we recommend that should any of our preachers hold to the mid or post tribulation doctrine, they refrain from preaching and teaching it. Should they persist in emphasizing this doctrine to the point of making it an issue, their standing in the fellowship will be seriously affected. 

The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the Lake of Fire, and therefore has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance (Hebrews 9:27). The Lake of Fire is literal (Revelation 19:20). The terms “eternal” and “everlasting” used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned (Matthew 25:41-46) in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence, as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of saints in the presence of God. 

We recognize the scriptural duty of all our people, as well as ministers, to pay tithes as unto the Lord (Hebrews 7:8). Tithes should be used for the support of the active ministry and for the propagation of the Gospel and work of the Lord in general and not given to charity or used for other purposes (Malachi 3:7-11; Hebrews 7:2; 1 Corinthians 9:7-11; 16:2). 

We only recognize the Biblical definition of the marriage union as follows: A marital union is only a monogamous marriage between a natural born man and a natural born woman. Based on the principle of covenant initiated by God, marriage is the relationship through which sexuality can fulfill its potential to bless human lives. The covenant of marriage stresses fidelity to one's spouse. It promotes love, respect, trust, companionship, intimacy, spirituality, and peace. (Ephesians 5:2I-33)

Biblical Standards for Christian Ministry 

As Christians, the members of the Pentecostal Church of God: 

A.  We faithfully pledge our loyalty to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 

B.  We affirm complete confidence in the infallible Word of God. 

C.  We affirm our commitment to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15,   16) and we   declare our willingness to go anywhere, do anything and sacrifice everything   God requires of us in the   fulfillment of that commission. 

D.  We accept God’s call to preach and teach the Word to all people as God gives   opportunity, and we do   this because of God’s love for every human being who, apart   from faith in Christ, is judgment bound and   destined for hell. 

E.  We endorse the Gospel message of salvation by grace alone through faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ   and His atoning death on the cross for our sins. 

F.  The proclamation of the Gospel must include a thoughtful call of every person to repent, to commit to   Jesus Christ and to follow Him as Lord and Savior, and to do all these lovingly and without coercion or   manipulation.

G.  We will stay prayerfully filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit for a deeply spiritual Christ-centered   ministry. 

H.  We will lead lives of holiness and moral purity, appropriately representing Christian ministry to the   Church and the world. 

I.  We will practice a life of regular Bible study and pray for personal spiritual growth and anointed ministry. 

J.  We will be faithful stewards of all personal and church finances and we will be   accountable to all   concerned in the finance of our ministry and will be honest in   reporting our statistics. We will keep   personal, and church financial activities separate and inviolate. Following these standards, we will   faithfully promote our ministry in the community, “providing things honest in the sight of all men.” 

K.  We believe our family is a sacred trust and our responsibility to each family member is to be kept as   faithfully as our call to minister to others. 

L.  We are responsible to the local church, and we will conduct our ministry to build up the local body of   believers in the larger interest of the Church universal. We are responsible to faithfully discipline all   who come to faith under our ministry, to encourage every person to identify with the local church, to   work faithfully at evangelism, Christian education and Christian discipleship, and endeavor to train   every believer in personal witnessing. 

M.  We will share the cross of Christ by relieving both the social and spiritual sufferings of humanity,   whether   rich or poor, healthy or infirmed; we will do our utmost to alleviate human need, following Christ as our   example. 

N.  We will give ourselves to prayer, to evangelism, to revival, to Bible-based counseling, to Christian   education, to peace making and to our particular office, ministry and calling until Christ returns for His   own. We do solemnly affirm these biblical principles for Christian ministry. 

O.  We will be subject to those who God has placed in authority over us. 

P.  We believe that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian ministry and practicing homosexuals may   not be credentialed within the Pentecostal Church of God. 

The following principles of moral behavior and relationships are foundational for sexual ethics throughout the Pentecostal Church of God. These principles arise from our understanding of God’s Word as revealed by the Holy Spirit in Scripture, creation, and the tradition of the Church. 

A.  The love of God revealed in Jesus Christ is central to our approach in ethics. 

B.  The worth of persons is understood by God’s eternal love. 

C.  Scripture assigns to the Church the responsibility to protect the vulnerable. 

D.  Personal responsibility for behavior is paramount. 

E.  Freedom for the oppressed and for the captive is essential (Luke 4:18, 19). 

F.  The marriage covenant between a man and a woman is foundational (Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:13-16). 

G.  Faithfulness to our covenants is vital (Ecclesiastes 5:5). 

We affirm the following statements about human sexuality: 

A.  Sexuality is a good and holy gift of God to humanity bestowed in original creation (Genesis 1:27; 2:25). At   the same time, we recognize that our sexuality has been affected by the fall of humanity in the Garden of   Eden making necessary these statements about God’s original and redeemed design for human sexuality. 

B.  Monogamous marriage between a man and a woman, based on the principle of covenant initiated by   God, is the relationship through which sexuality can fulfill its potential to bless human lives. The covenant   of marriage stresses sexual fidelity to one’s spouse. It promotes love, trust, companionship, intimacy,   spirituality, and peace (Ephesians 5:31). 

C.  Biblical sexual relationships demonstrate and are guided by the principles of Christ’s love, mutual respect,   responsibility, justice, covenant, and faithfulness (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). 

D.  Sexual ethics should be the same for all persons without discrimination. 

E.  People can lead fulfilling lives in harmony with God’s will without being sexually active (1   Corinthians 7:17) 

  Based on these principles and affirmations, we believe God calls the Church and all persons to: 

A.  Exemplify the morality of sexual ethics as expressed through Christ’s love, justice, and faithfulness in the   marriage covenant. 

B.  Stress that sexual desire itself does not morally justify sexual activity. 

C.  Renounce as immoral sexual activities that are selfish, irresponsible, promiscuous, degrading, or abusive. 

D.  Denounce all forms of exploitation, abuse, and sexual violence. Sexual acts that degrade   or dehumanize   are contrary to God’s will. These include, but are not limited to sexual harassment, pornography, genital   mutilation, child abuse, incest, rape, prostitution, and human sex trafficking. No physical, emotional, or   spiritual abuse is acceptable. 

E.  Offer safety and healing ministry as a natural function of the Body of Christ to those who have been threatened, ostracized, exploited, abused, violated, and whose relationships have been broken. 

5.  Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage

A.  Affirmation of Marriage.  

The Pentecostal Church of God affirms that marriage is between one man and one woman. Homosexuality is not compatible with Christian ministry.

B.  Designed by God.  

Marriage is a covenant designed by God and is a sacred covenant relationship between husband and wife for a lifetime. The sanctity of marriage and family is upheld in Scripture. It is understood, therefore, that divorce is the breaking of the marriage covenant and represents less than the ideal. We further understand that sin has disrupted marriage and family relationships. Divorce is not encouraged in Scripture, for the grace of God encourages reconciliation. Yet because of the hardness and stubbornness of the human heart, reconciliation is not always possible. The New Testament does reflect a higher standard for the ministry because of the responsibility of leadership in the Church and that the minister’s life must model his/her message. We seek to comprehend and practice a balance between God’s grace and holding the standard set forth in God’s Word. 

6.  Gambling 

The Pentecostal Church of God declares opposition to the sin of gambling in any form. endeared you to employees across the company. This is a good place to talk about that.