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BACKGROUND ''The Church of God at Jerusalem Acres'' shares its early history with the Church Of God Of Prophecy . After A. J. Tomlinson formed the ''Church of Prophecy Markers Association'' in 1941 , he appointed Grady R. Kent head over it in 1943 . After Tomlinson's death, his son Milton was appointed General Overseer, but Kent remained a forceful preacher and influential leader. In 1948 , the ''Church of God of Prophecy'' adopted a resolution making the ''General Assembly'' the highest authority in the church. This helped set the stage for division. Some members within the church accepted the practice of "theocratic government", with the Bishop or General Overseer ruling the church. Also some within the membership began to promote the belief that Kent was one of the two witnesses of ''Revelation''. The 1956 Assembly resolved that they did "not endorse attempts by its ministers to identify themselves or other ministers as the Two Witnesses mentioned in Revelation 11." In 1957 Grady R. Kent went out of the ''Church of God of Prophecy'' and formed ''The Church of God of All Nations'', which adopted its name in 1958 . The church was "reorganized" in Cherokee, North Carolina on February 17 , 1957. On August 1 , 1958, a seven acre (28,000 m²) tract of land was purchased in Cleveland, Tennessee , and the church undertook a project similar to the ''Fields of the Wood'', which belongs to the Tomlinson group. Great authority was placed in "theocratic government" and the "Chief Bishop", who was responsible for ruling the church. After the death of Bishop Kent on March 31 , 1964 , the authority of the General Assembly gradually increased, later resulting in a split by Bishop Samuel Doffee and the establishment by him of The Church Of God For All Nations in 1981 , which he claimed was the true body continuing in the tradition of "theocratic government". FAITH AND PRACTICE The faith and practice of ''The Church of God at Jerusalem Acres'' is similar to the related Church Of God bodies, but with more of a "Jewish" flavor, which they call "New Testament Judaism". In fact this body is often identified, and occasionally self-identified, as ''The Church of God (New Testament Judaism)''. This body is Trinitarian in theology and teaches that the whole Bible is the inspired word of God; salvation by accepting Jesus as Saviour; the seventh-day Sabbath; the nine gifts of the Spirit and five gifts of ministry; and the post-tribulational Premillennial return of Jesus Christ. While the group accepts prophecy as ongoing today, they believe that modern prophets are fallible, and therefore modern prophecies are not considered equal with the Bible. ''The Church of God at Jerusalem Acres'' rejects the Roman Calendar and certain holidays, such as Christmas , Easter , and Halloween . Their church calendar is based on the Jewish Calendar . They observe or celebrate a number of days, some of which are peculiar to their denomination. For example:
STATUS In 1990 , ''The Church of God at Jerusalem Acres'' had 30 churches in the United States and Canada , with an estimated membership of 30,000. In 1987 , the church reported 145 congregations worldwide. Headquarters are at ''Jerusalem Acres'' in Cleveland, Tennessee. EXTERNAL LINKS
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