Pentecostal Church Of God

The Pentecostal Church of God '''''(PCG)''''' is a predominantly white Pentecostal Christian denomination.
The ''Pentecostal Church of God'' was formed in Chicago, Illinois , in 1919 . It was formed by a group of Pentecostal ministers who had chosen not to affiliate with the Assemblies Of God (org. 1914 ). It was first called the ''Pentecostal Assemblies of America'', then ''Pentecostal Church of God of America'' was adopted in 1922 , and the present name was formed by dropping "of America" in 1979. John C. Sinclair served as the first moderator. The ''Pentecostal Church of God'' should not be confused with the The Pentecostal Church Of God (Detroit) , which is a non-trinitarian Pentecostal denomination based in Detroit, Michigan.

Beliefs of the PCG include the Bible as the inspired word of God; God in three persons; the fall of man; salvation through the death of Jesus on the cross, received by grace through faith; the possibility of apostasy; Baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire, accompanied by speaking in other tongues; water Baptism by immersion for believers (with the Trinitarian formula); the Lord's Supper (with unfermented grape juice); Foot Washing at the discretion of local congregations; distinct calls for ministry accompanied with divine evidence; tithing for the support of the ministry; Divine healing provided in the atonement; and the imminent pre-tribulational, premillennial return of Jesus Christ. During its earlier days, its relatively liberal stance on the issue of divorce and remarriage for ministers had earned the PCG the moniker, "The Trash Can of Pentecost."

International headquarters are located in Joplin, Missouri , where a college and a publishing house are operated. There are 1200 congregations in the United States fellowshipping as the ''Pentecostal Church of God''. Over 5,200 churches have been established outside the United States. There are over 500,000 members in 52 different countries. 60 churches and missions exist among the American Indians . The church is headed by the General Bishop (previously the General Superintendent) who at this time is the Rev. Charles Mosier . It is divided into a number of districts, including four Hispanic districts in the United States. Each district is served by a District Bishop (previously District Superintendent). A general convention meets biennially. District conventions meet annually. The Pentecostal Church of God is a member of the National Association Of Evangelicals , the Pentecostal World Conference and the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches Of North America . The church's official publication is ''The Pentecostal Messenger''.

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

(from pages 26-30 of the 2004 Pentecostal Church of God Constitution and
Bylaws)

As a Christian constituency of New Testament believers, we, the
Pentecostal Church of God, subscribe to the following declaration of the
things which are more surely believed among us (Luke 1:1), praying that
there be neither harmful nor divisive difference of belief to the injury of
any, nor the disturbance of the peace and harmony of the church, and that we
maybe all of the same mind and same judgment, speaking the same things in
love (1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 2:42) and with one voice glorifying God, to
the edification of His people, and to give Christian witness to the world.

The Scriptures

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 1:2 1).

The Godhead

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, His Fall and Redemption

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 work of the devil,
and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man to God (1
John 3:8).

Salvation

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).

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).

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; with the consequences of
hell to look forward to.

The Church

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 (I 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-lI, 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).

The Ministry

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.

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire (Matthew 3:11), is agift 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).

Sanctification

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 12 Ephesians 5:26; 1 Corinthians 6:11; John
17:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Ordinances

Water Baptism

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 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

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).

Divine Healing

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 End Times

The Resurrection of the Just

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).

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).

The Coming of the Lord

We believe the Bible presents the coming of Christ as personal, imminent,
pre-tribulational 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.

Hell and Eternal Retribution

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 ofjoy and ecstasy of saints in
the presence of God.

17. Tithes

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-Il; Hebrews 7:2; 1
Corinthians 9:7-lI; 16:2).

EXTERNAL LINKS

Adherents.com

Pentecostal Church of God - official Web Site

Messenger College

Messenger Publishing House

REFERENCE

''Our Story: The History of the Pentecostal Church of God'' ISBN 1882449363

Information About

Pentecostal Church Of God