Church of God a cult?

[Waiting...]

The church of God does not believe a faith based salvation. They believe it's only evident that you are saved by speaking in tongues and getting the baptism of the holy spirit. They deny the trinity. They don't believe in asking Lord Jesus Christ into their hearts and lives. Go to the home page and type in apologetics in the search bar and click on oneness pentacostalism, it's the same thing as church of God. They misinterpret scriptures to make them fit their doctrine of salvation. Don't be deceived by an egg that looks good but is rotten on the inside. Take care and God bless and God bless Israel. You can look up the U.P.C. ( United pentecostal church) they are another false church that claims to be the one and only true church that teaches misinterpretations of the Bible.

Where are you getting this information? Would you please cite your sources.

[wife]

God's Disciple-- this is from their website http://www.churchofgod.org/about/declaration_of_faith.cfm


We Believe:

* In the verbal inspiration of the Bible.
* In one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
* That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor.
* That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins.
* That justification, regeneration, and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
* In sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost.

[Kliska]

http://www.churchofgod.org/about/declaration_of_faith.cfm
http://www.churchofgod.org/about/doctrinal_commitments.cfm

There are several red flags from their site (this does not mean every pastor in their church preaches this):

1) You have to speak in tongues as evidence of the Holy Spirit; and a sign of salvation, according to them is indeed the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, so if you don't speak in tongues they would not, by logic, consider a person saved. The whole teaching of speaking in tongues as evidence is a False Teaching and is unscriptural, it is also highly dangerous and can and has caused brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble.

2) Their teachings on healing seem to tend toward a person who is ill or dying not having enough faith to merit healing; if someone is a member and this is not what they teach, please do let me know. If they do teach that, it is a dangerous and unscriptural teaching, also causing fellow believers to stumble if they are ill or sick, or handicapped in some manner without physical healing. Now, if they only teach healing is available, and that ultimate healing will take place when we pass on, and that all illness is not evidence of personal sin in a believers life, that would be scriptural.

3) Tithing. Tithing is acceptable of course, but is not a requirement for believers under the new covenant.

4) Baptism by immersion only. Having dealings with this type of teaching before, they usually hinge a person's salvation on this style of Baptism, and deny all other forms as nonvalid.

5) And, there can be a touch of legalism involved in several of these things, also in the "rules" the church sets up that their members must follow. These usually differ slightly by local church, I believe. But is something to watch out for.

[Waiting...]

http://www.churchofgod.org/about/declaration_of_faith.cfm
http://www.churchofgod.org/about/doctrinal_commitments.cfm

There are several red flags from their site (this does not mean every pastor in their church preaches this):

1) You have to speak in tongues as evidence of the Holy Spirit; and a sign of salvation, according to them is indeed the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, so if you don't speak in tongues they would not, by logic, consider a person saved. The whole teaching of speaking in tongues as evidence is a False Teaching and is unscriptural, it is also highly dangerous and can and has caused brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble.

2) Their teachings on healing seem to tend toward a person who is ill or dying not having enough faith to merit healing; if someone is a member and this is not what they teach, please do let me know. If they do teach that, it is a dangerous and unscriptural teaching, also causing fellow believers to stumble if they are ill or sick, or handicapped in some manner without physical healing. Now, if they only teach healing is available, and that ultimate healing will take place when we pass on, and that all illness is not evidence of personal sin in a believers life, that would be scriptural.

3) Tithing. Tithing is acceptable of course, but is not a requirement for believers under the new covenant.

4) Baptism by immersion only. Having dealings with this type of teaching before, they usually hinge a person's salvation on this style of Baptism, and deny all other forms as nonvalid.

5) And, there can be a touch of legalism involved in several of these things, also in the "rules" the church sets up that their members must follow. These usually differ slightly by local church, I believe. But is something to watch out for.

Thanks Kliska. I have talked to the pastor about these issues when I went for a visit. I am satisfied with the church's position. It is much like my old Assembly of God Church. Honestly, I would prefer to be a little too legalistic than too secular (especially when my kids are involved). Of course this is my personal opinion and I guess this is why we have so many denominations. When Jesus comes back, all things will be made right. Until then, I guess we have to follow what we think God is calling us to.:heythere

[Anddra]

Yes, but even more so, it is the only factor we are given to know each other..."you will know them by their fruit".

There is another sign that means a lot to me as it was this that lead me to the truth...

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35 (KJV)

Or, as Darby translated it...

By this shall all know that ye are disciples of mine, if ye have love amongst yourselves. John 13:35 (Darby) (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2013:35&version=16)

:hug

[Waiting...]

There is another sign that means a lot to me as it was this that lead me to the truth...



Or, as Darby translated it...



:hug

Amen! A good note to end this thread on!:thumb

[Gods disciple]

Hey Ladybug, you're 100% right. People need to read what you put in and think it over.

[Gods disciple]

Adolph Hitler adopted what Martin Luther said about Jews in his 1543 tractate "Concerning the Jews and their Lies" where he recommended, among other things, that synagogues be burned, Jewish homes destroyed, and Rabbis forbidden to teach under the threat of death. This has nothing to do with the topic mentioned on this board, but it's important to know the truth about what's not the truth. Being anti-Jew is a sin and it's one of the many sins that most people ignore. A true Christian will love the Jewish people unconditionally. Who ever thinks that the Church has replaced the Jewish people as Gods chosen people isn't a true Christian and doesn't understand scripture clearly. The word of God is truth and is not to be a bunch of opinions that are the truth. There's a difference in opinion and truth. God bless Israel.

[Waiting...]

We brought the kids to the church today. They loved it! We were fed like never before the word of God. Thanks everyone for praying. I think God has us where he needs us in this critical hour. I miss my pentecostal roots. It is good to be home.

[Anddra]

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