Church of God a cult?

[Tio-Peregrino]

OK, so it's not THE Church of God denomination but something else.

Instead of saying Church of God is a cult on the description of this forum, it should be changed to Worldwide Church of God? Just a suggestion.

Sahm

Not sure if it needs to be changed...it certainly piqued my interest. I was not aware of the Church of God...just COGIC (Church of God In Christ). But I guess they're a whole 'nother denomination. Actually, as I remember now...I do remember a "The Church of God" group back where I'm originally from. Nevertheless, COGIC folks seem to be most visible for some reason.

:scratch

[nikkilyn]

I am COG and no we are not a cult. We teach the word of God.
Some say that the Jesus only pentecostals are a cult. My aunt was a pastro in a Jesus only church for more than 60yrs. I have cousins still in that church. But I don't go there or know much about it.

[ready-as-ever]

Let's sum up what I have been talking about:

1. Salvation (the indwelling Spirit of God) and baptism in the Holy Spirit (control of your body and mind given to the spirit) are two separate acts of God. (Acts 8)

2. I established that there was an outward supernatural manifestation of the Spirit every time that someone was baptized in the Holy Spirit in the Bible (Acts 2, Acts 8). The only indication the Bible gives to what that manifestation was is tongues (Acts 2:4). If there was no supernatural manifestation (i.e. tongues) in your life (aside from salvation) I would be bold and say you were not baptized in the Holy Spirit.

3. God is all powerful and works through whom ever He chooses. Does He work through Christians who are not baptized in the Holy Spirit? Yes. Can the gifts of the Spirit be found in a Christian who is not baptized? Yes. I compared this to the Old Testament were the Holy Spirit came "upon" (as opposed to being "filled") someone to do a work and then left that person. This is not another baptism. This is how God works. This is how the Holy Spirit will work during the tribulation after the Christians have left the earth.

Should we seek tongues? Absolutely not. Seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who gave utterance in Acts 2. He is the one who will perform the supernatural manifestation, whatever that may be.

[TeachMe]

I have attended AoG church all my life, I am saved because I have asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins, asked Him to come into my life, and I believe in all the work He did on the cross. However, I have never spoken in tongues, and I know of other people who are saved and have never spoken in tongues.

I visited a Baptist church once, right close to my house, and was thinking of going there, because of the convenience, and that day when I went there, someone found out I had attended AoG most of my life, said to me, "we don't teach any false doctrine here." Needless to say, I was very hurt and never went back.
I'm sure someone will say I shouldn't have been offended, but I feel that instead of welcoming me into their church they formed an opinion of me because I had attended AoG in the past and I feel that person was wrong for doing that. They lost a potential tithing, giving member due to that statement.

[CountryBumpkin]

2. I established that there was an outward supernatural manifestation of the Spirit every time that someone was baptized in the Holy Spirit in the Bible (Acts 2, Acts 8). The only indication the Bible gives to what that manifestation was is tongues (Acts 2:4). If there was no supernatural manifestation (i.e. tongues) in your life (aside from salvation) I would be bold and say you were not baptized in the Holy Spirit.



As I asked before, please explain this verse - one baptism because you are saying that there are two.

Eph 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—

Eph 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Eph 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

[MovingforJesus]

Adding my take:

Acts 8:12-19
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

If you will notice they where saved THEN received the Holy Ghost BY the laying on of hands.

Now READ;
Acts 19:7
19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.7 And all the men were about twelve.


If you will notice in this passage Paul asked Have YOU RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST SINCE YE BELIEVED.So yes the Holy Ghost was there to draw them to repentance, but there is more of the Holy Ghost you can receive.


Acts 9:17
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.


Baptized in Water AND Baptized in Spirit
They are not the same.

John 1:31=33
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

[ready-as-ever]

As I asked before, please explain this verse - one baptism because you are saying that there are two.

Eph 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—

Eph 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Eph 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

I am sorry, but I never said there are two baptisms. Would you say that those in the Old Testament were baptized in the Holy Spirit? Christ said in John 16:7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” The baptism of the Holy Spirit did not happen until after Christ was ascended. But there are those in the Old Testament that the Holy Spirit worked through. It is not another baptism. There is only one as scripture indicates.

Can you please explain to me why you think that I am saying there are two baptisms?

[readytofly07]

Ready-as-ever....I am so glad you are here to defend OUR church. I have seen this so many times, and even though I know what I believe and can fully understand the Holy Ghost baptism, I have a hard time explaining Him. I guess that is why you have been called to preach and currently in the MIP program. What state? I am in NC...Many people think we are a cult. But I guess that comes from not understanding or just how everyone interprets the Bible. I know there is emotionalism and then there are the gifts, but also I firmly believe that the Holy Ghosts is for us to have so that we can have a complete understanding of the Bible, a boldness to witness, to walk a holiness life and by this I mean for me the Holy Ghost quickens the soul to let you know right away that you should or shouldn't have said or done something or what appropriate or not....yada yada yada..... I have been slapped on the hand so to speak within an instant when I may have said or done something that would not be pleasing to His Spirit. Yes we do need to be careful to maintain a church order as ordained in the Bible because of so much deception that satan can manifest and no wonder people think things of us. Our church is one of the "mega" churches so there is order and while there are numerous, numerous Holy Ghost filled people, we maintain an order.

So, I guess, for whoever might be reading this. Read 1 Cor chap 12.

Also, doesn't Jude 1:10 tell us to build up our most holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost. That would be praying in tongues. As the Bible also said in Romans 8:26 the we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Holy Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

[MovingforJesus]

This sounds like 2 baptizems to me.

John 1:31=33
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

[CountryBumpkin]

She also asked the same type of question you asked; "if the Spirit of God lives in you then wouldn't when you received him be the Baptism?" For clarification lets say there are only two types of Christians. One group believes in Christ, that He is God's Son, and that He died for our sins; they are saved. The other group has been baptized in the Holy Spirit; they have submitted all there body and will to the Holy Spirit. Now it is not they that do the work, but the Holy Spirit is now working through them. You separate yourself from the world and become a vessel to which the Holy Spirit can work through.

IMHO This is elitist thinking. True believers are members of one body and we are baptised in one Spirit. We all have spiritual gifts to enable the body to function and one gift is not better than another, so to say that the HS only works through some is not true.

Every believer in complete in Christ, they do not lack anything that they need. He is sufficient and with Christ we are joined in unity.


Eph 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—

Eph 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Eph 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ready-as-ever, what baptism is Paul speaking of here?