Fundamental Doctrine Summary
God is a Family
The Family of God (Ephesians 3:14-15) consists of the Father and the Son Jesus Christ, but with the potential of Man to become part of God’s very Family (Ephesians 3:16-19); that God the Father created everything through Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:1-2; Ephesians 3:9). The Kingdom of God is the government of God, being composed of His Family, will take part in ruling with Him at His second coming (Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:6)
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Christ, the divine Son of God the Father; that He was in the beginning with God the Father (John 1:1), that He became Man (John 1:14), born in the human flesh of the virgin Mary; that He lived a sinless life; that He was crucified and died for us, thereby paying the penalty for our sins; that He was buried and dead in the grave for three days and three nights; that He was resurrected and ascended into the Heavens, where He sits at the right hand of God the Father; that He is now the High Priest of true Christians, intervening for them before God the Father; that He will come back at the “end time” to establish the Kingdom and Government of God here on earth, by sitting on the throne of David (presently in Great Britain), and to rule all nations (Luke 1:32-33; Daniel 7:14).
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit which can be summarized as the power of God (Luke 1:35; Acts 1:8), both of the Father and of the Son, given by God to a truly repentant person at the time of baptism; and that through this power, God the Father resurrected Christ from the dead and will likewise resurrect us from the dead (1 Corinthians 6:14; Romans 8:11). We can only be called a Christian, if the Holy Spirit of God dwells in us (Romans 8:9).
The Holy Bible
Our doctrines and practices are based upon a literal understanding of the teachings revealed throughout the entire Bible. We believe that the Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments are God’s revelation of His Will to man, inspired in thought and word, and infallible in its original writings. That said, the Scriptures are the supreme and final authority in faith and life, the source of Truth and the foundation of all knowledge.
The Church
It is not a building that constitutes “the Church,” but that the Church is a spiritual organism; that Christ is the Head of the Church; and that the Church is composed of members who have living within them the Holy Spirit of God (Romans 8:9, 14; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13,17). We believe that Church members must be called by God (John 6:44) and when they have truly repented and believed, they are baptized by immersion and, after the laying on of hands by one of God’s true ministers, receive the Holy Spirit (John 6:44; Acts 2:38,47).
The Church’s Commission
The commission of the Church is to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God to all nations as a witness, to warn all nations, and especially the house of Israel of impending danger, and to feed the flock of Christ – the Church – spiritually and physically.
Man’s Purpose
The potential of Man to become a born-again immortal and divine member of the God-Family; that God is in the process of reproducing Himself through Man; and that those who have received God’s Holy Spirit are already the children of God, but they are not glorified yet (1 John 3:1-3; Romans 8:12-17). We believe that Jesus Christ, the “Logos” or “the Word of God” or “the Spokesman” (John 1:1; 1 John 1:1-3; Revelation 19:13), the second divine member of the God Family, became Man, in order to overcome sin in the flesh and to die for us (Romans 8:3), so that Man, accepting the sacrifice of Christ and letting Christ live His life in him, could become a divine member of the God Family as well.
Doctrine
The major doctrines of the Church are those derived from the Biblical teachings as followed by God’s faithful servants, and established by Jesus Christ through the founding of His Church in the time of His chosen early apostles. Since we are to increase in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, we are committed to review and alter any of our teachings, if and when proven to be wrong by the Bible.
Grace and Works
True Christians are saved by God’s grace, not according to their works (Ephesians 2:8-9), but their reward is dependent on the good works they perform (Matthew 16:27; Revelation 22:12).
Angels
God created the angelic realm to serve (Psalm 148:1-2, 5-6). In a rebellion one-third of these angels fell away (Revelation 12:4, 9) and are now referred to in scripture as Satan and his demons.
Human’s Mortal Nature
Mankind is mortal and subject to death, and they can only obtain immortality through a gift from God.
Human Spirit
Every human being has in himself or herself a “human spirit” given by God (Job 32:8), that distinguishes man from animals (1 Corinthians 2:11), and that goes back to God when man dies (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
Law, Sin, and Love
Sin is the transgression of the Law, and hence we strive to keep the Law as summed up in the word, “love.” (Romans 13:10). Love involves two great principles of love towards God and love towards neighbor. The Ten Commandments compose the ten points of the Law (Matthew 22:37-39; James 2:8-11).
Tithing
Tithing is a godly institution which enables the Church to carry out its commission of preaching the gospel and feeding the flock (Matthew 23:23; Numbers 18:21; Malachi 3:8-9). There is also a second tithe which facilitates the keeping of the Holy Days (Deuteronomy 14:22-26). Lastly there is third tithe which is given twice every seven years to help the needy members (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).
God’s Feasts and Holy Days
We are commanded to observe certain weekly and annual Holy Days while at the same time abstaining from holidays of pagan origin (ie. Christmas, Easter, Valentines, Halloween, etc). During these holy convocations we are to attend Church services and to refrain from secular labor, including school, college or university attendance. Instead we are to dedicate and devote ourselves to worship, spiritual study, prayer, fellowship with Church members, and physical rest. These weekly and annual Holy Days are:
Weekly Sabbath
The seventh-day weekly Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. The day symbolizes God’s resting on the seventh day, after having recreated the surface of the earth in six days, and the forthcoming Millennium which is also referred to as a Sabbath lasting for 1,000 years (Leviticus 23:3; Exodus 20:8-11, Hebrews 4:3-11).
Passover
The Passover once a year in the evening by engaging in a footwashing service as an example of humility in accordance with Christ’s example, and partaking of the unleavened bread and wine, symbolizing physical and spiritual healing and forgiveness of sin. The entire service symbolizes a remembrance of Christ’s death (Leviticus 23:5, Luke 22:14-20; John 13:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:20-29).
The Days of Unleavened Bread
The Days of Unleavened Bread once a year by not partaking of any food prepared with leaven for a period of seven days following the Passover. The partaking of the unleavened bread symbolizes the commitment to live a sinless life (Leviticus 23:6-8; Acts 20:6; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8).
Pentecost
The Feast of Pentecost once a year. This day symbolizes the coming of God’s Holy Spirit for the purpose of converting those called by God at this time (Leviticus 23:15-16, 21; Acts 2:1-4; 20:16; 1 Corinthians 16:8).
The Feast of Trumpets
The Feast of Trumpets once a year. This day symbolizes the soon coming return of Jesus Christ to this earth (Leviticus 23:24-25; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16), and our resurrection or change to immortality, to be born again into the Kingdom or Family of God (1 Corinthians 15:50-54, 42-49; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; John 3: 3, 5-8).
Atonement
The Day of Atonement once a year by refraining from partaking of any and all solid food or liquid for a period of 24 hours. This day symbolizes those called by God during this life, having received at-one-ment with God; those who can receive at-one-ment with God after Christ’s return; and the transfer of sin to Satan as the one who is ultimately responsible for all sin (Leviticus 16:1-34; Leviticus 23:27-32; Acts 27:9).
The Feast of Tabernacles
The Feast of Tabernacles once a year, for seven consecutive days, by attending one of the Church’s designated sites around the world. This period symbolizes the reign of Christ for 1,000 years, together with His saints made immortal, during which time Satan will be bound and the entire world will be living under the government of God (Leviticus 23:33-35; Daniel 7:27; John 7:2-8, 10-14; Revelation 20:4).
The Last Great Day
The Last Great Day which immediately follows the Feast of Tabernacles, once a year. This day symbolizes a 100-year period called the “Great White Throne Judgment,” during which all persons who have ever lived and who were never called by God for salvation during this life, will have their first opportunity to accept Christ as their Savior (Leviticus 23:36; John 7:37; Revelation 20:11-12). At the end of that period, there will be a judgment during which all people who have ever lived and who have refused to accept Christ as their Savior, will be finally condemned to eternal death and destroyed in Gehenna fire (Revelation 20:13-15).
Relationship with God
A Christian’s duty to God is of a superior and higher nature than our duty arising from any human relationship (Acts 4:18-20; 5:27-29). We therefore, following Biblical commands and principles, do not participate in voting for political elections or jury duty, and we do not join the military. On the other hand, we do not object to participation in civil service. If compelled by governments to enlist, we refuse to serve in any capacity that would violate the spirit of the sixth commandment against murder (Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:17-21).
Proselytizing
We do not seek members by having people standing on street corners or going around neighborhoods knocking on doors. God reserves the right to bring whom He will into the church in a time He deems best (John 6:44; 1 Corinthians 15:23).
Civic Government
We are to be subject to the government of our country and its laws (Romans 13:1-5; 1 Peter 2:13-17); that we are to pay our taxes (Matthew 22:17-21; Mark 12:14-17; Romans 13:6-7); that we are to pray for leaders of government (1 Timothy 2:1-3); and that we are to honor those leaders (1 Peter 2:17; Romans 13:7).
Unclean Meats
We are to refrain from eating meats which the Bible instructs us not to eat and designates as unclean (Leviticus 11:1-47; Deuteronomy 14:3-20; and Acts 10:1-21, 28).
Policy Statements of The Greater Church of the God
The Greater Church of the God welcomes all who seek a deeper understanding of God’s Will. Organizations wishing to provide links to our websites may do so, freely. While these references do not imply our endorsements of a particular organization’s stated beliefs, we are grateful for the opportunity to teach the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to anyone, including to those whom God may be calling. We welcome guests to our Church services, as long as they are not contentious and worship in peace and harmony. On an individual basis, someone from another organization can be asked to participate during Services, but this would be at the minister’s discretion.
