The Church of God
It is The Church of God’s duty to keep the faith pure and unadulterated and to defend it against all enemies. One phase of keeping and guarding the faith is the searching out and putting into operation God’s laws for the Church, the full restoration of the New Testament doctrine and governing principles.
To evangelize the world with the full gospel
In addition to guarding and upholding the faith it is the Church’s duty and obligation to spread the gospel. The world will not be evangelized completely, even if all are reached by denominational churches, until the whole gospel is preached to every creature.
To provide "machinery" for the perfection of the Saints
It is perfectly obvious that God’s children cannot be perfected if they are scattered about among various churches, being taught a variety of doctrines, and subject to different governments. Thus The Church of God is the place where God has planned to bring all His children together to be perfected.
These teachings are all based on the Scripture; they were taught and practiced by the early Church; and they have been searched out in these last days by godly men and women not concerned with their own opinions. However, the Church does not make a “hobby horse” of any one teaching or group of teachings, but accepts the whole Bible rightly divided with the New Testament as the only rule for government and discipline. These teachings of the Church do not constitute a creed or statement of beliefs, for The Church of God accepts the whole Bible as the inspired Word of God.
Repentance
Repentance is both a condition and an act; it is the state of being in Godly sorrow for sins committed and the act of turning from and forsaking those sins. “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Also, read Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19. Repentance is a prerequisite for justification.
Justification
Justification is both a state and an act; it is the state of being void of offense toward God brought about by the act of God in forgiving actual transgressions for which one has repented. It is the result of repentance and faith. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Also, read Romans 5:2-9; Titus 3:7. Justification precedes regeneration.
Born Again
To be born again is to become a new creature in Christ and a child of God. His new birth is the result of repentance, justification and regeneration. It is a definite and instantaneous experience wrought in the heart accompanied by a definite inner witness. There is no other way to enter the kingdom of God. (However, the new birth does not make one a member of The Church of God.) “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). Read John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9; Romans 8:16; 1 John 3:14. The new birth is a prerequisite for the experience of sanctification.
Sanctification
Subsequent to Justification…Sanctification is the second definite work of grace, an instantaneous work wrought in the regenerated heart by the Holy Ghost with the blood of Christ. Whereas in regeneration actual transgressions are blotted out, in sanctification the Adamic nature, or inbred sin, is eradicated. “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach” (Hebrews 13:12, 13). Read Romans 5:2; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 John 1:9. Sanctification restores man to the holy estate of Adam before the fall, gives him the grace to live a life of holiness, and makes him eligible for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.