The Church of God in Kenosha WI invites you to come as you are and experience the love and grace of Jesus of Nazareth. The Church has a several fold reason for existing in the world today. These important purposes are divinely originated and are found in the New Testament.
In what appears to be the closing hours of the present order of things in the light of Scripture, there is mounting concern about the Church’s role. The denominational “Babel,” or doctrinal confusion, is clearly at variance with the major scriptural references to the Church. This “church confusion” had its beginning with the Council of Nicea in A. D. 325 when The Church of God of apostolic times plunged into what history has called the “Dark Ages.”
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The faith of the gospel has been committed solely into the hands of the Church and thus the responsibility for keeping and guarding the faith rests upon the Church’s shoulders.
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.
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.
All those who become members of the Church assume the following obligation:
“Will you sincerely promise in the presence of God and these witnesses that you will accept this Bible as the Word of God—believe and practice its teachings rightly divided—the New Testament as your rule of faith and practice, government and discipline, and walk in the light to the best of your knowledge and ability?” This is a “perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.”
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.
Holiness is the state of being free from sin, a condition made possible by the experience of sanctification. God requires man to live without sin in this present world and provided the means through the shed blood of Christ. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11, 12). “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). Read Luke 1:74, 75; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; Ephesians 4:24; 1 Peter 1:15, 16. Holiness is a necessity not only for the individual but also for the Church, the body of Christ. Read Ephesians 1:4; 5:27; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Psalm 93:5.
Feet washing was instituted by Jesus on the night of the Last Supper and is a New Testament ordinance we are enjoined to observe in addition to communion. Its observance was taught by the apostles and practiced by the early Church. Charity and good works do not fulfill this obligation. “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). Read John 13:4-17; 1 Timothy 5:10.
Tithing is the paying of one tenth of our increase into the treasury of the Church. It began with Abraham, continued under the law and received Christ’s approval. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone” (Matthew 23:23). The obligation of tithing is not fulfilled by giving ten percent to the poor or to some good cause but only by paying it into the Church treasurer. Giving differs from and is in addition to tithing. Both are parts of God’s plan to finance His work on earth. Read Genesis 14:19-20; Malachi 3:10; Luke 11:42; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9; Hebrews 7:1-21.
The Bible expressly forbids the use of intoxicating beverages. Even slight indulgence is sinful and not in keeping with Scriptural standards of holiness. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1). Read also Proverbs 23:29-32; Isaiah 28:7; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10; Galatians 5:21.
The Bible is opposed to the people of God being unequally yoked together with unbelievers; it is opposed to deeds done in secret; and it demands the complete and undivided loyalty of God’s children. John 18:20, “Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.” Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Ephesians 5:12, 13. Also many secret societies require the taking of an oath which is expressly forbidden by Scripture.