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.”
Regeneration is an act of God performed in the justified heart whereby new, spiritual life is generated. Man is dead in trespasses and sin through Adam; he must be quickened or regenerated through Christ. It is a vital part of the plan of salvation by faith. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). Other Scriptures are Matthew 19:28; Ephesians 2:1, 4, 5. Regeneration is simultaneous with the new birth.
Speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance is the initial, physical evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. No one ever receives the Holy Ghost without speaking in tongues. This is separate and distinct from the gift of tongues which is one of the nine gifts of the Spirit. “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). Also read John 15:26; Acts 10:44-46 and 19:6.
These twenty-nine vital points of New Testament doctrine are some of the prominent teachings of The Church of God.
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.”
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.
Regeneration
Regeneration is an act of God performed in the justified heart whereby new, spiritual life is generated. Man is dead in trespasses and sin through Adam; he must be quickened or regenerated through Christ. It is a vital part of the plan of salvation by faith. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). Other Scriptures are Matthew 19:28; Ephesians 2:1, 4, 5. Regeneration is simultaneous with the new birth.
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.
Holiness
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.
Water Baptism
Water baptism is the act of being immersed in water according to the commandment and instructions of Christ. This ordinance has no power to wash away sin but is the answer of a good conscience toward God, representing the death, burial and resurrection of Christ through which one has obtained new life. Only those who have already been born again are eligible for water baptism. “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward god,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1Peter 3:21). Water baptism has divine approval only when t it is done “in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Read Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:8-10; John 3:22, 23; Acts 10: 47, 48.
Baptism with the Holy Ghost
When a person is sanctified wholly he is eligible for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. This indwelling is a definite and instantaneous experience described in the Scripture by the word “baptism,” and always accompanied by the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. It has no reference to water baptism, regeneration or sanctification. It is the filling of the temple already made clean by sanctification. It is not a work of grace but a gift of God in answer to the prayer of Christ. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is an enduement of power for service. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Read 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; Luke 24:49; Matthew 3:11.
Speaking in tongues
Speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance is the initial, physical evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. No one ever receives the Holy Ghost without speaking in tongues. This is separate and distinct from the gift of tongues which is one of the nine gifts of the Spirit. “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). Also read John 15:26; Acts 10:44-46 and 19:6.
Full restoration of the gifts to the Church
The gifts of the Spirit were set in the Church to be operated by the Spirit according to the will of God. They are manifested through individual members but individuals do not personally possess the gifts. Therefore, since the gifts are given to the Church and not to individuals, a spiritual gift cannot be taken away by one who leaves the Church. These gifts were all operating in the Church before it went into the dark ages, and were all restored to the Church when it arose out of darkness. Fist Corinthians 12:28, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” Read 1 Corinthians 12:1; 4-11; 14:1.
Signs following believers
Miraculous signs and wonders will accompany the work and ministry of true believers. These signs are recorded In Mark 16:17-20, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.;..And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Also read Romans 15:18, 19; Hebrews 2:4.
Fruit of the Spirit
The Spirit-filled life will manifest the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22, 23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is not law.” These virtues cannot be manifested by the flesh or by human nature. They are divine in origin and must spring from a Spirit-filled heart. Read Romans 6:22; Ephesians 5:9; Philippians 1:11.
Divine healing
Jesus provided for all in the atonement…Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross provided not only for the salvation of the souls of men but also for the healing of man’s physical ailments. Psalm 103:2, 3 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” Divine healing is healing accomplished by the power of God without the aid of medicine or surgical skills. This healing virtue is available to all who believe, the same as salvation. Read also Isaiah 53:4, 5; Matthew 8:17; James 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:24.
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 New Testament makes no rigid rule concerning what the Christian shall eat or drink (with the exception of strong drink). Thus, we have no right to judge what our brother eats or what he drinks. The legal restrictions of Jewish law concerning these were not extended into the Grace Dispensation. “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). Read Romans 14:2, 3; 1 Corinthians 8:8; 1 Timothy 4:1-5.
Divorce and remarriage constitute the sin of adultery. Matthew 5:32, “But I say unto you, That whosever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced comitteth adultery.” The only allowable causes for remarriage are fornication and death. However, fornication is not unfaithfulness or simple adultery, but is a state of being married to another’s wife or husband. 1 Corinthians 7:2, “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife.” Read Matthew 5:32; 19:3-9; Mark 10:12; Romans 7:2, 3; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, 13; 1 Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:10, 11; Revelation 2:22.