The 39 Points of Faith of the Church of God (Israelite)

THE BIBLE

WE BELIEVE that the Holy Bible, which includes the divisions commonly known as the Old and New Testaments, is the divinely inspired Word of God. No other writing has been inspired in such a manner. WE BELIEVE that the Bible is inerrant in teaching and contains the complete will and revelation of God to man. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Is. 45:23; Heb. 4:12; Mt. 24:35; Rev. 22:18, 19)

GOD THE CREATOR

WE BELIEVE that the supreme Deity of the universe is God. He is the almighty Creator, who with his power upholds the heavens, the earth and all things that are within them. (Acts 17:24-18; Gen. 1:1; Rev. 14:7; Ps. 124:8; Neh. 9:6; Is. 40:28; 4:24; Ps. 55:22)

JESUS CHRIST ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD

WE BELIEVE that Jesus of Nazareth is the only Son of God begotten by the Holy Spirit and conceived by the Virgin Mary. He is the Christ or Messiah, sent by our God as our Savior and Redeemer (Jn. 3:16; 4:9; 1:18; 6:65; 4:25; Mt. 1:18-25; 14:23 16:16, Is. 7:14, Lk. 1:26-36, 2:6-32, 4:14-21, Acts 4:62, Titus 2:14).

THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit (also called the Holy Paraclete) is the Comforter promised by our Lord Jesus Christ, who resides in the hearts of those who diligently seek him. The Holy Spirit is the one who guides us to truth and justice, he also helps us to bear witness to Him. His presence is manifested both in word and in "the fruits of the Spirit", when the Commandments of God are kept. (John 14:15-19, 16:13; Luke 11:9-13; Acts 1:8; Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22-26, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

THE ANCIENT SERPENT

We believe that Satan is "the ancient serpent, which is called the Devil and Satan." And that he is the adversary of God and of his People. (Revelation 20:2, 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Matthew 13:39; Ephesians 6:10-12; Luke 10:18; John 8:44; Revelation 12:9, 20:10).

THE FALL OF MAN

We believe that man was created as a perfect being, but through his disobedience, fell from the grace of God, gaining imperfection, death and a curse, a consequence that is ongoing today in every man. (Genesis 1:26-31, 3:8-20, 1 Corinthians 15:21; Romans 5:12).

THE DIVINE PLAN OF SALVATION

We believe that the divine plan of salvation was made by the Eternal God as a way to escape the results of the fall of man. In this plan he placed his Son Jesus Christ to pay the debt of all men, and made possible our salvation and redemption for eternal life. (John 3:16, 10:1-7; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:11; 1 Peter 1:18-19, 2:24; 1 John 2:2-4; Hebrews 9:13, 14, 28).

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST

We believe that the Blood of Christ was shed for the remission of sins and atonement was made on the cross. (Matthew 26:28; Acts 20:28; Romans 5:6-13, 3:25; Luke 24:47; Acts 10:43; Philippians 2:8-12; Colossians 1:19-23; Titus 2:13-14; 1 Corinthians 15:1-5).

OBEDIENCE

We believe that to ensure the benefits of the Divine Plan of salvation each individual must believe in Jesus Christ and accept him as his personal Savior, obey the Gospel Doctrine and imitate his life through the example he gave us. (Acts 4:12; Luke 24:47; Romans 10:6-10; 1 John 5:10-14; Romans 6:16-18; 1 Peter 2:21; John 13:15).

THE TERMS OF THE GOSPEL

We believe that the terms of the Gospel include faith in God and in his Son Jesus Christ, confession and repentance of sin, including water baptism by immersion, which represents the burial of the old man (sinner), and resurrection to a new life in obedience to God. (Hebrews 11:6, Romans 10:9-10, 17, 6:1; 1 John 5:10-14, 1:19; Galatians 3:26, 27; Luke 13:3, 24:47, 19:8; Acts 2:38, 3:19; Ephesians 4:21-25; Colossians 2:12).

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

We believe that the Ten Commandments are God's Eternal Constitution and must be observed by His People in this age. (Exodus 20:1-17; James 2:9-10; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Matthew 5:18, 19:16-23; 1 John 2:24, 3:4; John 12:50; 2 Kings 17:37).

THE SABBATH OF THE LORD

We believe that the Fourth Commandment establishes the observance of the seventh day of the week, commonly called Saturday, and is to be kept as Sacred and Holy, from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. We believe that it has been given to all of God's People as a reminder of his creation. (Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 58:13; Hebrews 4:4-11; Luke 4:16, 23:56; Matthew 28:1; Acts 13:14-44, 16:13; Mark 2:27-28; Leviticus 23:32; Mark 1:32)

THE CHRISTIAN PASSOVER

We believe that the Lord's Supper is an ordinance, given to the Church as a memorial of Christ's death, and that it must be observed annually (beginning on the 14th day of Nisan). That during the celebration of this act, unleavened bread and unfermented grape juice should be used, as Jesus used the night he instituted it, representing in them the breaking of his flesh and his blood. (Leviticus 23:5-27; Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:7-29; 1 Corinthians 11:1-2, 18-31, 5:7; John 19:14-15, 31).

THE WASHING OF THE FEET

We believe that the ordinance of washing the feet was taught by Jesus as an example for each one of us, to practice humility. This teaching will be practiced in connection with the Lord's Passover. (Juan 13; Luke 14:11; James 4:10; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Timothy 5:9-10).

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH

We believe that salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ, plus for the For the purpose of cooperation in the proclamation of the Gospel, and to uphold the standard truth of the Bible, and for the unity of believers, the Church was ordered according to the divine plan of the Bible. (Acts 6:1-8, 1:23-26; 1 Corinthians 12:27-30; Ephesians 2:29, 20, 4:10-17; 1 Timothy 5:17, 3:1-5; Hebrews 13:17; Titus 1:5-7).

THE NAME OF THE CHURCH OF GOD

We believe that the organization of the People of God should be known by the biblical name "The Church of God." (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 3:14-15; John 17:11-12; Daniel 9:19; Jeremiah 15:16; 1 Corinthians 15:9, 1:2, 11:22; 1 Timothy 3:5, 15; Deuteronomy 28:10).

TITHES AND OFFERINGS

We believe that God's financial plan is to support the work of the Gospel through the tithes and offerings of the members of the Church, that is, one-tenth of the earnings that they must pay as part of the Christian obligations. We also believe that the first fruits of everything belong to God and should be consecrated to Him, and in the same way offerings should be given liberally according to our possibilities. (Matthew 23:23; 1 Corinthians 9:12, 14; Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:8-10).

FOOD

We believe that the People of God and the followers of Christ in this Evangelical age should use as food what God has taught from the beginning and keep themselves pure from all food forbidden by the Word of God. (Genesis 7:1-2; Leviticus 11:4-20; 1 Timothy 4:5; Isaiah 66:15-17; Matthew 15:17-20).

THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who we must keep clean before God, refraining from practices and vices that degrade our person before our Creator. Narcotic drugs, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, etc. they must be eliminated from the life of every member of the CHURCH OF GOD. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18, 7:1; 1 John 2:15-17; James 1:14-15; Galatians 5:19-21; Proverbs 23:21-23, 29-32; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Timothy 3:3).

THE SPIRITUAL FIGHT

We believe that Christians have the obligation to love their enemies and do everything possible for their salvation, without getting involved in wars and carnal fights, because our fight is spiritual. (Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:17-21; 2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:12).

PRAYER

We believe that the Church should communicate with God through Jesus, because He is our Mediator and Supreme High Priest who is seated at the right hand of God in heaven. We believe in the efficacy of prayer in the name of Jesus for all our needs and that the answer to it God will give it according to his will. (1 Timothy 2:8; Philippians 4:6; John 14:13-14; Hebrews 7:25, 12.2, 4:14-16; Romans 8.34 1 Timothy 2:5, 1a John 5:14; Luke 18:1; Matthew 7:7-12, 6:5-9; James 1:6).

PRAYER FOR THE SICK

We believe that the Bible recommends Prayer for the health of the sick, both individually and collectively; and that the elders of the Church should also be called to pray and anoint the sick with oil and that God will hear the faith-filled prayer. (James 5:13-16, 1.6; 1 John 5.14-15; Psalms 103:1-3).

CHRIST IN THE BEGINNING

We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was in the Plan of Salvation before the foundation of the world. He is the Word that says John 1: 1-2 and his birth from the Virgin Mary was the fulfillment of what the verse 14: "And that Word came and was made flesh and dwelt among us..." (John 1:1-2, 8.57-58; Genesis 11:7; John 17:15; Colossians 1:16-18).

THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST

We believe that the Bible teaches that Jesus was crucified on the day commonly called Wednesday and that he was in the tomb three days and three nights, rising on the final part of the Sabbath day, which is the seventh day of the week, to fulfill the prophecy of his Sign that says in (Matthew 12:39-40, 28:1-8; Daniel 9:27; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Mark 16:1-6, 15:42; John 20:1-20, 19:14; Luke 24:1-8, 23:54-56)

THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM

We believe that at the coming of Christ his kingdom on earth will be established and that the redeemed will reign with him on earth for a period of a thousand years. This time is called THE REGENERATION (Matthew 19:28), also THE TIMES OF THE RESTORATION (Acts 3:21). That during this period the Gospel will be preached to all those who did not hear it, neither in the pre-Christian era nor in the post-Christian one. May those who have now heard and accepted the Gospel and hold onto hope to the end, will be like angels (Luke 20:34-36). That there will be mortal people there too. That at the end of the Millennial Kingdom, when he has put all his enemies under his feet, he will hand over the kingdom to the Father. (1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Zechariah 14:4-9; Revelation 11:15, 20:4-6, 21:1-5, 19:16; Matthew 25:34, 5:5; Psalm 37:11; Revelation 5:1; Daniel 7:27; Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-5).

THE NEW JERUSALEM AND THE NEW EARTH

We believe that at the end of the Millennium the restitution will have been completed and the earth will be made new, where it will be the eternal home of the saved, and that until it has been made new earth, the New Jerusalem will descend from heaven and not before. (Revelation 21:1-8; Proverbs 10:30; Isaiah 45:8-9).

THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD

We believe that the kingdom is divided into three phases: (1) The Spiritual Kingdom of Grace, (2) The Millennial Kingdom of Christ, and (3) The Eternal Kingdom of God. We now live in the Kingdom of Grace. Jesus will literally reign on his throne of glory, along with the redeemed from him for a thousand years. After the Millennial Kingdom will be the third phase, the Eternal Kingdom of God, in which God will be everything in everyone. (Hebrews 4:16; Matthew 25:31; Revelation 20:6; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Romans 12:2; Colossians 1:12-14; 1 Peter 2:5-9; Acts 26:18; see the verses mentioned previously in points 25 and 26).

THE GATHERING OF ISRAEL

We believe that the literal gathering of Israel to the land of Palestine, as stated in the prophecies, is in the process of being fulfilled, and is one of the signs of the soon coming of Christ. (Jeremiah 31:9; Isaiah 61:4; Luke 21:24; Ezekiel 21:25-27, 37:21-28).

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

We believe that at the personal and visible coming of Christ to earth his kingdom will be established. That He will come in the clouds of heaven in the same way as he was brought up to the right hand of God. (Acts 1:10, 11; John 14:1-3; Revelation 1:7; Acts 3:20; Job 19:25-27).

THE PROPHECY

We believe that prophecy came in the past not by human will, but that holy men of God spoke being inspired by the Holy Spirit, and it is given to us to study and know the signs of the time, manifesting where we are living with respect to the second coming of Christ. (2 Peter 1:18-21; Romans 15:4; Matthew 24; Psalms119:105).

THE SIGNS OF THE LAST TIMES

Considering the fulfillment of the signs given for the different phases of the world, signs for the political, religious, physical, social, industrial world, etc., we believe that we are living in the end times, and that the second coming of Christ is very near. (Luke 21:25, 17.26-31; Revelation 11:18; Matthew 24:6, 7, 36, 40; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 2.1; 7; 12)

THE CONDITION OF THE DEAD

We believe that when man dies he enters a state of unconsciousness, and remains in the grave until his resurrection, then it is when the just will receive immortality, and the wicked will receive eternal death. (Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:5-6; 1 Corinthians 15:42-56; Job 17:13; Revelation 20:11-15; Job 14:13-14).

THE PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED

We believe that the impious dead will rise again at the end of the thousand years of the reign of Christ, to receive the final judgment, which will be to be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the second death, where they will be completely destroyed. (Revelation 20:5, 11-15; Malachi 4:1; Psalm 62:9, 37:20).

WORLDLY THINGS

We believe that the scriptures condemn all worldly things, including the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life. Going to centers of vice and the ostentation of expensive jewelry that cause envy, greed and lawsuits. That we must model life by building it on spiritual things. (1 John 2:15,16; John 17:16; Romans 12:2; Galatians 5:17-26; 1 Peter 3:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:9; Romans 8:12-14; Colossians 3:1-10).

PAGAN FESTIVITIES

The days commonly known as Christmas, days of Lent, Good Friday, Easter and Sunday as days of rest, are of pagan and non-biblical origin; therefore they should not be observed by the members of the CHURCH OF GOD. (Jeremiah 10:2; Matthew 15:13; Deuteronomy 16:2; Galatians 1:6-8; Ezekiel 8:13-18).

THE PLAGUES

We believe that God's wrath against sin and sinners reaches its fulfillment before and at the time of the second coming of Christ, in the seven last plagues described in Revelation 16. These plagues represent events in the world that will cause great sorrow and terror in men. (Colossians 1:9-10; 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:15-16; 2 Peter 1:19-21, 3:18; John 5:39; James 1:15; 1 Peter 2:2; Isaiah 34:16).

THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE

We believe that an evil power known as the Beast will exist before and until the time of Christ's second coming. And that a message known as the third angel's message will be and is being preached by the CHURCH OF GOD as a warning against this demonic power. This is a part of the Gospel and everyone who accepts it will be able to escape the wrath of God. (Revelation 13:1-10, 14:9-11, 17:7-14, 15:1).

MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

We believe that marriage is a sacred institution of God, and therefore belongs to the Church. That in view of this the People of God (Church) will request the services of one of the ministers to perform the religious marriage ceremony.

We believe that a marriage contracted before the conversion of any of the spouses, is accepted by the Church, as long as it has been carried out by an authority of the Civil Registry. We believe that after conversion exists and lives in harmony with the Church, divorce is not tolerable, unless there are the reasons stated by our Lord Jesus Christ in (Matthew 5:32).

In the event that a divorce is sought, existing biblical reasons, it will be properly investigated by a commission designated by the Ministry for this purpose, such commission will be duly qualified ministers, who will investigate between one party and the other, and if the commission determines that it is true, the divorce will take place as taught by the Scriptures; the Church will not condemn the marriage of either party (Deuteronomy 24:1-2) but this will never be construed as ministers recommending such a divorce. (Genesis 2:20-24; Matthew 19:1-6; Deuteronomy 24:1-2; 1st Corinthians 7).

DIVINE FESTIVITIES

We believe that three festivals of the ancient institutions: Passover (Feast of Unleavened Bread), Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) and Sukkoth (Feast of the Tabernacles), would cover until the Christian era and therefore must be observed by the People of God. That the CHURCH OF GOD has these three holidays recommended by the Bible. (Deuteronomy 16:16). This is a characteristic of God's people (Esther 3:8; Leviticus 23:2; Romans 6:16; Ephesians 2:11-12; John 7:2, 8, 10; Acts 2:18-21, 20:16; 1st Corinthians 16:7-8).