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What We Believe...
INTRODUCTION
In 1959, the General Eldership approved a declaratory and authoritative statement of Teachings and Practices of the Churches of God. That Bible-based declaration set forth in order things most surely believed among us. Lt was not a creed. The Bible is the only true standard of Christian faith and practice. The Bible is God's Word, a revelation from God to human beings.
The usefulness of such a declaration became apparent as early as 1844 when John Winebrenner prepared for the church twenty-seven points as her "avowed principles" constituting a "short … declaration, showing her views, as to what may be called leading matters of faith, experience and practice." Again in 1863, as an outline for instruction in the blessings of the Christian faith, Christian H. Forney pointed out the value of "a handbook for the ministerial novitiate, the layman, the Sabbath School teacher, and all those who love the doctrines of the Church."
To meet the additional needs then emerging, the General Eldership in 1925, speaking in a representative capacity as our highest ecclesiastical body, adopted a doctrinal statement of fourteen unnumbered points, substantially the same as that of 1844 from a doctrinal standpoint. And again in 1959, to respond to emerging concerns, the Church adopted the statement known as Teachings and Practices of the Churches of God.
Trusting the Holy Spirit to guide in the interpretation and application of the Bible, the General Conference has again undertaken, on the basis of the consensus found across the Churches of God, to formulate a statement of our beliefs. We have entitled it We Believe-the Doctrinal Statement of the Churches of God, General Conference. It is the product of many persons. It has received the invaluable attention of four Consultations on Doctrine. It has been written, edited, evaluated, and rewritten by many faithful students of the Word drawn from all areas of the Churches of God.
A committee of writers has contributed to the text of this document using translations, not paraphrases, that best clarify and elucidate. These translations are identified according to the following key:
KJV = King James Version
NASB = New American Standard Version
NIV = New International Version
RSV = Revised Standard Version
TEV = Today's English Version
The Churches of God, General Conference does not endorse any one translation. The statement on translations which concludes the section on "The Bible" expresses the sense of the Church.
We Believe was written under the following guidelines:
— to be a statement of faith apart from practice
— to present a positive expression of our faith
— to be concise
— to be a document for laypersons, non-technical, free of theological jargon and preaching
— to use examples and sources only from scripture
The General Conference Commission on Education extends deep appreciation to representatives from local conferences, Findlay College , Winebrenner Theological Seminary, the Administrator and Associates in Ministry, writers of various sections and drafts, those who contributed editorial skills and many who shared input to prepare this document. Their attention to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and their love for God's Church are evident in these pages. We particularly thank these persons:
Walter D. Allen, Robert W. Douglas, Herbert L. Hogue, Paul E. Anderson, Thomas Douglas, G. Gordon Jenkins, Elmer A. Armstrong, David E. Draper, Michael E. Johnson, Katherine Baker, Linda M. Draper, Royal P. Kear R. Neal Barnett, Ralph L. Draper, Sterling C. Keeney, Dean L. Baublitz, A. Gail Dunn, G. Richard Kern, Glenn E. Beatty, Stephen L. Dunn, Marilyn R. Kern, Duane L. Beck, Arthur E. Eakin, Robert D. King, Harold C. Beck, Robert Ewald, David M. Lakins, John R. Beckler, Everett L. Falk, Fred J. Landolt, Robert M. Bistline, Donald D. Flaherty, George E. Leonard, Virgil G. Blosser, Daniel A. Fortney, Kent Maxwell, James H. Booser, W. D. Garrison, William J. McBride, Kenneth E. Boldosser, E. Fidelia Gilbert, Lynn D. McCallum, Paul Chisholm, Doyle C. Ginn, Collett Q. McMillion, Joel W. Cocklin, J. Harvey Gossard, L. Joe Miller,Paul C. Cordel,l E. David Green, William G. Milligan, Dean Cox James, S. Grove James, L. Monticue, Owen Custer, Wayne L. Heffner, Nellie Moran,Frank L. Demmy, Charles E. Hilliard, Michael D. Murrell, Richard L. Dosh, R. David Hogue, Herbert F. Myers, Jon R. Neely, Oscar C. Schultz, Jr., Ted VanderEnde, Kenneth E. Nitchman, George M. Showers, Richard R. VanHorn, Douglas E. Nolt, Lawrence Showers, Ralph V. Vunderink, John A. Parthemore, Ruth I. Showers, Raeburn G. Wallen, Jr. Earl M. Sleasman, Paul D. Walters, James Pelowsk,i Charles F. Smith, Edward T. Watson, C. Darrell Prichard, Keith Snyder, George E. Weaver, Frederick C. Quade, Larry Stutzman, Neville H. West, Keith L. Raderstorf, Melvin H. Summ,y Larry G. White, William H. Reist, Edward Taylor, Richard E. Wilkin, George Reser, Jr. Lester P. Thornton, Lawrence E. Winick, James L. Resseguie, Sidney C. Tiffin, Ivan H. Wood, Marsha Rockey, Ned J. Tobias, Walter B. Zimmerman, A. Wayne Rogers, Frank True
...Introduction
... about God
...about Jesus Christ
...about the Holy Spirit
...about the Bible
...about Humanity
...about Free Moral Agency
...about Regeneration
...about Justification
...about Sanctification
...about the Church
...about the Ordinances
...about Baptism
...about Feetwashing
...about the Lord's Supper
...about the Presentation of Children for the Lord's Blessing
...about the Ministry of Reconciliation and Wholeness
...about the Ministry of Christians in the World
...about Last Things
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