Our History
In this section you will learn more about us as The Church of God. Currently The Church of God is Officially Organized in 38 Nations World-Wide. Our General Overseer is Bishop James C. Nabors, with International Offices Located in Cleveland, TN. Below is a brief History and Heritage of The Church of God. If you have any questions feel free to contact us on the above link given.
_______________________________________________________________________________
HISTORY & HERITAGE OF THE CHURCH OF GOD
Bishop James C. Nabors, General Overseer
World-Capitol Cleveland, TN
The Church of God in these last days has always pointed to Mark 3:13-19 as the clearest account of the founding of the Church by Jesus Christ, although Matthew 10:1-4 and Luke 6:12-16 refer to the same event. This founding (establishing) seems to have occurred during the first year of Christ’s earthly ministry, approximately 28 A.D. Historical (as well as geographical) data indicate that the mountain on which this organization occurred was Horns of Hattin, or Kurn Hattin, some 5 miles west of the Sea of Galilee near Jerusalem.
Shortly thereafter the Church was endued with power from on high on the day of Pentecost, when the presence of the third person of the Godhead filled all that were assembled in the upper room baptizing them with the Holy Ghost and fire.
The Church made great advancements until the calling of the Council at Nicea when Emperor Constantine by means of a “religio – political” effort induced many of the bishops to sign the creed now known as the Nicean Creed. God’s leadership was set aside, that which had been The Church of God on June 14, A.D. 325 ceased to be The Church of God with the signing and acceptance of the creed. What was left became just another department of the Roman government. The true Church fell away into a period which history has called “the Dark Ages.” It would remain in virtual obscurity for 1578 years, covered over by the debris of false doctrine and unscriptural practices. This actual Reformation Period would be in turn, a preparation for the restoration of The Church of God.
A. J. Tomlinson referred to this Reformation Period as “…branches growing in the darkness, drawn by rays of light, and finally manifested as restored Church of God doctrines…” justification by faith; divine healing; Holy Ghost baptizing. These revelations of truth were given while the Church itself was still in the Dark Ages.
The Arise Shine of The Church of God
On June 13, 1903, A. J. Tomlinson, climbed to the top of the mountain in Cherokee, North Carolina, where he prayed and “prevailed with God.” He apparently never elaborated on his “mountain top experience” at that time, but in later years he somewhat guardedly wrote about what God had revealed to him. When Bishop Tomlinson descended the mountain on June 13, 1903, the meeting had convened. The following are his words on the subject from his address to the 36th Annual Assembly, October 17, 1941: “…I then went down to the base of the mountain and entered into the meeting that had been called. When I understood fully that those saintly people meant to stand for the whole Bible rightly divided, and take the New Testament as their only rule of faith and practice, it appealed to me and I became very much interested at once. I asked many questions and Bible answers were given which perfectly satisfied all of my inquiries. I then said, THIS MEANS THAT IT IS THE CHURCH OF GOD. To this they assented. Thus was found [not founded] the Church of God of the Bible and prophecy that was destined to ‘Arise shine; for thy light is come,’ in these last days. Then I ventured to ask if they would be willing to receive me in the Church with the understanding that it Is the Church of God of the Bible. They were willing, and I took the covenant with sincerity and extreme sacredness never to be forgotten.” The covenant that Bishop Tomlinson received was “Will you take this [the Bible] as the Word of God, believe it and practice it, obey its precepts and walk in the light as God is in the Light? I thought deeply. I remember what a time I had on the mountain. I meant business, God meant business….”
Thus on June 13, 1903, The Church of God arose out of the period of the Dark Ages, 1578 years after the awful apostasy, and was restored to God’s favor. Just as Christendom at large did not realize what had happened at Nicea in A.D. 325 neither did Christendom at large know what had happened when David’s words were fulfilled – “…we found it in the fields of the wood” (Psalms 132:6).
The Future of The Church of God
Some 2000 years have passed since the establishing of The Church of God in 28 A.D. From great victories and glories, through the Dark Ages, to the Arise Shine of the Church in 1903, God’s hand has been on His Church and so it will ever be.
Details of the future are, of course, unknown; but the prophecies of God are clear concerning His Church. The hour is late, but the brightness of the “Arise, Shine” lies just ahead. Without a doubt, perfection will be attained, for it has already been declared of the Church, that Christ will “present it unto Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27; see also Revelations 19:6-9).
Our goal is PERFECTION! A GLORIOUS CHURCH! PURIFIED, AS HE IS PURE! Indeed the future is bright for God’s Church, The Church of God, as she continues to embrace past, present and future prophecies.
The above information was adapted from: History of The Church of God, The Church the Fullness of Christ; The Last Great Conflict; Upon This Rock, Volume I; 36th Assembly Minutes, 1941; A. J. Tomlinson by Lillie Duggar and all Scripture from the King James Version, 1611 addition.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE & NATURE OF THE CHURCH OF GOD
THEOCRATIC ORDER OF LEADERSHIP
For the leadership in The Church of God to be able to promote the Perfection of The Church of God, we must first have a clear understanding of its Organizational Structure and Nature.
JESUS CHRIST
The Church of God recognizes that the highest authority in The Church of God under pure Theocracy is and must always be JESUS CHRIST!
For the Church to operate under Theocratic Government God must have the rule over the Church. While Jesus was on the earth He spoke the words of His Father.
John 12:49 “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.” Jesus is plainly saying, whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say. When Jesus ruled the church in His earthly ministry—God ruled the church.
However, Jesus, after finishing His earthly ministry, went back to the father, then the authoritative agency in the Church became the Holy Ghost, as recorded in John 16:13. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
The Spirit receives of Christ and reveals it to the Church. Again, this simply means that Christ is the head of the Church, and the Word of God is the basis for the rule of God.
The fifteenth assembly in 1920 went on record with this statement: “We recognize Christ as the head of the church and the Supreme ruler. He speaks to us by the Holy Ghost, and we settle all questions and disputes by the word of God, and as it seems good to the Holy Ghost and to us.”
The word of God, through the ministry of the Holy Ghost, as interpreted by the General Assembly, is the supreme voice of authority in The Church of God.
One of the first rulings of the General Assembly was “we do not consider ourselves a legislative or executive body, but judicial only.”
THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH THEOCRACY
The Government of The Church of God flows in and through Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Son of God is the Church’s founder, and maker of its laws and government.
Matthew 16:18 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Acts 20:28 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
The Church is the place where God rules. Therefore, the church must be subject to Him in everything. The church is the government of God. Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Although the actual term Theocracy does not appear in the Scriptures, the principle of theocracy is found in both the church in the wilderness, and the church in the New Testament. The ultimate realization of government by God in the Millennium illustrates the totality of God’s rule.
The actual term “Theocracy” was probably first used by the Jewish Historian Josephus, in referring to the government of God as opposed to the other forms of government. Its basic meaning comes from the Greek words, Theos for God and Kratos for power. The power to rule resides in God; therefore, the ultimate meaning of Theocracy is GOD RULES.
Theocracy is NOT by one person, NOT by a few people, NOT by a privileged class of people, NOR by the majority of people, but is government under the direct rule of God.
According to the Scriptures pure Theocracy operates by three fundamental truths. True theocracy hinges on the law given by God, the rule under the direction of God, and willing submission to God by the people. Pure theocracy can not, and will not work unless all three of these principles are prominent in the practice of theocratic government. These three foundational principles of theocracy are not only scripturally sound, but they are upheld by the General Assembly of The Church of God.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly is not a Legislative or Executive body, but Judicial only. Since the Assembly is the highest tribunal of authority for the interpretation of the Scriptures, its purpose is to search the Scriptures for additional light and knowledge of the church. To give prayerful consideration to all necessary business matters, and to recommend practices relative to the administration of the church’s commission. It must strive to keep everything in harmony with The Word of God.
The perfect rule of God is ascertained as the General Assembly perfectly interprets the Word of God. The Scriptural basis for the General Assembly is found in the practices of God’s people in the Bible, especially, as recorded in the fifteenth chapter of Acts.
The council at Jerusalem, which occurred around 50 A.D., has set the pattern for ages to come. Acts gives strong evidence for a central authority in church government.
The delegates of the General Assembly who have been entrusted with the noble task to search out and apply the laws of the glorious government consist of the General Overseer and all the members of The Church of God in attendance throughout the world. Although, only male members who are in good standing have an actual voice in decision-making procedures of the church, all members are encouraged to attend and assist the church as the proper interpretation of the Scripture is sought.
To be chosen to participate in the Divine government of God is one of the highest honors conferred upon man, and it should be approached with all seriousness, because the decisions will affect the entire church world wide.
For pure Theocracy to be in operation, the government of The Church of God must be held by men of highest spiritual quality.
THE GENERAL OVERSEER
By virtue of his office, the General Overseer holds a very prominent place in The Church of God. The office of General Overseer is filled by Divine appointment. This is the theocratic process.
Learning from Acts, chapter fifteen The Church of God upholds the office of General Overseer as being scripturally sound. From this office is received spiritual guidance to keep the Church under the Divine rulership of Christ.
In this section you will learn more about us as The Church of God. Currently The Church of God is Officially Organized in 38 Nations World-Wide. Our General Overseer is Bishop James C. Nabors, with International Offices Located in Cleveland, TN. Below is a brief History and Heritage of The Church of God. If you have any questions feel free to contact us on the above link given.
_______________________________________________________________________________
HISTORY & HERITAGE OF THE CHURCH OF GOD
Bishop James C. Nabors, General Overseer
World-Capitol Cleveland, TN
The Church of God in these last days has always pointed to Mark 3:13-19 as the clearest account of the founding of the Church by Jesus Christ, although Matthew 10:1-4 and Luke 6:12-16 refer to the same event. This founding (establishing) seems to have occurred during the first year of Christ’s earthly ministry, approximately 28 A.D. Historical (as well as geographical) data indicate that the mountain on which this organization occurred was Horns of Hattin, or Kurn Hattin, some 5 miles west of the Sea of Galilee near Jerusalem.
Shortly thereafter the Church was endued with power from on high on the day of Pentecost, when the presence of the third person of the Godhead filled all that were assembled in the upper room baptizing them with the Holy Ghost and fire.
The Church made great advancements until the calling of the Council at Nicea when Emperor Constantine by means of a “religio – political” effort induced many of the bishops to sign the creed now known as the Nicean Creed. God’s leadership was set aside, that which had been The Church of God on June 14, A.D. 325 ceased to be The Church of God with the signing and acceptance of the creed. What was left became just another department of the Roman government. The true Church fell away into a period which history has called “the Dark Ages.” It would remain in virtual obscurity for 1578 years, covered over by the debris of false doctrine and unscriptural practices. This actual Reformation Period would be in turn, a preparation for the restoration of The Church of God.
A. J. Tomlinson referred to this Reformation Period as “…branches growing in the darkness, drawn by rays of light, and finally manifested as restored Church of God doctrines…” justification by faith; divine healing; Holy Ghost baptizing. These revelations of truth were given while the Church itself was still in the Dark Ages.
The Arise Shine of The Church of God
On June 13, 1903, A. J. Tomlinson, climbed to the top of the mountain in Cherokee, North Carolina, where he prayed and “prevailed with God.” He apparently never elaborated on his “mountain top experience” at that time, but in later years he somewhat guardedly wrote about what God had revealed to him. When Bishop Tomlinson descended the mountain on June 13, 1903, the meeting had convened. The following are his words on the subject from his address to the 36th Annual Assembly, October 17, 1941: “…I then went down to the base of the mountain and entered into the meeting that had been called. When I understood fully that those saintly people meant to stand for the whole Bible rightly divided, and take the New Testament as their only rule of faith and practice, it appealed to me and I became very much interested at once. I asked many questions and Bible answers were given which perfectly satisfied all of my inquiries. I then said, THIS MEANS THAT IT IS THE CHURCH OF GOD. To this they assented. Thus was found [not founded] the Church of God of the Bible and prophecy that was destined to ‘Arise shine; for thy light is come,’ in these last days. Then I ventured to ask if they would be willing to receive me in the Church with the understanding that it Is the Church of God of the Bible. They were willing, and I took the covenant with sincerity and extreme sacredness never to be forgotten.” The covenant that Bishop Tomlinson received was “Will you take this [the Bible] as the Word of God, believe it and practice it, obey its precepts and walk in the light as God is in the Light? I thought deeply. I remember what a time I had on the mountain. I meant business, God meant business….”
Thus on June 13, 1903, The Church of God arose out of the period of the Dark Ages, 1578 years after the awful apostasy, and was restored to God’s favor. Just as Christendom at large did not realize what had happened at Nicea in A.D. 325 neither did Christendom at large know what had happened when David’s words were fulfilled – “…we found it in the fields of the wood” (Psalms 132:6).
The Future of The Church of God
Some 2000 years have passed since the establishing of The Church of God in 28 A.D. From great victories and glories, through the Dark Ages, to the Arise Shine of the Church in 1903, God’s hand has been on His Church and so it will ever be.
Details of the future are, of course, unknown; but the prophecies of God are clear concerning His Church. The hour is late, but the brightness of the “Arise, Shine” lies just ahead. Without a doubt, perfection will be attained, for it has already been declared of the Church, that Christ will “present it unto Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27; see also Revelations 19:6-9).
Our goal is PERFECTION! A GLORIOUS CHURCH! PURIFIED, AS HE IS PURE! Indeed the future is bright for God’s Church, The Church of God, as she continues to embrace past, present and future prophecies.
The above information was adapted from: History of The Church of God, The Church the Fullness of Christ; The Last Great Conflict; Upon This Rock, Volume I; 36th Assembly Minutes, 1941; A. J. Tomlinson by Lillie Duggar and all Scripture from the King James Version, 1611 addition.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE & NATURE OF THE CHURCH OF GOD
THEOCRATIC ORDER OF LEADERSHIP
For the leadership in The Church of God to be able to promote the Perfection of The Church of God, we must first have a clear understanding of its Organizational Structure and Nature.
JESUS CHRIST
The Church of God recognizes that the highest authority in The Church of God under pure Theocracy is and must always be JESUS CHRIST!
For the Church to operate under Theocratic Government God must have the rule over the Church. While Jesus was on the earth He spoke the words of His Father.
John 12:49 “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.” Jesus is plainly saying, whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say. When Jesus ruled the church in His earthly ministry—God ruled the church.
However, Jesus, after finishing His earthly ministry, went back to the father, then the authoritative agency in the Church became the Holy Ghost, as recorded in John 16:13. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
The Spirit receives of Christ and reveals it to the Church. Again, this simply means that Christ is the head of the Church, and the Word of God is the basis for the rule of God.
The fifteenth assembly in 1920 went on record with this statement: “We recognize Christ as the head of the church and the Supreme ruler. He speaks to us by the Holy Ghost, and we settle all questions and disputes by the word of God, and as it seems good to the Holy Ghost and to us.”
The word of God, through the ministry of the Holy Ghost, as interpreted by the General Assembly, is the supreme voice of authority in The Church of God.
One of the first rulings of the General Assembly was “we do not consider ourselves a legislative or executive body, but judicial only.”
THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH THEOCRACY
The Government of The Church of God flows in and through Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Son of God is the Church’s founder, and maker of its laws and government.
Matthew 16:18 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Acts 20:28 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
The Church is the place where God rules. Therefore, the church must be subject to Him in everything. The church is the government of God. Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Although the actual term Theocracy does not appear in the Scriptures, the principle of theocracy is found in both the church in the wilderness, and the church in the New Testament. The ultimate realization of government by God in the Millennium illustrates the totality of God’s rule.
The actual term “Theocracy” was probably first used by the Jewish Historian Josephus, in referring to the government of God as opposed to the other forms of government. Its basic meaning comes from the Greek words, Theos for God and Kratos for power. The power to rule resides in God; therefore, the ultimate meaning of Theocracy is GOD RULES.
Theocracy is NOT by one person, NOT by a few people, NOT by a privileged class of people, NOR by the majority of people, but is government under the direct rule of God.
According to the Scriptures pure Theocracy operates by three fundamental truths. True theocracy hinges on the law given by God, the rule under the direction of God, and willing submission to God by the people. Pure theocracy can not, and will not work unless all three of these principles are prominent in the practice of theocratic government. These three foundational principles of theocracy are not only scripturally sound, but they are upheld by the General Assembly of The Church of God.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly is not a Legislative or Executive body, but Judicial only. Since the Assembly is the highest tribunal of authority for the interpretation of the Scriptures, its purpose is to search the Scriptures for additional light and knowledge of the church. To give prayerful consideration to all necessary business matters, and to recommend practices relative to the administration of the church’s commission. It must strive to keep everything in harmony with The Word of God.
The perfect rule of God is ascertained as the General Assembly perfectly interprets the Word of God. The Scriptural basis for the General Assembly is found in the practices of God’s people in the Bible, especially, as recorded in the fifteenth chapter of Acts.
The council at Jerusalem, which occurred around 50 A.D., has set the pattern for ages to come. Acts gives strong evidence for a central authority in church government.
The delegates of the General Assembly who have been entrusted with the noble task to search out and apply the laws of the glorious government consist of the General Overseer and all the members of The Church of God in attendance throughout the world. Although, only male members who are in good standing have an actual voice in decision-making procedures of the church, all members are encouraged to attend and assist the church as the proper interpretation of the Scripture is sought.
To be chosen to participate in the Divine government of God is one of the highest honors conferred upon man, and it should be approached with all seriousness, because the decisions will affect the entire church world wide.
For pure Theocracy to be in operation, the government of The Church of God must be held by men of highest spiritual quality.
THE GENERAL OVERSEER
By virtue of his office, the General Overseer holds a very prominent place in The Church of God. The office of General Overseer is filled by Divine appointment. This is the theocratic process.
Learning from Acts, chapter fifteen The Church of God upholds the office of General Overseer as being scripturally sound. From this office is received spiritual guidance to keep the Church under the Divine rulership of Christ.
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