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Statement of Beliefs
Following are the Statement of Beliefs
of the Western Region Church
of God:
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GOD
God is the supreme creator and sustainer of the entire universe who is eternal, all present, and all powerful. God is a single spirit family presently consisting of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. God is a loving, kind, and merciful being who is sharing His magnificent and eternal existence by reproducing Himself through mankind.
Psalm 19:1;
50:6-7;
Isaiah 44:6; Nehemiah 9:6,16-17; John 1:12-13; 3:16; 4:10; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 John 3:1-2
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BIBLE
The entire Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God which contains His plan of salvation, and the record of His participation in history. The Bible is God's method of revealing knowledge that man cannot discover for himself; the foundation of knowledge and the guidebook of life. God's written Word, is revealed in two parts, the Old and New Testaments. Together, they form the basis of Christianity as taught by the church and as practiced by the true Christian.
Deuteronomy 8:3;
Matthew 4:4;
Luke 4:4;
John 17:17;
Romans 8:16;
I Corinthians 2:7-11;
II Timothy 3:16-17;
II Peter 1:20
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JESUS CHRIST
Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of God and the Son of man. He is the Messiah who was prophesied in the Old Testament and described in the New Testament as being fully human and fully divine. He has existed throughout eternity as the "Word" and is the second member of the God family. He divested Himself of His power and His majesty, to become a human being in order to live a perfect life, thereby re-qualifying for eternal life, but then died anyway as a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind as our loving and merciful Savior. He was then resurrected and ascended to heaven to become our Lord and High Priest. Jesus Christ will return to earth to establish the Kingdom of God where He will rule as King of kings with His saints as co-rulers forever.
Deuteronomy 18:15;
Matthew 16:15-17;
John 1:1-14;
3:16;
Acts 2:32-33;
Romans 5:8;
Philippians 2:7;
Hebrews 4:14-15;
Revelation 1:13-16
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THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the spiritual extension of God, containing the essence, power and mind of God. God uses His Holy Spirit to beget Christians as His sons and daughters. The Holy Spirit spiritually strengthens Christians, converting their minds to be more like GodⳠmind. The Holy Spirit also serves as an earnest or guarantee of future eternal life.
Acts 1:8;
2:38;
Romans 8:9,
14;
1 Corinthians 2:16;
Ephesians 1:13-14
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MANKIND
Humans have no inherent immortality as flesh and blood physical beings; however, they can receive eternal life as a free gift from our loving and merciful creator God. Although mankind was created by God as flesh and blood, He did so in His own image. He added a spiritual component to mankindⳠbrain to create the human mind.
Genesis 1:26-2;
Job 32:8;
1 Corinthians 2:11;
1 John 5:11-13
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ANGELIC REALM
The angels were created by God as powerful spirit beings then used by God as His agents and messengers. These spirit beings also function as ministering spirits, helping mankind attain salvation and have done so since man's creation. Like mankind, angels also have free moral agency. Although angels were created to help God, some of them, led by Satan the devil, rebelled against God and His government. Their rebellious acts caused them to be transformed into demons.
Psalm 91:11-12;
Ephesians 6:12;
Hebrews 1:7
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SALVATION
The penalty for sin is death, but salvation is the means by which God saves mankind from the penalty of sin so that he may be given eternal life. Working through His Son, Jesus Christ, the salvation process includes one's calling, repentance, baptism, justification, receiving of the Holy Spirit, then living a life of faith and obedience, and finally, birth into God's Kingdom as a spirit being. Salvation is a gift freely given through grace by God, with our ultimate reward given according to our works.
Matthew 16:27;
John 3:16-17;
Romans 6:23;
Ephesians 2:8-9;
Hebrews 6:1-2
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FAITH
Faith is the absolute knowledge that God exists and that He can and will fulfill His promises. Faith is necessary for salvation, of which, the basic elements are courage, action, and risk.
Romans 1:17;
10:17;
Ephesians 3:17;
Hebrews 11:1-2;
James 2:22-24
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REPENTANCE
Repentance is the act of acknowledging one's sins, and then resolving to fully obey God and then is manifested by positive change. It begins when God opens a personⳠmind to see himself in comparison with God and His law. True repentance is the first step toward reconciliation with God, and therefore ultimate salvation.
Acts 2:38;
3:19-21;
8:22;
1 John 3:4
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BAPTISM
Baptism is a ceremony, symbolizing the renunciation of the past sinful way of life, the burial of the old man in a watery grave, and the emergence of a new, Spirit-led person living with Christ's mind and following in His footsteps. The ceremony can only take place after true repentance and acceptance of Christ's sacrifice, then by full immersion in the symbolic watery grave. After this ceremony, and as a result of all these actions, one receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands.
Matthew 3:13-16;
Acts 2:38;
Romans 6:1-8;
Colossians 2:12
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LAYING ON OF HANDS
The laying on of hands is an act performed for the receiving of God's Holy Spirit after baptism, at ordinations, anointing of the sick, or for other special purposes.
Matthew 19:13-15;
Acts,6:5-6,
8:17-18;
13:3;
1 Timothy 4:1-4;
Hebrews 6:2
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KINGDOM OF GOD
The Kingdom of God is the government of God ruled by the family of God. It will be the world ruling government set up by Jesus Christ upon His return. Jesus Christ will be the King of Kings and will rule for all eternity with the resurrected spirit-composed saints ruling with Him. In the New Testament, the Kingdom of God is referred to as a "mystery". It was first preached and explained by Christ, then by His church. The Kingdom of God will be established on earth for a thousand years following Christ's return. It shall be complete when New Jerusalem and God the Father come down out of heaven to dwell on the New Earth.
Mark 4:11;
Revelation 5:10;
20:4;
21:1-3,
7,
10
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GOSPEL
The gospel is the message preached by Jesus Christ and His church about the history of Jesus Christ and the future coming Kingdom of God to be established by Jesus Christ, the restoration of GodⳠgovernment on earth, and how mankind can enter that Kingdom and government. It includes the message of what Jesus Christ has done in the past, is doing now, and shall do. Ultimately, it is the message of the entire Old and New Testaments. The primary purpose and commission of GodⳠchurch is to "Go ye therefore, and teach [make disciples of] all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. "
Matthew 3:2;
24:14;
28:19-20;
Mark 1:15;
Luke 24:47
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RESURRECTIONS
The hope of all mankind and the promise to the Christian is that they will be resurrected from the dead. The Bible refers to four resurrections. (1) the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the firstborn of God and man from the dead to become the pioneer of our salvation; (2) the resurrection of the saints at the return of Jesus Christ when the true believers shall become spirit-composed members of God's family. This is called the "first resurrection" (3) the resurrection of all who have ever died without having understood God's way, back to physical life for their first opportunity for salvation; (4) the resurrection of those who have refused to repent and have rejected God's way and are called the incorrigibly wicked, to be consumed in the lake of fire. This is called the "second death".
John 5:28-29;
Acts 2:32;
Romans 8:11;
1 Corinthians 15:20;
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17;
Revelation 20:4-6,
13-14
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JUDGMENT
The time of a personⳠjudgment is the time of his opportunity for salvation. That begins from when a person is called by God until his death changed into spirits upon Jesus Christ's return. The overwhelming majority shall qualify for God's Kingdom and will inherit eternal life, but and those who deliberately reject God's way shall suffer the second death and be consumed in the lake of fire.
Matthew 13:49-50;
25:34;
1 Peter 4:17;
Revelation 20:15;
21:8
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LAW OF GOD
The law of God is a perfect expression of GodⳠlove toward man. It is a good, right, and perfect system of eternal directives and principles that reflects God's character and love. GodⳠlaw teaches mankind how to properly worship God, how to love his fellowman, how to live an abundant life, and how to prepare for an eternal spiritual life as a full member of the family of God. The law of God is taught in both the Old and the New Testaments. It requires both physical actions and spiritual convictions.
John 14:15,
21;
Romans 7:12;
1 John 5:2-3
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BIBLICAL COVENANTS
Both the Old and New Testaments record that God made certain specific "contracts" or promises called "covenants" with mankind. These covenants define the terms of God's relationship with individuals and groups in various circumstances and eras throughout mankindⳠhistory. The best known covenants were made with the physical nation of Israel. That covenant was re-established as the New Covenant with "better promises" and will be fully confirmed with spiritual Israel after the return of Jesus Christ. The New Covenant makes God's law even more relevant by expanding it to include one's mental attitude and spiritual intent. It also applies to the New Testament church from the time of the original apostles.
Matthew 5:21-22;
2 Timothy 3:15-16;
Hebrews 8:6-13
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TEN COMMANDMENTS
The Ten Commandments were revealed by God to Moses who then codified them. They were then ratified and magnified by Christ, are the perfect expression of God's love. They are the foundation of all biblical teaching and much of manⳠlaw. They show mankind how to express love toward God and his fellowman, and are consequently the focal point of Christian life.
Exodus 20;
Deuteronomy 5;
Matthew 5:17-19;
Romans 13:10;
1 Corinthians 7:19;
Revelation 12:17;
22:14
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SABBATH
The seventh-day Sabbath was instituted at creation. It is to be taught and kept holy in accordance with the biblical instruction. The Sabbath was reaffirmed to Israel as a part of the covenant at Sinai, and taught by Jesus Christ, who is the Messenger of the New Covenant. The keeping of the Sabbath is fundamental to a Christian's relationship with God.
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Genesis 2:2-3;
Exodus 16;
20:8-11;
31:12-17;
Mark 2:27-28;
Luke 4:16
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ANNUAL HOLY DAYS
The seven annual holy days or "appointed feasts" depict God's plan of salvation for mankind. They are ordained by God and were kept by the ancient Israelites. Keeping the holy days have been continued by the early New Testament Christians and are still kept today by modern day Christians.
Leviticus 23;
Zechariah 14:16;
John 7;
8-10;
Acts 2:1;
12:3;
20:6,
16;
27:9;
1 Corinthians 5:8;
16:8
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TITHING
Tithing is a private matter between the individual and God because it is an act of worship. It is not the job of the church to "enforce" or "police" tithing, but simply teaches the responsibility to tithe. Each individual has the responsibility to "honor the Lord with his substance and with the firstfruits of all his increase." Tithing and free will offerings are the method by which the gospel is proclaimed to the world.
Malachi 3:8-10;
Matthew 6:21;
23:23;
2 Corinthians 9:7
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SIN
Sin is the transgression of God's law. It is failing to meet the standards set by the character of Jesus Christ. The penalty for sin is death in the lake of fire, but all sin can be completely forgiven by God, who desires that all men be saved. God forgives sin upon the repentance of the sinner. God therefore accepts the shed blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ as payment in full for the penalty of a personⳠrepented of sins.
Romans 6:23;
Ephesians 4:32;
Colossians 1:14;
I John 3:4
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THE CHRISTIAN
A true Christian is one who has repented of past sins, was baptized and in whom the Holy Spirit now dwells.
Romans 8:9;
1 Corinthians 12:13
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THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY
The core of a stable society is the family and the marriage relationship is the basis of the family. Although men and womenⳠroles are clearly defined in the Bible, both have equal spiritual potential before God. The husband, wife and children form the family that is the primary physical analogy of God's plan for mankind. Therefore, marriage, child rearing and the family are given a preeminent place in the teachings of the Bible and the church.
Exodus 20:12;
Malachi 4:5-6,
Ephesians 5:22-29;
6:1-3;
1 Peter 3:7
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HEALING
Divine healing is a miracle and gift of God. He may bestow it in His mercy and love upon those who call upon Him in time of need, but often, according to their faith. The healings of Jesus Christ described in the Bible depict and represent His power to express compassion, to forgive sin, and ultimately, to resurrect the dead and eventually to establish the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Matthew 9:1-7;
James 5:14-15
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THE CHURCH OF GOD
The church is the spiritual body of Christ. Physically, it is group of persons called out by God and impregnated with His Holy Spirit. As a spiritual body, the church is made up of baptized, Spirit-led people scattered all over the world.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14,
27;
Colossians 3:15
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FOOD LAWS
The laws of clean and unclean meats given in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 are still to be observed by New Testament Christians and beneficial for all of mankind. It is clear that God in His benevolent love gave man the knowledge of what meats were fit to eat at the beginning of man's creation. Clearly the laws of clean and unclean meats were known by Noah before the flood and long before the Mosaic Law. Much in medical science has been discovered that substaniates the health benefits of these laws. We are told in 1 Corinthians 6:20 to "glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." Taking meats into one's body which God has clearly forbidden can hardly bring glory to God or be benefical for one's physical well being.
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Leviticus 11:1-47;
Deuteronomy 14:1-21
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MILITARY SERVICE
We believe that Christians are forbidden by the Law of of God from taking human life. Therefore, bearing arms for the purpose of potentially taking human life is contrary to the Ten Commandments; as well as the admonitions given by Jesus Christ, and the rest of the New Testament. Therefore, we believe that Christians should not voluntarily become engaged in military service. If they are involuntarily engaged in military service, we believe they should refuse conscientiously to bear arms and, to the extent possible, refuse to come under military authority. The Church of God has historically considered military service wrong for its members. Records show that from the American Revolution through the two World Wars and subsequent police actions, members of the Church of God have consistently held to conscientious objection against military participation. Additionally, service in the military would make it impossible to properly observe the Sabbath and the Feast Days. We ought to obey God rather than men.
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Exodus 20:13;
Acts 5:29;
James 4:1-10;
Luke 6:27-29;
John 18:36;
1 Corinthians 7:21-23
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HEBREW CALENDAR
The Western Region Church Of God uses the calculated Hebrew Calendar to establish the dates of God's Holy Days and Festivals. This is the Calendar the majority of Festival and Holy Day observers have used for decades. The book, The Comprehensive Hebrew Calendar, by Arthur Spier, lists all the holy days of the Jewish calendar from 1899 to 2100 A.D., and thoroughly explains all the rules the Church has consistently used for these many years. The New Testament records that the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God (Rom.3:1-2). We believe that those oracles included not only the Old Testament Scriptures, but the maintenance of the Calendar given by God, with its rules and regulations. This calendar is designed to deal with the lunar-solar cycles and God's Holy Days and Feasts. It has been in existence since early Old Testament times. Calculations developed as a necessary alternative to be used when the new moon could not be observed. A special committee of the Sanhedrin, with it's president as chairman, had the resposibility to regulate and balance the solar with the lunar years. This calendar council calculated the beginning of the seasons on the basis of astronomical figures, which had been handed down as from the past history of the Jews . In the fourth century, when oppression and persecution hindered and threatened the continued existence of the Sanhedrin, the patriarch Hillel II took an extraordinary and we believe inspired step to preserve the unity of Israel by making public the system of Calendar calculation. Hillel II formally sanctified all months in advance, and intercalated all future leap years until such time as a new, recognized Sanhedrin would be established. It is so accurate, it has never needed adjustment since it's creation. It has been a blessing to Jews and all Festival observers; to know in advance when the Holy Days and Festivals will occur on the Calendar; as well as keeping them in unity. Those who have sought to develop their own Calendars have never at large been able to come to a consensus as to it's timing. However, we do respect those who have Calendar differences and welcome their fellowship with us, as long as their is not contention or an attempt to proselyte.
Romans 3:1-2;
Leviticus 23:1-44
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