ARTICLES OF FAITH - The Christians, The Church of God, Inc, Philippines

I. GOD HEAD

We believe in an eternal existent God, the Creator and Sovereign of the universe. Is Holy in nature, attributes and purposes. As God (Elohim) is manifested in three, divine persons, the Father, the Word (Son) and the Holy Spirit. The Father is greater in office or authority than all (john 14:28). He is the source of all spiritual things. The Word (Son) came from the Father (John 16:28. He is the Revealer of the Father (John 1:18). The Son is the Word, that was made flesh, the only Begotten of the Father, and existed with the Father (Phil. 2:6). The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from the Father and the Son (John 14:26; 15:26), and is eternal (Heb. 9:14). He is promised by Christ from the Father to all regenerated believers (John 14:16,17).

II. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God written by holy men of old as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21). That we accept the Scriptures as our infallible guide in matter of conduct and doctrine (2 Tim. 3:15-17; I Pet. 1:25; 2:1,2; 2 Pet. 1:21). That the Holy Scripture is plenary inspired and is composed of sixty six(66) books, thirty seven(37) books of the Old Testament and twenty nine(29) books of the New Testament.

III. MAN'S FALL AND REDEMPTION

We believe man is created by God, made in the likeness and image of His Creator (Gen. 1:26,27), but through Adam's transgression, sin entered into the world (Rom. 5:12). That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Jesus Christ, the Begotten Son of God was given by the Father to the human race that men can have redemption from sin. His shedded blood is the redemption (Rev. 5:9). Salvation from sin is a gift of God to man separated from good works and the work of the law whether moral or ceremonial, and is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ redemptive sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. Jesus Christ, the Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8)

IV. THE ROOT OF SIN

We believe that the Root of Sin or original sin, is the corruption of the spiritual nature of all the offspring of Adam seen in the evidence that everyone is very far gone from the original righteousness and purity of our first parents of their creation, and inclined to evil and that continually (Gen 6:3; Rom. 3:12; 5:12,13; 1 Cor. 15:22). That in the Bible it is the termed as the carnal mind, the old man, and flesh (Rom. 8:7; 6:6; 8:5-7). That is continues to exist to a newly regenerated child of God though subdued, until eradicated and destroyed by the Baptism with the Holy Ghost (Acts 15:8-9; 1 John 3:8).

V. FREE WILL

We believe than man was created with an ability to choose between right and wrong. That he could accept or reject God's offer in this present life; therefore he is morally reponsible, "Whosoever will come and take of the water of life freely (John 4:14-15; Rev. 22:17). We further believe that man though in the possession of the experiences of regeneration and entire sanctification may fall from grace and apostatize; unless he wills to repent of his sin, he hopelessly and lost forever.

VI. REPENTANCE

We believe that true repentance toward God consist in a conviction of godly sorrow for, a heartfelt confession and forsaking of sin. This is brought about by the knowledge of God's goodness and His divine abhorrence to sin through the medium of the Holy Scriptures and the convicting power of the Holy Spirit That it is required of all men everywhere (Acts 17:30) those who have heard the gospel, the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16; Rom. 2:4; Rom. 3:23; Mat. 3:2; 2 Cor. 7:10; John 16:7-11; Like 13:5).

VII. JUSTIFICATION, REGENERATION, ADOPTION

We believe that Justification is that gracious and judicial act of God, by which full pardon was granted from all guilt the penitent sinner who believes on Jesus Christ and receives Him as Lord and savior (Rom. 3:23-25; Rom. 5:1). We believe that Regeneration or the New Birth is that gracious work of God whereby the moral nature of the repentant sinner is spiritually quickened and given distinctly spiritual life, capable of faith, love and obedience ( 2 Cor. 5:17; Titus 3:4,5; 1 Pet. 23). We believe that Adoption is that gracious act of God by which the justified and regenerated believer is adopted into the family of God as a child (John 1:12; Rom.. 8:15; 2 Cor. 6:18; Gal. 4:5,6). We believe that Justification, regeneration and Adoption are concomitant in the experience of the believer and that to all of these gracious acts of God the Holy Spirit bears witness.

VIII. SANCTIFICATION

We believe that Entire Sanctification is that work of God subsequent to regeneration, by which the believer is cleansed from the root of sin or carnality, and brought into an entire devoutment to God, and the Holy obedience of love made perfect. That Entire Sanctification is wrought by the baptism with the Holy Spirit whereby the heart is cleansed from sin and made effect the abiding indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the saint for a holy life and service to God. That entire Sanctification is provided by the blood of Christ, is wrought instantaneously by faith, preceded by entire consecration; and to this experience the Holy Spirit bears witness (Rom. 12:1; 6:11; 13:22; Gal. 2:20; Rom. 15:16; Heb. 13:12, 13; Heb 10:14,15). That the state of grace wrought by that work of God of Entire Sanctification is known by various terms representing its different phases, such as "Christian Perfection", Perfect Love", "Heart Purity", "Baptism with the Holy Ghost", "the fullness of Blessing" and "Christian Holiness".

IX. THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the witness of the Holy Spirit is that divine inward impression wrought in the soul, whereby the Spirit of God immediately and directly assures our spirit that spiritual conditions are met for salvation, and that the work of grace is completely made in the soul. The Spirit bears witness both to justification of the sinner and the sanctification of the believer (Rom. 8:16; Heb. 10:14,15).

X. GROWTH IN GRACE

We believe that growth in grace is necessary and possible to maintain a right relationship with God and the Church, both in regeneration and after sanctification (Eph. 5:15,16; 2 Pet. 3:18).

XI. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again. That His coming will be bodily and literally on that "Day of the lord" and on that day the dead in Christ shall rise and the living believers will be changed and be caught up together with them in the cloud to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall they ever be with the Lord. We believe further that the coming of the Lord will be the end of the world (1 Thess. 4:41-18; Jude 14; 2 Pet. 3:9-13).

XII. RESURRECTION, JUDGMENT AND DESTINY

We believe in the resurrection of the dead; that the bodies of the just and of the unjust shall be raised at the same time at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess 4:15,16; Phil. 3:21; Dan. 12:2). We believe in the future final judgment in which every man shall appear before Christ to be judged according to his deeds in this life (Mat. 25:31,32; Acts 17:31; Heb. 9:27; 2 Pet. 2;9; 3:7; 1 John 4:17; Jude 14,15). We believe that there is a future destiny of all men. We believe that the glorious and everlasting life is assured to all who are saved from sin and obediently followed Jesus Christ; and that the finally impending shall suffer without end in hell (John 6:38; Luke 24:51; Mat. 6:20; Mt. 5:29; 10:28; 23:33; Luke 16:23).

XIII. BAPTISM

We believe that Christian baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament for the people of God signifying the acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ. It is to be administered to believers as a declaration of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior. It is a symbol signifying the death of the old man and the spiritual resurrection to a new life in God. Baptism must be administered by immersion alone by any elder of the Church (Mat. 2819; Acts 2:38; 10:48; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12).

XIV. COMMUNION

We believe that the communion of the bread and wine instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ is essentially a New Testament ordinance as memorial of His sacrificial death, and is strictly limited to believers. By participating in the communion feast, believers show forth the death of the Lord Jesus Christ as efficacious to their salvation till He comes again. We believe further that the communion feast shows forth the believers faith in Christ and their love to the brethren (1 Cor. 11:24-30; Luke 22:10,20; Mt. 26:26-29).

XV. FEET WASHING

We believe that feet washing is an ordinance instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ and should be observe by the believers. That it is a symbol of humility and service. That as much as possible, it should follow the ordinance of the communion feast, though it could be administered alone (John 13:14).

XVI. THE LORD'S DAY

We believe and recognize the first day of the week which is Sunday as the Lord's day. That it is a day of worship for the Church. That the gathering on this commemoration of Christ's resurrection. That it was the custom of the early Christian to worship on the first day of the week beginning with the apostles up the present day believers, We believe Christian should stop from unnecessary labor to give way for Christian services and spiritual ministry to the people (Mat. 28; Mk, 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1-19; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2).

XVII. DIVINE HEALING

We believe that divine healing is for the sickness of the physical body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith and the laying of hands on the sick. That it is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of everyone that will believe it (Mt. 8:16,17; Isa. 53:5; Mk. 16:18; Jas. 5:14,15).

XVIII. UNITY OF BELIEVERS

We believe that all Christians should unite in one; that they speak the same thing and that there be no division among them, but that they should be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. We further believe that Christians should not be divided into factions, sects and denominations. That division engenders confusion among believers and non-believers alike. That Christians in sectism should get out and experience the blessed liberty in Christ (1 Cor 1:10; Rev. 18:4).

XIX. THE UNIVERSAL AND LOCAL CHURCH

We believe the universal church is that mystical body of Christ. He being being the head and all saved ones are members of it. That the composition of the Church includes those saints that are in heaven. That the membership roll of the Church is in heaven (1 Cor. 12:1-10; Col 2:19; Acts 2:47; Luke 10:20; Heb 12:23). We believe that the universal church is to be understood by the following callings in the Scriptures: "The Church of God", "Zion", "New Jerusalem", "Church of the firstborn", "The house of God", "The Temple of God". We believe that we should use "The Church of God" to identify the universal church since it is the dominant name set forth in the New Testament (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:13; 1 Tim. 3:5,15; John 3:3; 1 Pet. 2:6; Gal 4:26; Heb 12:23; Rev. 3:12). We further believe that the local church or congregation should be called "The Church of God" as divinely inspired since it is a part of the universal church ( 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1).