The Beliefs, Principals of Operation and Assembly of the Church of God Sabbatarian

It is our hope and mission to share, teach and announce The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as given in Matthew 28:19-20.

GOD - God is the Supreme Creator, the all-powerful sustainer of the universe. God is a family presently consisting of the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God is loving, kind and merciful. He has purposed to share His magnificent existence with human beings by creating a family after His own kind through man. Isaiah 43:6 Psalm 19:1 Psalm 50:1, 6-7 Nehemiah 9:6 Romans 1:20

JESUS CHRIST - Jesus is the Christ, the prophesied Messiah, the Son of God and Son of Man. He is an eternal member of the God family, ''The Word''. He emptied Himself of His power and majesty and became flesh. He suffered temptation, but was without sin. He died for all of our sins and was resurrected after three full days and nights in the tomb. He was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest. There He anticipates His return to earth in glory as King of Kings to establish the Kingdom of God, where He will rule forever with His saints. John 1:1-14 Isaiah 53 Philippians 2:7 John 3:16-17 1 Corinthians 10:4 and 15:3-7 Heb 1:1-3 Revelation 19:11-16

HOLY SPIRIT - The Holy Spirit is the mind, nature, substance and power of God. It is the power through which God begets sons and daughters. It transforms the mind of the Christian to be like that of Christ, and serves as the ''down payment'' of eternal life. A true Christian is one in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. Luke 1:35 Acts 1:8 Acts 2:38 Romans 8:9, 14 I Corinthians 2:10-12, 16 Ephesians 1:13-14 Hebrews 2:9-18

ANGELIC REALM - Angels are powerful spirit beings created by God. They serve as His messengers and as servants of mankind in its quest for salvation and throughout eternity. Angels have free choice. Some chose to follow Satan the devil, rebelled against God and became demons.Job 38:4-7 Hebrews 1:5-7 Ezekiel 28: 13-17 Isaiah 14:12-14 Luke 10:18

THE BIBLE - The Bible, as written in the original languages (both Old and New Testaments)is the inspired Word of God. It contains God's plan for mankind, and is His revelation of all truth, wisdom and knowledge. The Bible can fully understood only by the guidance of God's Spirit. II Timothy 3: 16-17 Deuteronomy 8:3 John 17:17 Psalm 68:11 John 12:48 Revelation 20:12 Revelation 22:19

MANKIND - Man is made in the image of God. Humans are physical beings with no innate immortality and are subject to death. Man is carnal, but his brain contains a spiritual component which makes him an intelligent being capable of receiving the gift of eternal life from God. Man's ultimate purpose is to be an inheritor of the Kingdom of God. Genesis 1:26-27 Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10 Job 32:8 Hebrews 2:6-8 1 Corinthians 2:11 1 John 5:11-13

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - The Ten Commandments were revealed by God to the patriarchs, carved in stone by the very finger of God at Mt. Sinai, and magnified by Christ. The Ten Commandments show us how to love God and our fellow man. Exodus 20 Deuteronomy 6:1-3 Psalm 119 Matthew 5:17-19 1 John 2:3-6 I John 5:2-3 Revelation 22:14

THE SABBATH - The seventh day Sabbath (Friday at sunset until Saturday at sunset) was sanctified by God at creation as a memorial. It was reaffirmed to Israel as the fourth Commandment given at Sinai. The Sabbath was kept by Jesus Christ (Who called Himself "Lord of the Sabbath"). Kept by the apostles and the early church, the Sabbath is a joyful day of rest from our daily labors - a time for worship, reflection and acts of mercy. The Sabbath allows us time to reconnect with God, our families and our fellow believers. The Sabbath is basic to man's relationship with God and to the avoidance of idolatry. Genesis 2:2-3 Exodus 20:8-11 Luke 4:16 Mark 2:27-28 Acts 13:14, 42-44 Acts 16:13 Acts 17:2-3 Hebrews 4

ANNUAL HOLY DAYS - The annual Holy Days are commanded assemblies given to us by God which pictures His glorious plan of salvation for all mankind. The Holy Days were kept by ancient Israel, Jesus Christ, and the New Testament church throughout the centuries since then. All humanity will keep the Holy Days during the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth. Leviticus 23 Matthew 26:17-19 Acts 18:21 1 Corinthians 5:8 Zechariah 14:16

SIN - Sin is the transgression (or breaking) of God's law. It is a violation against the very nature of God. Sin cannot dwell in the presence of God; therefore, those who sin are separated from God in this life. Unless they repent, they will suffer eternal death in the Lake of Fire. I John 3:4 James 2:10-12 Romans 6:23 Proverbs 14:34 Romans 7:14, 18, 24, 25 Psalm 130:3-4

SALVATION - Salvation is Gods plan to deliver human beings from sin through Christ, and bring them into His Devine family as His children. Salvation is accomplished through repentance, baptism by full immersion and the receiving of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. The Gospel (or "Good News") of the Kingdom is the message preached by Christ showing the way for individuals to receive salvation and entrance into His family.
John 3:16-17 Romans 3:23-24 Romans 5:6-11 Acts 2:38-39 Psalm 103:10-14 Psalm 32:1-2 Romans 1:16

FAITH - Faith is the confident expectation of something hoped for and the evidence of something not seen. Faith begins in the belief that God exists and that all things are created by Him. Faith comes by hearing the word of God (the Bible). Faith requires action. Action comes in the form of obedience to God's Commandments. Faith is necessary for salvation. Hebrews 11:1-2 Romans 10:14, 17 Romans 5:1 James 2:19-20 I Peter 1:7-9

REPENTANCE - Repentance is a change of heart toward God and His law. It involves a profound remorse and resolve to turn from sin and completely surrender one's self to God's will. It involves a lifelong commitment to overcoming sin. I John 3:4 Acts 2:38 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 Acts 3:19 Psalm 51 Psalm 32:1-5

BAPTISM / LAYING ON OF HANDS - Baptism is a ceremony commanded by God which represents the death and burial of the repentant sinner, and the resurrection of the new creature in Christ. It is purposed by God to reinforce conviction and faith in the believer. Immediately after baptism, the hands of the elders are laid upon the believer and prayers made asking God to give His Holy Spirit to the believer. This pictures the believers placing his life in the hands of God, set apart by Him for service to His will. Hebrews 6:2 Romans 6:1-11 2 Corinthians 5:17 Matthew 3:13-17 Acts 10: 44-48 Acts 8:14-17 Acts 19:1-6

RESURRECTIONS AND JUDGMENT - The first resurrection will be a glorious time for believers when they will be born into Gods family. They will live and reign with Christ for 1,000 years. After the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth there will be a second resurrection to physical life of all those who died without ever understanding the way of God. This will give them their first chance for salvation. This time is also called the Great White Throne Judgment. The incorrigibly wicked who reject God's gift of salvation will be destroyed in the Lake of Fire. The Bible calls this the second death. John 11:25-26 John 6:39-40 I Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15 Revelation 20:4-6 Ezekiel 37 Revelation 20:11-15 John 5:25-29

THE CHURCH - The Church of God is the spiritual body of Christ, made up of persons called by God in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. The Church is the first fruits of God's creation, the future Bride of Christ. The Church will ultimately be the center piece of God's family, and the governing in His Kingdom. Matthew 16:18 I Corinthians 12:12-14, 27 James 1:18 2 Corinthians 11:2 Revelation 19:7- 9 Revelation 20: 4-6 1 Peter 2:9

THE PURPOSE and PRIMARY FUNCTION of the CHURCH 

A. To serve as instruments of Jesus Christ to proclaim the "Gospel of the Kingdom of God" to the public as God's grace provides. Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 24:14, Mark 1:14-15, Acts 8:1, 4, I Peter 3:15, Romans 10:13-15
B. To instruct those who are baptized into the body of Christ, the teachings of Christ, the apostles, and prophets. To promote the highest and most effective use of God's gifts in his Church so this can be accomplished. Matthew 28:19-20, Ephesians 2:20, and 4:7-13, I Corinthians 12:4-11 and 28-31, I Corinthians 14:26, 33, and 40.

RESPONSIBILITIES of PASTORS (BISHOP) and ELDERS - The Pastor is the presiding elder in the Church. It is his primary responsibility to teach (feed) the flock. Spiritual leadership is shared with others who are called elders who assist in this service. Together they watch over the flock to protect from wolves (false teachers) and to provide order in the assembly. It is the pastor's responsibility to oversee the proper use of tithes and offerings to accomplish the work that Christ has given to the church. Such as the preaching of the Gospel, the maintaining of a place to worship, the helping of the poor. The pastor and elders are always accountable to Christ and the assembly for the right use of their tithes, offerings, and gifts. The pastor (bishop) and elders have no personal authority over any individual in the assembly except as it pertains to a lawful and orderly assembly, and preaching sound doctrine, and correcting false teaching. John 21:15-17, I Peter 5:1-5, I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, Matthew 25::34-40, Luke 14:12:-14, Galatians 2:9-10, II Timothy 2:24-25, I Corinthians 3:5, Matthew 23:8-10. II Corinthians 1:24.

HOW PASTORS and ELDERS ARE CHOSEN - Pastors and elders are always chosen from among the local assembly. In the early church, they were appointed by the Apostles, but it is apparent that they relied upon the local assembly's recommendations before doing so. Sometimes fasting accompanied such appointments before they were made. The Church of God Sabbatarian established the tradition of reviewing the competency and continuance of the ministry (pastor and elders) every three years, but if any elder violates the scriptural requirements for elders they can be subject to discipline according to the procedures given in scripture. Acts 6:1-7, Acts 14:23, Acts 16:1-2, II Corinthians 8:18-19, Acts 13:2-3, Acts 14:23, I Timothy 5:19-20, Matthew 18:15-20. I Corinthians 6:1-6.

SUMMARY and CONCLUSION - The Church of God is not a corporation or a hierarchal organization. It is the body of Christ, a spiritual organism. It operates according to the power of God and the gifts He supplies. Its constitution is the word of God, not corporate by-laws. Each part of the body has a direct connection to the head (Jesus Christ) of the body. When the body is filled with Christ's Spirit, it moves and operates according to His direction and word. It is God's purpose that we each seek him to be filled with His spirit and His word. May we all understand and pursue earnestly this end. I Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:1-16, Ephesians 5:18, Luke 11:13, Galatians 5:22-25, Romans 8:14, John 7:37-39, Romans 15:13.