Church of God, Sarasota is affiliated with the Church of God, Anderson, IN, a global movement that’s hope is to restore a more biblical understanding and practice of what it means to be the church. “The Bible is our rule of faith and Christ alone is Lord,” - The Church’s Jubilee. These words still summarize the core belief of Church of God people. We have not issued any official belief statement, and we have no formal creed. Yet, the following statements reflect the heart of the Church of God.
Kingdom of God
Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” Luke 17:20-21 NIV
The rule and reign of God is a present reality to be embraced and experienced today. He always has been and always will be. His kingdom is not of this world. As children of God, the spiritual riches of God are ours to claim as we preach the good news of His Kingdom to the world.
Jesus is Lord
Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah. Acts 2:36 NIV
The singularity, the exclusivity, and the divinity of the Lord Jesus is central to who we are. He is the Bread of Life, the Living Water, and the Lamb of God. He is the Way, the Truth, the Life, and the one Mediator between God and mankind. He is the Lord of lords, the King of kings, the Son of Man, and the Son of God. The Word became flesh. Jesus is the Name at which every knee shall bow.
Trinity
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Genesis 1:26 NIV
Though difficult for the human mind to fully comprehend, our one God expresses Himself in three person: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity serves a unique role to bring God glory and to accomplish His purposes in the world.
Supremacy of Scripture
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
We are a people of the Bible, the Old and New Testaments - supernaturally inspired, preserved across time, cultures, and continents, useful for reproof and instruction, and for righteousness. The Scripture is the ultimate field of inquiry and judgment, the measure of conduct, faith, and practice. Whatever the question or test, it is the Scripture, above all other disciplines, that informs and defines us. All other sources of knowledge fall beneath the authority of the Scripture.
The Great Commandments
Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 NIV
The Great Commission
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
To go and make disciples is the divine privilege and responsibility given to each of us. We champion the work of evangelism and discipleship in our own neighborhood, as well as the sending of missionaries to foreign countries and in our own country that are beyond our individual reach.
Holiness
for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16 NIV
Living a life in pursuit of holiness is foundational to an obedient faith-filled life.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25 NIV
It is the Spirit that convicts us of sin and enables us to overcome sin.
Women in Ministry
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 NIV
The distribution of gifts by the Holy Spirit for the edification of the body of Christ is not determined by gender. From the earliest days of the Church of God movement, we have celebrated the ministry leadership of outstanding men and women clergy and continue to do so.
In the last days, God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17 NIV
