The Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee) is a pentecostal holiness body of Christians with roots in the holiness movement among Baptists in the late 19th century. Though the offices of the church are located in Cleveland, Tennessee, they are often designated the Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee) to distinguish them from a similar body usually called the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee). Their postal address is in Charleston, Tennessee. The official title of the body is The Church of God. The Pentecostal movement within Protestant Christianity places special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. ... Holiness means the state of being holy, that is, set apart for the worship or service of God or gods. ... Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament writings of his early followers. ... The holiness movement is composed of people who believe and propagate the belief that the carnal nature of man can be cleansed through faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit if one has had his sins forgiven through faith in Jesus. ... Baptist churches are part of a Christian movement often regarded as an Evangelical, Protestant denomination. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Cleveland is a city located in Bradley County, Tennessee. ... The Church of God (Cleveland) is a Protestant Christian denomination whose headquarters are in Cleveland, Tennessee. ... Charleston is a city located in Bradley County, Tennessee. ...

History

In August of 1886, Elder Richard Spurling (1810-1891), an ordained Baptist minister, became dissatisfied with what he believed were overly creedal approaches to New Testament Christianity. Spurling collaborated with seven members from Missionary Baptist churches in Monroe County, Tennessee and Cherokee County, North Carolina. These small fellowships organized the "Christian Union", with the stated intent to unite on the principles of the New Testament without reference to restatements of the faith in creedal form. The Church of God (Charleston) descends from this movement. Ultimately, the "Christian Union", under leadership of Spurling's son and others, including a former Quaker and Bible salesman named A.J. Tomlinson, experienced remarkable growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the Appalachian foothills. By 1907, Tomlinson had become the acknowledged leader of these Christian believers whose faith was driven by Wesleyan notions of personal holiness and reported Pentecostal experiences of being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. Many small congregations were planted and thrived, and organized under the common name Church of God adopted in 1907. In 1909 Tomlinson was elected General Overseer of the now-fledgling denomination. He held that position until 1923, and continued in a similar position in a derivative organization until his death in 1943. 1886 is a common year starting on Friday (click on link to calendar) // Events January 18 - Modern field hockey is born with the formation of The Hockey Association in England. ... The Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, or Friends, is a religious community founded in England in the 17th century. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... 1907 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The Pentecostal movement within Protestant Christianity places special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. ... realesed on september 27 2004 by 845Ent. ... 1907 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1909 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1943 is a common year starting on Friday. ...

Contrary to its desire to be free from creedal restatements of faith, this body was soon disrupted by competing restatements of Biblical teachings from within its own ranks. An ensuing division in 1923 resulted in two primary splinter groups, called respectively, [[Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)]] and the "Church of God over which A.J. Tomlinson is General Overseer". The latter, lead by Tomlinson, would be court-ordered its still-used denominational moniker in 1951 -- Church of God of Prophecy. A. J. Tomlinson's son, Milton Ambrose (M.A.) Tomlinson, succeeded him as General Overseer in 1943, and served until age-related disability prompted his retirement in 1990. Upon the election of M. A. Tomlinson's retirement that year, yet another splintering occurred. One group of members of the Church of God of Prophecy declared that the selection process of Tomlinson's successor was a departure from what had historically been perceived as "theocratic government" within the body's governing structure and procedure. This group indepdently organized in 1993 called for a "solemn assembly", borrowing an Old Testament term for corporate devotion to prayer to rhetorically emphasize its earnestness. Coincidentally, the "solemn assembly" produced yet another splinter denomination formally called Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee) and "The Church of God", (TCOG) with a particular emphasis upon the word "The" in its title as a statement that this newly formed splinter, alone, was the singular embodiment of the New Testament Christian church. TCOG elected Robert J. Pruitt to be the new overseer, and he remains so until the present date. TCOG presently claims membership in over 45 countries. 1923 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Church of God of Prophecy is a holiness pentecostal Christian denomination. ... 1990 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1993 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ...

Recent division

A split occurred on September 1, 1997 with the official acceptance of a "Declaration of Independence" after many attempts at reconciliation failed. It is believed by this new group that both The Church of God/Pruitt Division and the Church of God of Prophecy have left "Theocratic Government" upon which the original group led by the late Bishop A. J. Tomlinson stood as the Bible Church. The name of this group is The Church of God of North Carolina. This group believes and practices the teachings as they were taught by the Church of God of Prophecy up through 1989. September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years). ... 1997 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Church of God of North Carolina is a pentecostal holiness body of Christians with roots in the holiness movement among Baptists in the late 19th century. ...

Beliefs

Beliefs of this body include:

• The Church of God (Charleston) is the true church
  • The church was established before Pentecost around A.D. 28
  • The church plunged in apostasy in A.D. 325
  • The church was restored in North Carolina on June 13, 1903
    • This is considered a fulfillment of the Isaiah 60:1-5 prophecy
  • The church experienced disruptions in 1923 and 1990, but the Charleston body is the continuance of the true church of God
• The new birth as a result of repentance, justification and regeneration
• Sancification as a second work of grace, making holiness possible
  • abstinence from use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs
  • opposition to membership in secret societies
  • opposition to wearing jewelry and other ornamentation
  • no divorce and remarriage allowed
  • no swearing of oaths
• Baptism of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in tongues
• All gifts of the Spirit are in operation in the church (e.g., divine healing)
• Water baptism by immersion
• The Lord's Supper is a sacred ordinance reserved for sinless and consecrated Christians
• Feet washing is a New Testament ordinance
• Tithing
• The premillennial second coming of Jesus

The Holy Spirit, from the Christian viewpoint, while related to Gods will, is not Gods will personified. ... Baptism is a water purification ritual practiced in certain religions such as Christianity, Mandaeanism, Sikhism, and some historic sects of Judaism. ... The Lords Supper is a variation of the name and the service of The Last Supper or Eucharist. ... Feet washing is a religious rite observed as an ordinance by several Christian denominations. ... Millennialism (or chiliasm), from millennium, which literally means thousand years. Primarily a belief in some Christian denominations, literature and folk religion, that at some point in the future there will be a Golden Age, a Paradise on earth when universal peace will reign, when all people will dwell in prosperity... Jesus (Greek: Ἰησοῦς Iēsoûs), also known as Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ, is Christianitys central figure, both as Messiah and, for most Christians, as God incarnate. ...

External link

• The Church of God (Charleston)