The Church of God of Prophecy is a holiness pentecostal Christian denomination. It is one of five Church of God bodies in Cleveland, Tennessee that descended from a small meeting of believers who gathered at the Barney Creek Meeting House near the Tennessee/North Carolina border in 1886.¹ 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. ... The Pentecostal movement within Protestant Christianity places special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Church of God is a name used by numerous, mostly unrelated bodies. ... Cleveland is a city in Bradley County, Tennessee, United States. ... Official language(s) English Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Largest metro area Nashville Area  Ranked 36th  - Total 42,169 sq mi (109,247 km²)  - Width 120 miles (195 km)  - Length 440 miles (710 km)  - % water 2. ... Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (901 km)  - % water 9. ...

History

In August of 1886, Elder Richard Spurling (1810-1891), an ordained Baptist minister, rejected the dominant Landmark Baptist views on the church, which he believed were too creedal and exclusive. With seven members from Holly Springs and Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Churches in Monroe County, Tennessee and Cherokee County, North Carolina, he organized the Christian Union. These Christians hoped to free themselves from man-made creeds and unite on the principles of the New Testament. In September of 1886, Elder Spurling's son, Richard Green Spurling (1857-1935), was ordained as pastor of the Christian Union congregation. He also formed two other congregations. The father and son shared a vision to restore the church. Year 1886 (MDCCCLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1810 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Baptist is a term describing individuals belonging... Though numerous churches and some organizations use the terms Landmark and Landmark Baptist in their name, there is no identifiable sub-group of Baptists known as the Landmark Baptist Church. ... Monroe County is a county located in the state of Tennessee. ... Cherokee County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. ... John 21:1 Jesus Appears to His Disciples--Alessandro Mantovani: the Vatican, Rome. ... 1857 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ...

Around 1895, a holiness movement and Holy Ghost revival under the preaching of B. H. Irwin swept into the area. Richard G. Spurling accepted the holiness teachings, but was wary of the extreme direction in which he felt the movement was headed. But the revival was effective in moving Spurling's group away from the general faith and practice of Baptists and toward that of the Holiness. In 1902, R. G. Spurling influenced a holiness group led by W. F. Bryant to form the Holiness Church at Camp Creek, North Carolina. Spurling was elected pastor and Bryant was ordained as a deacon. The next year brought into the church an energetic and powerful leader, Ambrose J. Tomlinson. Tomlinson (1865-1943), a former Quaker who experienced an inner change of regeneration and sanctification, came in 1899 to the Appalachian region as a missionary. He became acquainted with Spurling and Bryant and caught Spurling's vision of the restoration of the church. He united with the church at Camp Creek on June 13, 1903, and soon became the acknowledged leader. New churches were organized in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. The first annual meeting of all the churches was held in 1906 in Cherokee County, North Carolina, and the name Church of God was adopted in 1907. Tomlinson professed a baptism of the Holy Ghost experience in 1908, which firmly established the church as part of the pentecostal movement. This took place under the preaching of Gaston B. Cashwell, a minister who was very influential in bringing Pentecostalism to North Carolina, the Appalachians and the east coast. In 1909 Tomlinson was elected General Overseer of the Church of God. Year 1895 (MDCCCXCV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 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. ... The Holy Spirit, from the Christian viewpoint, while related to Gods will, is not Gods will personified. ... This article should be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ... 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. ... 1902 (MCMII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, or Friends, is a religious community founded in England in the 17th century. ... Year 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday [1] of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... It has been suggested that Poverty in Appalachia be merged into this article or section. ... June 13 is the 164th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (165th in leap years), with 201 days remaining. ... 1900 (MCMIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Friday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (901 km)  - % water 9. ... Official language(s) English Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Largest metro area Nashville Area  Ranked 36th  - Total 42,169 sq mi (109,247 km²)  - Width 120 miles (195 km)  - Length 440 miles (710 km)  - % water 2. ... 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1908 (MCMVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Gaston Barnibus Cashwell (1860-1916) was a early Pentecostal leader in the southern United States. ... It has been suggested that Poverty in Appalachia be merged into this article or section. ... 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

In 1923 the Church of God was disrupted by matters concerning finance and governance, leading to a division. The largest body resulting from the division exists as the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee). The division under the leadership of A. J. Tomlinson was the smaller body. Tomlinson continued as General Overseer over this church until his death in 1943. The presbytery believed that the Lord directed them to bring the younger son, Milton A. Tomlinson (1906-1995), forward to leadership. This was confirmed by the General Assembly in 1944 and he became the General Overseer of the Church of God. The name "of Prophecy" was added to the "Church of God" on May 2, 1952. Under M. A. Tomlinson's leadership, the church began the White Wing Publishing House, White Wing Christian Bookstores, The Voice of Salvation radio and TV programs, and numerous other ministries. He served as General Overseer until 1990. 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... The Church of God (Cleveland) is a Protestant Christian denomination whose headquarters are in Cleveland, Tennessee. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... May 2 is the 122nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (123rd in leap years). ... 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... MCMXC redirects here; for the Enigma album, see MCMXC a. ...

Homer Tomlinson, older brother of Milton, formed a separate Church of God denomination (now Church of God (Huntsville, Alabama)) under his leadership in 1943-44. In 1957 Grady R. Kent went out of the Church of God of Prophecy and formed The Church of God of All Nations, which adopted its name in 1958. The Church of God (Huntsville, Alabama) is a Pentecostal holiness body of Christians, based in Huntsville, Alabama. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... The Church of God of All Nations is a holiness Pentecostal body that descends from the Christian Union movement of Richard Spurling, A. J. Tomlinson and others. ... Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

When the Church of God of Prophecy elected a new General Overseer in 1990 after the retirement of M. A. Tomlinson, the stage was set for another division. A small body left in 1993 after a division in the church led to another Church being formed by a group that felt that its congregation was led by God to appoint Robert J. Pruitt as their general overseer. That group, called The Church of God, is commonly known as The Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee). Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... 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. ...

"Exclusivity" has never been an official church teaching. However some "older" ministers have subscribed to such teachings, and still hold them today, separate from the church's official stance on the subject. The church is working hard to correct the negative impression that this "teaching" has caused.

In 2004 a joint cooperative, world evangelism effort began between the Church of God and the Church of God of Prophecy. This, and other efforts, are steps toward healing the effects of the long-time hurt and mistrust between the two organizations. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

In 2006, at the church's General Assembly (which is scheduled every 2 years) the General Overseer, Bishop Fred Fisher retired from his leadership role, and a new General Overseer was appointed in his place, Bishop Randy Howard. At this same General Assembly, conducted in Nashville, Tennessee, the church changed its long-standing interpretation of acceptable reasons for divorce and remarriage. Nickname: Location in Davidson County and the state of Tennessee Coordinates: Country United States State Tennessee Counties Davidson County Founded: 1779 Incorporated: 1806 Government  - Mayor Bill Purcell (D) Area  - City  526. ... For the record label, see Divorce Records. ...

Beliefs

Please go here in order to read the church's stated beliefs from their own international website.

The Church of God of Prophecy considers the events of the late 19th century and the 20th century to be the modern history of the church. They believe that the Church of God was founded by Jesus, and that it was restored in modern times (the "Great Apostasy" theory). They consider the Reformation of Luther, the Radical Reformation of the Anabaptists, and the Great Awakenings in the United States as part of God's move in restoring the church, which was completed in 1903. 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... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... The Great Apostasy is a disparaging term used by some religious groups to allege a general fallen state of traditional Christianity, or especially of Catholicism, magisterial Protestantism and Eastern Orthodoxy, that it is not representative of the faith founded by Jesus and promulgated through his twelve Apostles: in short, that... The Protestant Reformation was a movement which began in the 16th century as a series of attempts to reform the Roman Catholic Church, but ended in division and the establishment of new institutions, most importantly Lutheranism, Reformed churches, and Anabaptists. ... Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546) was a German monk,[1] priest, professor, theologian, and church reformer. ... Anabaptists (Greek ανα (again) +βαπτιζω (baptize), thus, re-baptizers[1], German: Wiedertäufer) are Christians of the Radical Reformation. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Revivalism. ...

Individuals must profess to be "born again" in order to become members of the Church of God of Prophecy, as well as maintain a consistent Christian witness. Being a part of the Church of God of Prophecy membership allows people to be a part of a family. They may be invlolved with anything they will commit to. This group does not maintain that an individual must be a member of their specific denomination to be a child of God. A religious denomination (also simply denomination) is a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name, tradition, and identity. ...

The church considers its real title to be the Church of God. For several years after the 1923 division, there was controversy over which side of the division had the legal right to the name Church of God. This body distinguished itself as Church of God, over which A. J. Tomlinson is General Overseer. In 1952 a judge in Bradley County, Tennessee ordered that the church add "of Prophecy" to the name "Church of God" for use in secular and business affairs, but allowed the use of Church of God for internal use. Bradley County is a county located in the state of Tennessee. ...

The Church of God of Prophecy accepts the Bible alone as the inspired, infallible, inerrant word of God, and as the highest authority in matters of faith and practice. Water Baptism by immersion, The Lord's Supper, and Feet washing are held to be ordinances of the church. Baptism in early Christian art. ... 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. ...

During the bi-annual General Assembly of the churches, held in Nashville, Tennessee in 2006, the church agreed that people who had been divorced (for the cause of fornication) and were later remarried may become members of the Church of God of Prophecy. The church however still maintains that God's perfect plan for marriage is between one man and one woman for life, but understands that humans are fallible and God has grace. The Church of God of Prophecy accepts divorcees as members. They believe that there is no sin worse than another. Only certain sins bring on worse consequences. Thus stating that it is okay for a person with a previous divorce to be a member. They must only confess to be a Christian. Fornication is a term which refers to sexual intercourse between consenting unmarried partners. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ...

Status

The Church of God of Prophecy has congregations and missions in over 130 countries, with a membership of over 900,000². Ministries of the church include homes for children, bible training institutes, youth camps, ministerial aid, and a fully accredited college. International offices and most ministry operations are located in Cleveland, Tennessee. Cleveland is a city in Bradley County, Tennessee, United States. ...

The Church operates Fields of the Wood, a Bible Theme Park and popular tourist attraction, near Murphy, North Carolina. Murphy is a town located in Cherokee County, North Carolina. ...

External links

• Church of God of Prophecy - official Web Site
• Fulton Church of God of Prophecy - Fulton, MS
• Beliefs - official Web Site, beliefs page
• Fields of the Wood - Biblical theme park
• USA Midwest Region, Church of God of Prophecy - official Midwest Regional Web Site
• Mid America Region serving Arkansas and Oklahoma, Church of God of Prophecy official Mid American Web Site
• Tilghman Road COGOP - Official Website of Tilghman Rd COGOP, Salisbury, MD
• [1] - New Life Worship Center a Church of God of Prophecy, LaFayette, GA

References

• Encyclopedia of Religion in the South, Samuel S. Hill, editor
• Gates Shall Not Prevail, by Raymond A. Carpenter
• Handbook of Denominations in the United States, by Frank S. Mead, Samuel S. Hill, and Craig D. Atwood
• The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, by Stanley M. Burgess and Eduard M. Van Der Maas

Footnotes

1. Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee), whose offices are located in Cleveland, but whose mailing address is Charleston; Church of God (Cleveland); Church of God of Prophecy; The Church of God (Jerusalem Acres); and The Church of God for All Nations
2. as of August 1, 2004