The Worldwide Church of God, with its administrative center
in Pasadena, California, has members in 120 countries and
territories. The mission of the Church is to proclaim
the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world and to help
members grow spiritually (Matthew 28:19-20). As a Spirit-led
body of believers, the Church is exhorted," Grow in the
grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
(2 Peter 3:18). The Spirit of God leads the Church into
all truth (John 16:13). Accordingly, this Statement of Beliefs
does not constitute a closed creed. The Church constantly
renews its commitment to truth and deeper understanding
and responds to God's guidance in its beliefs and practices.
God
God, by the testimony of Scripture, is one divine Being
in three eternal, co-essential, yet distinct Persons - Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the one true God, eternal, immutable,
omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. He is Creator of heaven
and earth, Sustainer of the universe, and Source of human
salvation. Though transcendent, God has a direct and personal
relationship with human beings. God is love and infinite
goodness. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:29; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy
1:17; 1 John 4:8; 5:20; Titus 2:11; John 16:27; 2 Corinthians
13:14; 1 Corinthians 8:6)
Jesus Christ
Jesus is the Word, by whom and for whom God created all
things. As God manifest in the flesh for our salvation,
he was begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin
Mary, fully God and fully human, two natures in one Person.
Jesus is the Son of God and Lord of all, worthy of worship,
honor and reverence. As the prophesied Savior of humanity,
he died for our sins, was raised bodily from the dead, and
ascended to heaven, from where he mediates between humanity
and God. He will come again in glory to reign as King of
kings over all nations in the kingdom of God. (John 1:1;
Colossians 1:16; 1 Timothy 3:16; John 3:16; Matthew 1:20;
Acts 10:36; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 7:25; Revelation
19:16)
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead, is the
Comforter promised by Jesus Christ, sent from God to the
Church. The Holy Spirit lives in us, transforming us through
repentance, sanctification, and continual renewal. The Holy
Spirit is the Source of inspiration and prophecy throughout
the Scriptures, the Source of unity and communion in the
Church, the Provider of gifts for salvation and for the
work of the gospel, and the Christian's constant Guide into
all truth. (John 14:16; Acts 2:4, 17-19, 38; Matthew 28:19;
John 14:17, 23; 1 Peter 1:2; Titus 3:5; 2 Peter 1:21; 1
Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Corinthians 12:8-11;
Acts 20:28; John 16:13)
The Holy Scriptures
The Holy Scriptures comprise the canonical books of the
Old and New Testaments. They are the inspired Word of God,
the foundation of truth, and the accurate record of God's
revelation to humanity. The Holy Scriptures constitute ultimate
authority in all matters of doctrine, and embody the infallible
principles that govern all facets of Christian living. (2
Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; John 17:17)
The Angelic Realm
Angels are created ministering spirits, endowed with free
will. The holy angels serve God as messengers and agents,
are appointed to attend to those who will obtain salvation,
and will accompany Christ at his return. The disobedient
angels are called demons. (Revelation 1:1; 22:6; Hebrews
1:14; Matthew 25:31)
Satan
Satan is a fallen cherub who heads the evil forces in the
spirit realm. He is referred to in the Bible in various
ways including the devil, adversary, evil one, murderer,
liar, thief, tempter, accuser of the brethren, prince of
demons, and god of this world. He is in constant rebellion
against God. Through his influence, Satan generates discord,
deception and disobedience among human beings. His dominion
and influence as god of this world will cease at the return
of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:9; 1 Peter 5:8; John 8:44;
Revelation 12:10; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:1-3)
Humanity
Humanity was made mortal, male and female, in the image
of God, and endowed with mental and spiritual faculties.
God formed the first man, Adam, of the dust of the ground
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. He formed
the first woman, Eve, from Adam's own body. They were given
dominion over all the earth and the freedom to choose whether
to obey their Creator. Because they chose sin, they and
their descendants became alienated from God and can be reconciled
only by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ and his
saving work. The destiny of the saints is to inherit eternal
life in glory through Jesus Christ in the kingdom of God.
(Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7, 22; Romans 5:9-21; 1 Peter 1:3-9;
Romans 6:23)
Sin
Sin is lawlessness, that is, a state or condition of rebellion
against God. From the time sin entered the human race through
Adam and Eve, humanity has been under its yoke -- a yoke
that can only be removed by God's grace through Jesus Christ.
The sinful condition of humanity is manifested in the tendency
to consistently choose self and self-interests over God
and God's will. Sin causes alienation from God, and suffering
and death. Since all humans are sinners, all humans need
the salvation God offers through his Son. (1 John 3:4; 5:17;
Romans 1:20-21; 5:12; 7:24-25; Mark 7:21-23; Galatians 5:17-21;
Romans 6:23; 3:23-24)
Salvation
Salvation is deliverance from the bondage of sin and death,
and the restoration of human fellowship with God. It is
the gift of God, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ,
not earned by personal merit or good works. God gives salvation,
not only for the present life, but for eternity, to all
who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. (Romans 6:18,
22-23; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Peter 1:4; Romans 8:21-23)
Grace
Grace is the free, unmerited favor God bestows on a sinner
who repents. In its broadest sense, grace is expressed in
every act of God's self-disclosure. By grace, a person comes
to know God and Jesus Christ, is justified, and is saved.
Through faith in Christ, the Christian remains always under
grace. (Romans 3:24; 5:2, 15-17, 21; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus
3:7)
Justification
Justification is God's gracious act of pronouncing a believer
righteous in his sight. It follows repentance and is made
possible through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ
and acceptance of him as Lord and Savior. (Romans 3:20,
24-31; 4:1-8; 5:1, 9; Galatians 2:16)
Faith
Faith is belief and trust in God as our righteous, omniscient,
and omnipotent Lord and our gracious, merciful, and faithful
Savior. Faith includes the conviction, based on natural
and scriptural evidence, that God exists, that he rewards
those who seek him, and that he gives eternal life to all
who are in Jesus Christ. Faith is enabled by God's grace.
(Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; James 2:17-18;
Romans 6:23)
Sanctification
Sanctification is the state of holiness imparted to the
believer through the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Though all Christians sin, the Holy Spirit leads them in
a life characterized by repentance, obedience, and Christian
growth -- that is, a converted, or changed, life evidenced
by the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is made
possible by God's grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.
(1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 1:8; 3:6, 9; Romans 6:22; Galatians
5:22-23; Romans 5:1)
Repentance
Repentance is a change of mind and attitude toward God.
It follows conviction by the Holy Spirit and is grounded
in the Word of God. Repentance entails an awareness of personal
sinfulness, accompanied by a positive response to God's
call. Repentance toward God leads to faith in Jesus Christ
and a converted life sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Acts
2:38; Romans 2:4; 10:17; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Corinthians 7:9-11;
Matthew 3:8; Romans 12:2)
Water Baptism
Water baptism signifies a believer's repentance and acceptance
of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Worldwide Church
of God practices baptism by immersion. (Matthew 3:16; Mark
16:16; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:4-5; Matthew 28:19)
The Lord's Supper
The evening before Jesus was crucified, he took bread and
wine, saying, "This is my body. . . . This is the new covenant
in my blood." At our Lord's Supper service, we participate
in the new covenant as we partake of bread and wine in remembrance
of our Savior, who gave his body for us and shed his blood
so that we might be forgiven. Our ceremony includes the
washing of feet, which represents our spiritual cleansing
in Christ and points us to the Christian life of humility
and service in love. (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26;
John 13:1-17; Philippians 2:1-8)
The Church
The Church, or the Body of Christ, consists of all who
have faith in Jesus Christ and in whom the Holy Spirit abides.
The Church is commissioned to preach the gospel, to teach
all that Christ commanded, to baptize, and to nurture the
flock. In fulfilling its mission, the Church is directed
by the Holy Scriptures, led by the Holy Spirit, and looks
continually to Jesus Christ, its living Head. (1 Corinthians
12:13; Romans 8:9; Matthew 28:19-20; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians
1:22; Acts 2:1-47)
Church Leadership
The Head of the Church is Jesus Christ. He guides the Church
in the will of God, as revealed by the Holy Spirit in the
Scriptures. In the Worldwide Church of God, the decision-making
process under Christ involves councils of ministers who
report to the Pastor General, who holds the chief administrative
office in the Church. (Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18;
Ephesians 4:11)
The Christian
The Christian is the person who lives by faith in Jesus
Christ and in whom the Holy Spirit abides. The Christian
experiences a new birth through the regeneration of the
Holy Spirit and is placed in a right relationship with God
and fellow humans by God's grace. The Christian's life is
characterized by the fruit of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:9,
14; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:4-6; Matthew 22:37-39; John 13:35;
Galatians 5:22-23)
The Gospel
The gospel is the good news about salvation by God's grace
through faith in Jesus Christ. It is the message that Christ
died for our sins, that he was buried, that he was raised
on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he
appeared to his disciples. It is the good news that the
kingdom of God has been inaugurated by the saving work of
Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 1:14-15; Acts 8:12;
28:30-31; Luke 24:46-48; 1 Corinthians 15:4-5)
The Law of Christ
Christian faith includes allegiance and obedience to our
Savior, who gave himself for us. The purpose of his law
is summarized in his commands to love God and neighbor.
Therefore, faith in Christ leads to works of love and service.
Through the Holy Spirit, Christ transforms the hearts of
his followers, producing in them the fruit of love, joy,
peace, faithfulness, meekness, kindness, goodness, gentleness,
self-control, righteousness and truth. (2 Corinthians 5:15;
Matthew 22:36-40; Romans 13:9-10; Galatians 5:6, 22-23;
Ephesians 5:9)
The Christian Sabbath
The Christian Sabbath is the regenerated life of faith
in Jesus Christ, in whom every believer finds true rest.
The weekly seventh-day Sabbath, which was enjoined upon
Israel in the Ten Commandments, was a shadow that prefigured
the true Reality to whom it pointed--our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. Though physical Sabbath keeping is not required
for Christians, it is the tradition and practice of the
Worldwide Church of God to hold its weekly worship service
on the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday). (Exodus 20:8-11;
Matthew 11:29-30; Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 4:3, 8-10)
Annual Festivals
The Worldwide Church of God celebrates annual festivals
based on the Old Testament feasts God gave to Israel. These
festivals serve as memorials of God's great acts of salvation
in history and as annual celebrations of God's power, love
and saving grace in Jesus Christ. (Leviticus 23:1-44; John
7:37; Acts 2:1; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Colossians 2:16-17)
Tithing
Tithing is the scriptural practice of giving a tenth of
one's increase to God. Giving tithes and offerings was commanded
under the old covenant, but is a voluntary expression of
worship and stewardship under the new covenant. The Church
uses tithes and offerings to fulfill its God-given mission
to preach the gospel and feed the flock. Tithing and giving
reflect the believer's worship, faith, and love for God,
who is the Source of salvation and Giver of all good things.
(Leviticus 27:30; Matthew 23:23; Hebrews 7:4-14; 1 Corinthians
9:1-14)
Bible Prophecy
Bible prophecy is part of God's revelation of his will
and purpose to humanity. In Bible prophecy, God reveals
that human sinfulness can be forgiven through repentance
and faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ. Bible prophecy
proclaims God as Sovereign Judge of all, assures humanity
of his love, mercy, and faithfulness, and motivates the
believer to live a godly life in Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 46:9-11;
Daniel 4:17; Jude 14-15; 2 Peter 3:14; Luke 24:44-48)
The Second Coming
Jesus Christ, as he promised, will return to earth to judge
and reign over all nations in the kingdom of God. His second
coming will be visible, and in power and glory. This event
inaugurates the resurrection of the dead and the reward
of the saints. (John 14:3; Revelation 17:14; Acts 1:11;
Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)
The Millennium
The Millennium is the time span described in the book of
Revelation during which the resurrected saints reign with
Jesus Christ for a thousand years.  After the Millennium,
when all enemies will have been put under his feet, and
all things made subject to him, Christ will deliver the
kingdom to God the Father, and both heaven and earth will
be made new. (Acts 3:19-21; Revelation 11:15; 1 Corinthians
15:24; Revelation 21:1, 5; Revelation 20:1-15)
The Inheritance of the
Believer
The inheritance of the believer is salvation and eternal
life as an immortal child of God in communion with the Father
and Jesus Christ. This inheritance is reserved in heaven
and will be bestowed at the second coming of Christ. The
resurrected saints will reign with Christ in the kingdom
of God. (1 John 2:25; Romans 8:16-19; Daniel 7:27; 1 Peter
1:3-5; Revelation 5:10; 1 John 3:1-2)
The Fate of the Unrepentant
Unrepentant sinners are those who deliberately and ultimately
reject the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. Their fate
is to perish in the lake of fire. This death is eternal,
and the Scriptures refer to it as the second death. (Matthew
10:28; 3:12; 25:41; Revelation 20:14-15)
The Kingdom of God
The kingdom of God in the broadest sense is God's supreme
sovereignty. God reigns in the Church and in the life of
each believer who is submissive to his will. The kingdom
of God will be established over the whole world after the
return of Jesus Christ and will increase to encompass all
things. (Luke 17:20-21; Daniel 2:44; Mark 1:14-15; 1 Corinthians
15:24-28; Revelation 11:15; 21:3, 22-27; 22:1-5)
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