God the Father is the divine sovereign Creator and He rules over all that exists. His personal name in Hebrew is YHVH (most English Bibles render His name as “the LORD”). He is the Most High God, the Almighty, and the Living God. All things are of Him and for Him. God is love and has perfect righteous character. He is the object and focus of our worship and the Being to whom His children pray. He saved and redeemed mankind by giving His Son Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for our sins and it was through the Father’s power that Jesus lived a sinless life and gave Himself as a sacrifice to save mankind. The Father’s purpose is for His creation to be reconciled to Him and to bring many sons to glory as members of His Family and Kingdom. The Father accomplishes His will by means of the Holy Spirit by which He calls, begets, and through the process of conversion, transforms His begotten children into His image and into His glory by means of a resurrection. He has been actively involved with His creation since the beginning and is directly involved in the life of each individual He calls.

Psalm 83:18; Psalm 110:1; Luke 8:28; Matt 16:16; John 6:69; Hebrews 1:1-2; Daniel 7:9-14; Matthew 11:27; John 1:1-2; 5:17, 19-20, 22-23, 30, 36-37, 43; 6:44; 8:27-29, 38; 10:18, 29; 12:50; 14:8-9, 28; 16:27; 17:5, 20-21; Ephesians 3:14-15; 4:4-6; I Corinthians 8:6; 15:24-28; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2:3-9; Revelation 11:15-17; 21:22-23; 22:1, 3; Acts 3:13, 25-26; John 3:16-18; I Timothy 1:1; Isaiah 45:15-17; Psalms 78:35; I Samuel 4:4; II Samuel 6:2; I Chronicles 13:6; Psalms 99:1

Jesus of Nazareth is the Eternal God Being who was with God the Father in the beginning and it was with Him that the Father created the physical universe. All things were created through Him and for Him. He was the prophesied Messiah, and is now the savior of mankind. He divested Himself of the majesty and glory of His eternal existence to become human by means of birth to the virgin Mary. Though tempted in all points like other men, He lived a totally sinless life, and gave Himself to be crucified as the perfect atonement for mankind’s transgressions of God’s laws. After three days and three nights in the grave (72 hours) He was resurrected as a divine spirit being and ascended to the Father’s throne in heaven, becoming our High Priest, Advocate, and Mediator before the Father. He is now Head of the Church, and shall return to establish His millennial reign on the earth which He will share with His resurrected bride.

John 1:1-3, 10; 14; 29-36; 8:53-58; I Corinthians 8:6; 10:1-4; Colossians 1:13-20; John 3:16; Romans 5:8-9; Acts 2:33-35; John 15:26; 16:7; Ephesians 4:7-8; I John 2:1-2; Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:9-14; 3:1; 4:14-16; 9:11-15; Matthew 12:40; 11:27; 28:18; John 17:25-26, Luke 10:22, Ephesians 1:19-23; Acts 2:36; John 17:1-5; John 6:62; Titus 3:4-6; Philippians 2:5-7; I Timothy 6:15; 2:5; I Peter 2:25; I Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 5:9-10; 11:15; 19:11-16; 20:6

The holy spirit is the spiritual extension of God, through which He carries out His will. Through it, God draws His children to repentance and impregnates the minds of the repentant, thereby empowering them to comprehend spiritual matters, leading them to conversion. It leads the repentant into all truth; convicts them of sin and righteousness; and imparts faith, the love of God, power to overcome sin and other gifts essential to do His will. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the seal and down payment of our inheritance into the family of God.

Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30; Isaiah 11:2; 32:15; 40:13; Ezekiel 39:29; Joel 2:28-29; John 7:37-39; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; 8:15-17; Romans 8:9-14; John 14:16-17, 26; I Corinthians 2:9-16; 12:4-11; II Timothy 1:6-7; II Peter 1:2-4; Ephesians 1:13-14

The written Word of God, the Holy Bible, constitutes the revelation of God to mankind, and is profitable for mankind’s spiritual knowledge, understanding and growth to salvation. Holy men of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit through various means, recorded the truth revealed to them. God’s Word is true, pure, living and constitutes the foundation of all knowledge. The whole canon of Scripture, completed with the book of Revelation, includes all the non-apocryphal books of the combined Old and New Testaments. Its basic purpose is to reveal God, His plan, and the process of salvation to mankind. By gathering all pertinent scriptures, humbly approaching God in prayer, and seeking inspiration through the Holy Spirit, the intent and meaning of God’s teaching can be understood by those He has called.

Hebrews 4:12, II Timothy 3:14-17; II Peter 1:19-21; Hebrews 1:1-2; John 17:17; Proverbs 30:5-6; Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; Isaiah 8:16; Luke 24:44-45; Revelation 22:18-19; II Peter 1:20; Isaiah 28:9-11; I Thessalonians 5:21; Psalm 119:33-40, 97-99, 172; John 6:44

Love is the summation of God’s character and His very being. It is the summation and the fulfillment of God’s Law and the defining characteristic of those who are led by the Holy Spirit. Those who are spiritually minded can be identified by the love they show to their fellow man and particularly by the love they show to their fellow Christian, regardless of what Church of God organization their fellow Christian attends. Love is the very first fruit of the Holy Spirit. It must not just be preached, but practiced daily.

1 John 4:7-8, 16; Matthew 22:36-40; Romans 13:9-10; John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:10-15; Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 25:31-46; Galatians 5:22; Romans 2:13

Before the creation of man and the earth, God created powerful spirit beings to act as His agents and messengers. Created in many forms for varying functions, God also gave them free moral agency. Some, led by the cherub *Heylel who became Satan, the Adversary, chose to rebel against God, and were transformed into demons. Only two other angels are named in the Bible: Michael and Gabriel. The remaining faithful angels now function as ministering spirits to serve God by working with mankind.

*Many Bible translations use the term Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12. However, Lucifer is a Latin substitution that did not appear in the original Hebrew. Heylel is the original Hebrew word used in Isaiah 14:12.

Job 38:7; Psalm 91:11-12; Ezekiel 1:5-14; 28:14-17; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ephesians 6:12; Daniel 10:13; Revelation 12:7; Luke 1:19; Hebrews 1:7, 14

Satan the devil was originally created a cherub named *Heylel and given great powers, wisdom, and beauty. His arrogance deluded him to think he could elevate himself into an equal position with God and through this sin he was transformed from the cherub *Heylel into Satan the devil. As Satan the devil he became the leader of a rebellion against God that eventually included an entire one-third of the angels. All that followed him were cast down to the earth in defeat where they remain restrained to this day, with the designation of fallen angels or demons. As the god of this world and man’s mortal enemy, Satan now uses his power and influence to deceive all of mankind. He and his demons are doing all they can within the limitations God has placed on them to frustrate God’s purpose for man. However, in spite of their efforts God’s purpose for mankind will be fulfilled and Satan and his demons will ultimately be destroyed in the lake of fire.

*Many Bible translations use the term Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12. However, Lucifer is a Latin substitution that did not appear in the original Hebrew. Heylel is the original Hebrew word used in Isaiah 14:12.

Ezekiel 28:14-17; Isaiah 14:12-15; Jude 6; II Peter 2:4; II Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:4, 9; Luke 22:31; Ephesians 6:12; Jude 13; Revelation 6:23

Humans, created male and female in God’s image, are physical beings whose life is in the blood. However, God imparted a spirit essence to humans, empowering man with intellect and setting him far above the animals. When a person repents of their sins and is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, God joins the Holy Spirit with man’s spirit enabling the person to become a child of God. When a man dies, his conscious thoughts cease, his spirit returns to God who gave it and his body returns to dust. God’s purpose for mankind is that they enter His Kingdom by means of begettal by His Holy Spirit and later be born again in a resurrection from the dead to immortality and glory.

Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7, 17; 3:19; Psalm 146:3-4; Ecclesiastes 3:19; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Job 32:8; Zechariah 12:1; I Corinthians 2:11; Hebrews 12:28; I Timothy 6:15-16; Romans 8:14, 29; I Corinthians 15:44, 50-54

The gospel is the message preached by Jesus Christ which He delivered to His appointed apostles to take to the world. It is the good news about God’s coming Kingdom and how mankind can enter that Kingdom. The focus of this message is about God’s purpose and plan to produce sons and daughters. Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, and the apostles generally called it the “gospel of the Kingdom of God,” but biblical writers use over a dozen other titles to describe it. Ultimately, it is the complete message of the entire Old and New Testaments, containing the message of what God the Father and His Son have done, are doing, and will do to accomplish Their purpose. It contains detailed information on the rulership, subjects, laws, and dominion of the Kingdom of God and how mankind can become part of it.

Matthew 3:2; 24:14; Mark 1:14; Acts 28:31; Romans 1:1, 16; 2:16; 15:16; Ephesians 1:13; 6:15; Revelation 14:6

The Kingdom of God is the eternal dominion and rulership of God the Father and Jesus Christ which will ultimately include God’s spirit born Family. At this time Jesus Christ is the only spirit born member of His Family but ultimately all of mankind will be given the opportunity to enter into the Kingdom of God through the resurrection to eternal life. Although God has always been sovereign over all of His creation, mankind has predominantly followed the influence and provocation of Satan. However, those individuals that God the Father has called and have received His spirit have the opportunity to faithfully strive to submit to God’s rulership in their daily lives. After Jesus Christ returns, He will establish the administration of this Kingdom on earth with Satan and his influence having been removed. The firstfruits who remained faithful, having been resurrected as spirit beings, will serve as kings and priests and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

Daniel 2:44; Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:1-10; Micah 4:1-4; Mark 4:11; John 3:3-7; I Corinthians 15:50-54; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:13-16; Matthew 25:31; 20:21; Revelation 2:26; 5:10; 19:16; 20:4-6, 11-15; 21:1-4, 7

The Church is the body of believers who have received God’s Holy Spirit and have the opportunity to be led by that spirt. The true Church of God is a spiritual organism rather than a corporate organization. There is no human organization that God is exclusively dealing with, or is the exclusive repository of those whom God has called. The Church’s biblical name is “the Church of God.” God the Father established it by sending His holy spirit and placing Jesus Christ as the Head and not any human being. The Church of God was established to strengthen, edify, and nurture those who are now being called to be children of God. For this purpose, offices of service in the Church were appointed to care for the needs of the saints and to assist them in growing in His character and ultimately into the fullness of Christ.

Acts 2:38-39, 47; 20:28; Romans 8:14; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 12:27-28; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Timothy 3:5, 15; 1 Peter 2:7; John 6:44, 65; 17:11, 16

Salvation, a gift freely given from God the Father, is the means by which a person is saved from the penalty of sin and given eternal life. The process of salvation begins with God’s calling, opening the mind to spiritual truth. This leads to faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation to God. That reconciliation includes repentance toward God, baptism, receipt of the Holy Spirit, sanctification unto holiness through a life of overcoming, and rebirth and glorification as spirit born sons and daughters of God. Though salvation cannot be earned through works of the law, obedience to God’s Commandments is required as a condition to receive forgiveness which makes salvation possible. Everyone, at the time God chooses, will have the opportunity for salvation.

Ephesians 2:4-10; John 6:44-45; Acts 20:21; Romans 5:8-11; 6:1-6, 15-18; Ephesians 1:13-14; II Thessalonians 2:13-14; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Romans 8:29-30; II Corinthians 3:18; I John 3:1-2; I Corinthians 15:35, 42-44; Romans 2:12-13; James 1:25; Matthew 19:17; John 14:15; I Corinthians 15:21-23, 50-54; Revelation 20:4-15

The laws of God are written expressions of the character, mind, and will of God for His people. They appear in both Old and New Testaments, teaching us how to love and worship God, love our fellow man, and prepare for eternal life in the Kingdom of God. They cover both physical actions and spiritual motivations. The Ten Commandments were given directly by God Himself, codified by Moses, and magnified by Jesus Christ. A perfect spiritual law, they are always in force whether or not a person is aware of them. Obedience to them brings blessings; disobedience brings curses. To transgress them is to sin which incurs the death penalty. Keeping God’s law, thus showing one’s submission to God, is a condition for receiving the gift of eternal life.

Psalm 19:7-11; Romans 7:7-12, 14; Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 119:172; John 15:14; I John 2:2-3; 5:2-3; Matthew 22:36-40; Isaiah 42:21; Matthew 5:17-32; 19:17; Deuteronomy 30:15-20; 28:1-15; I John 3:4; Revelation 22:14

Sin is the transgression of God’s law. It has a broad application in that sin can be defined as all unrighteousness, missing the mark, or falling short of the character of God. Whatever is not of faith is sin, and when a person knows to do good but does not do it, it is sin. The penalty for sin is death. Unpardonable sin is the deliberate, willful, and continued transgression of the commandments of God, committed when the power of the Holy Spirit is purposely despised. This sin is unpardonable because the person no longer retains the humility necessary for repentance. Unwillingness to repent can also result from lethargy and neglect. All other sins can be forgiven by God’s mercy through the blood of Jesus Christ.

I John 3:4; 5:17; Ephesians 2:1; Romans 14:23; James 4:17; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:14; Galatians 5:19-21; Matthew 12:31; Hebrews 10:26-29; I John 1:7- 9: Romans 8:1-3; Matthew 25:1-13

Grace is the summation of all of God’s blessings and mercy and includes the forgiveness of sin. It consists not only of a pardon for past sins but also an ongoing pardon where future sins are not imputed for those who have repented, received baptism, and continue to live a repentant lifestyle. God’s extension of His unmerited pardon comes only upon those who possess the faith of Jesus Christ and express that faith showing reverence to God and respecting and obeying His divine law.

Genesis 6:8; Exodus 33:12-17; Romans 3:24; 4:4, 16; 5:2, 15; 11:5-6; 12:3, 6; Hebrews 4:16; 13:9; I Peter 4:10; II Peter 1:2; 3:18; I Corinthians 12:4-11

Faith is the active belief in the existence of God and Jesus Christ and the dynamic trust in Them according to God’s Word. God commands us to live by faith, and as the foundation of our understanding and response, it is essential for salvation. Without faith it is impossible to please God because faith leads to obedience and the fulfillment of His will. Because of faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and righteousness is imputed. Faith is both a gift of God and the fruit of His Spirit and is demonstrated by our response to the lead of His Spirit and through the good works He has ordained.

Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:37-39; I Peter 1:5, 9; Hebrews 11:1-6; Ephesians 2:4-10; Romans 4:5, 9-13, 20-22; 5:8-11; I Corinthians 12:4, 9; Romans 12:3; Galatians 5:22; James 2:14-26; II Corinthians 5:7

Repentance is deep remorse over one’s spiritual condition combined with resolve to change what one is and does. The goodness of God leads one to repentance, which begins when God enables one to see himself in comparison to Him. Only then can one acknowledge that he is a sinner in need of forgiveness. Repentance is the first step in reconciliation with God. It moves one to confess his sin, and with deep desire, conform his life to God’s will as revealed in the Holy Bible. Repentance occurs, not just once, but continuously deepens as we grow in the knowledge of God.

Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 9:13; II Corinthians 7:9-11; Romans 2:4; II Timothy 2:25; Acts 20:21; Luke 13:3, 5; Psalm 51; Mark 1:15; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:37-38; 3:19;11:18

Water baptism is by immersion after genuine repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as the sacrifice that atones for our sins. It symbolizes the death and burial of a sinner into the death and burial of Jesus Christ. Rising out of the watery grave symbolizes His resurrection. Baptism symbolizes purification and is a requirement that precedes the receipt of the Holy Spirit. When one rises from his watery grave, he is to be a new person, led by God’s spirit and conducting his life according to God’s will.

Matthew 3:13-16; Acts 2:38; 8:12-17; Romans 6:1-7; Colossians 2:12

One of the most ancient of biblical rituals, laying on of hands signifies sanctification or setting apart. It is performed by ordained elders of the church during prayer for the receipt of the Holy Spirit following baptism, for anointing of the sick, for ordination, for marriage, and for the blessing of little children.

Genesis 48:12-14; Matthew 19:13-15; Acts 6:5-6; 8:15-17; 13:3; 19:5-6; I Timothy 4:14; Hebrews 6:2; James 5:14-15

Death is a reality all must eventually face, but the hope of all Christians and the promise of the Father is the resurrection from the dead. The Bible identifies two types of resurrections that carry out the spiritual judgment of mankind: 1) a resurrection to spirit and eternal life; and 2) a resurrection to face condemnation and destruction in the lake of fire. Christ was the first human resurrected to spirit. At His resurrection He was restored to the glory He had with the Father before the world was. When He returns, the faithful saints that were called as Firstfruits will also be resurrected to spirit and eternal life. The Old and New Testaments record a number of instances where individuals were resurrected back to physical life. After the return of Christ, all those who have died having never had their opportunity for salvation will be resurrected back to physical life for a period of judgment. Those who yield themselves to God will be granted eternal life. All those that reject God by refusing to place Him first in their lives will be condemned and destroyed in the lake of fire.

Hebrews 9:27; Job 14:14-15; 19:25-26; Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 27:52-53; Mark 5:35- 42; Acts 9:40-41; 20:7-12; 24:15; John 5:28-29; 11:20-24; 17:5; I Corinthians 15:3-8, 20-23, 51-52; I Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 20:4-6; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Revelation 11:18; 20:11-15

An individual’s judgment occurs throughout the time of his opportunity for salvation. Beginning with God opening the individual’s mind to understand His way of life, the judgment extends to the end of his life, and its consequences are eternal. God looks upon the heart, mercifully judging a person based on his attitude, his knowledge of God and His way, his application of what he understands, and his personal relationship with the Father and Son. By this judgment, God determines who will be granted eternal life in His Kingdom. Those who reject God’s salvation by refusing to place Him first in their lives will be condemned and destroyed in the lake of fire.

Hebrews 6:2; I Samuel 16:7; Hebrews 9:27; 10:26-27; I Peter 4:17; Romans 2:12-16; Acts 10:42; John 5:26-30; Romans 14:10-12; II Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 11:20-24; 12:41-42; Revelation 20:11-14 

God intends conversion to be a growth process with the aim or goal to become perfect as Christ was perfect. The process includes yielding to God, and being led by His spirit to eradicate the self-centered works and lusts of the flesh from one’s daily life and to replace them with the fruit of the Spirit. This requires not only a change in one’s actions but also their thoughts and motivations. The goal of this process is to transform a person from being carnal and self-centered to living a life of love toward God and love toward their fellow man. This doctrine comprises the bulk of the behavioral instruction, correction, exhortation, and admonition of the Bible.

Hebrews 5:10-12; 6:1-2; Matthew 5:48; Colossians 1:28; Hebrews 2:10; 5:9; 13:20-21; James 1:4; II Corinthians 13:9; I Peter 2:1-3; II Peter 3:17-18; Ephesians 4:7-15: Galatians 5:16-26; I John 4:7-8; John 13:34-35

The Sabbath is a regularly recurring Holy Day, a perpetual covenant observed from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. Keeping it is vital to a Christian’s relationship with God. When He rested on the seventh day at creation, God set it apart. He reaffirmed it to Israel in the wilderness by giving it as the fourth of the Ten Commandments as an identifying sign between God and His people. Idolatry and Sabbath breaking were largely responsible for Israel’s downfall. Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, clearly taught that the Sabbath is made for man. He and His apostles kept it, and it is nowhere abrogated either by command or example in the New Testament. The prophets show the Sabbath being kept after Christ’s return.

Genesis 2:1-3; 26:1-5; Exodus 16:4-30; 20:8-11; 31:12-18; Leviticus 23:1-3; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Matthew 22:37-40; Ezekiel 20:12-16, 20, 24; Mark 2:27-28; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2; 18:4, 11; Hebrews 4:4-10; Isaiah 58:13-14; 66:22-23; Ezekiel 45:17; 47:3-4, 12

Seven annual holy days, like the weekly Sabbath, were ordained by God and commanded to be observed as holy convocations by His people. Both His covenant people Israel and the New Testament Israel of God, the Church, observed them. Jesus and His apostles kept them, and they are prophesied to be kept after Christ’s return. The Holy Days are Sabbaths but may fall on any day of the week. If one falls on the weekly Sabbath, the Holy Day takes precedence. Each festival has special meaning, depicting an important step in God’s plan of salvation for mankind. The Festivals and Holy Days are: Passover, a festival but not a Holy Day; the seven Days of Unleavened Bread, with the first and last being Holy Days; the Feast of Weeks also known as Pentecost; Trumpets; Atonement; the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles, with the first being a Holy Day; and an eighth day, the Last Great Day or Eighth Day, which is a Holy Day as well. Determining when to observe the Holy Days requires the use of a calendar. The position of the Pacific Church of God is to use the calculated Hebrew Calendar as preserved by the Jews. This is the same calendar that has been traditionally used by the Church of God for many years.

Exodus 12:1-17; 23:14-17; Leviticus 23:4-44; Matthew 26:17-18; John 7:1-39; 13:1-17; Acts 2:1; 18:21; 20:16; I Corinthians 5:7-8; 16:8; Ezekiel 45:17-25; Zechariah 14:16-19

Divine healing, both physical and spiritual, is an act of mercy and grace from God. In the case of an anointing by an ordained elder through the laying on of hands, it is God who chooses the time of healing and the manner in which to intervene when it is according to His will. This could be based on a person’s faith, the sincerity of their request, and their willingness to faithfully obey God; or it could simply be to show God’s power and glory.

Recognizing that God is love, and He wants what is best for each of us, and He knows perfectly all things; healing is granted when it is in a person’s best interest according to God’s will.

The great heroes of faith have died, many having sacrificed and suffered greatly, but they will come up in the resurrection and be given immortal spirit bodies and will suffer no more affliction.

Exodus 15:26; Psalm 103:2-3; Matthew 9:27-30; I Peter 2:24; I Corinthians 11:23-30; Matthew 8:16-17; Isaiah 53:4-5; Mark 16:15-18; James 5:14-16; Hebrews 9:27; 11:13-16

The earth and all its resources are God’s, but He graciously allows us to use them. For what He has given us, we have a financial obligation to Him, and through the system of tithes and offerings, that responsibility is satisfied. The Old Testament introduces it as an established and ongoing practice. Later, it was codified as part of God’s law given to Israel in the wilderness, and administered by the Levites until the destruction of the Temple. In strongly addressing the Levites about their responsibilities, Jesus confirmed its practice. Through the apostle Paul, the New Testament Church confirmed that the ministry and the work of the Church is to be financially supported by the individual members of the body. Giving tithes and offerings is an act of worship of God. Tithing is giving a percentage of one’s income as set by God, and offerings are given as determined by the individual’s evaluation of what he is able. The Church does not enforce or police tithing, but teaches the obligation the individual has to honor God with his substance and the firstfruits of all his increase.

Genesis 1:26-27; Psalms 24:1; 104:24; Deuteronomy 8:18; I Corinthians 10:25-28; Matthew 6:19-21; Genesis 14:18-20; Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:24; Deuteronomy 14:22-28; 16:16-17; Matthew 23:23; Luke 16:10-13; 21:1-4; II Corinthians 9:6-7; Hebrews 7:1-10; II Corinthians 3:3-7; Acts 5:1-5; 4:34-35; I Corinthians 9:1-14; Malachi 3:8-12; Proverbs 3:9-10