A Brief History of the Church of God General Conference

The Church of God as it is known today came into being as small groups of individuals in England and North America who, through personal Bible study, became convinced of the doctrinal truths that are set forth as the Statement of Faith. In most cases, these groups and their leaders did not even know of the existence of the others.

In the mid-1800s, however, some of the leaders, Joseph Marsh in Rochester, New York, the Wilson family who had migrated from England to Geneva, Illinois, and other leaders in Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Pennsylvania, began to publish papers which gained wide circulation. Through these publications the small groups of Bible students and individuals became aware of one another and began to exchange correspondence. Circuit preachers visited back and forth among these various local groups, and new churches soon grew up in other places.

Over a period of years, groups of churches formed state conferences and eventually a General Conference was organized in 1921.

Churches of God are congregational in government. They maintain complete local independence. There is close cooperation, however, in the maintaining of publishing facilities, the operation of Atlanta Bible College, and the mission programs of the Church of God. There are established standards for the ministry, cooperation in the work of the Sunday schools and the Berean youth fellowships, and close fellowship between the scattered members of the Church of God.

The Church of God places great emphasis upon the Word of God, and Bible preaching and teaching are prominent. Bible classes and Bible study groups are the backbone of its work.

The Church of God believes in the literal, visible second coming of Christ. We support adult immersion for the remission of sins. We believe that man will inherit immortality on the condition that he accepts Christ as his Savior and is found in Him at His coming.

We believe God the Father, the Creator, is above all. Jesus Christ is His Son who came into existence by the power of God by birth to the virgin Mary. We believe the Bible is the only inspired Word of God, and adhere to it as the only authority for faith and doctrine. We believe that Jesus will return to this earth and establish the Kingdom of God on the earth, reigning in it for a millennium.

We believe that the promises made to Abraham will be fulfilled in the church and in the faithful of Israel through Christ. "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:29).

(We are working on the history of our local church, and we will add it when it is completed.)

Church of the Open Bible,

201 South Henry Street

Farmington, Missouri

Church of God General Conference

Restoration Fellowship