General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh-Day)
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The General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh-Day) is Sabbath keeping body that has long emphasized the Ten Commandments. At one time this church traced its history back to the Apostles through various midieval Sabbath keeping groups like the Waldensians and Paulcians (see link in references to "A history of the True Religion Traced From 33 A.D. to Date, by A. Dugger and C.O. Dodd").
Like the Seventh-day Adventist Church, they keep the true Sabbath on the seventh-day of the week (Saturday), but the General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh-Day) represents a line of Adventist Christians that rejected the visions and teachings of Ellen G. White, who had been drawing away members. In 1858, a group led by Gilbert Cranmer of Michigan separated from the Adventists that followed White. Another body formed in Iowa in 1860. These two groups united in 1863. A publication called The Hope of Israel (now The Bible Advocate) was started in 1863, and this publication extended the influence of the body into other areas. Through this publication, the doctrines of the second advent and the seventh-day Sabbath were promoted, and other Christians were invited to gather for meetings. This extended the movement into Missouri, Nebraska, and other places, and in 1884 the General Conference of the Church of God was organized. They incorporated in 1899, and "(Seventh-Day)" was added to the name in 1923. Offices were established in Stanberry, Missouri.
The Church of God (Seventh Day) has over 165 congregations in the United States and Canada, with an estimated 11,000 members. Worldwide membership is over 125,000 members, with affiliated ministries in more than 20 other countries. Headquarters are now (2004) located in Denver, Colorado. The church is a member of the Bible Sabbath Association (org. 1943), an organization promoting "fellowship and cooperation between Sabbath-keepers of various groups."
According to the Church of God (Seventh Day), salvation is by grace, received through repentance, obedience and good works. Obedience encompasses the gospel, the words of Christ, and the Ten Commandments. The church observes two ordinances - baptism by immersion and the Lord's supper (which is accompanied by feet washing). The church opposes the observance of traditional holidays such as Christmas and Easter because of their pagan roots.
The Church of God (Seventh Day) split at their conference meeting on November 4, 1933, creating a smaller body headquartered in Salem, West Virginia, and known as the Church of God (7th-Day) Salem, West Virginia. Another similar body is the Church of God (Seventh Day) Meridian, Idaho.
[edit] External links
- Church of God (Seventh-Day) - North America Conference (Based in Denver, Colorado)
- Iglesia De Dios (7o Dia) A.R. Mexico - Mexico Conference (Based in Mexico, D.F.)
- Church of God (Seventh-Day) - Jamaica Conference (Based in Kingston)
- A history of the True Religion Traced From 33 A.D. to Date, by A. Dugger and C.O. Dodd http://www.cog7day.org/about/pdf/truereligion.pdf
