Tithing and Gving...Tithing is the paying of one tenth of our increase into the treasury of the Church. It began with Abraham, continued under the law and received Christ's approval.
Giving differs from and is in addition to tithing. Both are part of God's plan to finance His work on earth. ( Gen. 14:18-20, 28:20-22, Malachi 3:10, Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42, I Cor. 16: 2, II Cor. 9:6-9, & Heb. 7:1-21)
Restitution where possible...Restitution is the act of restoring something wrongfully taken or satisfying the one who has been wronged. God requires those who become converted to preform such tasks if at all possible. (Matt. 3:8, Luke 19:8,9 & Rom. 13:8).
Pre-millennial second coming of Jesus...First to resurrect the dead saints and to catch away the living saints to meet Him in the air. (Matt. 24: 27,28, I Cor. 15: 51,52, I Thess. 4: 15-17. Second to reign on earth a thousand years. (Zech. 14: 4,5, Luke 1:32, I Thess. 4: 14, II Thess. 1:7-10, Jude 14,15, & Revelation 5:10, 19:11-21, 20:4-6)
Resurrection...All the dead will be resurrected. the righteous dead will be raised in the first resurrection, which is at Christ's appearing. The resurrection of the wicked will occur after the thousand year reign of Christ on earth. ( Isa. 26:19, Dan. 12:2, John 5:28, 29, Acts 24:15 and Rev. 20:5, 6.
Eternal life for the Righteous...Those who die in the Lord and those who are serving Him when he returns will receive a reward of eternal life. (Matt. 25:46, Luke 18:30, John 10:28, Romans 6:22, & I John 5: 11-13)
Eternal Punishment for the Wicked...The unconverted and the wicked are doomed to eternal punishment, from which there is no escape--no liberation or annihilation. (Matt. 25:41-46, Mark 3:29, II Thess. 1:8,9 & Rev. 20: 10-15, 21:8).
Total abstinence from all liquor or strong drink... The Bibles expressly forbids the use of intoxicating beverages. Even slight indulgence is not in keeping with the Scriptural standard of holiness. (Pro. 20: 1, 23:29-32, Isa. 28:7, I Cor. 5:11, 6:10, & Gal. 5:21).
Against the use of tobacco in any form, opium, morphine, etc... The use of tobacco and the habitual use of narcotics are sinful practices which defile the body, the temple of the Holy Ghost, and is an outward evidence of an impure heart. (Isa. 55:2, I Cor. 10:31,32, II Cor. 7:1, Eph. 5:3-8 & James 1: 21).
On meats and drinks...The New Testament makes no rigid rule concerning what the Christian shall eat or drink, (with the exception of strong drink). We have no right to judge what our Brother eats or what he drinks. (Rom. 14: 2,3, 17, I Cor. 8:8, & I Tim. 4:1-5)
On the Sabbath... The observance of the Sabbath was a requirement of Jewish law and as such was not carried over into the Grace Dispensation. Sunday is not the Sabbath, but merely a day set aside to give special attention to the worship of God. Instead of keeping only the Sabbath day holy, we are required in this dispensation to keep everyday holy. The Jewish Sabbath is a type of Christ, who is our rest, rather than the day. (Hosea 2:11, Rom. 14:5,6, & Colossians 2:16,17).
Against wearing gold for ornament for decoration, such as finger rings, bracelets, earrings, lockets, etc.. Ornaments of gold or other precious metals are evidences of a prideful heart and are unbecoming to a child of God. "Whose adorning let it not be that of outward adorning of plaiting of hair and of wearing of gold or of putting on of apparel, but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in us which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price". I Peter 3:3,4. (I Tim. 2:9, I John
2:16).
Against belonging to lodges...The Bible is opposed to the people of God being unequally yoked together with unbelievers, it is opposed to the deeds done in secret. Many secret societies require taking an oath, which is expressly forbidden in the scriptures. (Matt. 5:34, John 18:20, II Cor. 6:14-17 & James 5:12).
Against Swearing...The taking of an oath is a vain thing and condemned by the Scriptures. An affirmation to the truth of anything is sufficient. (Matt. 5:34-37 & James 5:12).
Against divorce and remarriage evil... Divorce and remarriage constitute the sin of adultery. The only allowable causes for remarriage are fornication and death. However, fornication is not unfaithfulness or simple adultery, but is a state of being married to another's wife or husband. (Matt. 5:32, 14:3,4, 19:3-12, Mark 10:12, Luke 16:18, Rom. 7:2,3, I cor. 5:1-5, 13, 6:9, 13, 16-18, 7:2. 10, 11, Acts 15;28,29 & Rev. 2:20-22.
If you would like more information
on these Important Truths or other teachings of The Church of God you can contact:
The Church of God, International Offices.
P.O. box 450 Charleston , TN.
37310
or
Phone: 1-423-336-1954
or
1-205-648-9982
or
Our State Overseer or our Pastors
listed on The Church of God in Alabama page. (page 6)
