History of The Church of God

In 28 A.D. on the Horns of Hattin in Israel, Jesus Christ called together His twelve apostles and organized The Church of God. “And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:” (Mark 3:13-15).

The Church, during Christ’s time on earth and after His ascension, operated under theocracy, governed by the immediate direction of God. It grew and expanded until its influence was felt in all the known world. This growth is recorded in the book of Acts and other New Testament writings.

The Post-Apostolic Church

Historians of the era estimate that the Church’s membership reached into the millions very quickly with rapid growth in Gentile areas. Even while facing much persecution, the Church continued its mission unabated through most of the third century and into the fourth.

During the early parts of the fourth century, controversy began to arise. Arius, a popular minister at Alexandria, began openly teaching against the deity of Jesus Christ. His unbiblical belief that Jesus was a creation of God rather than a part of the triune Godhead contradicted the established teaching of the Bible which insists Jesus the Son is fully and truly God.

As the dissension continued to brew, Emperor Constantine, under the power and influence of the Roman government, called for a council of bishops from the empire to convene in Nicaea. Unfortunately, what appeared to be a good step to resolve doctrinal controversy was in actuality a departure from one of the most important hallmarks of the Church – theocratic government.

Acts chapter 15 outlines God’s design for Church government, especially in the area of scriptural interpretation. First, the Holy Ghost is given preeminence: “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost [first], and [then] to us…” (Acts 15:28). “Us”, in this passage, is “the apostles and elders, with the whole church…” (Acts 15:22).

This established procedure was interrupted when the Nicene Council made a decision to settle the Arian controversy. Not only did this gathering exclude the Church as a whole, but it also excluded bishops from outside the Roman Empire. The organization continued (and eventually became the Catholic Church) following the adoption of the Nicene Creed; however, the Church (the established order which Jesus set in order) ceased to function. Isaiah 54:7 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3 foretold this event.

The Dark Ages & Glimmers of Hope

For one thousand five hundred seventy-eight years, a period known as the Dark Ages, God’s beautiful Church was covered over by manmade creeds, false doctrine, and episcopal governments.

God was not inattentive during these years, however. Christianity underwent the Reformation Period in preparation for God to restore His Church. God chose Martin Luther, a Roman Catholic monk, to search out the conviction that pious works brought no soul satisfaction concerning salvation. As he searched the Scripture, he came to the full understanding of justification by faith. God used other sincere-hearted men to reveal His other truths – John Wesley (sanctification), Dr. Albert Simpson (divine healing), and several groups experienced the baptism of the Holy Ghost near the turn of the twentieth century.

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