Church of God International (United States) facts for kids

The Church of God, International (CGI) is a Christian church group in the United States. It is a branch of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG), which was started by Herbert W. Armstrong. CGI is one of many "Sabbatarian Churches of God" that separated from the WCG. These churches are called "Sabbatarian" because they observe the Sabbath on Saturday.

How CGI Started

CGI was founded in 1978 by four former members of the Worldwide Church of God. One of the founders was Garner Ted Armstrong (1930-2003). He was a well-known speaker. He left the WCG after disagreements with his father, Herbert W. Armstrong, about how the church was run and some of its beliefs.

CGI set up its main office in Tyler, Texas. They also started the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

The church's symbol shows a breastplate, helmet, and crossed swords. It also has a banner with a Bible verse from Ephesians 6:11-17. This symbol was inspired by a suit of armor that Garner Ted Armstrong received as a gift.

How CGI is Led

Garner Ted Armstrong led CGI until 1998. He and other leaders wanted to create a "servant-leadership" style of ministry. This was different from the "one-man, top-down" leadership they had seen in the WCG. They wanted to avoid the problems they felt came from too much power in one person's hands.

In 1995, Armstrong left CGI and started the Intercontinental Church of God. Another important leader, Ronald L. Dart, had also left CGI earlier in 1995. He started his own group called Christian Educational Ministries.

After these changes, the church reorganized its leadership. Today, a board of directors shares the administration and leadership among church pastors. The chairman of the board is re-elected every three years. Charles Groce was the chief executive officer until 2015, when Vance Stinson took over.

The church also has a program called MAP (Ministerial Apprentice Program). This program helps train new church leaders.

CGI tries to have good relationships with many other churches that also came from the Worldwide Church of God. They work together with several groups, like Life Resource Ministries and Church of God Big Sandy.

What CGI Believes

CGI shares many basic Christian beliefs with other churches. These include believing the Bible is inspired by God, that Jesus Christ came back to life, and the importance of baptism. They also agree with some Protestant ideas, like that the Bible is the main source of truth (sola scriptura). They believe that all believers can approach God directly (the priesthood of all believers) and that being made right with God is a free gift.

Like many Christian churches, CGI believes in the resurrection of the dead (people coming back to life). They also believe in millennialism, which is about a future 1,000-year reign of Christ on Earth. They practice baptism by immersion, where a person is fully dipped in water. They also believe in Gap creationism, which suggests a long time gap between two creation events in the Bible.

However, some of CGI's teachings are different from what most Catholic and Protestant churches believe.

Restoring Early Christian Beliefs

CGI believes that some traditional Christian teachings today changed over time. They think these changes happened because of influences from Greek and Roman ideas, and other beliefs. CGI believes that major Christian churches have mixed some non-Christian ideas and practices with Christianity. They teach that God does not want Christians to mix their faith with other beliefs.

Much of CGI's unique beliefs come from trying to separate these influences. They want to return to what they believe were the original beliefs and practices of the early Christian church. For example, CGI teaches that holidays like Christmas, Halloween, and Easter have ancient non-Christian origins. Because of this, they believe these holidays are not appropriate for Christians. This also applies to Valentine's Day and New Year's Day.

God and Jesus

CGI is a binitarian church. This means they believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ are two distinct "God beings." They see the Holy Spirit as the spirit or power of God and Jesus Christ, not as a separate person within God.

Purpose of Humans

CGI teaches that Christians become part of God's family. When they are resurrected, they will become spirit beings, like sons of God. They believe this is part of God reproducing Himself.

What Happens After Death

CGI does not believe in the immortality of the soul. This is the idea that the soul lives on forever after death. Instead, they believe that the soul does not stay conscious after death until a person is resurrected. CGI believes that the idea of an immortal soul came from changes in Christian teachings early in history.

God's Kingdom

CGI believes that Jesus Christ's main message was about a real, future kingdom on Earth. They teach that saved people will not go to heaven. Instead, they will live and rule with Jesus on Earth during the Millennium after He returns. Eventually, they will share in ruling the whole universe as part of the "God Family."

Grace, Law, and Being Right with God

CGI believes that being made right with God (called Justification) is a free gift from God. This gift is given after a person changes their ways (repentance) and is baptized. However, they also believe that Christians must obey God's law even after being justified. They teach that Jesus came to free people from sin and the punishment of the law, but not from the law itself.

They believe that the basic laws from the Old Testament still apply to Christians today. This is because the Bible calls them "God's laws," not just "Jewish laws." These laws are also supported by the New Testament. This includes:

• Observing the seventh-day Sabbath (from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset).
• Not eating certain "unclean" meats.
• Observing Holy Day festivals, like removing leavened bread during the Days of Unleavened Bread and living in temporary shelters during the Feast of Tabernacles.

They do not follow ancient Israelite civil laws or laws about sacrifices and the temple, as they believe these were fulfilled by Jesus Christ. The church mostly observes these laws separately from Jewish traditions, though they use the Jewish calendar.

CGI believes that Jesus' sacrifice can cover any mistakes people make when trying to obey God. However, they teach that a person who willfully refuses to change their ways commits an "Unpardonable Sin." They see God's law as a way to teach and build good character. They believe that obeying God's law improves a person's life and society. CGI strongly states that obedience is not a "work" to "earn" salvation. Instead, salvation is a free gift from God.

Ten Commandments Before Moses

CGI teaches that the Ten Commandments were in effect long before Moses received them at Mount Sinai. They believe this shows that God intended these laws for everyone, not just for ancient Israel.

What About Hell?

CGI believes that the idea of a never-ending burning Hell came from non-Christian ideas influencing early church teachings. They teach that the Bible actually says that wicked people who do not change will be completely destroyed (annihilated), not tortured forever.

Multiple Resurrections

CGI believes there will be several resurrections. People who did not understand the Bible's truth during their lives will get a chance to learn it after a "Second Resurrection" to a new physical life. Those who still reject God's way of life will be destroyed after a "Third Resurrection" in the Lake of fire.

Tithing

Like many Christian churches, CGI believes in tithing. This means giving 10 percent of one's income to the church to support its mission. They also teach that members should set aside an additional 10 percent of their income. This "Second tithe" is used for personal observance of annual religious festivals, especially the Feast of Tabernacles.

British Israelism

CGI believes in British Israelism. This idea suggests that some modern nations, like the United States and European countries, are descendants of ancient Israel. CGI uses this belief to understand End Time prophecies in the Bible. They do not use it to claim any racial superiority.

Differences from the Original WCG

CGI differs from the original WCG in how the church is governed. CGI does not claim to be the "one true church." The WCG used to teach that the Kingdom of God included the ministry ruling over the church members. CGI believes that the Kingdom of God is Jesus Christ ruling in the lives of individual members. They see the ministry as servants helping people reach that goal.

The WCG also taught that the God of the Old Testament was Jesus Christ. CGI has moved away from this, believing that both the Father and the Son are mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments.

Like other Adventist churches, CGI believes that Jesus Christ will return soon. They interpret current events in light of Bible prophecy. However, they are less strict about predicting specific dates for Christ's return. They do not follow the WCG's ideas about "Church Eras" or a "Place of Safety" during the Great Tribulation.

Church Activities and Media

CGI has church groups in the United States, Canada, Jamaica, Ireland, Australia, and the Philippines. They produce a television program called Armor of God and a magazine called Prevail Magazine. These cover topics about Christian living.

The church also publishes a quarterly newspaper, The International News. This paper includes articles about beliefs, world events related to Bible prophecy, and church news. They also offer children's education through Buckaroo Bob's Neighborhood programming.

In 2013, the church decided to have a stronger presence online. They built a new studio to broadcast in high-definition television. The church also has a website, a YouTube channel, and a dedicated Roku channel.

CGI also supports a program for young adults aged 18–30 called Infuse. This program includes a magazine, a website, and service activities for local churches and communities. Volunteers run the program, and it is open to young people from other churches too.

See also

In Spanish: Church of God International para niños

• Armstrongism
• Christian observances of Jewish holidays
• Christian views on the Old Covenant