History

Approximately 27 AD Jesus Christ called 12 men, from a group of His followers on a hillside near the Horns of Hittin near the sea of Galilee, to organize them as His Church.

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 adoption of the Nicene Council of 325 AD officially placed the rule of the Church under the Roman State. This plunged the world into the period known as the “Dark Ages” and it would be some 1578 years before the dark veil would be removed by the “Arise Shine” of June 13, 1903.

Revival fire started to burn in 1896 during the Sherarar School House Revival in Cherokee County, North Carolina. It was from these meetings that the fire kept spreading and being fanned by the same group of people present on June 13th 1903 when the actual launch of the Church this side the “Dark Ages” occurred. This was the true beginning of the open vision with the understanding that it is not going to be but is right now “The Church of God” of the Bible.

The “Arise Shine” launched the Church into an era of preaching and understanding not known since the days of the Apostles. This period was ushered in by men like Martin Luther preaching “Justification by Faith”, John Wesley preaching, “Perfection and Entire Sanctification”, Charles Parham and W. J. Seymour preaching, “The Baptism in the Holy Ghost” evidenced by speaking in tongues. A. J. Tomlinson, Richard J. Spurling, W. F. Bryant and others continued to fan these fires and the new organization experienced growth under their leadership as they followed theocracy. These men were all building on the foundation that Christ had laid and no greater can any man lay.

In 1923 a faction reduced the Church of approximately 21,673 members down to a membership of approximately 6,673. She rebounded with phenomenal growth and in the early 80’s there was a membership of nearly 208,000. In the early 90’s another split took away many members once again and the remaining members and churches were only a handful of faithful supporters of theocracy.

In 1933 during the General Assembly, God gave us a banner (flag) in fulfillment of Isaiah 59:19b When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. And Ps. 60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.

On August 29, 1997 men once again overpowered theocracy and the General Assembly was hijacked and still another split occurred leaving only a remnant of faithful followers of theocratic government. A remnant has once again lifted the banner and pledged to keep it “The Church of God” by following the principles of theocracy. This happened officially on September 01, 1997 at Ringold, Georgia with the act of declaration separating from the apostate group known as The Church of God/Pruitt Group. This name is used only for distinction from all other groups calling themselves by that name.

Where and when does this cycle stop? When the covenant members everywhere that have not broken their covenant proclaim once again, “The only rule we will follow is the blessed Old Book-The Bible and our God shall lead us not man.” We must not depart from the doctrine or this banner of 1933 until the Lord brings us back into UNITY under THEOCRACY. Please read Ephesians 4: 11-16 and John 17. It will come to pass!

NOTE: The information above was taken from Church History and Government, Bible Training Institute, First Term Book.