1ST CHURCH OF GOD RENO
About us
Church of God History
The Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) is a holiness Christian body with roots in Wesleyan pietism and also in the restorationist traditions. Founded in 1881 by Daniel Sidney Warner, the church claims 1,170,000+ adherents. While having some characteristics of a denomination, the Church of God considers itself Non-denominational Christianity.
One of its more distinctive features is that there is no formal membership, since the movement believes that true biblical salvation, which will result in a life free from sin, makes one a member. Similarly, there is no formal creed other than the Bible. Accordingly, there is much official room for diversity and theological dialogue, even though the movement's culture is strongly rooted in Wesleyan holiness theology.
This church movement is not historically related to other Church of God bodies such as the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) or the Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee). Though these bodies are also holiness Christian in outlook, the Church of God (Anderson) does not share their Pentecostal practices. It is distinguished from these other churches by the location of its central office in Anderson, Indiana. The 1st Church of God, Reno is set up as an independant 5013c, non-profit organization with historical ties to the Church of God main office in Anderson, Indiana. All Church of God churches operate autonomously within the perameters of the Anderson Indiana church governmental structure.
1st Church of God-Reno Doctrinal Statement
What We Believe…
About the Bible
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, divinely inspired; that it contains no errors in the original manuscripts and is preserved by God for us; that it is authoritative for this church and each of us for every age.
About God
We believe that God exists eternally in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are one God. We believe God created the universe by His power and word. We believe that God is all knowing, all powerful and ever present.
About Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ was sent by God the Father into the world to save sinners. We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin and lived a sinless in life. We believe He was both God and man, that He was crucified for our sins and was bodily raised from the dead. He then ascended to His Father’s side where He is head of the Church and intercedes for believers. We believe Jesus Christ is coming again visibly and bodily to reign as Lord.
About the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is a Person, and as God has all the divine characteristics. He indwells, baptizes and seals all believers at the moment of salvation. He fills them in response to their confession of sin and surrender to Him.
About Salvation
We believe that Jesus, through His death on the cross, provided salvation for all who receive it by repenting of sin and trusting in Jesus Christ alone. The true believer is eternally secure and cannot lose his salvation. He may, however, lose his joy by sin and bring the loving discipline of the Father upon himself. All who have received Christ will at death depart to be with Him in their spirits, and at His return receive a new body which will be like His glorious body.
About the Church
We believe a New Testament Church is a local body of baptized believers who have agreed together to worship Jesus Christ, edify the believers, evangelize the lost and minister to others. The Church has two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the new life we have in Him. The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of Christ’s death and anticipates His Second Coming
About Unity
We Believe that Unity of the body of Christ comes from all Christian denominations. We believe everyone is created in the image of God and that through the love of Jesus Christ, that image can be made visible to all, regardless of ethnicity or gender.