the bride

[Penny]

After reading the other topic, I would like to know


How did the COGOP get to the place at one time to say they are the ONLY bride?

[scooter]

After reading the other topic, I would like to know


How did the COGOP get to the place at one time to say they are the ONLY bride?

Response: By replacing a spiritual groom with an earthly king.

[RamboPreacher]

After reading the other topic, I would like to know


How did the COGOP get to the place at one time to say they are the ONLY bride?

Response: By replacing a spiritual groom with an earthly king.

oooh, good one. thanks for the reply. I will probably quote you.

[Pastor Bill]

From what I have read of the history, it seems to have crept in, probably starting around the CoG/CoGoP split. The original group that eventually became the CoG and it's many versions gathered to seek God, dissatisfied with the attitudes in the churches they were in (mainly Methodist & Baptist). In many communities Sunday morning was church, and the rest of the week you did what you wanted, that was the culture for many at the time (don't take this as a reflection on the Methodist & Baptist churches, both have had significant revival since that time as well).

This group sought to be the church God described in the Bible, a solid goal, but not an exclusive one...yet.

AJ Tomlinson joined this group, and quickly rose as a leader, (things were less organized prior to his leadership I believe) Not only did AJT continue to be selected each year as GO, but eventually the position was made perminite. They continued in seeking God for many years, till a change in structure placed a group of Elders in authority rather than singling out only the GO. I have heard different accounts of why, but AJ was asked to step down (at least temporarily) during this reorganization, and this caused some problems. A group rejected the leadership of the group of elders and new GO, and continued to follow AJT, this group organized separately, and both claimed to be the Church of God. Things were confusing for a time, and eventually court cases forced a name change (actually more, but I'm trying to keep this somewhat short) the "of Prophecy" was added to distinguish between the two groups, due to the arguments made that they were the "Church of God" that was prophesied about in scripture.

I believe the exclusiveness came as a result of the split, at first it was a goal to be what God wanted in his church, but when human conflicts divided things, the "Us vs. Them" quickly became right vs. wrong, or true church vs. not true church.

Subsequent splits have shown the same results, human disagreements, conflicts and power struggles bring out the worst in both sides, and tend to foster that mentality, and the importance of it seems to grow with every split endured (for both sides) If we hadn't had the splits, I believe the exclusive doctrine would have been long forgotten in the CoGoP, it is rare in the CoG, and it seems the splits of the splits seem to have carried it even further for the groups involved in those.

It's a perfect example of God's vision and goals for our lives being turned around into a selfish piety that can be destructive.

[Jennifer Smith]

From what I have read of the history, it seems to have crept in, probably starting around the CoG/CoGoP split. The original group that eventually became the CoG and it's many versions gathered to seek God, dissatisfied with the attitudes in the churches they were in (mainly Methodist & Baptist). In many communities Sunday morning was church, and the rest of the week you did what you wanted, that was the culture for many at the time (don't take this as a reflection on the Methodist & Baptist churches, both have had significant revival since that time as well).

This group sought to be the church God described in the Bible, a solid goal, but not an exclusive one...yet.

AJ Tomlinson joined this group, and quickly rose as a leader, (things were less organized prior to his leadership I believe) Not only did AJT continue to be selected each year as GO, but eventually the position was made perminite. They continued in seeking God for many years, till a change in structure placed a group of Elders in authority rather than singling out only the GO. I have heard different accounts of why, but AJ was asked to step down (at least temporarily) during this reorganization, and this caused some problems. A group rejected the leadership of the group of elders and new GO, and continued to follow AJT, this group organized separately, and both claimed to be the Church of God. Things were confusing for a time, and eventually court cases forced a name change (actually more, but I'm trying to keep this somewhat short) the "of Prophecy" was added to distinguish between the two groups, due to the arguments made that they were the "Church of God" that was prophesied about in scripture.

I believe the exclusiveness came as a result of the split, at first it was a goal to be what God wanted in his church, but when human conflicts divided things, the "Us vs. Them" quickly became right vs. wrong, or true church vs. not true church.

Subsequent splits have shown the same results, human disagreements, conflicts and power struggles bring out the worst in both sides, and tend to foster that mentality, and the importance of it seems to grow with every split endured (for both sides) If we hadn't had the splits, I believe the exclusive doctrine would have been long forgotten in the CoGoP, it is rare in the CoG, and it seems the splits of the splits seem to have carried it even further for the groups involved in those.

It's a perfect example of God's vision and goals for our lives being turned around into a selfish piety that can be destructive.

Pastor Bill, thank-you for that. I appreciated that broader history and perspective and I agree with what you said. Alsob as we look at what happened in later splits, or our feelings about them, love covers over a multitude of sins or offenses.

To add to what you said, I believe that division or offense is a welcome mat or a breeding ground for the influence of the enemy to come in, and that a religious spirit; a proud, pretentious or stiff-necked spirit influenced the false doctrine of exclusivity.

[Brenda]

From what I have read of the history, it seems to have crept in, probably starting around the CoG/CoGoP split. The original group that eventually became the CoG and it's many versions gathered to seek God, dissatisfied with the attitudes in the churches they were in (mainly Methodist & Baptist). In many communities Sunday morning was church, and the rest of the week you did what you wanted, that was the culture for many at the time (don't take this as a reflection on the Methodist & Baptist churches, both have had significant revival since that time as well).

This group sought to be the church God described in the Bible, a solid goal, but not an exclusive one...yet.

AJ Tomlinson joined this group, and quickly rose as a leader, (things were less organized prior to his leadership I believe) Not only did AJT continue to be selected each year as GO, but eventually the position was made perminite. They continued in seeking God for many years, till a change in structure placed a group of Elders in authority rather than singling out only the GO. I have heard different accounts of why, but AJ was asked to step down (at least temporarily) during this reorganization, and this caused some problems. A group rejected the leadership of the group of elders and new GO, and continued to follow AJT, this group organized separately, and both claimed to be the Church of God. Things were confusing for a time, and eventually court cases forced a name change (actually more, but I'm trying to keep this somewhat short) the "of Prophecy" was added to distinguish between the two groups, due to the arguments made that they were the "Church of God" that was prophesied about in scripture.

I believe the exclusiveness came as a result of the split, at first it was a goal to be what God wanted in his church, but when human conflicts divided things, the "Us vs. Them" quickly became right vs. wrong, or true church vs. not true church.

Subsequent splits have shown the same results, human disagreements, conflicts and power struggles bring out the worst in both sides, and tend to foster that mentality, and the importance of it seems to grow with every split endured (for both sides) If we hadn't had the splits, I believe the exclusive doctrine would have been long forgotten in the CoGoP, it is rare in the CoG, and it seems the splits of the splits seem to have carried it even further for the groups involved in those.

It's a perfect example of God's vision and goals for our lives being turned around into a selfish piety that can be destructive.

Pastor Bill, thank-you for that. I appreciated that broader history and perspective and I agree with what you said. Alsob as we look at what happened in later splits, or our feelings about them, love covers over a multitude of sins or offenses.

To add to what you said, I believe that division or offense is a welcome mat or a breeding ground for the influence of the enemy to come in, and that a religious spirit; a proud, pretentious or stiff-necked spirit influenced the false doctrine of exclusivity.

Pastor Bill and Jennifer, thank you for the above.
Very well put.
Can you believe how much good would of happened if there never were a first split?!

[Jennifer Smith]

Brenda, we would be in a CoG forum right now!

One thing that I pray and hope for is that we as a body continue to stand watch against a religious or divisive spirit, in any form. There is no reason to believe that we are exempt now only because we do not teach exclusivitiy. The pride that I mentioned in another post, fear of altar calls and humility, that deeply concerns me. That isn't just only our organization, but this is the organization I am a part of, so, this is the one I pray for.

[Poimen]

Just a note of clarity...

Though the concept of exclusivity became much more potent and deep rooted following the split of '23 (an understandable defensive and reactionary position, no doubt) it was already embraced and being taught in the Church of God prior to the split.

You may be intrigued to find that M.S. Lemons was one of the strongest proponents of what we would know as Theocracy, the restored NT church in the COG, and Exclusivity.

Personally, though it is often down played, I think this is a key component of the distinction between the Church of God movement and the Christian Union. The Christian Union was inclusive. The Holiness church at Camp Creek (which became the Church of God and was the fountain head of all the Church of God branches) with the acceptance of Tomlinson as a member, and then later as Pastor, initiated the restorationist and exclusivity positions.

[forestwalker]

After reading the other topic, I would like to know


How did the COGOP get to the place at one time to say they are the ONLY bride?

If it's believed that you're the restoration of the first-century church the claim makes sense.

[paul]

Seems like I remember a tract called The covering removed or something to that effect. It was an type and shadow ( although not scriptual based) of the City of Pompei and " The Church". It, to me, was a clear view of the " The Church" from an exclusive standpoint that was preached most of my life growing up and into my pastoral ministry in COGOP.

[MacUser]

Honestly. I'm sorry.. being a MAN.. I just can't get excited about this bride thing.

[RamboPreacher]

Honestly. I'm sorry.. being a MAN.. I just can't get excited about this bride thing.

it's a parable. I was just going to say that I have a bride. we getted married and then we recovenanted our vows when we were in Cana. I don't see how they could have been talking about my wife back in the 20's.

[sweetpea]

I thought all Christians would be The Bride of Christ.Although I was always told COGOP was the bride,but there were Christians in all churches that were saved by The Blood Of Jesus.I had a Morman neurosuregeon and he asked me when I had surgery if I knew Jesus died for my healing just as for my salvation.I have the sweetest SIL that is Catholic and she knows we are saved by The Blood of Jesus,when things go wrong she will always ask me to pray.

Her husband,my brother,was raised in COGOP just like me but never attends church,but he is a good person.I am now a member of COG,my sister doesn't go to church and my oldest brother has been a minister in COGOP for around 50 years,still pastors in AR.

We are all a blended family but I know my mother and brother would want us all to be COGOP.My father became a member of COGOP,judst days before he died. My family dates back to almost day 1 of COG,when the church split some went one way and some another.