Statement of Faith

This Statement of Faith sets forth the sincerely held religious beliefs of the Church of God Sabbath Assembly and governs the doctrine, teaching, ministry, worship, membership, leadership, discipline, and religious practices of the Assembly.

1 The Holy Scriptures

We believe the Holy Scriptures, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God and are the final authority for faith, doctrine, conduct, worship, correction, and instruction in righteousness.

We believe the Scriptures are to be understood according to their plain meaning, proper context, and the full counsel of God’s Word. No tradition, church council, custom, civil authority, or private interpretation may overturn the commandments and teachings of God as revealed in Scripture.

2 The One True God

We believe in one true God, the Creator of heaven and earth, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is eternal, holy, righteous, merciful, just, and sovereign over all creation.

We believe God the Father is the supreme Lawgiver, the source of life, and the One whom true worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.

3 Jesus Christ

We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Word of God made flesh, born of the virgin Mary, sent by the Father, without sin, crucified for our sins, buried, resurrected from the dead, ascended to the right hand of God, and appointed to return as King of kings and Lord of lords.

We believe salvation is made possible through His shed blood, His death, His resurrection, His present intercession, and His coming Kingdom. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, and all doctrine, leadership, and worship must be submitted to Him.

4 The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, given by God to those who repent, believe, and obey Him. Through the Holy Spirit, God convicts, leads, sanctifies, strengthens, comforts, and empowers His people to walk in obedience and bear spiritual fruit.

We believe the Holy Spirit does not lead contrary to the written Word of God.

5 Sin, Repentance, and Salvation

We believe sin is the transgression of God’s law. All mankind has sinned and is in need of repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation to God.

We believe salvation is by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, not by human merit. True faith is living faith, producing repentance, obedience, endurance, and good works pleasing to God.

We believe repentance includes turning from sin, confessing sin before God, seeking forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and committing to walk according to God’s commandments.

6 Baptism and Laying on of Hands

We believe baptism is commanded for repentant believers and represents the burial of the old sinful life and the beginning of a new life in Christ.

We believe in the laying on of hands for the receiving of the Holy Spirit, for blessing, for healing, and for ordination or appointment to service, according to the examples given in Scripture.

7 The Commandments of God

We believe the commandments of God are holy, just, and good. They reveal God’s righteous standard and remain binding upon God’s people.

We believe obedience to God’s commandments is not a means of earning salvation, but is the required fruit of faith, love, repentance, and submission to God.

We reject the teaching that grace gives believers permission to continue in sin or to disregard the commandments of God.

8 The Seventh-Day Sabbath

We believe the seventh-day Sabbath was created, blessed, and sanctified by God at creation and remains holy and binding upon God’s people.

We believe the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, commonly called Saturday, and is to be observed as holy time from sunset to sunset. It is a day for rest, worship, fellowship, prayer, instruction, mercy, and spiritual renewal.

We reject the teaching that the Sabbath has been abolished, transferred to another day, or made unnecessary for believers in Jesus Christ.

9 The Annual Holy Days

We believe God’s annual Holy Days reveal His plan of salvation and remain meaningful and commanded observances for His people.

These appointed times include Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day.

We believe these days point to the work of Jesus Christ, the calling of God’s people, the return of Christ, the judgment of the world, and the coming Kingdom of God.

10 The Gospel of the Kingdom of God

We believe Jesus Christ preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God. The Church is commissioned to proclaim that same gospel, calling all people to repentance, faith, obedience, and preparation for the return of Christ.

We believe the Kingdom of God is not merely a feeling, symbol, or human institution, but the coming rule of God over the earth under Jesus Christ.

11 The Church

We believe the Church is the body of believers called by God, redeemed through Jesus Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, and set apart to obey God, proclaim the truth, edify one another, and bear witness to the world.

The Church of God Sabbath Assembly is not founded upon human tradition, denominational pride, political ideology, or worldly power, but upon the Word of God, the faith of Jesus Christ, and the commandments of God.

12 Worship and Assembly

We believe God’s people are commanded to assemble together for worship, instruction, fellowship, prayer, and encouragement.

The Assembly’s worship, teaching, music, ministry, ordinances, leadership, and fellowship shall be conducted in a manner consistent with Scripture and this Statement of Faith.

13 Biblical Marriage, Family, and Sexual Morality

We believe God created mankind male and female and established marriage as a covenant union between one man and one woman.

We believe sexual relations are holy only within the covenant of biblical marriage. Sexual conduct outside of biblical marriage is contrary to God’s design and commands.

We believe family, parenting, modesty, purity, and moral conduct must be governed by Scripture rather than by changing cultural standards.

14 Human Life and Dignity

We believe human life is created by God and is therefore sacred. Every person is accountable to God and should be treated with dignity, justice, and mercy.

We believe the Church must speak the truth in love, oppose sin, call all people to repentance, and extend compassion to those seeking forgiveness and restoration through Jesus Christ.

15 Clean and Unclean Meats

We believe the biblical distinction between clean and unclean meats was given by God and remains a standard of obedience, health, separation, and holiness for God’s people.

16 Death and Resurrection

We believe death is the state of unconsciousness until the resurrection. We reject the teaching that the dead are presently conscious in heaven, hell, or purgatory.

We believe the hope of the saints is the resurrection from the dead at the return of Jesus Christ and the gift of eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

17 Judgment and Eternal Life

We believe God is righteous in judgment and will judge all mankind according to truth, justice, mercy, and His revealed Word.

We believe eternal life is the gift of God through Jesus Christ, given to those who repent, believe, overcome, and remain faithful to God.

18 The Return of Jesus Christ

We believe Jesus Christ will personally, visibly, and powerfully return to the earth to establish the Kingdom of God, rule the nations, restore righteousness, and bring peace to the world.

We believe His return is the blessed hope of the Church and should lead believers to watchfulness, repentance, holiness, endurance, and faithful service.

19 Church Government and Authority

We believe Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church. All officers, ministers, teachers, volunteers, and members serve under His authority and are accountable to the Word of God.

The Church of God Sabbath Assembly reserves the right and duty to establish standards for membership, leadership, teaching, discipline, facility use, ceremonies, employment, volunteer service, and ministry participation according to Scripture and this Statement of Faith.

20 Religious Liberty and Internal Governance

The Church of God Sabbath Assembly is a religious body with sincerely held biblical beliefs. The Assembly’s doctrine, moral standards, membership decisions, leadership qualifications, religious ceremonies, teaching positions, employment decisions, volunteer appointments, and use of church property are matters of religious conviction and internal church governance.

No person, court, agency, or civil authority may require the Assembly to act contrary to its sincerely held religious beliefs, to affirm conduct it believes Scripture calls sin, to perform ceremonies contrary to its faith, or to appoint persons to religious office or ministry who do not agree with and live consistently with this Statement of Faith.

21 Membership and Leadership Agreement

Members, ministers, teachers, officers, employees, volunteers, and representatives of the Church of God Sabbath Assembly are expected to respect, uphold, and not publicly oppose the doctrine and moral standards of the Assembly.

Leadership and teaching roles may be limited to those who affirm this Statement of Faith and whose conduct is consistent with biblical standards as understood by the Assembly.

22 Final Authority for Doctrine

For purposes of church doctrine, discipline, membership, leadership, religious practice, and institutional policy, the final interpretive authority shall rest with the recognized leadership of the Church of God Sabbath Assembly, subject always to the authority of Scripture and Jesus Christ as Head of the Church.

23 Amendment

This Statement of Faith may be amended only in a manner consistent with Scripture, the commandments of God, and the faith and testimony of Jesus Christ. No amendment shall be valid if it requires the Assembly to abandon the authority of Scripture, the seventh-day Sabbath, the commandments of God, the Holy Days of God, the gospel of the Kingdom, or the lordship of Jesus Christ.