Churches of God

April 21, 2012 | Statements: On Conscience

Church of God (Anderson)

Like all true Americans, we as members of the General Assembly of the Church of God meeting in regular session in Anderson, Indiana, this sixteenth day of June, 1966, view with deep concern the escalating military involvement and the conscription of our youth for military service. We believe that war represents our moral failures. We abhor the causes that lead to war. We stand by the teaching and example of our Lord, who taught us and showed us the way of radical, sacrificial love.

We are thankful to God that we live in a land of basic freedoms whose law makes provision for alternative service by those "who, by reason of religious training and belief, are conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form." We encourage our young men who conscientiously object to war to engage in such civilian work which contributes "to the maintenance of the national health, safety or interest."

We respect the right of each person to arrive at his own convictions. We believe in the principle of freedom of worship and freedom of conscience. We respect the rights of the individual conscience within our fellowship. We have never set up an authoritative creed. Instead, we accept the entire New Testament as our rule of faith and practice, and we seek to lead every member of our fellowship to full comprehension and full acceptance of the Spirit of Christ as the guide for all conduct. What we seek for ourselves we seek for every citizen of our land—the right of individual conscience which no governmental authority can abrogate or violate. We do not condemn or reject that person who differs with our position or participates in war. We shall seek to follow such persons with a ministry of help and guidance, but this is never to be construed as approval of war.

We fervently pray for the leaders of our nation and of other nations, many of whom we believe to be sincerely striving for peace. We pray that efforts by negotiation among countries, through the United Nations and every possible channel, may succeed in bringing peace to our troubled world. Let this statement of conviction be construed by any and all to mean that we fully support young men of the Church of God who sincerely and conscientiously are opposed to participation in military service. We encourage them to seek the constructive alternatives intended to bring health, healing, and understanding, and which serve the highest interests of our beloved country and of the whole world.

(Military Conscription: The Right of Conscience, June 1966)

For further information, contact: Church of God (Anderson), Box 2420, Anderson, IN 46018; www.chog.org

 

CHURCH OF GOD (OKLAHOMA)

The ministers of the Church of God assembled at the Annual National Campmeeting (July 21-30, 1961) of the Church of God at Neosho (Moark Springs), Mo., being aware of the present critical world situation and the urgent need for the Church to reaffirm its position in regard to participation in war, approved and adopted the resolution which had been approved by the ministers of the Church of God at the Oklahoma State Campmeeting, Guthrie, OK, on August 13, 1948, which reads as follows:

Whereas: The Holy Scriptures teach us that our first duty is to God, namely, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, and mind, and strengthen,” and the second is like unto this, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Furthermore, Jesus taught His followers to love their enemies, do good to them that hate you and pray for them

which despitefully use you and persecute youthat you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:39, 44-48).

And Whereas: There are many other scriptures such as John 18:36; Matt. 26-52; Rom. 12:14, 17, 19-21; Luke 6:31, which definitely forbid us to take up arms to fight or defend ourselves; and whereas, because of the teaching of such Scriptures, we are conscientiously opposed to accept noncombatant service in warfare or to work in any factory or plant which is directly engaged in producing instruments and/or munitions for the destruction of human life and happiness;

And Whereas: We are conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form at any time, whether civil, political, or religious;

And Whereas: We are conscientiously opposed to the purchase of defense or war bonds and stamps for the prosecution of war;

And Whereas: We are citizens of the U.S. of America in all things willing to live honestly, believing that our Government is ordained of God and praying for our President and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness;

Now, Therefore Be It Resolved: That the above statement be adopted as a uniform teaching and practice of the Church of God, a copy of which is on file with the Secretary of the National Campmeeting.

The foregoing resolution was concurred in and approved by the ministers of the Church of God at the National Campmeeting on July 25, 1961.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Write to Bob Stover, Secretary, The Church of God, 6304 S. 9th Ave., W., Tulsa, OK 74107

Church of God (Seventh Day)

"As a result–not a cause–of redemption, believers should….regard participation in physical warfare as contrary to a Christian's humanitarian calling."

(statement approved by the Church's North American Ministerial Council and is published by the Bible Advocate Press in its "Statement of Faith of the Church of God (Seventh Day)" booklet.)

For further information, contact: Mr. Calvin Burrell, Editor, The General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day), PO Box 33677, Denver, CO 80233-0677. Website: and email: bap.orders@cog7.org

Church of God (7th Day, Salem, W. Va.)

 

According to our earliest constitution the Church of God (Seventh Day) has always stood against its membership engaging in carnal warfare.

Article 23, of the Constitution, and the same numerical number in our Doctrinal Beliefs states: "That all carnal warfare, and the participation therein is condemned, as declared in our earliest constitution and belief" (Ex. 20:13; Matt. 5:21, 22; Rom. 13:8-10; Matt. 26:52; Rev. 13:10).

According to our "Bible Home Instructor," a book published for our membership, which is a grouping together of Bible Testimony on all subjects of sacred interest, the members are to abstain from engaging in carnal warfare. This is one of the evidences that they are Children of God and of their acceptance by God if they live in peace and do not kill any human being (Pp. 330,331).

For further information, contact: Delwin DeLong, c/o Church of God Publishing House, PO Box 328, Salem, WV 26426. Email: cogsevday@aol.com Website: http://www.churchofgod- 7thday.org/

 

CHURCH OF GOD OF THE ABRAHAMIC FAITH

(Roll, IN; Miami, FL; Gainesville, FL; Flagler Beach, FL; Perryville, KY; Cleveland, OH and Salem, OH)

The Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith is a religious community which looks for the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to reestablish the Kingdom of God over Israel and the whole earth. This is based upon the promises made to Abraham, David, and Mary. (1 Chr. 28:5; Acts 1:6; Gen. 17:4-8; 2 Sam. 7:12-16; Luke 1:30-33).

We believe that the members of the Body of Christ must not participate in war. Therefore, we whose names appear upon the membership rolls of the Churches of God of the Abrahamic Faith subscribe to the following as stated in our Cofession of Faith, page 28, Item III (d):

(d) Prohibit participation in war (Matt. 26; 52; Rev. 13:10; Matt. 5:39-41; John 6:15; Luke 12:13, 14; 1 Pet. 2:21, 23; Isa. 53:0; Jas. 5:6; 2 Cor. 11:20; Rom. 12:19-21; 1 Thess. 5:15; Heb. 12:14).

We are living in perilous times specifically pointed out by the sure word of prophecy. This unerring prophecy points with unmistakable certainly to the fearful doom which shall come upon this world resulting eventually in the battle of Armageddon. (Rev. 16:14-16; Zech. 14:1-3).

It is apparent that the governments of the present time are making unparalleled preparation for war under the guise of defense or balancing of powers. The governments of this world are established and maintained by the sword and will so continue during this dispensation. At the Lord Jesus Christ’s return they will openly oppose his Kingdom. (Psa. 2:1-9). However, this Kingdom of God will bring righteousness and peace upon the earth. (Jer. 23:5, 6; Dan. 7:13, 14, 27; Rev. 5:9, 10; Rev. 11:15).

We as children of God, are forbidden to avenge ourselves of any wrongs that have been committed against us. (Rom. 12:19). Those who live by the sword will also perish by the sword. (Matt. 26:52; Rev. 13:10).

All our actions must be in accordance with scriptural teachings, to pay taxes, custom and honour and whatever does not conflict with the Law of God until the establishment of the Kingdom of God upon the earth, when and where righteousness will prevail. We cannot serve two masters. (Acts 5:29; Luke 1:31-33; Isa. 11:1-10; Matt. 25:31-34; Rom. 13:1- 10).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Write to Mr. Keith Yocum, 11620 Chenoweth Hills Pl, Louisville, KY 40299. Website: http://www.cgaf.org