Harmony Hill Church of God is associated with the Church of God Ministries based out of Anderson, Indiana. For more about the greater network of Church of God Churches, click here.
THE BIBLE IS OUR RULE OF FAITH...
The Church of God Movement has maintained a sure belief that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. II Timothy 3:16 states, "All scripture is inspired of God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness." Jesus Christ is the living word to whom the Bible, the written word witnesses (John 1:1-18).
SALVATION...
We believe that the cross of Christ is the starting point for every Christian. It is there that we come face to face with the overwhelming love of God that prompted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As the Apostle Paul put it, “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us.”(Romans 5:8)
Each person, upon realizing that Jesus died and paid the price for their salvation, and sensing the Holy Spirit’s presence and Invitation, accepting Christ as Savior and Lord through repentance and Commitment is forgiven and receives the experience of being born again (becoming a new creation in Christ). We Have the words of Jesus in Revelation 3:20, "Look! I have been standing at the door and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me." And we also have the inspired words of the apostle Paul written in II Corinthians 5:17: "...If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
The Spirit-Filled Life (Sometimes referred to as "Sanctification")...
Every believer is called to live a life of holiness by the grace of God. Believers can and should live the spirit-filled life. Matthew 3:11 records the words of John the Baptist. He said, "I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."
And Jesus said to his disciples just before ascending back to heaven, "...You will receive power when the Holy Spirit come on you; and you will be my witnesses..."
Many times the question is asked of us, are you charismatic? (are you Pentecostal?) Yes! and, No! We are charismatic if by that you mean persons and churches are empowered by the spirit for the edification of the Church of mission in the world. Yes, we are Pentecostal if by the term you mean the Holy Spirit was given to the early church and continues to come, empower, and call the church to servant ministry. No, if you mean by Charismatic or Pentecostal an emphasis on speaking in tongues as a sign of a spirit-filled or the freedom for persons to speak in tongues at their own discretion in public worship.
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP...
When a person accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, God places that person in the Church. Acts 2:47 says,"The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Therefore, all born-again Christians are fellow members in the Church of the living God (The Body of Christ), regardless of what other kind of church he or she may attend.
STEWARDSHIP...
Stewardship is the responsible use of all of our resources, recognizing that all good gifts come from God. It has implications for the use of our abilities, the use of time, and the way we earn and spend our money. Christian stewardship includes the practice of giving the first ten percent of one’s income directly to the church for mission and ministries – the tithe. We believe tithing is taught in the Old Testament (Malachi 3:8-10) and the principle and practice is sustained in New Testament teachings (Matthew 23:23; I Corinthians 16:2, and II Corinthians 8:1-5). It is the foundation for a more complete financial stewardship.
While many persons of the Church of God are tithers, tithing itself is not looked upon as a means by which one manipulates God in order to obtain material success. It is a spiritual discipline, which is a reward in itself. Many Christians not only give the first ten percent of their income (Tithe) to the Church, but also give additional offerings to help build facilities and make Faith Promise commitments to mission’s causes.
ORDINANCES...
(Note: Participation in these ordinances is not considered a "Test of Faith". Rather, it is a spiritual experience, which Christians are encouraged to observe.)
BAPTISM
The word "Baptism" means to immerse therefore we believe that a Christian should be baptized by immersion. Through Baptism the believer witnesses to a new spiritual dimension in his or her life. Acts 2:28 reads, "Peter replied, 'repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins..."
COMMUNION
Communion, or the Lord’s Super, is an affirmation of oneness in Christ. The bread and the cup are symbolic of our participation in the broken body and spilled blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 11:23b-26 tells us, "...The Lord Jesus, on the Night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper, He took the cup saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes."
FOOT WASHING
This is an act symbolizing the servant ministry of all Christians to each other and to the world. John 13:14 records the words of Jesus: "Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet."
DIVINE PHYSICAL HEALING...
We believe that in a broader sense all healing is divine. Thus we encourage consultation with medical professionals in matters of physical health and with other professionals in matters of emotional and relational problems. We believe these professionals can be used by God to bring health to ill and injured persons. In addition to the healing that comes through natural processes and the informed use of medication and surgery, we believe that at times God directly intervenes in the life of individuals to initiate and complete healing. We put into practice the apostle James’ instructions to the young church in James 5:14, "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the Church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord."
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST...
We believe that Jesus will come again, but no one knows about the date and time (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32-37) our eschatology (knowledge or study of last things) emphasizes that when Jesus comes to receive His Bride, The Church, all things of this world will end, and those who have believed on Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord will go with Him to live eternally. Our view of the kingdom of God is that it is a present reality. We believe that when Jesus came to earth, He launched his kingdom (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Luke 17: 20-26), and His kingdom is in the hearts of men and women who give him their allegiance.
We are aware of the diligent study of many premillennial scholars and the optimism of postmillennial Christians; however, we are a millennial in our study of the Bible, we do not discover any teaching about an earthly reign of Christ in a governmental or military sense. Scriptures speak of last things in figurative language (Revelation 20) and we believe they often refer to spiritual rather than temporal realities.
We work and pray for Christ's coming (Revelation 22:20-21). The principal task of Christians, we feel, is to be involved in God's redemptive plan sharing the Gospel rather than speculating about the nature and timing of last. Most Church of God congregations accept a range of opinions and beliefs on "Last Things".
WORSHIP SERVICES...
The nature of our worship services rather closely follow the biblical injunction to do all things in"...A fitting and orderly way" (I Corinthians 14:40). Scripture is read with a sense of profound respect. The gospel message is preached with enthusiasm, usually as an exposition of a scripture passage, relating it to the contemporary situation of the worshipers. Spontaneity marks many of our services. In some congregations persons will affirm the message of the Pastor or a song with an "AMEN!" occasionally persons may respond to a well-sung song, or give a heartfelt testimony. Laypersons are often enlisted for leadership in services.
Church of God worship services are generally characterized by good singing. We sing hymns, gospel songs, choruses, and spirituals. Many excellent volunteer choir members sing a wide range of music, from simple gospel songs to the most challenging anthems. A time to greet each other and get acquainted is often included during or immediately following the worship experience.