The Church of God for All Nations
Encyclopedia
The Church of God for All Nations is a theocratic Pentecostal holiness
body of Christians
.
Samuel Doffee, born February 2, 1931 and died April 23, 2010, formed The Church of God for All Nations in 1981. Doffee had been previously associated with the Church of God of Prophecy
and The Church of God (Jerusalem Acres)
, and served in various ministerial capacaties in the latter body. Bishop Grady R. Kent founded The Church of God of All Nations
(now "Jerusalem Acres") in 1957. After settling on the name "The Church of God of All Nations", Bishop Kent was persuaded by other in the Church Pattern to change the name to The Church of God at Jerusalem Acres.
After the death of Kent in 1964, the church governance gradually moved away from "theocratic" rule through the "Chief Bishop", toward a more democratic rule through the General Assembly. Bishop Doffee continued to preach what he believed was the prophetic message of Bishop Kent, as well as "theocratic" church government, and was disfellowshipped by the Church of God (Jerusalem Acres). In 1980, Doffee believed he was instructed by prophecy to reorganize the Church of God, and chartered the new church in 1981.
The doctrines of The Church of God for All Nations are similar to its parent body, with greater emphasis on theocracy and prophecy. Individuals must experience salvation, justification, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is marked by the evidence of speaking with other tongues glossolalia
. Divine healing, miracles, and deliverance from evil spirits are considered present-day ministries. Officers in the church are apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. This group believes very explicitly that the "Great Apostasy
" began in AD 325 with the Council of Nicaea
and continued until June 13, 1903, when Bishop Ambrose Jessup Tomlinson
restored the Church, and that in the interim there was no actual theocratic governmental formed (as Jesus formed it) Church of God upon the earth, but that born-again people were abundant and continued to be "saved" or "born again" according to the Bible
.
The Midnight Cry Messenger is the official church publication. Headquarters of the church are in Cleveland, Tennessee
. Samuel Doffee served as Chief Bishop until his death on April 23, 2010. This body has one church in the United States
and about five churches in Kenya
, Africa
. The Bishop of Africa is Justus Masika Khisa, and the African offices are being built in Bungoma
, Kenya.
Holiness movement
The holiness movement refers to a set of beliefs and practices emerging from the Methodist Christian church in the mid 19th century. The movement is distinguished by its emphasis on John Wesley's doctrine of "Christian perfection" - the belief that it is possible to live free of voluntary sin - and...
body of Christians
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
.
Samuel Doffee, born February 2, 1931 and died April 23, 2010, formed The Church of God for All Nations in 1981. Doffee had been previously associated with the Church of God of Prophecy
Church of God of Prophecy
The Church of God of Prophecy is a Christian denomination with beliefs and principles similar to Pentecostal Holiness Christian faith. It is one of five Church of God bodies headquartered in Cleveland, Tennessee that descended from a small meeting of believers who gathered at the Barney Creek...
and The Church of God (Jerusalem Acres)
The Church of God (Jerusalem Acres)
The Church of God is a holiness Pentecostal body that descends from the Christian Union movement of Richard Spurling, A. J. Tomlinson and others...
, and served in various ministerial capacaties in the latter body. Bishop Grady R. Kent founded The Church of God of All Nations
The Church of God (Jerusalem Acres)
The Church of God is a holiness Pentecostal body that descends from the Christian Union movement of Richard Spurling, A. J. Tomlinson and others...
(now "Jerusalem Acres") in 1957. After settling on the name "The Church of God of All Nations", Bishop Kent was persuaded by other in the Church Pattern to change the name to The Church of God at Jerusalem Acres.
After the death of Kent in 1964, the church governance gradually moved away from "theocratic" rule through the "Chief Bishop", toward a more democratic rule through the General Assembly. Bishop Doffee continued to preach what he believed was the prophetic message of Bishop Kent, as well as "theocratic" church government, and was disfellowshipped by the Church of God (Jerusalem Acres). In 1980, Doffee believed he was instructed by prophecy to reorganize the Church of God, and chartered the new church in 1981.
The doctrines of The Church of God for All Nations are similar to its parent body, with greater emphasis on theocracy and prophecy. Individuals must experience salvation, justification, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is marked by the evidence of speaking with other tongues glossolalia
Glossolalia
Glossolalia or speaking in tongues is the fluid vocalizing of speech-like syllables, often as part of religious practice. The significance of glossolalia has varied with time and place, with some considering it a part of a sacred language...
. Divine healing, miracles, and deliverance from evil spirits are considered present-day ministries. Officers in the church are apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. This group believes very explicitly that the "Great Apostasy
Great Apostasy
The Great Apostasy is a term used by some religious groups to describe a general fallen state of traditional Christianity, especially the Papacy, because it allowed the traditional Roman mysteries and deities of solar monism such as Mithras and Sol Invictus and idol worship back into the church,...
" began in AD 325 with the Council of Nicaea
First Council of Nicaea
The First Council of Nicaea was a council of Christian bishops convened in Nicaea in Bithynia by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in AD 325...
and continued until June 13, 1903, when Bishop Ambrose Jessup Tomlinson
Ambrose Jessup Tomlinson
Ambrose Jessup Tomlinson a former Quaker, united with the Holiness Church at Camp Creek in 1903. With his drive, vision, and organizational skills, he was elected the first general overseer of the Church of God in 1909. He also served as the first president of the church's Lee University...
restored the Church, and that in the interim there was no actual theocratic governmental formed (as Jesus formed it) Church of God upon the earth, but that born-again people were abundant and continued to be "saved" or "born again" according to the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
.
The Midnight Cry Messenger is the official church publication. Headquarters of the church are in Cleveland, Tennessee
Cleveland, Tennessee
Cleveland is a city in Bradley County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 41,285 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Bradley County...
. Samuel Doffee served as Chief Bishop until his death on April 23, 2010. This body has one church in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and about five churches in Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. The Bishop of Africa is Justus Masika Khisa, and the African offices are being built in Bungoma
Bungoma
Bungoma is a town in Western Province of Kenya, bordered by Uganda in the west. Bungoma town was established as a trading centre in the early 20th century. The town is the headquarters of Kenya's Bungoma District and it hosts a municipal council...
, Kenya.