About Our Church
Rooted in the Word of God, guided by the Holy Spirit, and committed to serving our community with love and truth.
What We Believe
The following declarations reflect the core beliefs of the Church of God, the denomination to which Macclenny Church of God belongs.
Declaration of Faith
The Bible
In the verbal inspiration of the Bible.
The Trinity
In one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Jesus Christ
That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor.
Repentance
That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins.
Justification & New Birth
That justification, regeneration, and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
Sanctification
In sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost.
Holiness
Holiness to be God's standard of living for His people.
Baptism in the Holy Ghost
In the baptism with the Holy Ghost subsequent to a clean heart.
Speaking in Tongues
In speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost.
Water Baptism
In water baptism by immersion, and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Divine Healing
Divine healing is provided for all in the atonement.
The Lord's Supper
In the Lord's Supper and washing of the saints' feet.
Christ's Second Coming
In the premillennial second coming of Jesus. First, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on the earth a thousand years.
Bodily Resurrection
In the bodily resurrection; eternal life for the righteous, and eternal punishment for the wicked.
Practical Commitments
These commitments reflect the standards of holy living that members of the Church of God embrace as an expression of their faith.
Spiritual Example
Members must demonstrate active devotion to Christ, loyalty to His church, and faithful stewardship.
- Spiritual Disciplines: Practicing regular prayer, praise, worship, confession, fasting, meditation, and scripture study.
- The Lord's Day: Dedicating Sunday to public worship, fellowship, Christian service, teaching, and evangelism.
- Stewardship: Supporting the financial needs of the church through consistent tithes and offerings.
- Church Submission: Respecting and submitting to church leadership while avoiding secretive or oath-bound societies.
Moral Purity
Believers commit to keeping their bodies and minds pure from worldly corruption.
- Bodily Glorification: Engaging only in activities that honor God and resisting the lust of the flesh.
- Media Selection: Reading, watching, and listening exclusively to media that benefit spiritual well-being.
- Entertainment Discretion: Avoiding places, habits, or entertainment that appeal to the fleshly nature or damage Christian testimony.
Personal Integrity
This commitment requires living a trustworthy, transparent life that models Christ's character.
- Christian Behavior: Living reliably to inspire trust and confidence in others.
- Fruit of the Spirit: Manifesting spiritual virtues like love, joy, and peace in daily actions.
- Honest Speech: Keeping one's word faithfully and avoiding the swearing of secular oaths.
Family Responsibility
The church prioritizes the preservation of the nuclear family unit under divine order.
- Priority Care: Placing high importance on fulfilling familial duties and nurturing relatives.
- Sanctity of Marriage: Upholding marriage as a holy union while providing love and counsel if divorce occurs.
- Divine Order: Recognizing biblical roles where parents nurture children, and children respect parents.
Behavioral Temperance
Members must refrain from behaviors or attitudes that cause addiction or harm to others.
- Substance Abstinence: Maintaining total abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and mood-altering chemicals.
- Freedom from Bondage: Refusing activities like gambling or gluttony that enslave the human spirit.
- Relationship Respect: Exercising behavioral self-control and tolerance to avoid offending fellow humans.
Modest Appearance
The church maintains a standard of outward simplicity that acts as an extension of internal holiness.
- Scriptural Modesty: Dressing in an orderly manner that enhances, rather than distracts from, Christian witness.
- Avoidance of Pride: Shunning clothing choices rooted in personal pride, elaborateness, or sensuality.
- Frugality: Honoring simplicity by avoiding waste and outward ostentation.
Social Obligation
Believers are called to actively fulfill duties within the broader community and care for creation.
- Good Citizenship: Fulfilling legal civic duties and actively working to correct social injustices.
- Sanctity of Life: Protecting the unborn and opposing abortion or euthanasia for personal convenience.
- Environmental Care: Responsibly stewarding the earth and its resources without polluting or wasting them.
- Equal Opportunity: Protecting the freedom of all individuals to worship regardless of race, sex, or social class.