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Christ Gospel Churches International

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Christ Gospel Church describes itself as a fundamentalist, Pentecostal Christian denomination. It was founded in the 1950s by Reverend Bernice R. Hicks, who still takes an active leadership role despite her advanced age.

Doctrines

The Christ Gospel Churches affirm their acceptance of the Apostles' Creed as an expression of Christian faith. Their pentecostal emphasis is seen in teaching the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of glossolalia, or speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4,11,38).¹ However, they do not believe that evidence of glossolalia is a requirement for salvation; rather, it is a gift that Christians can accept as they desire. The church also teaches that water baptism by immersion is a commandment for all Christians (Acts 2:38; 8:12; 9:5,18).¹ The church believes that worship should embrace all kinds of music (e.g., traditional hymns, choruses, country gospel, urban gospel, classical) and musical instruments (e.g., drums, guitars, pianos, saxophones, trumpets, violins). The church welcomes all races and classes of people because it realizes the importance of people being united in Christ rather that being divided among themselves. The church teaches "old-fashioned Holiness" in matters of conduct and dress, but also understands there are different levels of commitment and regards this as a matter of the individual conscience.¹

Hicks has developed a number of distinctive doctrines. For example, in her book Confirming Our Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ she declares that "The Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, is unique because His entire Being came forth out of God's own Procreative Loins....The Son of God was begotten completely out of God's Loins. The bodies of men and Angels were made by God's Hands." Another core teaching of Rev. Hicks is that the Old Testament tabernacle was laid out in the form of a cross and the stature of Christ, and is a pattern for Christians to follow as they seek full spiritual maturity (Hebrews 9:8-11; Ephesians 2:19-22). This concept can be found throughout Rev. Hicks's numerous publications and in church teachings.

Distribution

Christ Gospel Churches International claims some 70 congregations in the United States, over 400 in India, about 500 in Mexico, and affiliates in several countries of Africa and Central America. There are congregations in El Salvador, England, the Faroe Islands, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Iceland, Jamaica, Japan, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Romania, Russia, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, and various countries of South America, including Colombia and Ecuador. In all, the movement claims over 1,400 affiliated congregations in 135 countries (2008). Its international offices are located in Jeffersonville, Indiana, where it operates a Bible Institute, publishing ministry, broadcast ministry, and audio ministry. The movement also publishes a quarterly newsletter, Voice of Hope.

References

Hicks, B.R. Articles of Faith. Christ Gospel Churches International, 1991.
Hicks, B.R. Confirming Our Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ Gospel Churches International.


Category:Christian fundamentalism]]

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