Talk:Church of God of Prophecy

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While "exclusivity" has indeed never been an officially-adopted doctrine of the Church of God of Prophecy, it may be somewhat disengenuous to allow such to stand as is. Indeed, it is indisputable that many significant "officially-sanctioned" writings and documents of the group strongly endorses the idea that the body actually represents to the world as being the actual Church that Christ Himself established in Matthew 16:18. Indeed, the title of the three-volume work, "Upon This Rock" (C.T. Davidson, former officially, Church-appointed historian), may convey to the most discreet student certain more accurate and definitive facts with regard to the organization and its long-term and well established sub-beliefs regarding itself and exclusivity.

(Please note that such beliefs - especially when encouraged "unofficially" by key leadership - are often just as strong and powerful among true believers as are those acts that may be adopted in official corporate business acts and resolutions.)

The above may also tend to be somewhat willingly less than clear with regard to A.J. Tomlinson and his personal role(s) as shown.

Church of God of Prophecy writings and documents - many of these appearing with the groups official seal of approval - clearly show that Tomlinson's personal importance is/was much more than that of being a simple consultant to or with Spurling, Bryant and others. In fact, it is of record that on the morning of June 13, 1903, A.J. Tomlinson experienced a personal transformation or revelation that essentially became symbolic of a similar and more well-known incident involving Moses.

Essentially, Tomlinson believed - or, came to believe and announce later - that on the morning of June 13, 1903, he personally and individually received the revelation of the restoration and mission of the "Last-Days Church." Just as Moses had climbed Mt. Sinai and received significant and critical revelation of/from God (the Law of God to Israel, His chosen people), Tomlinson had climbed Burger Mountain in North Carolina for a season of personal prayer and unexpectedly received the applicable, modern-day revelation, i.e., God's direct guidance and plans for the re-establishment of the "Last-Days Church." According to this idea then, Spurling and Bryant may be regarded more as Joshua and Caleb vs. Tomlinson's caricature of Moses, "the principal." And again, such is not presented as being simple alternative views or assumptions; the Church of God of Prophecy has indeed allowed such "unsubstantiated, general thoughts and ideas" to permeate its more faithful, basic and core members, especially those in and of North America. And this, in countless official, Church-sanctioned writings and meetings. (In and/or around 1990, the group "did indeed" begin making certain clarifications and plans for its future service; but to suggest that only a few, or, that an occasional, "older minister or two" might have preached "exclusivity" out of personal zeal or even ignorance may be somewhat less than truthful.

And, it is of written record that once Tomlinson agreed to join Spurling and Bryant's group as an official member, he did so only after he was assured that said group accepted the idea that it was indeed devoting its most key efforts and focus upon being the exact and true, single Church. He received from them an agreement that "it" (that tiny church group that he was to join) were to function as "the Church of the Bible." This church was known as the Holiness Church of Camp Creek. It had been established in North Carolina by Bryant, at the urging of Spurling, on May 15, 1902. Spurling pastored the "mother" church called the Christian Union at Barney Creek about 5 miles away in Monroe County, Tennessee. These two local congregations were for people excluded from Baptist churches in the area because they preached and practiced a doctrine of "Holiness." Tomlinson joined in June 1903 and was chosen to lead them. Tomlinson served as the highest leader of that group presently known as the Church of God of Prophecy for 40 years(from 1903 - 1943), always believing that he was the head of a group that was destined indeed to be the actual and true Church that Christ began. His son, M.A. Tomlinson, followed him as leader and he served for 40 + years. Therefore, it is difficult to not understand that for almost a century, a primary, invigorating common belief of most Church of God of Prophecy members was that they were members of the only true Church.

For Further Study and Interest Please See:

"A.J. Tomlinson" by Lillie Duggar

"Upon This Rock" by C.T. Davidson

Also, contact the Church of God of Prophecy at:

423.559.5100 OR at:  www.cogop.org

and request copies of Church materials, including simple and basic Church tracts (especially those of/from 1990 and previously. Obviously, some of these may have been discontinued.  If the general offices may be unable to provide pre-1990 materials, contact local churches.  Many/Most will probably have such items on hand.)

Also, search the Internet for The Church of God, Charleston, TN (be sure to include the entire title.) This is the basic group that split from the Church of God of Prophecy in and/or around 1990 and accordingly then, their website may provide excellent ideas and assertions that may serve to better prove the actual practices of the Church of God of Prophecy regarding it and the issue of exclusivity.)

--Posted by Trebass, 22 October 2007 (moved from article to Talk page by Orlady)

The Church of God of Prophecy does NOT have a "fully accredited college." This comment needs to be removed. JaxJaguar 03:00, 27 October 2007 (UTC)

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"Sabbath"
Is "Sabbath" Sunday or Saturday?--Richardson mcphillips (talk) 15:13, 2 April 2018 (UTC)