The Church of God traces its spiritual roots to the first-century believers described in the New Testament—not as a denomination, but as a faithful body of believers led by the Holy Spirit. Through the centuries, it has endured persecution, doctrinal compromise, and institutional upheaval, yet it continues as a living remnant devoted to biblical truth. This history is often viewed through the lens of Revelation…
Story Category: Pentecost
Counting to Pentecost: The Firstfruits of God’s Plan truthsum.org
Unlike other biblical festivals with fixed calendar dates, Pentecost must be counted. From the day of the Wave Sheaf offering during Unleavened Bread, God instructs, “Count fifty days… then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD” (Leviticus 23:16). This is why the Greek name Pentecost—meaning “fiftieth”—endures today. But this counting has caused debate for centuries. Pharisees counted from the first High Day…
Pentecost and the Promise of the Father – John LaBissoniere ucg.org
Ryan Welsh
4 weeks ago in Holy Spirit
Imagine if Jesus lived next door—healing, comforting, and guiding us instantly. Though He ascended to the Father long ago (John 16:28), He promised something even greater: the arrival of the Holy Spirit. At first, this seemed sorrowful to the disciples (John 16:6), but Jesus assured them it was for their benefit: “If I do not go away, the Helper will not come” (John 16:7). Just…
Will Deceive Many (Part One) – Pat Higgins cgg.org
Ryan Welsh
1 month ago in The Church
In Matthew 16:3, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for recognizing weather signs but ignoring the “signs of the times.” Could we be making the same mistake? Our world is in rapid moral decline—corruption touches every institution. Jesus warned of days like these, comparing them to Noah’s time, when “all flesh had corrupted their way” (Genesis 6:12). As in Noah’s day, deception now defines our age. Misinformation,…
The Seven Churches: What Now? – Richard T. Ritenbaugh cgg.org
Ryan Welsh
7 months ago in The Church
Internal biblical evidence indicates that the seven churches of Revelation 2-3 represent attitudes and conditions within God’s church throughout history, culminating in the end time. Revelation’s focus on the Day of the Lord (Revelation 1:1, 10) underscores this conclusion. The prevalent attitude of the Laodicean church (Revelation 3:14-22), marked by spiritual indifference, mirrors conditions today as Christ’s return approaches. As the church undergoes scattering, what…
What Is Spirit? – Steve Moody lifehopeandtruth.com
Ryan Welsh
8 months ago in Holy Spirit
The Bible presents God as a spirit (John 4:24), and angels are also spirits (Hebrews 1:13-14), suggesting that the entire spirit realm is composed of spirit, unlike the material world, which is made up of matter. This means that everything associated with God’s presence—including His throne (Ezekiel 10:1) and the heavenly sanctuary represented by the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:17,…
The Church Through the Ages – John H. Ogwyn tomorrowsworld.org
Ryan Welsh
8 months ago in The Church
The Church that Jesus Christ built has faced challenges throughout history, as depicted in Revelation 2 and 3, where Christ addresses the seven churches of Asia Minor. These churches symbolize both literal first-century congregations and different periods of Church history. The first, Ephesus, represents the Apostolic era, where the Church struggled with false teachings and lost its zeal after Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 AD. Smyrna,…
Pentecost, the Spiritual Connection – Brian Orchard leadingtolife.org
Ryan Welsh
1 year ago in The Church
There are many lessons we can learn from God’s relationship with ancient Israel. By covenant, they became a called-out people destined to live by God’s law, with God dwelling among them (Exodus 25:8-9). However, this relationship was external. Israel did not have internal access to God’s Spirit; this changed with Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 9:14-15). Through Christ, the new covenant involves God’s Spirit dwelling within believers,…
Not of This World – Jeremy Lallier sabbaththoughts.com
Ryan Welsh
1 year ago in Pentecost
“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36). The Jews of the first century, including Jesus’ disciples, expected a Messiah to overthrow the Romans and restore Israel’s kingdom (Acts 1:6). Instead, they got a Savior…
The Sermon That Launched the Church – Joel Meeker lifehopeandtruth.com
Ryan Welsh
1 year ago in Pentecost
It was the morning of Pentecost, and Jerusalem buzzed with curiosity. Seven weeks had passed since Jesus’ crucifixion, dashing hopes that He was the Messiah. Stories of His resurrection circulated, but the disciples, who had seen Him alive, had no doubts. He had instructed them to wait in Jerusalem for power from on high (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8). On Pentecost, as the disciples gathered, a…
The Silent Division: Mixing Politics and Faith – Michelle Macedo & Werner Solorzano churchofgodnetwork.org
Ryan Welsh
1 year ago in The Church
In our religious community, recent shifts have introduced subtle divisions fueled by non-doctrinal factors like politics. As Christians, our identity is rooted in Christ’s teachings, emphasizing love, compassion, and the Kingdom of God. Unfortunately, political ideologies infiltrating our church have led to silent divisions, hindering our shared mission. Drawing inspiration from Alcoholics Anonymous, we should adopt a non-controversial approach, prioritizing the Gospel and avoiding worldly…
Can the True Church Be Found? – Richard T. Ritenbaugh cgg.org
Ryan Welsh
1 year ago in The Church
In the midst of the prevailing spiritual confusion and myriad belief systems, the profound words of Jesus in Matthew 16:18 bring solace: “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” These turbulent times, akin to the words of Thomas Paine, are soul-trying, and amidst the clamor, seekers face the challenge of discerning the true church. Religious diversity, denominations,…
The True Nature of Leadership – Brian Orchard leadingtolife.org
Ryan Welsh
1 year ago in The Church
The world is experiencing a leadership crisis in various sectors, including politics, education, business, and within the Churches. This analysis focuses on the nature of leadership rather than specific principles. From a worldly perspective, leadership is often tied to power, position, and status, yet possessing a title doesn’t guarantee effective leadership. There’s a growing expectation for leaders to fix issues without demanding personal responsibility. In…
Are You a Christian? – David C. Grabbe cgg.org
Ryan Welsh
1 year ago in The Church
The naming of disciples as “Christians” in Antioch marked a significant moment in the early spread of Christianity (Acts 11:26). While Shakespeare’s Juliet argued that names hold little significance compared to a person’s essence, names serve as essential points of reference for communication. In Antioch, the disciples were labeled “Christianos,” meaning “followers of Christ.” This term, though potentially coined in mockery, took root and was…
Pentecost Pictures the ‘Firstfruits’ in God’s Plan – Richard H Sedliacik hwalibrary.com
Ryan Welsh
2 years ago in Pentecost
God’s unfolding master plan is visible through the seven annual festivals that represent His salvation plan for humanity. These festivals remind us of our journey to become spirit-born members of His divine family. The Passover marks the start of this plan, reminding us of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. Following forgiveness, we cleanse our lives of sin, symbolized by the Feast of Unleavened Bread….
Five Doctrines Which Identify God’s Church – Gary L Alexander hwalibrary.com
Steven Orchard
2 years ago in The Church
The linked Good News article from 1974 summarizes five key doctrines that are unique to the Church of God, as distinguished from counterfeit teachings of so-called Christianity. They are helpful reminders of the core defining doctrines of the true Body of Christ. PLAN OF GOD The weekly Sabbath and annual Holy Days describe God’s plan for humankind through seven steps and three annual seasons. The…
Pentecost: God Gives the Holy Spirit – Mike Bennett lifehopeandtruth.com
Ryan Welsh
3 years ago in Pentecost
We are reminded in this article that Pentecost is the third of seven successive Holy Days. This third Holy day is also the third step in the plan of God. Its name is very telling in how this day is to be kept and what it represents. Known in the Old Testament as the Feast of Weeks and the New Testament as Pentecost(Literally meaning 50…
The Feast of Pentecost and Its Meaning For All Mankind – Arthur Suckling ucg.org
John Grabara
4 years ago in Holy Days, Pentecost
Among Jews, the most popular name for Pentecost is the Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot in Hebrew. When celebrating this festival, many Jewish people recall one of the greatest events in history, God’s revealing of the law at Mount Sinai. That said, Pentecost doesn’t just picture the giving of the law; it also shows (through a great miracle that occurred on the first Pentecost, within…
What Does Pentecost Mean? – David Treybig lifehopeandtruth.com
Karrie Orchard
4 years ago in Pentecost
Pentecost is one of God’s annual Holy Days which commemorates the beginning of the New Testament Church of God. The most famous Pentecost occurred in A.D. 31 when God gave His Holy Spirit, in the form of tongues of fire, to Christ’s faithful followers. That day, an additional 3,000 people were added to the church. Pentecost is observed by Catholics, Protestants, and Jews, yet each…
The Holy Spirit – Martin G. Collins cgg.org
Ryan Welsh
5 years ago in Holy Spirit
This deep dive, Bible Study approach covers in detail the nature of the Holy Spirit. Eight points make clear that the Holy Spirit is the power of God and not a personage. The Spirit is given to those that are called by God and respond to that calling. Baptism and repentance are essential in receiving the Holy Spirit. It works with our minds that we…