CHURCH HISTORY

Known to be highly principled and incomparable in upholding God's righteousness, the Church, formerly known as the CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS, PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH is now known as MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF GOD INTERNATIONAL. The late Nicolas Antiporda Perez, Ka Perez, was the first leader of this group.

When Nicolas Perez died in 1975, Eliseo Soriano Y Fernando pacified a group of believers whose spirits were dampened by the unexpected death of their leader. Although there existed no appointed official successor, Eliseo Soriano nurtured the flock and kept it intact. He taught them that the death of leader does not mean the disintegration of the church. Driven by extreme greed for power, his former colleagues embarked on dark schemes against him and launched an underground plot to malign and discredit Eliseo Soriano before the members.

Seeing this, Eliseo Soriano, together with a few hundred, immediately left the group. In 1980, they registered as MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS, PILLAR AND GROUND OF TRUTH, PHILIPPINES, appointing Eliseo Soriano as Presiding Minister. With this development, a prophecy in the Book of Zachariah was realized (Zach. 13:8-9). While the organization headed by Eliseo Soriano progressed and grew, the other two organizations diminished in number, with vague and obscure doctrines.

Among the three groups, Eliseo Soriano’s group became known for upholding the “former” things—of the things in the past. It became known for rendering obedience to God in the same way the first of God’s people obeyed Him truthfully. The attributes of the real city of God continued to live in this organization: firm in its stand and fearless in upholding the truth. This group continues to propagate God’s teachings worldwide – despite the negative concerted efforts and harassment from its religious foes and the government.

In the eyes of men and God, this group remains to bear a seal, a seal that is impressed in the hearts and minds of the people. In these last days, there remains an organization that is worthy of the people’s trust—an organization better known as “THE OLD PATH.”


BASIC DOCTRINES

Section 1

We believe in the Almighty God, the Father, the Creator of the universe, in Christ Jesus, the Father’s begotten son, a true and Mighty God, the only savior of mankind and the only way to the Kingdom of God in heaven ( Acts 14:15; I Cor. 8:5-7; John 14:6; 14:1 ).

Section 2

We believe that only the Bible or the Holy Scriptures, composed of 66 inspired books, teaches the full wisdom of God for the salvation of man and that no other books should be used as basis for serving God and Christ Jesus ( Romans 1:16-17; 2:16; Gal. 1:8-9; II Thes. 1:1-9; John 20:31; Isa. 34:16; John 5:39 ).

Section 3

We believe that the God the Father sent His son Jesus Christ, instrumental in the establishment of the CHURCH OF GOD INTERNATIONAL, INC., the congregation of the Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, etc; first planted in the city of Jerusalem, and later on scattered and preached by the Apostles in different places of Asia Minor ( Matt. 16:18; Acts 8:1; Gal. 1:22; I Thes.2:14 ).

Section 4

We believe that the Gentile nations including the Philippines, are partakers of the promise, the ETERNAL LIFE, through belief in Christ Jesus and the Gospel and are not authorized by God TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN CHURCH, but are mere members associated with the same body or Church written in the Gospel by accepting and executing the doctrines written by the Apostles ( Ephe. 3:6; Col. 1:18; I John 2:25; 1:3-4; I Cor. 12:27; Psalm 127:1; I Tim. 3:15 ).

Section 5

We believe that God is calling His people with determination to serve Him, bringing them in His fold, teaching them righteousness after baptism for their sins to be covered by the priceless blood of Christ poured in Mount Calvary, for the redemption of sin, to make them qualify for life eternal in heaven ( I Cor. 1: 9,2; Ephe. 4:1,10,14; Acts 2:38; Phil. 1:27; I Pet. 1:15-16; Ephe. 2:10; I Thes. 1:1 ).

Section 6

We believe that Christ descended on earth from the bosom of Father, suffered for the redemption of sin, died in the cross, resurrected after three days, ascended in heaven and sit on the right side of God.

Section 7

We believe that all Christian believers should always attend the divine service executed by the administrator of the members of the church or of the congregation every first day of the week, wherein they should sing hymns, hear sermons, offer prayers and alms which is always voluntary according to his faith ( Heb. 10:25; Acts 20:7; I Cor. 14:28: Acts 1:14; I Cor. 16:3; II Cor. 9:7-8, 12-13 ).

Section 8

We believe that the most important duty and obligation of the members of the Church of God International, INC. is to propagate the Gospel of Christ on earth until the consummation of the ages, for only the church can teach the wisdom of God for the salvation of mankind (Luke 8:1-3; Ephe. 3:10; II Tim 3:14-17 ).