| THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST HISTORY In 1895, while searching the scriptures, Elders C.P. Jones, Charles Harrison Mason, and others saw that they could not be saved without holiness. So they began to preach this doctrine. As a result of this doctrine, they were asked to withdraw fellowship from the Baptist Church. Later in the year, those same brethren congregated themselves and were known to be the Church of God. (Acts 20:28) Because the truth of the gospel was being assailed on every side, and many false doctrines were being introduced by those who proclaimed the name, Elder C.H. Mason began setting forth to defend the gospel and prayed earnestly for a name that would not depart from the scriptures and at the same time distinguish the true followers from the false. Therefore, in the year 1897, the Lord revealed this name "THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST," with the following scriptures to support it: (I Thes. 2:14, II Thes. 1:1, Gal. 1:22) This union lasted until the year 1906, when a great revival was held in Los Angeles, California under the auspices of Elder W. J. Seymour. Elder C. H. Mason, among many others, attended this revival and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, with signs of speaking with other tongues according to Acts 2:4, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." He came back preaching this as a New Testament doctrine to which many of the brethren were adverse. In August 1907, the General Assembly convened at Jackson, Mississippi with Elder C.P. Jones presiding as General Overseer, who was also adverse to the new doctrine promulgated by Elder C.H. Mason and others. After a very lengthy discussion, the Assembly withdrew from Elder C.H. Mason, and all who promulgated the doctrine of speaking with tongues and the right hand of fellowship. Later in the year 1907, Elder C.H. Mason called a meeting in Memphis, Tennessee of all the ministers who believed in receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Among the group of Elders who responded to this great call were: E.R. Driver, J. Bowe, R.R Booker, W.M. Roberts, R.E. Hart, D.W. Welsh, A.A. Blackwell, E.M. Page, R.H.I. Clark, D.J. Young, J. Brewer, D. Spearman, J.H. Boone. These brethren formed the first General assembly of THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, whose faith was founded upon the doctrine of the Apostles as received on the day of Pentecost. The Lord gave Elder C.H. Mason to be the Chief Apostle, which was accepted by the whole assembly. Under this leadership, the Church witnessed a great triumph. Today, the Church of God In Christ has been officially declared the fastest growing denomination in America. 1997 marked the 100th year Centennial Celebration of the Church of God In Christ. With a presence in 56 countries throughout the world, the Church of God In Christ-marching under the banner of holiness and reverently acknowledging the importance of loyal followship and spiritual leadership-now faces its second century with Vision 2000. |
