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Church of God in Christ
Pentecostal, Historically Black Church
Date Founded: 1897
Membership 6,000,000
Headquarters: 930 Mason Street, Memphis, TN 38126
Core Beliefs (www.copic.org)
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We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible written Word of God.
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We believe that there is only One God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and, God the Holy Spirit.
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We believe in the blessed Hope, which is the rapture of the Church of God, which is in Christ, at His return.
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We believe that the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious Blood of Jesus Christ.
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We believe that regeneration by the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for personal salvation.
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We believe that the redemptive work of Christ on the Cross provides healing for the human body in answer to believing prayer.
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We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers who ask for it.
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We believe in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy and separated life in the present world.
Short History: Founded by Elder Charles Harrison Mason who was a Baptist preacher who became sanctified and started a revival in Jackson, MS in 1896. Disagreeing with some Baptist precepts and finding Baptist pulpits unwelcoming, he continued his revival in a warehouse until 1897 when the new denomination was formed. In 1907 the denomination split over the issue of receiving the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues promoted by Elder Mason. It is the largest African-American Pentecostal denomination in the U.S.
Local Churches: There are six COGIC churches in Louisville. The closest to campus:
Tabernacle of Praise COGIC, 729 East Saint Catherine Street, Louisville, KY 40203.
