Church of God (Seventh Day)

The Churches of God (Seventh Day) is composed of a number of

sabbath-keeping churches, among which the General Conference of
the Church of God, or simply CoG7, is the best-known
organization. The Churches of God (Seventh Day) observe the
Sabbath on Saturday, the seventh day of the week.

History
The Church of God (Seventh Day) represents a line of Sabbatarian
Adventists that rejected the visions and teachings of Ellen G. White
before the formation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1863.
Robert Coulter, ex-president and official historian of the General
Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day), in his book The
Journey: A History of the Church of God (Seventh Day) (2014)
credits Gilbert Cranmer (1814–1903) of Michigan as being the
founder of the church.[1] Cranmer was a Christian Connection Gilbert Cranmer
minister[2] and a biblical Unitarian.[3] He was introduced to Sabbath
keeping in 1852 by Joseph Bates, known as the founder and
developer of Sabbatarian Adventism.[4] In 1858, five years before the founding of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church, a group led by Cranmer separated from the Adventists who supported James Springer
White and Ellen G. White. Another independent Sabbatarian Adventist body formed in Iowa in 1860, and
joined with the Church of God (Seventh Day) in 1863.

A publication called The Hope of Israel (now The Bible Advocate) was started in 1863, and this publication
extended the influence of the body into other areas. Through this publication, the doctrines of the second
advent and the seventh-day Sabbath were promoted, and other Christians were invited to gather for
meetings. This extended the movement into Missouri, Nebraska and other places, and in 1884 the General
Conference of the Church of God was organized. They incorporated in 1899, and "(Seventh Day)" was
added to the name in 1923. Offices were established in Stanberry, Missouri.

A. N. Dugger and C. O. Dodd (1935)[5] wrote a book attempting to trace the Church's history back to the
Apostles through various medieval groups that they believed were Sabbath-keeping. In the case of some of
these groups, such as the Waldensians[6] and Paulicians,[7] that claim is disputed.

A well-publicized member of the church was evangelist Herbert W. Armstrong (1893–1986). In 1927
Armstrong was challenged by his wife, Loma, to find a biblical justification for keeping Sunday as the
Christian Sabbath. Loma had come under the influence of Emma Runcorn, a member of the Seventh Day
church in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Runcorn and her husband Ora were lay leaders in the Oregon
conference. Armstrong soon became a minister for that church and a writer for the Bible Advocate journal.
Within a few years, Armstrong began teaching the British-Israel Theory – the alternative history that
regarded the nations of Western Europe and North America as the literal descendants of the "Lost Ten
Tribes" of Israel – and the mandatory keeping of the Feast Days in Leviticus 23. Armstrong disassociated
himself from the Church of God (7th Day) - Salem Conference over these two issues, which were not
original doctrines of the Churches of God (7th Day); years later, Church of God (7th Day) revoked his
ministerial credentials with their Church, but by this time he was well-established in his own church, the
Radio Church of God.[8]

The division of 1933

The following information concerning the division of 1933 is taken from an online history book, History of
the Seventh Day Church of God, by Richard C. Nickels.[9]

The Church of God (Seventh Day) was unified up until 1933. According to A. N. Dugger a Church of
God historian, and leader of one of the factions at the time, many in the Church of God felt the need for a
"Bible Organization" for the Church of God. They also wanted to move the church's world headquarters to
Jerusalem. They held a conference in Salem, West Virginia, on November 4, 1933.

Pressure was mounting for more unity from roughly half of the membership. While others felt that they
were being denied freedom of expression. Dugger and his followers wanted a reorganization of church
doctrine. Including clean meats, no tobacco, and observing the Passover on Nisan 14. While Burt F. Marrs
led a group of "independents" who were believed pork and tobacco were fine, and that the Passover should
be observed on Nisan 15. At this point, Dugger and his followers decided to establish the Salem
Conference headquarters in Salem West Virginia, at which point they started printing the Bible Advocate.
As a result, from 1933 to 1949 there were two separate Church of God organizations, one at Stanberry,
Missouri, and the other at Salem, West Virginia.

The headquarters in Salem still exists today with members worldwide.[10] They are formally organized
under the apostolic model (twelve apostles, seventy elders and seven men to oversee the business affairs of
the church).[11] Shortly afterwards, Dugger left the Salem Conference.[9]

1940s reunification

The following information concerning the reunification in the 1940s is taken from History of the Seventh
Day Church of God by Richard C. Nickels.[12]

The first attempt for a merger between the Stanberry and Salem Conferences occurred in 1942. A copyright
lawsuit concerning the Bible Advocate magazine and the publication of the Bible Home Instructor hindered
the merger. In 1947, the Salem Council of Ministers asked Stanberry to appoint a committee to meet with
their committee to discuss a new attempt for a merger. The two churches met at Fairview, Oklahoma, on
February 12–17, 1948. Because of the laws under which the Stanberry group was incorporated, the earliest
possible time the union of the two groups could take place was August 1949. The merger was voted on
August 12–20, 1949, and the first issue of the combined Bible Advocate came out on October 3, 1949.
Charles Monroe, who wrote A Synoptic History of the Churches of God in the Latter Days, (Facts of Our
Faith, January, 1969, pages 12–25) related, "the merger did not unite all of the Church of God."

"Back to Salem" movement

The following information concerning the "Back to Salem" Movement of 1950 are taken from History of
the Seventh Day Church of God by Richard C. Nickels.[13]

As early as 1949, ministers F. L. Summers and his son-in-law Chris Royer went back to Salem and
established a headquarters there. The "Back to Salem" movement broke into at least three factions: 1. The
original Salem people who stayed at Salem with it as headquarters; 2. Dugger and Severson, who went to
Jerusalem; and 3. Olson and Groshans, who formed the Seventh Day Church of God in Caldwell, Idaho.
The Salem Conference started to publish a magazine, The Advocate of Truth, in February 1950. Salem is
purported to believe that the saints will be raptured to the sea of glass while the seven last plagues will be
poured out. It differs with the Denver Group in the date for the annual Lord's Supper, which they calculate
according to the spring equinox.

In September 1952, Dugger, after returning from an extended trip to Nigeria to visit Church of God groups,
decided to move to Jerusalem to start The Mount Zion Reporter in 1953. Possibly doctrinal issues led to
Dugger's exit to Israel.

The 1948/49 Stanberry Merger of the Church of God (Seventh Day), also known as the Denver Group,
contains the largest number of Church of God people today, but it is not the only significant Church of God
center. The Stanberry conference, with headquarters moved to Denver, Colorado, typically uses the name
General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh-Day), with "Seventh" spelled out and often with a
hyphen.

A number of Churches of God (7th Day) in Salem, West Virginia still stand with locations all across the
United States and around the world. These usually follow a set of 40 points of doctrine.[14]

Doctrine and practices

This section mainly uses the General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day) [Denver
Conference] Statement of Faith as a reference.[15] Although the doctrinal beliefs among the General
Council Churches of God, (Seventh-Day), Inc.[16] in Meridian, Idaho and different Churches of God (7th
Day) or (Seventh Day) are very similar, some major points of disagreement still remain, either concerning
christological beliefs or church organization.

Outlining some beliefs of the Churches of God (7th Day), the Statement of Faith of the General Conference
of the Church of God (Seventh Day) - Denver Conference states the following:

Christology has been a long debated issue in the Churches of God (7th Day).[17] Cranmer,
the founder of the Church of God (Seventh Day), left the Methodist Church to join the
Christian Connection "over the doctrine of the Trinity".[18] Cranmer was a biblical Unitarian.
He did not believe Jesus preexisted his birth and he "believed the Father alone is God."[3]
Today, according to the Denver Conference, God is revealed in Scripture as Father and Son.
From eternity the Son existed with Father and shared His glory (Section 2). This
christological belief is a departure from their long-held doctrinal beliefs in that regard. The
Denver Conference, part of the greatest Church of God (7th Day) movement, had an Arian
christology for much of the twentieth century, before leaving part of their heritage and
reverting to a more classical view of Christ.[19] Nota bene: The Salem Conference,[20] the
Churches previously affiliated or linked to the Jerusalem Conference[21] and a number of
independent Churches of God (7th Day) still believe that Jesus Christ, as the Word of God,
is a created being.[22] Some independent churches or individuals retain a biblical Unitarian
christology.[23] A position paper written by the Jerusalem Conference states the following:

"The Amen, the faithful and the true witness is no one else but Jesus Christ and speaking of
himself he said, he is "the beginning of the creation of God" i.e. the very first manifested act of
YHWH was the creation of his son Yehoshua (Jesus). Do other scriptures support this? Col
1:15 "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature". A creature is life
which has been created, whether terrestrial or celestial: Colossians supports Revelation, it says
of Christ he is "the firstborn of every creature:"
According to the Denver Conference, salvation is by God's grace, received by faith in Jesus
Christ apart from good works, human merit, or ceremony (Section 4). Obedience to the moral
law, while not a means to salvation, is encouraged as an important part of Christian living.
Eating of unclean meats such as pork and shellfish is discouraged, as is the observance of
Christmas and Easter, due to their pagan roots (Section 10). The Salem Conference and
churches associated with the Jerusalem Conference strongly discourage the use of tobacco,
alcohol and any other drugs as well.[24] Furthermore, according to the Salem Conference,
"There are three basic precepts that we must follow in order to obtain salvation and receive
the gift of eternal life" : 1) To love the LORD your God; 2) to accept Jesus Christ as your
personal savior, repent of our sins, and become baptized in the name of the "Lord Jesus
Christ"; and 3) to continually strive for a better understanding of God's truth. According to this
same Conference, "The key point here is that in order to be approved unto God, we must
study his word. Our salvation depends upon it.".[25]
Mankind is mortal, and the soul is unconscious in death (Section 3). The wicked who reject
Christ until the end will face the judgment of annihilation, not eternal torment in hellfire
(Section 12).
Two church ordinances are observed—baptism by immersion and an annual Lord's supper
service (with washing of feet), observed annually on the day of Jesus's death, Nisan 14
(Section 6).
On tithing, the Denver Conference[19] differs from the Salem Conference and the churches
associated with the Jerusalem headquarters. The Salem and Jerusalem Churches of God
(7th Day) still believe tithing to be an obligation for believers today. According to the Salem
Conference: "All members of God's church are required to contribute a tenth part of their
increase to the work of the church",[26] a statement to which the Jerusalem Churches and
other churches more or less related to that conference agree as stated in their 40 Points of
Doctrine that reads: "The paying of tithes on all increase is a continued obligation. This
portion of our earnings belongs to ‫יהוה‬, and should be placed in his work. Malachi 3:10;
Matthew 23:23".[14]
All three groups object to military service and participation in physical warfare. The Salem
and Jerusalem Conferences have a stronger stance on the question, condemning
participation in "carnal warfare" rather than simply discouraging it.[14][27]
A peculiarity, the Church of God (7th Day) - Salem Conference is organized according to the
"apostolic model." They currently have twelve apostles, seventy prophets and seven
stewards. This belief may be found on page 13 of their doctrinal statement of beliefs. An
article for their FAQs section states:

Jesus Christ is the head of the Church of God (7th Day). Jesus set the organization of the
church to have twelve apostles who are responsible for governing the church and seventy
ministers to help spread the gospel. Seven stewards were then choosen [sic] by the apostles to
oversee the financial matters of the church. Members of the twelve and seventy are to be
chosen by God through the casting of lots."[28]

Still another group, with headquarters located in Meridian, Idaho, object to the hierarchical
form of church governance found in the Denver Conference and in the Salem Conference.
This group, the General Council Churches Of God (Seventh Day) Inc., favors a
congregationalist polity for the Church. According to them:[29]

The Church of God (7th day) is, historically, congregational in polity. We desire that our
churches and their members continue to enjoy this blessed freedom of local autonomy.
 The Jerusalem Conference still believe that headcovering is mandatory for women in public
worship.[30]

Membership
As of 2010, the Church of God (Seventh Day) has 233 congregations in the United States and Canada,
with an estimated 14,000 members.[31] As for the Denver Conference, the worldwide membership in its
International Ministerial Congress is over 200,000 members, with affiliated ministries in more than 40
countries. Central offices for the North American conference are in Denver as of 2015, with Elder Loren
Stacy serving as its president. The Denver Conference is a member of the Bible Sabbath Association (org.
1943), an organization promoting "fellowship and cooperation between Sabbath-keepers of various
groups." The Salem conference has members in South Africa.

See also
Adventism
Millerism
Sabbath in Christianity
Sacred Name Movement

References
1. Robert Coulter, "The Journey: A History of the Church of God (Seventh Day)" (2014), p.17,
ISBN 978-0-615-99123-8
2. Robert Coulter, "The Journey: A History of the Church of God (Seventh Day)" (2014), p.22-
36, ISBN 978-0-615-99123-8
3. Robert Coulter, "The Journey: A History of the Church of God (Seventh Day)" (2014) p.186,
ISBN 978-0-615-99123-8
4. Robert Coulter, "The Journey: A History of the Church of God (Seventh Day)" (2014), p.52,
ISBN 978-0-615-99123-8
5. A history of the True Religion Traced From 33 A.D. to Date, A. Dugger and C. O. Dodd, Bible
Advocate 1935
6. Giorgio Tourn You are my Witnesses: The Waldensians Across Eight Centuries. Torino, Italy:
Claudiana Editrice, 1989. ISBN 88-7016-089-0
7. Frederick Cornwallis Conybeare "Was the Sabbath observed in the early Armenian
church?" p.clxii in The Key of Truth. A Manual of the Paulician Church of Armenia.
8. A Brief Biography of Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986). (http://www.ukapologetics.net/1bioh
erb.html) (online page) (biography), Giving & Sharing.
9. X. The Division of 1933 - Stanberry and Salem (https://web.archive.org/web/201812261938
21/http://www.giveshare.org/churchhistory/historysdcog/history10.html) (online history book),
Giving & Sharing, archived from the original (http://www.giveshare.org/churchhistory/historys
dcog/history10.html) (online page) on 2018-12-26, retrieved 2014-01-13.
10. Church of God (7th Day) - Salem Conference (http://www.churchofgod-7thday.org/).
11. X. The Division of 1933 - Stanberry and Salem (https://web.archive.org/web/201812261938
21/http://www.giveshare.org/churchhistory/historysdcog/history10.html) (online book), Giving
& Sharing, archived from the original (http://www.giveshare.org/churchhistory/historysdcog/hi
story10.html) (online page) on 2018-12-26, retrieved 2014-01-13.
12. XII. The Merger: 1948-1949 (https://web.archive.org/web/20181226193821/http://www.gives
hare.org/churchhistory/historysdcog/history10.html) (online history book), Giving & Sharing,
archived from the original (http://www.giveshare.org/churchhistory/historysdcog/history10.ht
ml) (online page) on 2018-12-26, retrieved 2014-01-13.
13. XIII. The Post Merger Period, 1949 to 1973 (https://web.archive.org/web/20181226193821/ht
tp://www.giveshare.org/churchhistory/historysdcog/history10.html) (online history book),
Giving & Sharing, archived from the original (http://www.giveshare.org/churchhistory/historys
dcog/history10.html) (online page) on 2018-12-26, retrieved 2014-01-13.
14. Mount Zion Church of God (7th Day) Winnipeg - 40 Points of Doctrine (https://web.archive.or
g/web/20181102052349/http://www.mzchurchofgod.com/40-Points-Of-Doctrine), Mount Zion
Church of God (7th day) Winnipeg, October 24, 2013, archived from the original (http://www.
mzchurchofgod.com/40-Points-Of-Doctrine) (article) on November 2, 2018, retrieved
December 21, 2021
15. "What We Believe" (https://cog7.org/what-we-believe/).
16. https://www.actsforgod.org/downloads/declaration.pdf
17. Robert Coulter, "The Journey: A History of the Church of God (Seventh Day)" (2014), p.185-
200, ISBN 978-0-615-99123-8
18. Robert Coulter, "The Journey: A History of the Church of God (Seventh Day)" (2014), p.25,
ISBN 978-0-615-99123-8
19. Questions & Answers (https://baonline.org/Issues/Archives/BA-2013-4_July-August-Eng.pdf)
(magazine) (article), Bible Advocate.
20. Doctrine of the Trinity (http://www.churchofgod-7thday.org/Publications/Trinity%20tract.pdf)
(PDF) (Bible study tract).
21. Who is Jesus Christ? (http://cog7day.org/documents/faq.aspx?uc=5) (online document).
22. DOCTRINAL BELIEFS of the JOPLIN CHURCH OF GOD (Seventh Day) - Jesus, the Son of
God (http://www.church7.net/beliefs.html) (online article).
23. Mount Zion Church of God (7th Day) Winnipeg - About Us: A Brief History and Description of
the Mount Zion Church of God (7th Day) (https://web.archive.org/web/20181127075800/htt
p://www.mzchurchofgod.com/About-Us) (online presentation page), Mount Zion Church of
God (7th Day) Winnipeg, 2018, archived from the original (http://www.mzchurchofgod.com/A
bout-Us) (online page) on November 27, 2018, retrieved December 21, 2021
24. What are the Church's beliefs on alcohol and tobacco? (http://www.churchofgod-7thday.org/
Ascent/AlcoholTobacco.html) (online study article).
25. What are the keys to receiving salvation? (http://www.churchofgod-7thday.org/Basecamp/Sal
vation.html) (online study essay).
26. What tithe are we commanded to give to the Lord? (http://www.churchofgod-7thday.org/Asce
nt/Tithe.html) (online page) (online study article).
27. What are the Church's beliefs regarding carnal warfare and military service? (http://www.chu
rchofgod-7thday.org/Ascent/CarnalWarfare.html) (online page) (online study article).
28. How should the Church of God be organized? (http://www.churchofgod-7thday.org/Summit/C
hurchOrganization.html) (online page) (online study article).
29. A DECLARATION Of Things Most Commonly Believed Among Us - CHURCH OF GOD
(7TH DAY) Headquarters Meridian, Idaho (https://www.actsforgod.org/downloads/declaratio
n.pdf) (online PDF) (online document).
30. Head Covering (http://cog7day.org/documents/faq.aspx?uc=0) (online doctrinal position
paper).
31. [1] (http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1232.asp) Data from the National Council of
Churches' Historic Archive CD and Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches
External links
Church of God (https://thechurchofgod.info/en/)
Church of God (Seventh Day) United States and Canada (https://cog7.org/)
Church of God (Seventh Day) Salem WV (https://www.churchofgod7thday.org/)
Church of God 7th Day (Jerusalem) (https://cog7day.org/)
Church of God (Seventh Day) Jamaica Conference (https://www.cog7dayjamaica.com/)
General Council of the Churches of God (Seventh Day) Inc (https://www.actsforgod.org/)
British Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day) (http://www.cog7thday.org.uk/)
Meridian Church of God Seventh Day (https://web.archive.org/web/20070209153411/http://
meridianchurch.org/intro.htm)
Profile of the Church of God (Seventh Day) on the Association of Religion Data Archives
website (http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1232.asp)
Various information, rare literature and grave sites of the Church of God pioneers and wives
(https://web.archive.org/web/20130903072826/http://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cog7.htm)
History of the Seventh Day Church of God, compiled by Richard C Nickels (http://www.friend
sofsabbath.org/ABC/historycog7.htm)

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