Christ Gospel Churches International

Christ Gospel Church ("CGC") is a fundamentalist, Pentecostal non-denominational church organization founded in the 1950s by Berniece Hicks in Louisville, Kentucky, after Hicks split from William Branham's congregation.

Doctrines

Christ Gospel Church's Pentecostal emphasis is seen in teaching the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of glossolalia, or speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4,11,38).¹ However, church teachings do not believe that evidence of glossolalia is a requirement for salvation; rather, it is a gift that Christians can accept as they desire. The church also teaches that water baptism by immersion is a commandment for all Christians (Acts 2:38; 8:12; 9:5,18).¹

The church believes that worship should embrace all kinds of music (e.g., traditional hymns, choruses, country gospel, urban gospel, classical) and musical instruments (e.g., drums, guitars, pianos, saxophones, trumpets, violins). An example of the church's uniquely intense style of worship can be found in the Harp Warriors' prayer meeting particularly popular with its younger members.

Concerning theology, the church teaches "old-fashioned Holiness" in matters of conduct and dress, such as refraining from watching television or attending movie theaters, and women wearing dresses or skirts rather than pants. The emphasis of Hicks' teachings was, among other things, that the Bible, particularly and exclusively the King James Version, is the infallible Word of God and that it calls on Christians to grow to spiritual maturity, both in their moral development and in their spiritual love relationship with Jesus Christ, in order to be in the Bride of Christ. The core of her distinctive approach to Scripture was founded on her belief that the Tabernacle used by the Israelites from the Exodus to the Conquest of Canaan was laid out in the form of a cross and serves as a picture or metaphor of Christian believers' spiritual experiences as they grow to maturity in Christ Jesus, as taught in the New Testament (Hebrews 9:8-11; Ephesians 2:19-22).

Hicks taught the doctrine of the Rapture of a select group of Christians called overcomers. Hicks also said on numerous occasions that Jesus Christ communicated with her both audibly and in person. These concepts can be found throughout Hicks's numerous publications and in church teachings, which are offered on the church website. Neither Hicks' books nor the church generally cites or refers to any other denomination or spiritual leader. however her 3 fold nature chart which hangs in all her congregations next to tabernacle chart is directly from Clarence Larkin diagrams extensive catalog from the early 1900. Also the "Brides message" is an offshoot of William brannans' Tabernacle Church with the "Message" of the Word Bride. In the 50s BR Hicks moved to California with her husband Harold, and there was introduced to the Kabbalah teachings and the Hebrew language that was being taught by the Kabbalist Chabad Rabbis in California of which of which she spent the next 60 years teaching as related to deeper biblical meaning.One of the central to Kabbalah teachings is the 4 letter tetragramaton name of God. This 4 position approach to biblical stories Hicks used in a square diagram with 4 positions of Tetragramaton such as the 4 Books of Ruth each chapter reveals a nature of each letter of the 4 letters as taught by kabbalist HaRav's rabbis. An example of Kabbalah teachings is psalm 119 with 22 letter hebrew alphabet(Alephbet) with meaning of each 22 letter below. This made Hicks unique from other denominations in her extensive use of hebrew and kabbalah to show biblical story meanings. Her magnum opus is her 3 stages from Egypt to Canans land and the 3 stages in the tabernacle related to spiritual growth from 1.Egypt(Son/white robes/star glory/New Heavens). 2.Wilderness(Church/white raiment/moon glory/New Earth) 3.Canaans land(Bride/Sun glory/fine white linen/ New City(New Jerusalem). And these 3 stages in the Tabernacle 1.Courtyard(Altar(blood/fire)Lavar(water) 2.Holy Place 3.Holy of Holies. Blood in Egypt(World/doorpostbloodoflamb/bornagain)Pillarfire(BaptismHolySpirit),RedSea(baptismwater).

International outreach

Mission outreach is an important part of Christ Gospel Churches' ministry.

Over 1500 churches world-wide are affiliated with Christ Gospel Churches International Inc (CGCII). Each country's Christ Gospel affiliated organization is an independent legal entity run by local church leaders. All follow the ecclesiastical model of faith expressed by Christ Gospel Churches International Inc.

Support for Mexico ministries is a major focus of Christ Gospel Churches International, Inc.

Christ Gospel Church is among the fastest growing evangelical groups in Mexico. Today, there are over 500 churches, an orphans' home, and two Bible schools.

CGCII provides seed funds to many local affiliated churches world-wide for the development of Christian congregations, church buildings, and many charitable works. Depending on local needs, CGCII also supports schools, orphanages, and feeding programs in Haiti, India, and Africa.

Distribution

Christ Gospel Churches International claims some 70 congregations in the United States, over 400 in India, about 500 in Mexico, and affiliates in several countries of Africa and Central America. There are congregations in El Salvador, England, the Faroe Islands, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Romania, Russia, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, and various countries of South America, including Colombia and Ecuador. In all, the movement claims over 1,400 affiliated congregations in 135 countries (2008). Its international offices are located in Jeffersonville, Indiana, where it operates a Bible Institute correspondence course based on Hicks' own works, publishing ministry, broadcast ministry, and audio ministry.

External links

• Official Web Site
• What Does Christ Gospel Church Teach?