The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is a Pentecostal-Holiness Christian denomination that was founded in 1897 in Lexington, Mississippi by Bishop Charles Harrison Mason. With over 6 million members in the United States and several million more worldwide, it is one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the world.
When evaluating any church or denomination, the key question that must be asked is – does it align with what the Bible teaches? There are several key areas we can analyze to determine if the COGIC’s doctrine and practices match up with Scripture.
Doctrine of Salvation
The COGIC teaches that salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. They affirm the biblical doctrine that we are saved by God’s grace when we put our faith in Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection (Ephesians 2:8-9). They do not believe that baptism or good works are required for salvation, but that those will result as fruit of genuine faith.
The Statement of Faith on the COGIC website affirms that they believe “The Bible to be the infallible Word of God” and that “The fall of man and his lost state which makes necessary a salvation through Christ” (COGIC Statement of Faith). This lines up with the biblical teaching on salvation.
Baptism
COGIC practices baptism by immersion, based on the pattern found in Scripture (Matthew 3:16). They teach that baptism is an act of obedience for those who have already put their faith in Christ. The COGIC Manual states: “Baptism in water by immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is the scriptural mode of baptism and is for believers only” (COGIC Manual, Chapter 1, Section 2C).
This aligns with New Testament teaching that baptism publicly identifies a new believer with Christ, but is not required for salvation (Acts 8:12, Acts 16:14-15, Acts 18:8).
Emphasis on the Holy Spirit
As a Pentecostal denomination, the COGIC places strong emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit. They affirm the present-day availability of the gifts of the Spirit, including speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, etc. (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). While these gifts are controversial in some circles, the COGIC’s openness to the Holy Spirit’s continued work is biblically based.
That being said, their emphasis seems to be balanced and avoids the sensationalism and chaos that can sometimes arise from claims of Holy Spirit activity. There is an affirmation of both Word and Spirit in COGIC doctrine.
Prayer and Healing
Prayer and divine healing are central components of COGIC worship services. There is an emphasis on God’s ability to miraculously heal in response to faith and prayer, based on passages like James 5:14-15. Services often include time set aside for healing prayer.
While abuses can occur in this area, the principle of praying for God to heal and working in supernatural ways is a biblical one. The COGIC seems to recognize prayer’s importance and God’s power while avoiding some of the sensationalism found in other “healing” movements.
Practical Christian Living
COGIC doctrine emphasizes the importance of living a transformed, Spirit-filled life following conversion. There is an emphasis on pursuing holiness, righteousness, and avoiding sinful practices that is grounded in Scriptural admonitions (Titus 2:11-14, James 4:4, Romans 12:1-2).
At the same time, there is grace for failure and an understanding that spiritual growth is a process. The pursuit of holiness comes through dependence on the Spirit rather than legalism or perfectionism (2 Corinthians 3:18). Biblical balance is evident in COGIC teaching on the Christian life.
Worship Style
COGIC worship services are known for being lively, joyful, and expressive in the Spirit. Services include singing, clapping, shouting, dancing before the Lord, verbal praise, and lifting of hands. There is freedom in worship and an encouragement towards exuberant praise.
While more subdued personalities may find the worship style outside their comfort zone, there is biblical precedent for expressive worship. The Psalms frequently speak of clapping, shouting, singing, dancing, leaping, and playing instruments as ways to praise the Lord (Psalm 150:1-6, Psalm 149:1-3, Psalm 47:1).
As long as it is focused on glorifying God rather than drawing attention to oneself, the COGIC’s spirited worship aligns with Scriptural encouragement towards exuberant praise.
Church Leadership
The COGIC has an episcopal form of church government with centralized leadership. Bishops oversee jurisdictional territories, supervising local pastors and congregations. Above them is a national Presiding Bishop and General Board.
While this hierarchical structure is more akin to some denominations than the decentralized congregationalism of other groups, it does have some biblical precedent. Passages like Titus 1:5-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-7 lay out qualifications for church elders/overseers in a way that implies structured leadership and oversight roles.
At the same time, the COGIC avoids the extremes of clericalism. Local pastors are allowed independence in day-to-day ministry decisions. And the role of deacon as servant-minister is clearly defined and promoted. The denominational structure seeks accountability without abuse.
Position on Social Issues
The COGIC tends to be theologically and socially conservative on issues such as gender roles, marriage, sexuality, and abortion. Their views align with traditional biblical teaching in these areas. However, there is also an emphasis on compassion and caring for those who struggle or have been victimized.
Additionally, the denomination has a long history of being involved in matters of social justice and providing ministry to underserved communities. There is a balancing of biblical conservatism with responding to legitimate needs and concerns of the oppressed.
Interracial Unity
During times of racial tension in America, the COGIC has been one denomination that maintained interracial cooperation and fellowship. Even when societal segregation was at its height, their Annual Conventions included worshipers of all races.
This commitment to interracial unity stemmed from the belief that God shows no partiality based on race or ethnicity (Acts 10:34-35). The COGIC was largely ahead of its time in modeling the biblical truth that we are one in Christ despite any racial differences (Galatians 3:28).
Areas of Concern
While the above analysis shows many positives about the COGIC in relation to Scripture, there are also some areas of concern to note:
- There have been instances of clergy abusing positions of authority and being involved in financial impropriety or sexual misconduct. No denomination is immune from such issues, but the hierarchical structure can make accountability more difficult at times.
- Prosperity gospel teachings have made some inroads into parts of the COGIC and can lead to a distorted view of the Christian life oriented around material blessing.
- Although standards of holiness are biblically based, legalistic tendencies can develop in more conservative congregations. There is a need for grace and sensitivity to believers at different places in their walk.
- As with many Pentecostal groups, there is the danger of emotionalism and seeking after experiences rather than deep knowledge of God. Discernment is needed to ensure spiritual zeal lines up with Scripture.
These concerns must be acknowledged. However, no church or denomination is perfect. On the whole, the COGIC remains committed to core biblical truths and embodies many positive traits as well.
Conclusion
When evaluated as a whole, the Church of God in Christ stands as a biblically solid denomination that aligns with Scripture’s teachings across core doctrines of the Christian faith. It upholds the authority of God’s Word and central tenets regarding salvation, baptism, the Holy Spirit, prayer, worship, leadership, social issues, and racial unity.
This is not to say the COGIC is beyond criticism or should be accepted uncritically. As with any denomination, individual congregations and clergy may distort or depart from doctrinal standards at times. Issues of concern must be addressed and reformed by church leadership. However, these problems do not inherently undermine the alignment of COGIC’s theology and practices with the Bible.
Based on this analysis, the Church of God in Christ can reasonably be considered a good, biblically-based church. It continues tospread the gospel and make disciples in keeping with Scripture’s mandates. While imperfect, it submits to the authority of God’s Word and centers its mission around biblical priorities. Christians of many backgrounds and traditions can find an affirming home in the COGIC.