Faithful Through Fire: A History of the Church of God

The Church of God, the faith tradition in which I was raised, has navigated a complex and often perilous path over nearly two millennia. Despite facing external persecution and internal challenges, it has persisted, upheld by devoted individuals committed to preserving its doctrines and practices. This enduring legacy is often interpreted through the lens of Revelation 2 and 3, where Christ addresses the seven churches of Asia Minor. These messages are traditionally understood to represent both literal first-century congregations and symbolic eras of Church history, as well as personal spiritual challenges.

In the New Testament, the Church of God is not described as a denomination or centralized institution, but as a spiritual body—those who are led by the Holy Spirit, follow Christ, and keep the commandments of God. This body is defined by its faithfulness to the teachings passed down from the apostles, its observance of the Sabbath and biblical holy days, and its commitment to walk as Jesus walked. It is this Church—often scattered, sometimes persecuted, but always preserved by God—that continues across the centuries.

Ephesus: The Apostolic Era

The first church, Ephesus, symbolizes the Apostolic era, marked by the initial fervor of the early Church. Following Christ’s resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the apostles spread the gospel throughout the Roman Empire. However, after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the Church began to face challenges—false teachers arose, Gnostic influences crept in, and apostolic authority waned. Christ’s rebuke, “You have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4), reflects a decline from the original zeal and purity of doctrine.

Smyrna: Faithfulness Amid Persecution

Smyrna represents a period of intense persecution from the Roman Empire, especially during the second and third centuries under emperors like Decius and Diocletian. Faithful leaders such as Polycarp, a disciple of the Apostle John, were martyred for refusing to renounce their beliefs. Christians during this era were targeted for rejecting paganism, including Roman festivals and emperor worship, while holding fast to original teachings such as the seventh-day Sabbath and God’s holy days.

Pergamos: The Church in the Wilderness

By 325 AD, with the rise of Emperor Constantine, the Church faced a new kind of threat—not only from persecution but from institutional compromise. The Council of Nicaea is often seen as a turning point in the rise of state-sponsored Christianity, which began incorporating pagan customs like Sunday observance and the Trinity doctrine. Those who resisted these changes were branded heretics and driven underground. This era is associated with the Church’s metaphorical flight into the wilderness for 1,260 years (Revelation 12). Groups such as the Paulicians, Bogomils, and some Cathars are often viewed by Church of God historians as having preserved biblical practices in remote regions, often at the cost of their lives.

Thyatira: The Middle Ages and the Struggle for Truth

During the Middle Ages, movements like the Waldenses and Lollards arose, advocating for a return to Scripture and rejecting the corruptions of the medieval Church. Many upheld Sabbath observance and biblical festivals. Though often persecuted, their teachings influenced later reformers. However, many of these groups were absorbed into broader Protestant movements, which retained some of Rome’s traditions and diluted key doctrines.

Sardis: The Reformation and Doctrinal Challenges

The 1500s saw the rise of Sabbatarian Anabaptists, notably Oswald Glait and Andreas Fischer, who preached seventh-day Sabbath observance in regions like Moravia and Silesia. Despite persecution, Sabbath-keeping congregations emerged in both Europe and colonial America. Yet the 19th century brought doctrinal fragmentation, especially within the Adventist movement, leading to spiritual stagnation that mirrored Christ’s warning to Sardis: “You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” (Revelation 3:1).

Philadelphia: Revival and Global Outreach

The 20th century marked a revival of zeal and truth, often associated with the Philadelphian era. In 1933, Herbert W. Armstrong founded the Radio Church of God, later the Worldwide Church of God. Through radio broadcasts and publications like The Plain Truth, Armstrong preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God and restored many original doctrines, including the Sabbath, holy days, clean/unclean meats, and biblical prophecy. Despite internal challenges and doctrinal shifts after Armstrong’s death in 1986, this era was defined by global outreach and faithfulness.

Laodicea: Contemporary Challenges and the Call to Faithfulness

Following Herbert W. Armstrong’s death, the WCG underwent a complete doctrinal transformation. Under new leadership, the Church began abandoning key teachings that had defined its identity for decades. The Sabbath, biblical holy days, food laws, and the necessity of obedience to God’s law were rejected in favor of a mainstream Protestant framework. Sunday worship, Christmas, and Easter were not only permitted but encouraged. These changes became especially evident in 1995–96, triggering a mass exodus of ministers and members determined to hold fast to the faith once delivered.

This upheaval led to a wide array of Church of God fellowships, each striving in different ways to preserve doctrine, governance, and spiritual integrity. Some retained more hierarchical leadership structures reminiscent of the past, while others adopted collaborative or family-style models in an effort to remain faithful to Christ as the Head of the Church. While organizational forms have varied, the core challenge has remained the same: to hold fast to truth without becoming complacent—to avoid becoming “lukewarm” in zeal or doctrine. This period of fragmentation has been marked by tests of faith, identity, and structure. Many groups continue to hold fast to the truth, though some have chosen paths of comfort—replicating organizational forms that resemble WCG’s structure without recapturing its spiritual zeal. This may offer a sense of familiarity or stability after the tumultuous 1990s, yet it also risks fulfilling the Laodicean warning—being “lukewarm” (Revelation 3:16). In the wake of doctrinal chaos and structural shifts, it may be tempting to settle into a version of church that offers order without transformation. Yet the call remains: to be zealous and repent, to finish the work, and to keep our eyes on Christ as the Head of His Church.

Conclusion

In the end, it must be understood that the Church of God is not confined to any single organization or name. While various fellowships may strive to preserve sound doctrine and proper governance, membership in the Body of Christ is not determined by a corporate affiliation. As Scripture makes clear, the true Church is composed of those who “keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17). Though scattered, they are united by the Spirit, and Christ remains the true Head of His Church.

The history of the Church of God is a testament to resilience, faith, and a steadfast commitment to uphold divine truth. Through eras of persecution, compromise, revival, and modern challenge, it stands as a living witness to God’s enduring work through a faithful remnant. Its legacy calls each generation to hold fast, overcome, and press forward in truth and love.

References: Concordia Theology, The Sabbath Sentinel, Encyclopedia Britannica, Wikipedia, Armstrong Library, de.wikipedia.org, Cornell University Computer Science.