In
1895, while searching the scriptures, Elders C.P. Jones, Charles
Harrison Mason, and others saw that they could not be saved
without holiness. So they began to preach this doctrine. As
a result of this doctrine, they were asked to withdraw fellowship
from the Baptist Church. Later in the year, those same brethren
congregated themselves and were known to be the Church of
God. (Acts 20:28)
Because the truth of the gospel was being assailed on every
side, and many false doctrines were being introduced by those
who proclaimed the name, Elder C.H. Mason began setting forth
to defend the gospel and prayed earnestly for a name that
would not depart from the scriptures and at the same time
distinguish the true followers from the false. Therefore,
in the year 1897, the Lord revealed this name "THE
CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST," with the following scriptures
to support it: (I Thes. 2:14, II Thes. 1:1, Gal. 1:22)
This union lasted until
the year 1906, when a great revival was held in Los Angeles,
California under the auspices of Elder W. J. Seymour. Elder
C. H. Mason, among many others, attended this revival and
received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, with signs of speaking
with other tongues according to Acts 2:4, "And they were all
filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other
tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."
He came back preaching
this as a New Testament doctrine to which many of the brethren
were adverse. In August 1907, the General Assembly convened
at Jackson, Mississippi with Elder C.P. Jones presiding as
General Overseer, who was also adverse to the new doctrine
promulgated by Elder C.H. Mason and others. After a very lengthy
discussion, the Assembly withdrew from Elder C.H. Mason, and
all who promulgated the doctrine of speaking with tongues
and the right hand of fellowship.
Later in the year 1907,
Elder C.H. Mason called a meeting in Memphis, Tennessee of
all the ministers who believed in receiving the baptism of
the Holy Ghost. Among the group of Elders who responded to
this great call were: E.R. Driver, J. Bowe, R.R Booker, W.M.
Roberts, R.E. Hart, D.W. Welsh, A.A. Blackwell, E.M. Page,
R.H.I. Clark, D.J. Young, J. Brewer, D. Spearman, J.H. Boone.
These brethren formed
the first General assembly of THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST,
whose faith was founded upon the doctrine of the Apostles
as received on the day of Pentecost. The Lord gave Elder C.H.
Mason to be the Chief Apostle, which was accepted by the whole
assembly. Under this leadership, the Church witnessed a great
triumph.
Today, the Church of
God In Christ has been officially declared the fastest growing
denomination in America. 1997 marked the 100th year Centennial
Celebration of the Church of God In Christ. With a presence
in 56 countries throughout the world, the Church of God In
Christ-marching under the banner of holiness and reverently
acknowledging the importance of loyal followship and spiritual
leadership-now faces its second century with Vision
2000.
