Baptism: Baptism signifies a believer's repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Worldwide Church of God practices baptism by immersion, and does not baptize infants. For more information on this topic, click here.  

Birth control: The church permits most forms of birth control (but see Abortion). 

Capital punishment: God has placed responsibility for human government and justice into human hands, under his sovereign authority, and human government is to be exercised justly, honestly, fairly, ethically and responsibly (Genesis 9:6; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 16:18-20; 25:1; 2 Chronicles 19:6-7; Proverbs 24:23-25; 29:4, 14; 31:8; Isaiah 5:22-23; Zechariah 7:9-10; Romans 13:1). Therefore, capital punishment may or may not be appropriate, depending on its administration. The church teaches that all human government is ultimately responsible to God and will answer to God for all injustice (Psalm 2:10-11; 82:1-8). The church teaches criminal offenders to repent and come to Christ, and strives to help the grieving to find consolation in Jesus. Our goal is to lead people to Christ for repentance and salvation.

Christ's return: Jesus Christ, as he promised, will return to earth to judge and reign over all nations in the kingdom of God. His second coming will be visible, and in power and glory. This event inaugurates the resurrection of the dead and the reward of the saints. The church makes no predictions as to when this will be. For more information on this topic, click here. 

Creation vs. evolution: God is the Creator of heaven and earth and of all life. The church sees no biblical reason to either believe or reject the conclusions of scientists that the earth is billions of years old and that life has been on earth for billions of years. Similarly, the church sees no biblical reason to reject evidence that the diversity of life forms has been changing. See articles on science.

Communion: At our Lord's Supper service, members participate in the new covenant as we partake of bread and wine or grape juice in remembrance of our Savior. Members of other denominations may participate if they have faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Once each year, our ceremony may include the washing of feet. For more information on this topic, click here. 

Deity of Jesus: Jesus is the Word, by whom and for whom God created all things. As God manifest in the flesh for our salvation, he was begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, fully God and fully human, two natures in one Person. Jesus is the Son of God and Lord of all, worthy of worship, honor and reverence. For more information about Jesus, click here.

Divorce and remarriage: The church upholds the sanctity of marriage but also recognizes that people have hardened their hearts. The church discourages divorce, but in most cases permits divorced persons to remarry. See article.

History of denomination: In 1931, Herbert Armstrong began a radio ministry, a magazine and a church that eventually became the Worldwide Church of God. Armstrong had many unusual doctrines, but he expounded them so enthusiastically that more than 100,000 people attended weekly services. After Armstrong died in 1986, church leaders began to realize that many of Armstrong's doctrines were not biblical. These doctrines were rejected, and today the church agrees with the statement of faith of the National Association of Evangelicals.

When the church changed its doctrines, many members continued to believe Armstrong-era doctrines. Many of these left the Worldwide Church of God to form other denominations. For more information on our history, click here.

Homosexuality: We understand the Bible to teach that the practice of homosexual behavior is a sin, as indicated by Romans 1:26-27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9. However, homosexual behavior is no more, or less, sinful than other sins. All sinners are called to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Under the lead of the Holy Spirit, the converted homosexual forsakes the gay lifestyle and enters the new life in Christ. This does not necessarily mean that the homosexual person becomes heterosexual. Rather, it means that, by the grace and power of God, he or she no longer engages in homosexual acts. Accepting converted homosexuals as fellow Christians does not mean condoning their past sins. Christians should accept redeemed homosexuals into fellowship just as they accept any forgiven sinner — thankful that God has extended his mercy and grace to all humans. 

Inspiration of Scriptures: The 66 canonical books of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, the foundation of truth, and the accurate record of God's revelation to humanity. The Holy Scriptures constitute ultimate authority in all matters of doctrine, and embody the infallible principles that govern all facets of Christian living. For more information on this topic, click here. 

Miracles: The church believes in the supernatural, including angels, demons, miracles, and answers to prayers. God still works miracles such as instantaneous healings and intervention in physical circumstances. 

Security of salvation: Believers are assured of salvation by the inward witness of the Holy Spirit. Their salvation is secure in Jesus Christ. For further information, click here. 

Speaking in tongues and other gifts of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit distributes gifts to believers, and these gifts are to be used to serve others. The church neither forbids nor encourages members to speak in tongues. For more information on this topic, click here. 

Trinity: Scripture teaches that there is one God. Scripture also teaches the divinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Based on the biblical revelation, the church believes the doctrine of the Trinity —that God is one divine Being in three eternal, co-essential, yet distinct Persons. For more information on this topic, click here. 

Universalism: Universalism is a biblically unsound doctrine which says that in the end all souls, whether human, angelic or demonic, will be saved by God’s grace. Some universalists argue that repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ are not necessary. Universalists typically deny the doctrine of the Trinity, and many universalists are Unitarians. Contrary to universalism, the Bible is clear that there is salvation only in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). In Jesus Christ, who is God’s elect for our sakes, all humanity is elect, but that does not necessarily mean that all humans will ultimately accept God’s gift. God desires that all come to repentance, and he has created and redeemed humanity for true fellowship with him, but true fellowship can never constitute a forced relationship. We believe that in Christ, God makes gracious and just provision for all, even for those who at death appear not to have yet believed the gospel, but all who remain hostile to God remain unsaved by their own choice.

War: War should always remain a last resort. Yet, in accord with the teachings of the apostle Paul (Romans 13:3-6), nations that take seriously the well being of their citizens must act in a timely and decisive manner to stop the evildoer. The Worldwide Church of God supports the decision of members who join the military, and it supports the decision of those who are conscientious objectors, as each individual must make his or her decision before God. We pray that God may guide the leaders of free nations everywhere to the end that all people may live peaceable and quiet lives (1 Timothy 2:2). For more on this topic, click here.

Women in ministry: The church encourages women to contribute in leadership roles of every kind.

Official name of the denomination: Worldwide Church of God
Denominational motto: Living and sharing the gospel
Number of churches and members: about 870 and 43,000 worldwide
Address: P.O. Box 5005, Glendora, CA 91740-0730
e-mail: info@wcg.org