CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY

Church of God of Prophecy: translation

The Church of God of Prophecy resulted from a schism in the Church of God (Cleveland,Ten-nessee) when in 1922 many questioned the leadership of longtime general overseer Ambrose J. Tomlinson (1865-1943). Tomlinson left with his supporters and founded what later became known the Church of God of Prophecy. Following Tom-linson's death in 1943, his son Milton A. Tomlinson (1906-1995) succeeded him as general overseer.

The Church of God of Prophecy was quite similar to its parent body except in its polity, though a more democratic order developed after the aging Tomlinson resigned in 1990. The church is notable for the number of women in its ministry. it is a Holiness Pentecostal body and sees the Christian life as punctuated with the three notable experiences of justification, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Living a holy life is emphasized.

The Church of God began with a substantial membership and has grown to include more than 150,000 members in the United States. It became international soon after its founding and now has affiliated congregations in more than 100 countries, with a worldwide membership of 400,000. It actively supports the Pentecostal World Fellowship.

In 2003, the Church of God of Prophecy announced a new cooperative missionary program with the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), a first step in healing an 80-year break.

■ C. T. Davidson,Upon This Rock, 3 vols. (Cleveland, Tenn.: White Wing Press, 1973-76)

■ Raymond M. Pruitt,Fundamentals of the Faith(Cleveland, Tenn.: White Wing Press, 1981)

■ James Stone,The Church of God of Prophecy: History and Polity(Cleveland, Tenn.: White Wing Press, 1977)

■ Vinson Synan,The Century of the Holy Spirit(Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson, 2001).