The membership of the Church of God is composed of Christians who have accepted the _____ of the Church of God.

• A. teachings, doctrines, and government
• B. gospel and sacraments
• C. rituals
• D. creed

Answer: (A)

Membership is defined by accepting the Church of God’s teachings, doctrines, and government. This means a believer joins and remains in the church by affirming the gathered truths the church upholds, the settled beliefs that distinguish its theology and practice, and the way the church is organized and governed. The teachings guide daily living and ethical standards, the doctrines lay out the essential beliefs that shape faith and doctrine, and the government describes how authority, oversight, and decision-making operate within the church. Together, these three elements create the framework that binds members in common faith and orderly fellowship, ensuring unity in belief and in how the church carries out its mission.

The gospel and sacraments are important in many Christian traditions, but they do not single-handedly determine membership here, since the emphasis is on a collective alignment with the church’s teachings, doctrines, and governance. Rituals or creedal statements can play roles in worship or identity in various settings, yet the defining criterion for membership in this context is acceptance of the church’s integrated body of beliefs and organizational structure.