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{{short description|Denomination organized in the early 1920s by Ernest William Sellers}} |
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{{redirect|Soldiers of the Cross|the 1901 Australian silent film|Soldiers of the Cross (film)}} |
{{redirect|Soldiers of the Cross|the 1901 Australian silent film|Soldiers of the Cross (film)}} |
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[[File:Soldiers of the Cross Church, Miami, FL.JPG| |
[[File:Soldiers of the Cross Church, Miami, FL.JPG|thumb|right|Soldiers of the Cross Church, Miami]] |
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The '''Evangelical International Church of the Soldiers of the Cross of Christ''' (also known as the '''Soldiers of the Cross Church''' |
The '''Evangelical International Church of the Soldiers of the Cross of Christ''' (also known as the '''Soldiers of the Cross Church''') is a [[Pentecostal]] [[Christian denomination]]. |
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==History== |
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It was organized in 1922 by an American businessman named Ernest William Sellers, who began holding evening religious services at his place of business in [[Havana]], [[Cuba]]. {{r|RW}}After receiving a visit from a missionary named George Smith, Sellers was persuaded to organize a more active effort to evangelize Cuba with what he considered to be the proper understanding of the Bible. Sellers enthusiastically recruited and sent missionaries throughout the island of Cuba, and served as the church’s spiritual leader during the remainder of his life. |
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After Sellers' death, the church spread to other nations in Central and South America, and eventually relocated its headquarters to Miami, Florida, from where it currently operates. The church currently has missions in over 25 countries. |
After Sellers' death, the church spread to other nations in Central and South America, and eventually relocated its headquarters to Miami, Florida, from where it currently operates. The church currently has missions in over 25 countries. |
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==Structure== |
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The Soldiers of the Cross of Christ Church is known for the distinctive white uniforms worn by its ministers. Early in its history, the church was organized in a highly hierarchical fashion by its founder, Sellers. The church conferred upon Sellers, and later on his successors, the rank of Apostle. All other ministers are assigned a missionary rank which they display on the sleeves of their church uniforms. Duties and authorities vary according to rank, and every minister must take new vows upon being promoted to a new rank. Currently, the church is governed by a Council that is made up of bishops, and presided over by Miguel Rodriguez, the Apostle-Director of the church. |
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==Beliefs and practices== |
==Beliefs and practices== |
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The Soldiers of the Cross of Christ Church has many core beliefs in common with most [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] Christian churches.<ref> Iglesia Soldados de la Cruz de Cristo, [https://soldadosdelacruzcuba.org/doctrinas-fundamentales/ Doctrinas Fundamentales], soldadosdelacruzcuba.org, Cuba, retrieved November 5, 2022 </ref> They believe in the one true God, creator of heaven and earth, who eternally exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They believe the Bible to be the authoritative [[Biblical inspiration|word of God]], and in [[Spiritual gift|gifts of the Spirit]] and [[Prophecy#Christianity|prophecy]]. However, there are many important areas of difference. For example, they observe the biblical [[Sabbath in seventh-day churches|seventh day Sabbath]] on Saturday and follow the commandment to not eat unclean foods |
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==See also== |
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The Soldiers of the Cross of Christ Church has many core beliefs in common with mainline Messianic, Evangelical and Christian churches. However, there are many important areas of difference. For example, they observe the biblical seventh day Sabbath of the week (Saturday) and keep kosher. They believe in one true God, creator of heaven and earth, who eternally exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They believe the Holy Bible to be the authoritative word of God, and in gifts of the Spirit and prophecy. The church has strict guidelines for its members regarding appropriate dress and adornment both in and outside of church services, including restrictions on the wearing of jewelry, makeup, and revealing clothing. Church doctrine also advocates a strict interpretation of the second [ten commandments) commandment and forbids any photographic or artistic representation of God's creation as the second commandment established. The evidence of this practice rests in the museum in Jerusalem, Israel today. They also believe and practice the baptism of the Holy Spirit. |
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*[[Missionary Church of the Disciples of Jesus Christ]] |
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From its earliest years, the church has allowed women to participate in ministry. Although women are barred from the highest ranks in the church hierarchy, they are actively involved in missionary work, they preach from the church pulpit, and have often held the office of pastor. |
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{{reflist |refs= |
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<ref name=RW>{{citation |work=Religions of the World |editor1=J. Gordon Melton |editor2=Martin Baumann |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2010 |isbn=9781598842043 |title=International Evangelical Church, Soldiers of the Cross |pages=1471–2}}</ref> |
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}} |
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==Criticism== |
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[[Category:Seventh-day denominations]] |
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[[Category:1920s establishments in Cuba]] |
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Critics from outside<ref> |
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- [http://www.defensadelafe.org/assets/AS/AS-183.pdf Counter-Cult Website Criticizing the Soldiers of the Cross (SCC)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303192103/http://www.defensadelafe.org/assets/AS/AS-183.pdf |date=2007-03-03 }}</ref> the organization have sharply questioned some of the church's practices. Writers at an independent group blog <ref>[http://elgedeonista.com Gedeonista-Group Blog With Commentary on SCC Beliefs and Practices] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219202854/http://elgedeonista.com/ |date=2009-02-19 }}</ref> have suggested changes to church policies they consider to be too strict, such as the prohibition of automobile use on Sabbath day by missionaries of the Church. The church, however, rejects such criticisms, based on the fact that its leaders have the authority and responsibility to create rules to protect the well-being of its members. |
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{{Reflist}} |
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*''The Encyclopedia of American Religions: Vol. 1''. By J. Gordon Melton. Tarrytown, NY: Triumph Books (1991) (page 281). {{ISBN|0-7876-6384-0}} |
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*''The Last Days' Messenger Collection: Vol. 2'' Ed. Buenaventura Luis Pino. Soldiers of the Cross Church, 1994. |
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{{christianity-stub}} |
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[[Category:Evangelical denominations established in the 20th century]] |
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Latest revision as of 16:01, 6 February 2023
The Evangelical International Church of the Soldiers of the Cross of Christ (also known as the Soldiers of the Cross Church) is a Pentecostal Christian denomination.
History[edit]
It was organized in 1922 by an American businessman named Ernest William Sellers, who began holding evening religious services at his place of business in Havana, Cuba. [1]After receiving a visit from a missionary named George Smith, Sellers was persuaded to organize a more active effort to evangelize Cuba with what he considered to be the proper understanding of the Bible. Sellers enthusiastically recruited and sent missionaries throughout the island of Cuba, and served as the church’s spiritual leader during the remainder of his life.
After Sellers' death, the church spread to other nations in Central and South America, and eventually relocated its headquarters to Miami, Florida, from where it currently operates. The church currently has missions in over 25 countries.
Beliefs and practices[edit]
The Soldiers of the Cross of Christ Church has many core beliefs in common with most evangelical Christian churches.[2] They believe in the one true God, creator of heaven and earth, who eternally exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They believe the Bible to be the authoritative word of God, and in gifts of the Spirit and prophecy. However, there are many important areas of difference. For example, they observe the biblical seventh day Sabbath on Saturday and follow the commandment to not eat unclean foods
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ J. Gordon Melton; Martin Baumann, eds. (2010), "International Evangelical Church, Soldiers of the Cross", Religions of the World, ABC-CLIO, pp. 1471–2, ISBN 9781598842043
- ^ Iglesia Soldados de la Cruz de Cristo, Doctrinas Fundamentales, soldadosdelacruzcuba.org, Cuba, retrieved November 5, 2022
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