Ambonar Church of God
| Ambonar Church of God | |
|---|---|
| Simbahan ng Diyos sa Ambonar | |
 Highest Chruch of God, Ambonar, Xulin, Slokais Islands | |
| Structure | Connexional |
| High Global Priest | Peter Rizal |
| Scholar of the Faith | Joseph Bryant |
| Region | Hesperida, IDU |
| Language | Ambonar, English |
| Headquarters | Xulin, Ambonar, Slokais Islands |
| Founder | Sri Darma Ferindad I |
| Origin | 1687 Cirebon, Ambonar |
| Branched from | Catholic Church of San Fernando |
| Members | 4,180,000 |
| Other name(s) | Church of God |
| Official website | Church of God.org |
The Ambonar Church of God is a religious denomination of Christianity[a] The Church of God primarily is located within the Ambonar Province of Slokais Islands, the faith has members throughout Hesperida. Founded in 1687 by Sri Darma Ferdinand I of Ambonar, the faith became the state religion of the Kingdom until 1825. Since then the Ambonar Church of God has had a significant political, social, and economic impact on the Ambonar people, and several hardline groups of the faith are considered "cults" by general society.
Name Dispute
The Ambonar Church of God is called the Church of God by most of its members although is officially listed as the Ambonar Church of God in religious statistics. Members of the Church of God refer to themselves as Revivalists, a term that is used sometimes to describe the entire movement.
History
In 1684, King Sri Darma of Ambonar was visited by Francisco de Valer on a diplomatic mission from the San Fernando colony. One of his gifts was a copy of the Bible which Sri Drama took to heart and was led upon a three-year "faith quest". According to Sri Drama, he was given 14 lessons over the course of his three years as King by God. With each lesson intended to help Sri Drama re-found "The Kingdom of God". In the final lesson, Sri Darma is believed to have contacted an unknown figure called "Ra-Guna" or the "Final One" who with the Chruch of God's belief will end the world if "it becomes too corrupted". To prevent Ra-Guna's arrival, Sri Darma founded the Church of God in 1687 with several hundred followers. As King of Ambonar, Sri Darma declares the Kingdom as Christian and removes all traditionalists and Minjian believers from positions in the Kingdom. Sri Darma also takes upon the name "Ferdinand del Este" and establishes strong trade relations with the San Fernando Colony.
Kingdoms Era
Culture and Practices
Due to the faith being historically centered in only Ambonar, the culture of the province itself is based upon Church of God beliefs. Common practices shared with Christianity as a whole include church attendance, daily prayer, participation in Church programs, and referring from work on Sundays. However, the most significant deviation is moral ideas, with the Book of Divine Communications considered at value with the Bible when answering moral questions. In addition, the conversion while not originally valued as a practice until the 1970s is considered a duty by some Revivalists, these conversions have often been successful in areas without a large Christan presence such as Kaijan, were several Revivalist communities have appeared.
Book of Divine Communcations
The Book of Divine Communications is considered of the same or even greater value than the Bible by Revivalists. Although much shorter than the Bible, being divided into three "Communications", the 14 lessons within are quoted and referenced by Revivalists. The First Communication outlines the authority of God and the authority of those in the Church of God. In addition, the Communication states most famously "Power not given by those of Heaven or the Kingdom of Heaven upon Earth should be questioned"[b]. Politically, the quote is often used by traditional Revivalists to discredit the authority of non-Christian govermeant officials and argue against the separation of Church and State. The Second Communication outlines practices and morals such as a belief in only "one divine creator" and that life must only be taken if one has been "lost to hell fire". This communication influenced law and justice in the Ambonar Kingdom, with some principles remaining in law within Ambonar Province. The Third Communication is the most significant with God calling upon Sri Darma to take upon the name Ferdinand del Este and found "a Church of God, in a Kingdom of God, in the name of God".
The most controversial section of the Book of Divine Communications is Section 19 which was written a year after the rest of the Book and describes a being known as Ra-Guna. Ra-Guna is described as a demon who will be born in the future and inhabit the body of a human and if enough believe in him, will end the world and only Chruch of God members past and present souls will be saved from Hell. Ra-Gunna remains a controversial figure, as many claim Ra-Gunna was a character created by Sri Darma's son, Sri Dontak, and published as such. However, many within the Church of God view the prevention of Ra-Gunna as a greater life goal than living by Revivalist morals.