Churches of God consist of a number of religious groups in the United States that use the same name—Church of God—but differ in faith and practice. Most of these groups trace their origins to the Pentecostal, Holiness, or Adventist movements.
The Church of God based in Cleveland, Tennessee, has several million members all over the world. Founded in 1886, it became one of the first Pentecostal churches. Another major group, the Church of God with headquarters in Anderson, Indiana, was established about 1880. This group developed into one of the largest Holiness churches. The Holiness Movement stresses sanctification (purification from sin) and the literal interpretation of the Bible. For more information on the historical background of the Churches of God, see Adventists ; Pentecostal churches ; and Fundamentalism .
