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 but unrelated to Arnold Murray and Roy Gillaspie's organizations) was organized in the early 1920s by an American businessman named Ernest William Sellers, who began holding evening religious services at his place of business in Havana, Cuba. After receiving a visit from a stranger 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.

tructure

The Soldiers of the Cross 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 an ecclesial 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 Supreme Council that is made up of bishops, and presided over by Miguel Rodriguez, the Apostle-Director of the church.

Beliefs and practices

The Soldiers of the Cross Church has many core beliefs in common with mainline Evangelical Protestant churches, but there are many important areas of difference. For example, the SCC observes the seventh day of the week as the biblical Sabbath and adheres to kosher dietary regulations, similar to Seventh-day Adventists. Unlike Adventists, though, the church is somewhat charismatic, believing 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 clothing. Church doctrine also advocates a strict interpretation of the second commandment, which in the church’s view forbids any photographic or artistic representation of God's creation.

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.

The top leadership of the church has been ethnically diverse, with church Apostles and Bishops of U.S., Cuban, African, and Central American descent.

Criticism

The church’s organizational structure, as well as its beliefs and practices, have been questioned by critics [http://www.geocities.com/jpena89/ImagesSpanish.htm] [http://www.defensadelafe.org/assets/AS/AS-183.pdf] The PDF article was edited and publish with reference from a break away church that separted itself from the main church located in Miami, Fl. Mr. Rolando Gonzalez was not the leader of the main church but a regional director. Once he broke off, he appointed himself leader. [http://www.gnbcbible.com/sabbath/sabbathpage8.htm]

References

*"The Encyclopedia of American Religions: Vol. 1". By J. Gordon Melton. Tarrytown, NY: Triumph Books (1991) (page 281). [http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&isbn=0787663840&itm=6 ISBN 0787663840]
*"The Last Days' Messenger Collection: Vol. 2" Ed. Buenaventura Luis Pino. Soldiers of the Cross Church, 1994.
* [http://ieiscc.org/ SCC Portal]
* [http://soldadosdelacruzatlanta.org Bilingual Church History and Church Manual]
* [http://ieiscccuba.tk Detailed SCC history in Spanish]
* [http://elgedeonista.com/ Gedeonista Blog]