What We Believe

The Foundation of Our Faith

The foundation of our doctrinal beliefs is the Word of God, for it is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. With no reservation, we proclaim the necessity of the “New Birth,” the need of the Holy Spirit filled life evidenced by the speaking in other tongues, the truth of divine healing, and the blessed hope of the soon return of Jesus Christ!

1. The Bible is Inspired of God

2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21

Scripture is God’s revelation of Himself to mankind.  Scripture is the divinely authoritative guide for our faith, our belief, and our manner of living. Scripture is never wrong!

2. There is One True God

Isaiah 43:10

God has always existed.  He is the creator of heaven and earth; and He is the redeemer of mankind.  There is one God with three distinct persons!

3. The Lord Jesus Christ is Fully God

Revelation 1:8

Proofs of His divinity:  His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31, 35), His sinless, perfect life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22), His performing of many miracles (Acts 2:22; Acts 10:35), His death on the cross for the sins of all mankind (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21), His resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 6:14, 15:4), His exaltation (Acts 1:9 and 11, 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3)

4. The Fall of Mankind

Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:17, Romans 5:12-19

Mankind by willful choice ignored God’s instructions.  Thereby, he incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death (separation from God). Only the saving work of Jesus can bring lasting moral and spiritual change then to man!

5. The Salvation of Mankind

John 3:16

Restoration of relationship between God and man is the central message of the Bible!  Salvation is deliverance from spiritual death and enslavement by sin.  It is a free gift to all who believe and receive it through Jesus Christ. 
Salvation involves 2 aspects:
1. Repentance – Repentance before God for one’s sins and sinful nature (sinful inclinations). 
2. Belief/Faith – Belief or faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins.

There is evidence of our salvation.
1.  Inner evidence – witness of the Holy Spirit giving one assurance that God has accepted him (Romans 8:16).
2.  Outer evidence – the visible outward expression of a life of righteousness and true holiness.

6. The Ordinances of the Church

Mark 16:16, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Water Baptism
Why we baptize in water:  It’s commanded in Scripture. It’s a public sign of repentance and identification with Christ.
Who should be baptized in Water:  All who have believed and repented of their sins.  
How do we baptize in water: We baptize by immersing a person in water.
 
Holy Communion                        
Consists of bread and the fruit of the vine – grape juice (cup).
The Bread – represents Christ’s body which was broken for our salvation and healing.
The Cup – represents Christ’s blood which was shed for the remission of our sins.
Why we participate in communion:  Jesus commanded us to eat this meal in His memory.  Communion looks forward to Christ’s second coming.

7. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8; Acts 2:4, 38-39

All believers are entitled to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. All believers should expect and seek this promise of the Father. The Holy Spirit brings the Christian power and gifts.

8. The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:4; Acts 10:45-46

We believe the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues.

9. Sanctification

Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:16; Hebrews 12:14

Sanctification is a process that takes place as Christians devote themselves to God. It is a daily acknowledgment of our union with God that transforms us to the nature and likeness of Jesus.

10. The Church and Its Mission

 

The primary reason for being of the church is:   To be an agency of God for evangelizing the world. To be a unified body in which man may worship God.  To be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of Jesus.

11. The Ministry

 

Involvement in ministry as a response to a divine call is scripturally ordained in the Bible. All Spirit-filled believers should be prompted by the Spirit to minister to the rest of the body in some way.

12. Divine Healing

 Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16

Healing is a privilege of all believers. Divine healing from God is an integral part of the Gospel.

13. The Blessed Hope

 Romans 8:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-17

All Christians who have died will some day rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air. Christians who have not yet died will be rapturer, or caught up, with them to be with the Lord. Christians from all ages will then live with God forever!

14. The Millennial Reign of Christ

Romans 11:26-27, Zechariah 9:10

When Christ returns visibly to earth with His saints, He will reign for 1000 years. 
This millennial reign will: Bring the salvation of Israel as a nation. (Romans 11:26-27), Establish universal peace. (Zechariah 9:10)

15. The Final Judgment

Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:48-48

This will be the time in which those who have died without accepting Christ’s salvation, will be raised and judged.

16. The New Heavens and the New Earth

2 Peter 3:13

After the 1000 year reign of Christ, all Christians will live forever with God and have access to a beautiful restored universe.

For more information on the Assemblies of God, visit:  www.ag.org.