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What We Believe
PREAMBLE
(Revised 1983 General Council)
The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. This
Statement of Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of
fellowship among us (i.e., that we all speak the same thing,
1
Corinthians 1:10;
Acts 2:42). The phraseology employed in this Statement
is not inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be
essential to a full-gospel ministry. No claim is made that it covers all
Biblical truth, only that it covers our need as to these fundamental
doctrines.
The 16 Fundamental Doctrines
of the Assemblies of God
Authority of God’s Word
The Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, is inspired by God. It is
the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of
faith and conduct (I Thessalonians 2:13;
2 Timothy 3:15-17;
2 Peter
1:21).
One true God
There is one true God who has revealed himself as Father, Son and Holy
Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4;
Isaiah 43:10,11;
Matthew 28:19;
Luke 3:22).
Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
- His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31-35).
- His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22).
- His miracles (Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38).
- His substitutionary work on the cross (I Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
- His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; I Corinthians 15:4).
- His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9,11; Acts 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3).
Fall of man
Man was created good and upright but by voluntary transgression fell and
thereby incurred physical and spiritual death, which is separation from
God (Genesis 1:26-27;
Genesis 3:6;
Romans 5:12-19).
Salvation of man
Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ,
the Son of God.
- Conditions to salvation. Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8, Titus 2:11; Titus 3:5-7).
- Evidences of salvation. The inward evidence is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12).
Ordinances of the church
- Baptism in water by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. This declares to the world that they have died with Christ and been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47,48; Romans 6:4).
- Holy Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, consists of the elements—bread and the fruit of the vine. It is a symbol of our sharing the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4); a reminder of His suffering and death (I Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of His second coming (I Corinthians 11:26).
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly
seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit. With it comes enduement of power
for life and service
(Luke 24:49;
Acts 1:4,8;
I Corinthians 12:1-31). It
is distinct from and subsequent to the new birth (Acts 8:12-17;
Acts
10:44-46;
Acts 11:14-16;
Acts 15:7-9).
Initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit
The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial
physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives
them utterance (Acts 2:4).
Sanctification
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of
dedication to God (Romans 12:1,2;
I Thessalonians 5:23;
Hebrews 13:12).
Scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the
Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).
Church and its mission
The Church is the body of Christ of which each believer is a part
(Ephesians 1:22,23;
Ephesians 2:22;
Hebrews 12:23).
Ministry
A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry is for the
threefold purpose of leading the church in: evangelizing the world (Mark
16:15-20); worshiping God (John 4:23,24); building a body of saints
being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11,16).
Divine healing
Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel, provided for in the
Atonement, and is the privilege of all believers (Isaiah 53:4,5;
Matthew
8:16,17;
James 5:14-16).
Blessed hope
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their
rapture together with those who are alive at the coming of the Lord is
the imminent and blessed hope of the Church (Romans 8:23;
I Corinthians
15:51,52;
I Thessalonians 4:16,17;
Titus 2:13).
Millennial reign of Christ
The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of all Christians,
which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with
his saints to reign on the earth for 1,000 years (Zechariah 14:5;
Matthew 24:27,30;
Revelation 1:7;
Revelation 19:11-14;
Revelation
20:1-6).
Final judgment
There will be a final judgment of the wicked dead according to their
works. Whoever is not found written in the Book of Life will e consigned
to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:46;
Mark
9:43-48;
Revelation 19:20;
Revelation 20:11-15;
Revelation 21:8).
New heavens and new earth
"We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth
wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13;
Revelation 21,22).
Adapted from Bible Doctrines by William Menzies
and Stanley M. Horton (Springfield: Logion Press, 1993).