We Believe

Two years after the founding of the Assemblies of God, the churches' pioneers adopted 16 beliefs or “fundamental truths” for the Fellowship (available below following this section), which remain virtually unchanged.

Four of these beliefs are considered the core beliefs of the Assemblies of God.  You may hear them referred to as our cardinal doctrines.  They weave in and through all the teaching, music, preaching, discussions…everything we do.  The Church’s message revolves around these four defining beliefs.

 

OUR FOUR CORE BELIEFS

 

Salvation Through Jesus Christ

Salvation is deliverance from spiritual death and enslavement by sin.  God provides salvation for all who believe and accept His free offer of forgiveness.  Mankind’s only hope of redemption from the fallen sinful state is through the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son – blood that was shed as Jesus died on the cross.  [The account of the crucifixion of Jesus is recounted by four of His contemporaries: Matthew (chapter 27), Mark (chapter 15), Luke (chapter 23), and John (chapter 19).] (Luke 24:47; John 3:3,16,17; Rom. 8:16; 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8,9; 4:24; Titus 2:11-12; 3:5-7)

 

Divine Healing

Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel.  Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers.  (Isa. 53:4,5; Matt. 8:16,17; James 5:14-16)

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

All believers are entitled to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and therefore should expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This was the normal experience of all believers in the early Christian church.  With the experience comes the provision of power for victorious Christian living and productive service.  It also provides believers with specific spiritual gifts for more effective ministry.  The baptism of Christians in the Holy Spirit is accompanied by the initial physical sign of speaking in other tongues (unlearned languages) as the Spirit of God gives them audible expression.  (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,8; 2:4; 8:12-17; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9; 1 Cor. 12:1-31)

 

The Second Coming of Christ

All Christians who have died will one day rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air. Christians who have not yet died will be raptured or caught up with them, to be with the Lord.  Then Christians of all ages will live with God forever.  The scriptural truth of the Lord’s soon return is "the blessed hope".  (Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessa­lonians 4:16-17; Titus 2:13)

OUR 16 FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS

  1. WE BELIEVE...The scriptures are inspired by God - and declare His design and plan for mankind.
  2. WE BELIEVE...There is only One True God–revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).
  3. WE BELIEVE...In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God's son Jesus was both human and divine.
  4. WE BELIEVE...though originally good, man willingly fell to sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.
  5. WE BELIEVE...Every person can have restored fellowship with God through 'Salvation' (accepting Christ's offer of forgiveness for sin). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]
  6. WE BELIEVE...and practice two ordinances—(1) Water Baptism by Immersion after repenting of one's sins and receiving Christ's gift of salvation, and (2) Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's suffering and death for our salvation.
  7. WE BELIEVE...the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a special experience following salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]
  8. WE BELIEVE... The initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is ‘Speaking in Tongues,’ as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles.
  9. WE BELIEVE...Sanctification initially occurs at salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.
  10. WE BELIEVE...The Church has a mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe 'the Church' is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God's offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ.
  11. WE BELIEVE...A divinely called and scripturally ordained leadership ministry serves the Church. The Bible teaches that each of us under leadership must commit ourselves to reach others for Christ, to worship Him with other believers, and to build up or edify the body of believers–the Church.
  12. WE BELIEVE...Divine healing of the sick is a privilege for Christians today and is provided for in Christ's atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]
  13. WE BELIEVE...in The Blessed Hope—When Jesus raptures His Church Prior to His return to earth (the second coming). At this future moment in time, all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]
  14. WE BELIEVE...in the millennial reign of Christ when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace.
  15. WE BELIEVE...A final judgment will take place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire.
  16. WE BELIEVE...and look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on Earth. 'And so shall we forever be with the Lord!