What We Believe

Authority of the Bible

We believe in the authority of the Bible as the Word of God. We believe that all scripture is divinely inspired by God and is the unshakable foundation for sound doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The Old and New Testaments, inerrant as originally given, were verbally inspired by God and are a complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men. They constitute the divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice (2 Peter 1:20–21; 2 Timothy 3:15–16). It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation. (Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1–2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7–10; 119:11, 89, 105, 140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1–32; Matthew 5:17–18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44–46; John 5:39; 16:13–15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25–26; 2 Timothy 3:15–17; Hebrews 1:1–2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19–21).

One God

There is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), who is infinitely perfect (Matthew 5:48), existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Jesus Christ is the true God and the true man (Philippians 2:6–11). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:34–38). He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust (1 Peter 3:18), as a substitutionary sacrifice (Hebrews 2:9), and all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood (Romans 5:9). He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures (Acts 2:23–24). He is now at the right hand of Majesty on high as our great High Priest (Hebrews 8:1). He will come again to establish His kingdom, righteousness, and peace (Matthew 26:64).

The Trinity

We believe that there is one God, who eternally exists in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16–17, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Ephesians 4:4–6).

The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ

We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His power to heal, in His miracles, in His atoning death through His sacrifice on the cross, in His bodily resurrection, and in His ascension to the right hand of the Father as our High Priest and Mediator. We believe that the Lord Jesus is coming back again just as He promised (John 14:2–3, Matthew 24:30). Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He died on the cross for mankind and thus atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory (John 1:1, 14; 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5–6; 1 Timothy 2:5).

Virgin Birth Jesus

Christ was conceived by God the Father, through the Holy Spirit (the third person of the Trinity) in the virgin Mary’s womb; therefore, He is the Son of God (Matthew 1:18, 25; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18, 23–25; Luke 1:27–35).

Water Baptism

We believe water baptism is an outward expression of our faith that demonstrates a believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus (Acts 8:12, Romans 6:4).

The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter. He guides us in all areas of our lives (John 14:26, KJV). We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of praying in the Spirit (Acts 2:1–4). We believe in the nine gifts of the Spirit and the nine attributes of the fruit of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7–11, Galatians 5:22–23). The Holy Spirit is a divine person (John 14:15–18), sent to indwell, guide, teach, and empower the believer (John 16:13; Acts 1:8), and convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:7–11). The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible lists these gifts not necessarily exhaustively, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters (Hebrews 2:4; Romans 1:11, 12:4–8; Ephesians 4:16; 2 Timothy 1:5–16, 4:14; 1 Corinthians 12:1–31, 14:1–40; 1 Peter 4:10).

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church. With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 8; 1 Corinthians 12:1–31). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:12–17; 10:44–46; 11:14–16; 15:7–9). With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37–39; Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His Word, and for the lost (Mark 16:20).

The 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). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4–10, 28), but different in purpose and use.

The Good News

We believe the good news that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, Jesus, and whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16–17). We believe we are called to bring this good news—the gospel of grace—to all nations (Acts 20:24).

Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life

We believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). All who call on the name of the Lord Jesus shall be saved (Romans 10:13). The Bible tells us, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9–10).

Jesus' Blood

The Blood that Jesus Christ shed on the Cross of Calvary was sinless and is 100% sufficient to cleanse mankind of all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death (1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 3:10–12, 23, 5:9; John 1:29).

Holy Communion

We believe the holy Communion commemorates the Lord’s death, and we partake of the holy Communion in remembrance of Him (1 Corinthians 11:24–25). We believe in partaking of the holy Communion corporately as the unified body of Christ every Sunday, according to the tradition of the early church in the book of Acts. The Bible tells us that, “on the first day of the week…the disciples came together to break bread” (Acts 20:7). The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements—bread and the fruit of the vine—is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers “till He come!”

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 (Isaiah 53:4–5; Matthew 8:16–17; James 5:14–16).

Sanctification

Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 6:14–18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3; Romans 8:29, 12:1–2; Hebrews 2:11). Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Romans 12:1–2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12). Scriptures teach a life of “holiness without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to obey the command: “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15–16). Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1–11, 13; 8:1–2, 13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12–13; 1 Peter 1:5).

Marriage and Family

God created marriage. It is a covenant made between a biological man and a biological woman that makes them one. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God’s pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents. (Genesis 1:26–28; 2:15–25; 3:1–20; 2:22, 24; Matthew 19:5–6; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4–9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26–28; Psalms 51:5; 78:1–8; 127; 128; 139:13–16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15–20; 6:20–22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6, 15; 23:13–14; 24:3; 29:15, 17; 31:10–31; Ecclesiastes 4:9–12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14–16; Matthew 5:31–32; 18:2–5; 19:3–9; Mark 10:6–12; Romans 1:18–32; 1 Corinthians 7:1–16; Ephesians 5:21–33; 6:1–4; Colossians 3:18–21; 1 Timothy 5:8, 14; 2 Timothy 1:3–5; Titus 2:3–5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1–7)

God's Will for Provision

It is the Father’s will for believers to become whole, healthy, and successful in all areas of life. But because of the fall, many may not receive the full benefits of God’s will while on Earth. That fact, though, should never prevent all believers from seeking the full benefits of Christ’s provision in order to better serve others.

  • Spiritual (John 3:3–11; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21; Romans 10:9–10).
  • Mental and Emotional (2 Timothy 1:7, 2:11; Philippians 4:7–8; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3).
  • Physical (Isaiah 53:4–5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24).
  • Financial (Joshua 1:8; Malachi 3:10–11; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6–10; Deuteronomy 28:1–14; Psalm 34:10, 84:11; Philippians 4:19).

The Lord's Day

The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord’s Day should be commensurate with the Christian’s conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. (Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10).

The Church and Its Mission

The Church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her Great Commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22–23; 2:22; Hebrews 12:23). Since God’s purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshiped by man, to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, and to demonstrate His love and compassion for all the world, the priority reason-for-being of the Assemblies of God as part of the Church is:

  • To be an agency of God for evangelizing the world (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 16:15–16).
  • To be a corporate body in which man may worship God (1 Corinthians 12:13).
  • To be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11–16; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 14:12).
  • To be a people who demonstrate God’s love and compassion for all the world (Psalms 112:9; Galatians 2:10; 6:10; James 1:27).

The Ministry

A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the fourfold purpose of leading the Church in:

  • Evangelization of the world (Mark 16:15–20).
  • Worship of God (John 4:23–24).
  • Building a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11–16).
  • Meeting human need with ministries of love and compassion (Psalms 112:9; Galatians 2:10; 6:10; James 1:27).

God's Purpose of Grace Election

Is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility. All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ and sanctified by His Spirit will never fall away from the state of grace but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. (Genesis 12:1–3; Exodus 19:5–8; 1 Samuel 8:4–7, 19–22; Isaiah 5:1–7; Jeremiah 31:31ff.; Matthew 16:18–19; 21:28–45; 24:22, 31; 25:34; Luke 1:68–79; 2:29–32; 19:41–44; 24:44–48; John 1:12–14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44–45, 65; 10:27–29; 15:16; 17:6, 12, 17–18; Acts 20:32; Romans 5:9–10; 8:28–39; 10:12–15; 11:5–7, 26–36; 1 Corinthians 1:1–2; 15:24–28; Ephesians 1:4–23; 2:1–10; 3:1–11; Colossians 1:12–14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10, 19; Hebrews 11:39–12:2; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:2–5, 13; 2:4–10; 1 John 1:7–9; 2:19; 3:2).