Core Beliefs
This church accepts the Holy Scriptures as the revealed will of God, the all sufficient rule of faith and practice, and for the purpose of maintaining general unity.
1. THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED
The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible authoritative rule of faith and conduct (II Tim. 3:15-17; I Thes. 2:13; II Peter 1:21).
2. THE ONE TRUE GOD
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM”, the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 43:10,11; Matt. 28:19; Luke 3:22).
3. THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
His virgin birth (Matt. 1:23; Luke 1:31, 35)
His sinless life (Heb. 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22)
His miracles (Acts 2:22, 10:38)
His substitutionary work on the cross (I Cor. 15:3; II Cor. 5:21)
His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matt 28:6; Luke 24:39; I Cor. 15:4).
His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9,11; 2:33; Phil. 2:9-11;
Heb.1-3).
4. THE FALL OF MAN
Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness”. However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Gen. 1:26,27; 2:17; 3:6; Rom 5:12-19).
5. THE SALVATION OF MAN
Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ Son of God.
Conditions to Salvation - Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Rom. 10:13-15; Eph. 2:8;
Titus 2:11; 3:5-7).
The Evidences of Salvation - The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Rom. 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Eph. 4:24; Titus 2:12).
6. THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
Baptism in Water - The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47,48; Rom 6:4).
Holy Communion - 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 [KJV/NIV]), 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!"
7. THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST
All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Ghost 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 1:8, I Cor. 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 Ghost come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8) a deepened reverence for God (Acts 243; Heb. 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His work and for the lost (Mark 16:20).
8. SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Rom. 12:1,2; 1Thes. 5:23; Heb. 13:12). The Scriptures teach a life of “Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). By the power of the Holy Ghost 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. (Rom 6:1-11,13; 8:1,2,13; Gal 2:20; Phil 2:11,12,13; 1 Peter 1:5).
9. 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 (Eph. 1:22,23; 2:22, Heb. 12:23). Since God’s purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshiped by man, and to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, 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; Matt 8:19-20;
Mark 16:15-16).
To be a corporate body in which man may worship God (1 Cor. 12:13).
To be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 12:28; 1 Cor. 14:1).
The Assemblies of God exists expressly to give continuing emphasis to this reason-for-being in the New Testament apostolic pattern by teaching encouraging believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. This experience:
Enables them to evangelize in the power of the Spirit with accompanying supernatural signs (Mark 16:15-20; Acts 4:29-31; Heb. 2:3-4).
Adds a necessary dimension to worshipful relationship with God (1 Cor. 2:10-16; 1 Cor. 12-14).
Enables them to respond to the full working of the Holy Spirit in expression of fruit and gifts and ministries as in New Testament times for the edifying of the body of Christ (Gal 5:22-26; 1 Cor. 12:38; 14:12; Eph 4:11,12; Col. 1:29).
10. THE MINISTRY
A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold 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 (Eph 4:11-16).
11. 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).
12. THE BLESSED HOPE
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church (1 Thes. 4:16-17; Rom 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor. 15:51-52).
13. THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST
The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with his saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years (Zech. 14:5; Matt 24:27,30; Rev 1:7; 19:11-14; 20:1-6). This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Ezek. 37:21-22; Zeph. 3:19-20; Rom 11:26-27) and the establishment of universal peace (Isa. 11:6-9; Ps. 72:3-8; Micah 4:3-4).
14. THE FINAL JUDGMENT
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Matt 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Rev 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8).
15. THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH
“We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13; Rev 21:21-22)
1. THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED
The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible authoritative rule of faith and conduct (II Tim. 3:15-17; I Thes. 2:13; II Peter 1:21).
2. THE ONE TRUE GOD
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM”, the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 43:10,11; Matt. 28:19; Luke 3:22).
3. THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
His virgin birth (Matt. 1:23; Luke 1:31, 35)
His sinless life (Heb. 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22)
His miracles (Acts 2:22, 10:38)
His substitutionary work on the cross (I Cor. 15:3; II Cor. 5:21)
His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matt 28:6; Luke 24:39; I Cor. 15:4).
His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9,11; 2:33; Phil. 2:9-11;
Heb.1-3).
4. THE FALL OF MAN
Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness”. However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Gen. 1:26,27; 2:17; 3:6; Rom 5:12-19).
5. THE SALVATION OF MAN
Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ Son of God.
Conditions to Salvation - Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Rom. 10:13-15; Eph. 2:8;
Titus 2:11; 3:5-7).
The Evidences of Salvation - The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Rom. 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Eph. 4:24; Titus 2:12).
6. THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
Baptism in Water - The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47,48; Rom 6:4).
Holy Communion - 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 [KJV/NIV]), 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!"
7. THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST
All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Ghost 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 1:8, I Cor. 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 Ghost come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8) a deepened reverence for God (Acts 243; Heb. 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His work and for the lost (Mark 16:20).
8. SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Rom. 12:1,2; 1Thes. 5:23; Heb. 13:12). The Scriptures teach a life of “Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). By the power of the Holy Ghost 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. (Rom 6:1-11,13; 8:1,2,13; Gal 2:20; Phil 2:11,12,13; 1 Peter 1:5).
9. 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 (Eph. 1:22,23; 2:22, Heb. 12:23). Since God’s purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshiped by man, and to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, 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; Matt 8:19-20;
Mark 16:15-16).
To be a corporate body in which man may worship God (1 Cor. 12:13).
To be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 12:28; 1 Cor. 14:1).
The Assemblies of God exists expressly to give continuing emphasis to this reason-for-being in the New Testament apostolic pattern by teaching encouraging believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. This experience:
Enables them to evangelize in the power of the Spirit with accompanying supernatural signs (Mark 16:15-20; Acts 4:29-31; Heb. 2:3-4).
Adds a necessary dimension to worshipful relationship with God (1 Cor. 2:10-16; 1 Cor. 12-14).
Enables them to respond to the full working of the Holy Spirit in expression of fruit and gifts and ministries as in New Testament times for the edifying of the body of Christ (Gal 5:22-26; 1 Cor. 12:38; 14:12; Eph 4:11,12; Col. 1:29).
10. THE MINISTRY
A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold 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 (Eph 4:11-16).
11. 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).
12. THE BLESSED HOPE
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church (1 Thes. 4:16-17; Rom 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor. 15:51-52).
13. THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST
The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with his saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years (Zech. 14:5; Matt 24:27,30; Rev 1:7; 19:11-14; 20:1-6). This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Ezek. 37:21-22; Zeph. 3:19-20; Rom 11:26-27) and the establishment of universal peace (Isa. 11:6-9; Ps. 72:3-8; Micah 4:3-4).
14. THE FINAL JUDGMENT
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Matt 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Rev 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8).
15. THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH
“We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13; Rev 21:21-22)
God
There is one eternally existing God who has three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible, and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise. God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, justice, and mercy. He is unchangeable and therefore is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Revelation
God has revealed himself to us through his son, Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God, the holy scriptures, and through all of creation itself.
Mankind
Humans, both male and female, were created in God's image for His glory. The first humans, Adam and Eve, were created without sin and appointed as caretakers of the rest of God's creations.
The Fall
When Adam and Eve chose not to obey God, they ceased to be what they were made to be and became distorted images of God. This caused them to fall out of fellowship with God, and fractured all of creation ever since that time.
Salvation
Jesus Christ came to reconcile us with God. He lived a life without sin and willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty for our transgressions. God raised him from the dead and now, by grace, offers as a free gift eternal life to all who follow Christ, by faith, as their Lord and Savior. That is why salvation can be found in Christ alone.
The Church
The Church is meant to be the visible body of Christ, sent into the world to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Resurrection
Jesus Christ is returning one day to judge both the living and the dead and to usher in the fullness of God's kingdom on earth.