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WE
BELIEVE:
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 or contended for, but the
truth set forth is held to be essential to a full-gospel ministry.
No claim is made that it contains all biblical truth, only that
it covers our need as to these fundamental doctrines.
1.
The Scriptures Inspired
The Scriptures, both the 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 (2 Timothy 3:15-17;
1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 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 (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 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:
(a) His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,35).
(b) His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22).
(c) His miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38).
(d) His substitutionary work on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3;
2 Corinthians 5:21).
(e) His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6;
Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4).
(f)
His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9,11; 2:33;
Philippians 2:9-11;
Hebrews 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 (Genesis 1:26,27; 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12-19).
5.
The Salvation of Man
Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus
Christ the Son of God.
(a)
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; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8;
Titus 2:11; 3:5-7).
(b)
The Evidences of Salvation
The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the
Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all
men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians
4:24; Titus 2:12).
6.
The Ordinances of the Church
(a)
Baptism in Water The ordinance of baptism by
immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and
believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord are to be baptized. Thus
they declare to the world that they also have been raised with
Him to walk in newness of life (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts
10:47,48; Romans 6:4).
(b)
Holy Communion
The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements- bread and
the fruit of the vine- is the symbol expressing our sharing
in the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2
Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death
(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 enduement 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 Ghost 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).
8.
The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost
The baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost 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.
9.
Sanctification
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 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 (Romans 6:1-11,13; 8:1,2,13; Galatians
2:20; Philippians 2:12,13; 1 Peter 1:5).
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 was lost, to be worshipped 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:
a.
To be an agency of God for evangelizing the world
(Acts 1:8; Matthew
28:19,20; Mark 16:15,16).
b. To be a corporate body in which man may worship God
(1 Corinthians
12:13).
c.
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).
The Assemblies of God exists expressly to give continuing emphasis
to this reason-for-being in the New Testament apostolic pattern
by teaching and encouraging believers to be baptized in the
Holy Spirit. This experience:
a. Enables them to evangelize in the power of the Spirit with
accompanying supernatural signs (Mark 16:15-20; Acts 4:29-31;
Hebrews 2:3,4).
b. Adds a necessary
dimension to a worshipful relationship with God (1
Corinthians 2:10-16; 1 Corinthians 12-14).
c. 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
(Galatians 5:22-26; 1 Corinthians 14:12;
Ephesians 4:11,12; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Colossians 1:29).
11.
The Ministry
A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has
been provided by our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading
the Church in:
(1) evangelization of the
world (Mark 16:15-20),
(2) worship of God (John 4:23,24), and
(3) building a body of saints being perfected in the
image of His
Son (Ephesians
4:11,16).
12.
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)
13.
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 Thessalonians 4:16,17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13;
1 Corinthians 15:51,52).
14.
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 one thousand years
(Zechariah 14:5; Matthew
24:27,30; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-14; 20:1-6). This
millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel
(Ezekiel 37:21,22; Zephaniah 3:19,20; Romans 11:26,27) and
the establishment of universal peace (Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalm 72:3-8;
Micah 4:3,4).
15.
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 burneth with fire
and brimstone, which is the second death (Matthew 25:46; Mark
9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8).
16.
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. 21-22).
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