BELIEFS

OUR 16 FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS

This Statement of Fundamental Truths contains the 16 doctrines of the Assemblies of God. These are non-negotiable tenets of faith that all Assemblies of God churches adhere to. Four of these, Salvation, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, and the Second Coming of Christ are considered Cardinal Doctrines which are essential to the church’s core mission of reaching the world for Christ.

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 1:2

2. THE ONE TRUE GOD
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent 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 Spirit. – Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10-11, Matthew 28:19, Luke 3:22

3. THE DIETY 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, Luke 1:35
* His sinless life – Hebrews 7:26, I Peter 2:2
* His miracles – Acts 2:22, Acts 10:38
* His substitutionary work on the cross – 1 Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21
* His bodily resurrection from the dead – Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:39, I Cor. 15:4
* His exaltation to the right hand of God – Acts 1:9, 1:11, 2:33, Philippians 2:9-11

4. THE FALL OF MAN
Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our own 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. Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 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

6. THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH BAPTISM IN WATER
The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord 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. – Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:47-48, Romans 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
* A memorial of his suffering and death – 1 Corinthians 11:26
* A prophecy of His second coming – 1 Corinthians 11:26

7. 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 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, Acts 1:8

8. 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

9. SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God. – Romans 12:1-2, I Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 13:12
The Scriptures teach a life of holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. – Hebrews 12:14

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, Ephesians 2:22, Hebrews 12:23

11. 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 Christ.
– Ephesians 4:11-16
Meeting human need with ministries of love and compassion.
– Psalm 112:9, Galatians 2:10; 6:10, James 1:27

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.
– I Thessalonians 4:16-17, Romans 8:23, Titus 2:13, I 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 earth for one thousand years.
– Zechariah 14:5, Matthew 24:27, 24:30, Revelation 1:7, 19:11-14 , 20:1-6

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 the everlasting punishment in the lake which burns 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, Revelation 21, Revelation 22

For further information on the 16 Fundamental Truths please visit https://ag.org/Beliefs