OUR 16 DOCTRINES
#1 The Bible is Inspired-- If we do not agree that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy3:16) and is therefore infallible and authoritative we have no dependable standard on which to base our lives.
Instead of having a guide that is fixed and reliable everything becomes relative and uncertain.
However, since God does not change as do the shifting shadows (James 1:17), we can be certain that
His truth also remains steadfast enduring all time, generations, and cultures.
#2 One True God--It is contrary to the clear statement and meaning of Scripture to speak of the Father, Son. and Holy Spirit as three gods or as three modes in which the One God has revealed himself. Through the centuries such false teachings have created division and devastation in the church. Through the concept of a "three in One" Trinity has no parallel in the human world, it is absolutely scriptural and essential to a proper understanding of the multifaceted nature of God.
#3 The Lord Jesus Christ is Fully God--The supernatural birth of Jesus, His sinless life, His working of miracles all give proof that He is the diviine Son of God who came to earth in human form to give himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. No death of a natural human could provide forgiveness of sin for the entire human race. Knowing that Jesus came from God, and actually is God, and returned to God's presence after His death and resurrection assures us that our salvation and restored relationship with God is not only logical, but a true reality.
#4 The Fall of Mankind -- The fact that mankind fell from its original innocence and moral goodness is ignored by humanistic philosophies which teach that the human race can be improved and moral imperfection removed through education. The truth is that mankind apart from God is fallen or morally defective. The Bible teaches that mankind is destined to remain fallen, until his tendency toward evil thoughts and deeds is reversed through accepting of the salvation provided in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God's Son.
#5 The Salvation of Mankind -- The restoration of relationship between God and fallen mankind is the central message of the Bible. The entire story from Genesis through Revelation points to a God who loved fallen mankind so much that He gave His Son to die that those who believe in Jesus Christ and His work of providing salvation might have never-ending spiritual life. Every true Christian experiences salvation and becomes a new person in Christ. Without this doctrinal truth, all other doctrinal statements are empty and without meaning. More importantly, without this experience one's life is empty and without real meaning.
#6 The Ordinances of the Church -- Water baptism and Communion are not simply religious customs. Both embody the central message of the Christian faith. Water baptism is a one-time event in which the new believer announces publicly that he is now a child of God who has identified with Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection Communion is a periodic (often monthly)reminder that the believer has received his free salvation through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Both ordinances focus regular attention on the central truth of Christianity.
#7 The Baptism in the Holy Spirit --Emphasis on the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a major focus of the Pentecostal movement. Some non-Pentecostals have felt that Pentecostals stress this doctrine and the person of the Holy Spirit to the neglect of the other members of the Trinity(God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ) and of the basic doctrines of the Christian faith, for example: salvation and sanctification.
#8 The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit -- Some non-Pentecostal Christians teach that Christ-like character and the fruit of the Spirit are better evidences of the Baptism than speaking in tongues. They believe the Baptism experience occurs at the time of salvation, without the manifestation of tongues. The Pentecostal position maintains that speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and is separate from salvation. The belief is based
on the five instances of such infillings recorded in the Book of Acts (Chapters 2, 8, 9, 10, 19). From these passages and personal experience the Assemblies of God holds firm that the biblical pattern of the baptism is a separate work following salvation. It is always accompanied initially with the audible expression of tongues.
#9 Sanctification -- Salvation is no the end of a Christian's spiritual growth. Although we are declared holy or sanctified at salvation, there is still much spiritual growth to be experienced. As the believer submits himself to the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, he is progressively transformed toward a divine nature, like that of Christ. This doctrine is ally after salvation or even after entry into a spirit-filled life at Baptisms. But God's design for each believer is that the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and the character traits of a Christ-like life, be more obvious each day.
#10 The Church and Its Mission -- The important role of the church (all members of the body of Christ) in God's dealing with mankind is accepted by all born-again Christians. But the local church is too often less appreciated and understood. Some professing Christians not finding a local church to their liking, choose to practice an isolated and independent Christianity. Unfortunately, they disobey the specific command of God that believers should not fail to assemble together with other believers. Watching a church service on Television or listening to a sermon on the radio will not suffice. God's design for His people is worship, edification and encouragement in the company of other believers. This doctrine is vital to a well-rounded Christian Life.
#11 The Ministry -- An important New Testament teaching is "the priesthood of all believers." All Spirit-filled believers in a local Pentecostal assembly should be prompted by the Spirit to minister to or edify the rest of the body in some way. But new believers must be discipled or trained to minister and serve. So God has provided that there be spiritual leaders who teach and lead the congregation to serve (minister to) spiritual and material needs both in and outside the local church. These specially ordained ministers today include pastors evangelists, and teachers of the Word. They should be recognized as Christ's gifts to the Church (Ephesians 4:11) and given appropriate respect and appreciation. This doctrine is important because the success any assembly has in fulfilling its mission depends to a great degree on Holy Spirit anointed leadership.
#12 Divine Healing (*one of four cardinal doctrines) -- The spectacular spread of the Pentecostal message and the growth in the number of Spirit-filled believers can be attributed to a great degree to God's miraculous intervention in the lives of hurting people, those suffering from emotional, spiritual, and physical pain. Many in the Assemblies of God have personally experienced God's healing touch. Some have been restored from near death to full health. However, in spite of this truth, we know that all are not healed; the Bible that teaches the truth of divine healing itself declares that death is an appointed experience for every human being
(Hebrews 9:27). Though we cannot explain why some are healed while others are not, God knows all and
does all things well according to a purpose only He knows. The fact that some are not healed does
not destroy the fact that God can and does heal In every Pentecostal congregation are those who have
received God's supernatural touch of healing.
#13 The Blessed Hope (*one of fours cardinal doctrines) -- 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)
#14 The Millennial Reign Christ of -- It sometimes seems that Satan has the world so enslaved in his grasp that conditions have no chance of improving. But God is not dead, as some skeptics claim, He has declared that world conditions will become increasingly bad before He comes for His own and begins the sequence of end-times events. Knowing this we do not lose hope as sin, crime and natural disasters increase year after year. God's Word has predicted what we are seeing, but His Word also tells us that in the end He is the Victor. The Millennium will demonstrate that God's reign and government is perfect. It will replace all the failed systems of human government.
#15 The Final Judgment -- God is a God of love. But He is also a just God. He cannot allow sin and wickedness to go unpunished. One false teaching suggests that all people, whether righteous or wicked will eventually be saved. But this is contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture. This doctrine is important because it reminds all humans that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), that there is a judgment of everlasting punishment waiting the devil, his cohorts and all people who have not accepted God's gracious provision of salvation.
#16 The New Heavens and the New Earth -- In the midst of our daily struggles and difficulties we are encouraged by the promise of what God has prepared for His faithful followers. Jesus told His disciples, and made the promise to all generations of Christians, "I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you
to be with me" (John 14:2-3). After the Millennium (1,000 year period), all Christians will dwell forever with God and Have access to a beautiful restored universe. This doctrine is important because it assures us of our future abode in a world far better than this one.
#1 The Bible is Inspired-- If we do not agree that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy3:16) and is therefore infallible and authoritative we have no dependable standard on which to base our lives.
Instead of having a guide that is fixed and reliable everything becomes relative and uncertain.
However, since God does not change as do the shifting shadows (James 1:17), we can be certain that
His truth also remains steadfast enduring all time, generations, and cultures.
#2 One True God--It is contrary to the clear statement and meaning of Scripture to speak of the Father, Son. and Holy Spirit as three gods or as three modes in which the One God has revealed himself. Through the centuries such false teachings have created division and devastation in the church. Through the concept of a "three in One" Trinity has no parallel in the human world, it is absolutely scriptural and essential to a proper understanding of the multifaceted nature of God.
#3 The Lord Jesus Christ is Fully God--The supernatural birth of Jesus, His sinless life, His working of miracles all give proof that He is the diviine Son of God who came to earth in human form to give himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. No death of a natural human could provide forgiveness of sin for the entire human race. Knowing that Jesus came from God, and actually is God, and returned to God's presence after His death and resurrection assures us that our salvation and restored relationship with God is not only logical, but a true reality.
#4 The Fall of Mankind -- The fact that mankind fell from its original innocence and moral goodness is ignored by humanistic philosophies which teach that the human race can be improved and moral imperfection removed through education. The truth is that mankind apart from God is fallen or morally defective. The Bible teaches that mankind is destined to remain fallen, until his tendency toward evil thoughts and deeds is reversed through accepting of the salvation provided in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God's Son.
#5 The Salvation of Mankind -- The restoration of relationship between God and fallen mankind is the central message of the Bible. The entire story from Genesis through Revelation points to a God who loved fallen mankind so much that He gave His Son to die that those who believe in Jesus Christ and His work of providing salvation might have never-ending spiritual life. Every true Christian experiences salvation and becomes a new person in Christ. Without this doctrinal truth, all other doctrinal statements are empty and without meaning. More importantly, without this experience one's life is empty and without real meaning.
#6 The Ordinances of the Church -- Water baptism and Communion are not simply religious customs. Both embody the central message of the Christian faith. Water baptism is a one-time event in which the new believer announces publicly that he is now a child of God who has identified with Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection Communion is a periodic (often monthly)reminder that the believer has received his free salvation through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Both ordinances focus regular attention on the central truth of Christianity.
#7 The Baptism in the Holy Spirit --Emphasis on the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a major focus of the Pentecostal movement. Some non-Pentecostals have felt that Pentecostals stress this doctrine and the person of the Holy Spirit to the neglect of the other members of the Trinity(God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ) and of the basic doctrines of the Christian faith, for example: salvation and sanctification.
#8 The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit -- Some non-Pentecostal Christians teach that Christ-like character and the fruit of the Spirit are better evidences of the Baptism than speaking in tongues. They believe the Baptism experience occurs at the time of salvation, without the manifestation of tongues. The Pentecostal position maintains that speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and is separate from salvation. The belief is based
on the five instances of such infillings recorded in the Book of Acts (Chapters 2, 8, 9, 10, 19). From these passages and personal experience the Assemblies of God holds firm that the biblical pattern of the baptism is a separate work following salvation. It is always accompanied initially with the audible expression of tongues.
#9 Sanctification -- Salvation is no the end of a Christian's spiritual growth. Although we are declared holy or sanctified at salvation, there is still much spiritual growth to be experienced. As the believer submits himself to the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, he is progressively transformed toward a divine nature, like that of Christ. This doctrine is ally after salvation or even after entry into a spirit-filled life at Baptisms. But God's design for each believer is that the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and the character traits of a Christ-like life, be more obvious each day.
#10 The Church and Its Mission -- The important role of the church (all members of the body of Christ) in God's dealing with mankind is accepted by all born-again Christians. But the local church is too often less appreciated and understood. Some professing Christians not finding a local church to their liking, choose to practice an isolated and independent Christianity. Unfortunately, they disobey the specific command of God that believers should not fail to assemble together with other believers. Watching a church service on Television or listening to a sermon on the radio will not suffice. God's design for His people is worship, edification and encouragement in the company of other believers. This doctrine is vital to a well-rounded Christian Life.
#11 The Ministry -- An important New Testament teaching is "the priesthood of all believers." All Spirit-filled believers in a local Pentecostal assembly should be prompted by the Spirit to minister to or edify the rest of the body in some way. But new believers must be discipled or trained to minister and serve. So God has provided that there be spiritual leaders who teach and lead the congregation to serve (minister to) spiritual and material needs both in and outside the local church. These specially ordained ministers today include pastors evangelists, and teachers of the Word. They should be recognized as Christ's gifts to the Church (Ephesians 4:11) and given appropriate respect and appreciation. This doctrine is important because the success any assembly has in fulfilling its mission depends to a great degree on Holy Spirit anointed leadership.
#12 Divine Healing (*one of four cardinal doctrines) -- The spectacular spread of the Pentecostal message and the growth in the number of Spirit-filled believers can be attributed to a great degree to God's miraculous intervention in the lives of hurting people, those suffering from emotional, spiritual, and physical pain. Many in the Assemblies of God have personally experienced God's healing touch. Some have been restored from near death to full health. However, in spite of this truth, we know that all are not healed; the Bible that teaches the truth of divine healing itself declares that death is an appointed experience for every human being
(Hebrews 9:27). Though we cannot explain why some are healed while others are not, God knows all and
does all things well according to a purpose only He knows. The fact that some are not healed does
not destroy the fact that God can and does heal In every Pentecostal congregation are those who have
received God's supernatural touch of healing.
#13 The Blessed Hope (*one of fours cardinal doctrines) -- 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)
#14 The Millennial Reign Christ of -- It sometimes seems that Satan has the world so enslaved in his grasp that conditions have no chance of improving. But God is not dead, as some skeptics claim, He has declared that world conditions will become increasingly bad before He comes for His own and begins the sequence of end-times events. Knowing this we do not lose hope as sin, crime and natural disasters increase year after year. God's Word has predicted what we are seeing, but His Word also tells us that in the end He is the Victor. The Millennium will demonstrate that God's reign and government is perfect. It will replace all the failed systems of human government.
#15 The Final Judgment -- God is a God of love. But He is also a just God. He cannot allow sin and wickedness to go unpunished. One false teaching suggests that all people, whether righteous or wicked will eventually be saved. But this is contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture. This doctrine is important because it reminds all humans that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), that there is a judgment of everlasting punishment waiting the devil, his cohorts and all people who have not accepted God's gracious provision of salvation.
#16 The New Heavens and the New Earth -- In the midst of our daily struggles and difficulties we are encouraged by the promise of what God has prepared for His faithful followers. Jesus told His disciples, and made the promise to all generations of Christians, "I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you
to be with me" (John 14:2-3). After the Millennium (1,000 year period), all Christians will dwell forever with God and Have access to a beautiful restored universe. This doctrine is important because it assures us of our future abode in a world far better than this one.