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, 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 Deity of the Lord Jesus
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare his:
Virgin
birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,35)
Sinless
life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22)
Miracles
(Acts 2:22; 10:38)
Substitutionary
work on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
Bodily
resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4);
and
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 of Salvation
Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the
Lord Jesus Christ. (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 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).
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 a prophecy of his second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26); and is
enjoined on all believers "till he comes!"
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, 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 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 more active love for Christ, for his
Word, and for the lost (Mark 16:20).
8. The 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; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12). The
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 holy, because I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15.16) (Romans
6:1-11,13; Romans 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 and each believer is an integral part.
(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 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 to be:
An
agency of God for evangelizing the world (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19,20; Mark
16:15,16);
A
corporate body in which man may worship God (1 Corinthians 12:13); and
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; 1 Corinthians
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:
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);
Adds
a necessary dimension to a worshipful relationship with God (1 Corinthians
2:10-16; 1 Corinthians 12,13 and 14); and
Enables
them to respond to the full working of the Holy Spirit in expression of
fruit, gifts, and ministries as in New Testament times for edifying 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 a threefold purpose of leading the Church in: a. evangelizing the
world (Mark 16:15-20), b. worshipping God (John 4:23,23), and c. 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 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 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 (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; Psalms
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 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 dwells righteousness (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21 and 22).
Calvary Temple Assembly of God
2345 Columbiana Road Birmingham AL 35216
205.822.2824
