TFT
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We adhere to the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God
THE TRINITY
God has existed in relationship with himself for all eternity. He exists as one substance in three persons: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.
(Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10-11, Matthew 28:19, Luke 3:22)
JESUS: THE SON OF GOD
Jesus Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. The Holy Spirit created him in the virgin, Mary. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we can have life.
(Matthew 1:23, 1 Peter 2:22, Acts 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Luke 24:39, Acts 2:33)
THE FALL OF MAN
Man is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of His creation. Man was created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God through his own effort. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
(Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:6, Romans 5:12-19)
SALVATION
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.
(Titus 2:11-12, Titus 3:5-7, Romans 8:16, Ephesians 4:24, Luke 24:47)
THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH: WATER BAPTISM & HOLY COMMUNION
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.
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, a memorial of his suffering and death, and a prophecy of His second coming and is enjoined on all believers "till He come!"
(Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:47-48, Romans 6:4, 2 Peter 1:4, 1 Corinthans 11:26)
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 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, Acts 11:14-16)
SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God. The Scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: "Be ye holy, for I am holy."
Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by the faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit.
(Romans 12:1-2, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:5,15-16, Romans 6:1-13)
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.
Since God’s purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshiped by man, to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, and to demonstrate His love and compassion for all the world, 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.
- To be a corporate body in which man may worship God.
- To be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son.
- To be a people who demonstrate God's love and compassion for all the world.
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.
- Adds a necessary dimension to worshipful relationship with God.
- 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 and care for the poor and needy of the world.
(Ephesians 1:22-23, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15-20, 1 Corinthians 12:13,28, Galatians 2:10; 6:10, Ephesians 4:11-12)
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.
- Worship of God.
- Building a body of saints being perfected in the image of his son.
- Meeting human need with ministries of love and compassion.
(Mark 16:15-20, John 4:23-24, Ephesians 4:11-16. James 1:27)
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. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel, and the establishment of universal peace.
Zechariah 14:5, Revelation 19:11-14, Ezekiel 37:21-22,Psalms 72:3-8)
THE FINAL JUDGEMENT
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 20:11-15)