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.
Below, you'll find an overview of these 16 doctrines. For a more in-depth look, you can download this document.
Below, you'll find an overview of these 16 doctrines. For a more in-depth look, you can download this document.
1. THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED
2. THE ONE TRUE GOD
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.
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 Spirit.
3. The deity of the lord Jesus Christ
4. THE fall of man
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare: 1) His virgin birth, 2) His sinless life, 3) His miracles, 4) His substitutionary work on the cross, 5) his bodily resurrection from the dead, and 6) His exaltation to the right hand of God.
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.
5. The Salvation of Man
6. The Ordinances of the church
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.
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.
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, a memorial of his suffering and death, and a prophecy of His second coming
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, a memorial of his suffering and death, and a prophecy of His second coming
7. The baptism in the holy Spirit
8. The initial physical evidence of the baptism of 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.
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.
9. Sanctification
10. the church and its mission
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.
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.
11. The ministry
12. Divine healing
A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the fourfold purpose of leading the Church in: 1) Evangelization of the world, 2) Worship of God, 3) Building a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son, and 4) Meeting human need with ministries of love and compassion.
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.
13. The blessed hope
14. The millennial reign of Christ
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.
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.
15. the final judgment
16. the new heavens and the new earth
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 burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
"We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness."
statement of marriage and sexuality
Section 1. Marriage. It is the biblical position that marriage involves the union of one biological man and one biological woman in permanent sacred fidelity. Though various cultures and customs have evolving definitions of marriage, it is God alone who has ultimate authority to prescribe and describe the marital relationship (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:1-9, Mark 10:1-12 NET). Furthermore, sexual intimacy is only properly exercised and pursued within the confines of this marital relationship. Sexual immorality, defined as any sexual activity outside of the boundaries of the sacred marital relationship between one biological man and one biological woman is clearly and expressly prohibited by the Lord (Matthew 15:19, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Hebrews 13:4 NET).
Section 2. Sexual Immorality. Lifehouse Church regards all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual
conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, or even lustful intent toward such, as sinful and ultimately unsatisfying. Since the body is a creation of God, Lifehouse holds sexual identity to be biologically determined, and associated gender norms are to be observed as appropriate to biblical standards. Therefore, Lifehouse regards surgically altering one’s biological sex to an opposite sex as sinful leading to spiritual confusion and emotional chaos (Genesis 1:27, Romans 1:26-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NET). Scripture outlines and confirms God’s perfect plan in creating humans as
distinctly male and distinctly female, an immutable binary gender distinction identified at birth in accordance with an individual’s biology and DNA sequencing (Genesis 1:27, 2:18, 21-24,5:2; Mark 10:6-8; 1 Corinthians 14:33). We further recognize the supremacy and authority of God to determine, define, and express each person’s gender as demonstrated biologically at birth. We believe that each person is able to submit to God’s sovereign will with respect to the person’s birth gender (Isaiah 64:8; Psalm 139:13-16; James 4:7). The individual’s gender at birth is intended to guide his or her foundational role in the family and in other relationships throughout his or her life (Genesis 1:27-28; Mark 10:6-9; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Titus 2:3-5). Any person who embraces a gender and/or gender characteristics other than the gender that he or she is given by God at birth is acting in a manner that is contrary to God’s plan. Treating gender as other than an immutable trait from birth is also contrary to God’s design for the family and His design for other interpersonal relationships. (Genesis 2:18, 24; 1 Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5:22-23, 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21). Actions, behaviors and beliefs that foster gender misalignment contradict God’s intended biological design, and such activity is therefore immoral and sinful (Genesis 1:27, 31; Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 5:20). Though sinful sexual expression is egregious (as is all sin), the gospel provides redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 2:1-10, Titus 3:3-7 NET).
Sinful Sexual Desires - As beings made by God with sexual desires, we acknowledge that partners, employees, volunteers, and attendees of Lifehouse
will likely wrestle with sinful forms of these desires. As a church, we will be ready to point all people struggling with sin to Jesus Christ and join them in the fight for obedience to Christ. Jesus called the weary and heavy-laden to Himself. As a church desiring to follow Christ fully, Lifehouse will be a safe place for men and women fighting sexual temptations of all kinds. For those fighting temptation and repenting of sin, Lifehouse will provide love, care, and direction (Matthew 11:28-30, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 4:14-16 NET).
Lifehouse’s Statement on Marriage and Sexuality does not provide grounds for bigotry, bullying or hate, as we fully believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated as sinful and are not in accordance with the Scriptures nor the doctrines of Lifehouse Church. However, restrictions in ministry involvement and leadership positions will occur based on the Holy Scriptures and under the direction of the Leadership Team to those involved in open, unrepentant sin. This Statement on Marriage and Sexuality is based upon God’s will for human life as conveyed to us through the Scriptures, upon which Lifehouse has been founded and anchored, and this position shall not be subject to change through popular vote; referendum; prevailing opinion of Partners or the general public; influence of or interpretation by any government authority, agency, or official action; or legal developments on the local, state, or federal level.
Section 2. Sexual Immorality. Lifehouse Church regards all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual
conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, or even lustful intent toward such, as sinful and ultimately unsatisfying. Since the body is a creation of God, Lifehouse holds sexual identity to be biologically determined, and associated gender norms are to be observed as appropriate to biblical standards. Therefore, Lifehouse regards surgically altering one’s biological sex to an opposite sex as sinful leading to spiritual confusion and emotional chaos (Genesis 1:27, Romans 1:26-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NET). Scripture outlines and confirms God’s perfect plan in creating humans as
distinctly male and distinctly female, an immutable binary gender distinction identified at birth in accordance with an individual’s biology and DNA sequencing (Genesis 1:27, 2:18, 21-24,5:2; Mark 10:6-8; 1 Corinthians 14:33). We further recognize the supremacy and authority of God to determine, define, and express each person’s gender as demonstrated biologically at birth. We believe that each person is able to submit to God’s sovereign will with respect to the person’s birth gender (Isaiah 64:8; Psalm 139:13-16; James 4:7). The individual’s gender at birth is intended to guide his or her foundational role in the family and in other relationships throughout his or her life (Genesis 1:27-28; Mark 10:6-9; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Titus 2:3-5). Any person who embraces a gender and/or gender characteristics other than the gender that he or she is given by God at birth is acting in a manner that is contrary to God’s plan. Treating gender as other than an immutable trait from birth is also contrary to God’s design for the family and His design for other interpersonal relationships. (Genesis 2:18, 24; 1 Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5:22-23, 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21). Actions, behaviors and beliefs that foster gender misalignment contradict God’s intended biological design, and such activity is therefore immoral and sinful (Genesis 1:27, 31; Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 5:20). Though sinful sexual expression is egregious (as is all sin), the gospel provides redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 2:1-10, Titus 3:3-7 NET).
Sinful Sexual Desires - As beings made by God with sexual desires, we acknowledge that partners, employees, volunteers, and attendees of Lifehouse
will likely wrestle with sinful forms of these desires. As a church, we will be ready to point all people struggling with sin to Jesus Christ and join them in the fight for obedience to Christ. Jesus called the weary and heavy-laden to Himself. As a church desiring to follow Christ fully, Lifehouse will be a safe place for men and women fighting sexual temptations of all kinds. For those fighting temptation and repenting of sin, Lifehouse will provide love, care, and direction (Matthew 11:28-30, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 4:14-16 NET).
Lifehouse’s Statement on Marriage and Sexuality does not provide grounds for bigotry, bullying or hate, as we fully believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated as sinful and are not in accordance with the Scriptures nor the doctrines of Lifehouse Church. However, restrictions in ministry involvement and leadership positions will occur based on the Holy Scriptures and under the direction of the Leadership Team to those involved in open, unrepentant sin. This Statement on Marriage and Sexuality is based upon God’s will for human life as conveyed to us through the Scriptures, upon which Lifehouse has been founded and anchored, and this position shall not be subject to change through popular vote; referendum; prevailing opinion of Partners or the general public; influence of or interpretation by any government authority, agency, or official action; or legal developments on the local, state, or federal level.