WHAT WE BELIEVE

BASED ON THE DOCTRINAL BASIS OF THE AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN CHURCHES (ASSEMBLIES OF GOD IN AUSTRALIA)

PREAMBLE

These articles of faith are grounded in the scriptures, and are given as a basis for belief, fellowship and ministry “that we all preach the same thing” (1 Cor 1:10). Let it be remembered, however, that this is not given as a summary of the complete revelation of biblical truth, only that it covers our present needs as to these fundamental doctrines.

1. THE ETERNAL GODHEAD

We Believe in God, who is eternal and self-existent, revealed as one being in three persons, father, son, and Holy Spirit, and the creator of all things. (Gen 1:1; Deut 6:4; Ps 86:9-10; Isa 43:10-11; Matt 28.19, Mk 12:29; Jn 1:1-3).

2. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal son of God, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, ministering in teaching, healing, and miracles. He was crucified and died on our behalf. He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, where he is now seated and exalted at the right hand of the father as the risen lord and intercessor. (Isa 7:14; Matt 1:23; Lk 24:39; Acts 1:9; 2:22; 10:38; Rom 8:34; 1 Cor 15:4; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 4:8-10; Heb 7:25-26; 9:12; 1 Pet 2:22).

3. THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the Holy Spirit, fully divine, who proceeds from the father and the son. He Convicts, regenerates and sanctifies, and guides believers into all truth. (Jn 14:26; 16:8-11; Rom 8:14; 1 Pe 1:2).

4. THE HOLY BIBLE

We believe that the bible is the inerrant, inspired and infallible word of God and our highest authority for faith and practice. (2 Tim 3:16-17, Matt 4:4; 24:35; Ps 19:7-8).

5. CREATION

We believe that God created the universe and that all people are created in the image of God, to love and worship God. (Gen 1&2; Jn 1:1-3)

6. THE DEVIL

We believe in the existence and person of the devil, who actively opposes the purposes of God. (Gen 3:1-15; Matt 4:1-11; Jn 13:2; James 4:7; 1 Pet 5:8).

7. THE FALL OF HUMANITY

We believe that all people have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and through this, they are separated from God. (Rom 3:23, 6:23; Gen 3:1-7; Rom 5:12-21).

8. THE ATONEMENT

We believe that salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone who—by his suffering, shed blood, death on the cross, and resurrection—has made full atonement for the sins of all people. We receive salvation by grace through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. (Rom 3:21, 8:1-4, 2 Cor 5:18-21; Gal 1:4; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; Heb 9:25-26; 1 Pet 1:19-20).

9. THE CHURCH

We believe that the church, the body of Christ, is the community of people who confess faith in Jesus Christ. While universal, the church is local in expression and witness. It exists for worship, fellowship, evangelism, discipleship, and mission. Gifts of ministry are given by Christ to strengthen and mature the church. (Eph 1:22-23; 2:22; Heb 12:23).

10. WATER BAPTISM

We believe in water baptism by single immersion in the name of the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit. It is a public declaration of a person’s faith in, and identification with, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Matt 28:19-20; Mk 16:16; Acts 10:47-48; 2:38-39; Rom 6:4-5; Col 2:12).

11. THE LORD’S SUPPER

We believe in the Lord’s supper, which is in symbolic remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ until he returns. (Matt 26:26-28; Lk 22:15-20, 1 Cor 11:23-26).

12. SANCTIFICATION

We believe in the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, who convicts people of their sin and inspires repentance and faith. The Holy Spirit transforms believers into the likeness of Jesus Christ. (Jn 17:15-19; 1 Thes 4:3-4; 5:23-24; Heb 2:11; 10:16-19).

13. THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is a transformative experience, distinct from and subsequent to salvation. It is available to all believers and can be accompanied by the manifestation of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. It results in empowerment for effective witness to the world. (Lk 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2:1-4; 8:15-19; 11:14-17; 19:1-7).

14. GIFTS

We believe that the Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts to believers for ministry to one another, the church, and the world. (1 Cor 12:8-10; Eph 4:11-13).

15. DIVINE HEALING

We believe that God heals today through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. By praying in faith for healing and miracles we witness to and continue the ministry of Jesus Christ. (Ex 15:26; Ps 103:3; Isa 53:4; Matt 8:16-17; Mk 16:17-18; 1 Pet 2:24; James 5:14-15).

16. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

We believe in, and look forward to, the imminent and personal return of Jesus Christ to gather his people to himself, and to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will have no end. (Jn 14:1-3; 1 Thes 4:15-17; 2 Thes 2:1; Tit 2:13; James 5:7-8; 1 Jn 2:28; 3:2-3).

17. FINAL JUDGEMENT

We believe in the resurrection of the body. All who believe in Jesus Christ will have everlasting life in the presence of God; Those who reject him will have eternal separation from God. It is the call of all believers to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ until he returns. (Jn 3:16, Matt 25:46; 13:49-50; Lk 12:47-48; Rom 6:23; 2 Thes 1:8-9; Rev 19:20; 20:10-15).

18. MARRIAGE

We believe that the Biblical view of marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in a single union in accordance with Jesus teaching in Mat 19:4-6 (quoting from Gen 1:27 and 2:24).

19. SEXUAL INTIMACY

We believe that according to the New Testament, God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Cor 6:18, 7:2–5).

20. GOD'S DESIGN OF MEN & WOMEN

We believe that according to the Genesis record of creation, God wonderfully created each person by design as either male or female. These two distinct yet complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen 1:26–27).