Core Beliefs
The following are the 16 core fundamental truths of Bethel Assembly of God. These are non-negotiable tenets of faith to which 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.
1. THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED
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 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
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God.
4. THE FALL OF MAN
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.
- Genesis 1:26,27 [NIV]
5. THE SALVATION OF MAN
Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Conditions to Salvation
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.
The Evidence of Salvation
The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit.
The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness.
- John 3:3 (NIV)
Conditions to Salvation
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.
- Luke 24:47 [NIV]
The Evidence of Salvation
The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit.
- Romans 8:16 [NIV]
The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness.
- Ephesians 4:24 [NIV]
6. THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
BAPTISM IN WATER
The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Saviour 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 (NIV)
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 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.
- Acts 1:8 (NIV)
8. THE INITIAL PHYSICAL 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 (NIV)
9. SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God.
- Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
10. 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.
written in heaven.
- Ephesians 1:22-23 (NIV)
11. 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 (NIV)
12. DIVINE HEALING
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.
privilege of all believers.
- Isaiah 53:4-5 (NIV)
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 (NIV)
14. 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.
- Matthew 24:27 (NIV)
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 the everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is
the second death.
the second death.
- Matthew 25:46 (NIV)
16. THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH
"We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness."
- 2 Peter 3:13 (NIV)