What We Believe
The Holy Scriptures, known as the Bible are the inspired Word of God and our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice.These Articles of Faith of the Assemblies of God in Australia, grounded in these Scriptures, are given as a basis for belief, fellowship and ministry that we all preach (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 the Unity of the True and Living God Who is the Eternal, Self-existent One, who has revealed Himself as One Being in Three Persons Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and Who was and is the Creator and Preserver of things visible and invisible. Deut 6:4; Mark 12:29; Matt 28:19; Gen 1:1; Ps 86:9-10; Is 43:10-11; John 1:1-3.
2. The Lord Jesus Christ
WE BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus Christ, the second person of the Triune Godhead, who was and is the eternal Son of God, that He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin Mary. WE BELIEVE in His sinless life, miraculous ministry, substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, glorious ascension and abiding intercession. Is 7:14; Matt 1:23; Heb 7:26; 1 Pet 2:22; Acts 10:39; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 9:12; Luke 24:39; Acts 1:9; 1 Cor 15:4; Eph 4:8-10; Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25.
3. The Holy Spirit
WE BELIEVE in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Triune God head, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is ever present and active in the work of convicting and regenerating the sinner, and sanctifying and guiding the believer in all truth. John 14:26; John 16:8-11; 1 Pet 1:2; Rom 8:14.
4. The Holy Scriptures
WE BELIEVE in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, namely the Old and New Testaments in their original writings. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is infallible, inerrantly revealing the will of God concerning us all in all things necessary to our salvation, and is absolutely supreme and sufficient in authority in all matters of faith and conduct. The Bible does not simply contain the Word of God, but is, in reality, the complete revelation and very Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that whatever is not contained therein is not to be enjoined as an Article of Faith. Matt 5:17-18; Matt 24:35; John 4:39; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:19-21.
5. The Devil
WE BELIEVE in the personality of the Devil, who by his influence brought about the downfall of man, and now seeks to destroy the faith of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Gen 3:1-15; Matt 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13; James 4:7; 1 Pet 5:18; John 13:2.
6. The Fall of Man
WE BELIEVE that man was created by God by a specific immediate act and in His image and likeness, morally upright and perfect, but fell by voluntary transgression. Consequently, all men are separated from original righteousness, being depraved and without spiritual life. Gen 1:26-31; Gen 3:1-7; Rom 5:12-21.
7. The Atonement
WE BELIEVE that God's answer to man's sinful state is in the death of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ upon the Cross, whose sufferings and shed blood have atoned for man's sin both original and actual, and that there is no other ground for salvation. 2 Cor 5:18-21; Gal 1:4; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; Heb 9:25-26; 1 Pet 1:19-20.
8. Salvation of Man
WE BELIEVE salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This experience is also known as the new birth and is an instantaneous and complete operation of the Holy Spirit whereupon the believing sinner is regenerated, justified and adopted into the family of God and becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus (Titus 2:11, Titus 3:5-7; 1 Pet 1:23; 1 John 5:1) and heir of eternal life.
9. The Church
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 the Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven. Eph 1:22-23; Eph 2:22; Heb 12:23.
10. Water Baptism
WE BELIEVE that baptism by single immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, is enjoined upon all who have repented and have believed in Christ as Saviour and Lord, and that it is symbolic of our identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Matt 28:19-20; Acts 10:47-48; Rom 6:4-5; Col 2:12; Mark 16:16.
11. Communion
WE BELIEVE the Lord's Supper consisting of the elements of bread and the fruit of the vine, is the symbol of expressing our sharing of the Divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet 1:4), a memorial of His sufferings and death (1 Cor 11:26), and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Cor 11:26), and is enjoined upon all believers until He comes. Luke 22:15-20; Acts 20:7; Matt 26:26-28.
12. Sanctification
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God. WE BELIEVE it is the glorious provision for every believer in Christ to be made pure in heart and wholly sanctified through the operation of the Holy Spirit by the blood of Jesus and the Word of God. John 17:15-19; Acts 15:8-9; 1 Thess 4:3-4; Heb 2:11; 1 Thess 5:23-24; Heb 10:16-19; Rom 12:1-2.
13. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
WE BELIEVE that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the bestowing of the believer with power to be an effective witness for Christ. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the New Birth; is received by faith and is accompanied by the manifestation of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, as the initial evidence. Luke 24:29; Acts 1:4, 5, 8; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 8:15-19; Acts 11:14-17; Acts 19:1-7.
14. Gifts
WE BELIEVE in the present day operation of the nine supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit as recorded in 1 Corinthians 12. We also believe in the Ministry Gifts of Christ as recorded in Ephesians 4:11-13.
15. Divine Healing
In accordance with the teachings of the Scriptures, we trust our Heavenly Father to protect and heal our bodies from sickness and disease. WE BELIEVE that divine healing for the body, as with all redemptive blessings of God, has been provided for us by the atoning death and victorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; it is the privilege of all believers and it is appropriated by faith in our Heavenly Father's unfailing promises. Ex 15:26; Is 53:4; Matt 8:16-17; 1 Pet 2:22; Ps 103:3; James 5:14-15; Mark 16:17-18.
16. The Second Coming
WE BELIEVE in the pre-millennial, imminent and personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ to gather His people unto Himself. Having this glorious hope and earnest expectation, we purify ourselves, even as He is pure, so that we may be ready to meet Him when He comes. John 14:1-3; James 5:7-8; Titus 2:13; 1 Thess 4:15-17; 2 Thess 2:1; 1 John 2:26; 3:2-3.
17. The Millennium
WE BELIEVE in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to set up His millennial reign on this earth. Zec 14:5; Dan 7:22, Rev 5:9-10; Ps 96:10-13; Ps 11; Rev 20:1-10.18. The Punishment of the Wicked
WE BELIEVE in the everlasting punishment of the wicked (in the sense of eternal torment) who willfully reject and despise the love of God manifested in the great sacrifice of His only Son upon the Cross for their salvation. Matt 25:46; Matt 13:49-50; Luke 12:47-48; 2 Thess 1:8-9; Rom 6:23; Rev 20:11-15.
19. The New Heavens and The New Earth
We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:22.