WE BELIEVE WE BELIEVE the Bible is completely adequate by itself to serve as the guide for our beliefs and way of living. These statements of fundamental truths are intended only as a readily understood common basis for our fellowship and unity. The truths set forth are held to be essential to a full-Gospel ministry. No claim is made that they contain all Biblical Truths, only that they cover our need to these fundamental doctrines. The Scriptures Inspired - The scriptures, both 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 - 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 further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ - The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The scriptures declare: His virgin birth; His sinless life; His miracles; His substitutionary work on the cross; His bodily resurrection from the dead; and His exaltation to the right hand of God. The Fall of Man - Man was created good and upright for God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only a physical death, but also a spiritual death which is separation from God. The Salvation of Man - Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. 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. The Ordinances of the Church - The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in 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 the newness of life. The Lord's Supper (Holy Communion), 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. 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 Ghost 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 endowment of power for life and service, the obtainment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. With the baptism in the Holy Ghost come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit; a deepened reverence to God; an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work; and a more active love of Christ, His Word, and for the lost. The Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost - The baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance. The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues, but different in purpose and use. Sanctification - Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil and dedication unto God. The scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." By the power of the Holy Ghost 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. 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 church. Since God's purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshipped by man, and to build a body of believers in the image of His Son. The priority reason-for-being of the Assemblies of God as part of the Church is to accomplish the following: to be an agency of God for evangelizing the world; to be a corporate body in which man may worship God; and to be a channel of God's purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son. The Ministry - A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in: evangelizing the world; worship of God; and building a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son. 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. 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. 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 the earth for a thousand years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of the nation of Israel and the establishment of universal peace. 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 everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone which is the second death. The New Heavens and the New Earth - We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. For more information on the fellowship of the Assemblies of God, go to the site at www.ag.org.