Our Beliefs
Christ’s Community Church is a part of a global fellowship of churches known as the Assemblies of God. The Assemblies of God is not a denomination; it can best be described as a “voluntary association” of churches that have agreed upon sixteen doctrinal statements and a belief that each local church should be given the freedom to choose its own leadership, programs and styles of ministry.
Two years after the church’s founding, the pioneers of the Assemblies of God adopted 16 beliefs for the Fellowship, which remain virtually unchanged. Known as the “Statement of Fundamental Truths” they 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. They weave in and through all the teaching, music, preaching, discussions… everything we do. Christ’s Community Church’s message revolves around these four defining beliefs.
The Four Defining Beliefs of The Assemblies Of God
Salvation Through Jesus Christ
Salvation is deliverance from spiritual death and enslavement by sin. God provides salvation for all who believe and accept His free offer of forgiveness. Mankind’s only hope of redemption from the fallen sinful state is through the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son–blood that was shed as Jesus died on the cross. [The account of the crucifixion of Jesus is recounted by four of His contemporaries: Matthew (chapter 27), Mark (chapter 15), Luke (chapter 23), and John (chapter 19).] (Luke 24:47; John 3:3,16,17; Rom. 8:16; 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8,9; 4:24; Titus 2:11-12; 3:5-7)
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. (Isa. 53:4,5; Matt. 8:16,17; James 5:14-16)
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
All believers are entitled to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and therefore should expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all believers in the early Christian church. With the experience comes the provision of power for victorious Christian living and productive service. It also provides believers with specific spiritual gifts for more effective ministry. The baptism of Christians in the Holy Spirit is accompanied by the initial physical sign of speaking in other tongues (unlearned languages) as the Spirit of God gives them audible expression. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,8; 2:4; 8:12-17; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9; 1 Cor. 12:1-31)
The Second Coming of Christ
All Christians who have died will one day rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air. Christians who have not yet died will be raptured or caught up with them, to be with the Lord. Then Christians of all ages will live with God forever. The scriptural truth of the Lord’s soon return is “the blessed hope”. (Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Titus 2:13)
Assemblies of God “Statement of Fundamental Truths”
The Scriptures are Inspired by God
The Scriptures declare His design and plan for mankind.
He is revealed in three persons…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).
In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
As God’s son Jesus was both human and divine.
His fall ushered in evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.
Every Person Can Have Restored Fellowship with God Through ‘Salvation’
(accepting Christ’s offer of forgiveness for sin). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]
We believe and practice two ordinances
(1) Water Baptism by Immersion after repenting of one’s sins and receiving Christ’s gift of salvation, and
(2) Holy Communion (the Lord’s Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ’s suffering and death for our salvation.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Special Experience Following Salvation
It is that which empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]
The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is ‘Speaking in Tongues’
As experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles.
Sanctification Initially Occurs at Salvation
It is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.
To seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe ‘the Church’ is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God’s offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ.
A Divinely Called and Scripturally Ordained Leadership Ministry Serves the Church
The Bible teaches that each of us under leadership must commit ourselves to reach others for Christ, to worship Him with other believers, and to build up or edify the body of believers–the Church.
Divine Healing of the Sick is a Privilege for Christians Today
It is provided for in Christ’s atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]
The Blessed Hope—When Jesus Raptures His Church Prior to His Return to Earth (the second coming)
At this future moment in time all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]
The Millennial Reign of Christ
When Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. At that time many in the nation of Israel will recognize and accept Him as the Messiah, the Savior who died for them and all mankind.
A Final Judgment Will Take Place
For those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire.
That Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on Earth. ‘And so shall we forever be with the Lord!’