WE ARE BELIEVERS

The Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired by God. Scripture is God’s revelation to humanity and the infallible, authoritative standard for faith and conduct.

Primary Scriptures:

2 Timothy 3:15–17

1 Thessalonians 2:13

2 Peter 1:21.

There is one true God, eternally self-existent, Creator of heaven and earth, and Redeemer of humanity. God has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The statement further explains:

God is one Being in three distinct Persons.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct but never divided.

Each Person of the Godhead works in unity with the others.

Jesus Christ is eternally the Son of God, not merely called the Son because of His incarnation.

Jesus is fully God and fully human.

Jesus deserves the same divine honor given to the Father.

Primary Scriptures:

Deuteronomy 6:4

Isaiah 43:10–11

Matthew 28:19

Luke 3:22

John 1:1–18

2 Corinthians 13:14

Hebrews 1:1–13

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. His deity is demonstrated through:

His virgin birth

His sinless life

His miracles

His substitutionary death on the cross

His bodily resurrection

His exaltation to the right hand of God

Primary Scriptures:

Matthew 1:23

 Luke 1:31–35

Hebrews 7:26

1 Peter 2:22

Acts 2:22

1 Corinthians 15:3–4

Matthew 28:6

Philippians 2:9–11

Humanity was created good and upright in God’s image. Through voluntary disobedience, humanity fell into sin, resulting in physical death and spiritual separation from God.

Primary Scriptures:

Genesis 1:26–27

Genesis 2:17

Genesis 3:6

Romans 5:12–19

Humanity’s only hope of redemption is through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Salvation is received through:

Repentance toward God

Faith in Jesus Christ

Regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit

Justification by grace through faith

The inward evidence of salvation is the witness of the Holy Spirit. The outward evidence is a life characterized by righteousness and holiness.

Primary Scriptures:

Luke 24:47

John 3:3

Romans 8:16

Romans 10:13–15

Ephesians 2:8

Titus 2:11–12

Titus 3:5–7

Water Baptism

Believers who repent and place their faith in Christ should be baptized by immersion. Baptism publicly identifies the believer with Christ’s death and resurrection and declares a new life in Him.

Primary Scriptures:

Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47–48; Romans 6:4.

Holy Communion

The Lord’s Supper uses bread and the fruit of the vine to remember Christ’s suffering and death, express fellowship with Him, and anticipate His return.

Primary Scriptures:

2 Peter 1:4

1 Corinthians 11:26.

Every believer is entitled to seek and receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This experience was normal in the early church and provides power for Christian living, service, spiritual gifts, and ministry.

The AG teaches that this experience is distinct from and subsequent to the new birth.

Associated results include:

Spiritual fullness

Greater reverence for God

Deeper consecration

Greater love for Christ, Scripture, and lost people

Power for witness and ministry

Primary Scriptures:

Luke 24:49

Acts 1:4–8

Acts 8:12–17

Acts 10:44–46

Acts 11:14–16

1 Corinthians 12

The initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues as the Spirit enables.

The statement distinguishes between tongues as the initial evidence of Spirit baptism and the gift of tongues used in congregational ministry. They are similar in essence but different in purpose and use.

Primary Scriptures:

Acts 2:4

1 Corinthians 12:4–10, 28.

Sanctification involves separation from evil and dedication to God. Believers are called to live holy lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sanctification is experienced through:

Identification with Christ’s death and resurrection

Daily faith in the believer’s union with Christ

Continual surrender to the Holy Spirit

Active obedience to God

Primary Scriptures:

Romans 6:1–13

Romans 8:1–13

Romans 12:1–2

Galatians 2:20

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Hebrews 12:14

1 Peter 1:15–16

The Church is the Body of Christ and the dwelling place of God through the Holy Spirit. Every born-again believer is part of Christ’s universal Church.

Evangelize the world

Provide a corporate community for worship

Develop believers into the image of Christ

Demonstrate God’s love and compassion to the world

The baptism in the Holy Spirit empowers believers to evangelize, worship, exercise spiritual gifts, develop spiritual fruit, build up the Church, and care for the poor and needy.

Primary Scriptures:

Matthew 28:19–20

Acts 1:8

Ephesians 1:22–23

Ephesians 2:22

Ephesians 4:11–16

Galatians 5:22–26

James 1:27

God provides divinely called and biblically ordained ministers to lead the Church in four areas:

Evangelizing the world

Worshiping God

Building believers into the image of Christ

Meeting human needs through love and compassion

Primary Scriptures:

Mark 16:15–20

John 4:23–24

Ephesians 4:11–16

Galatians 2:10

Galatians 6:10

James 1:27

Divine healing is considered an integral part of the gospel. The AG teaches that deliverance from sickness is provided for in Christ’s atoning work and is a privilege available to believers.

Primary Scriptures:

Isaiah 53:4–5

Matthew 8:16–17

James 5:14–16

The Church’s “blessed hope” is the imminent return of Christ, when deceased believers will be resurrected and living believers will be gathered together with them to meet the Lord.

Primary Scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

Romans 8:23

Titus 2:13

1 Corinthians 15:51–52

The second coming includes:

The gathering or rapture of believers

Christ’s visible return with His saints

Christ’s one-thousand-year reign on earth

The salvation of national Israel

The establishment of universal peace

Primary Scriptures:

Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:27–30; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 19:11–14; Revelation 20:1–6; Romans 11:26–27; Isaiah 11:6–9.

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.

Matthew 25:46

Mark 9:43-48

Revelation 19:20

Revelation 20:11-15 

Revelation 21:8 

"We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness."

2 Peter 3:13 

Revelation 21

Revelation 22