What We Believe

As I have said in my earlier post, I have been members of both the Congregational Holiness Church (CH) and the Assembly of God Church (AG) where I am still a member. Well, I was a member of a Pentecostal Holiness Church (PH) (Dumfries, Va) in the mid to late 1980's for a few years.  I thought it would be a good idea to compare what they preach as fundamental truths. I did not include the PH church in this study but I expect they are almost identical to the CH church since they used to be the same denomination. They had an issue over divine healing which I now understand that they have come back into agreement.  As I have spent the time compiling these truths for you, I hope they are helpful to you.  

The bible is a complex book. But after a very thorough study with lots of prayer, I believe God will show us (again) the fundamental truths that He expects to be understood and taught among those who believe.   There is a special unity that goes a long way in facilitating the church accomplishing its mission(s) when we all preach the same thing.  We don't all think alike, understand alike and are not all at the same level of Bible study.  Doctrinal differences not to mention "sin in the camp" and misunderstandings are bound to divide us.  So far in this study I did not find a doctrinal difference that I readily understood.  The wordings vary but the meanings seams to me to be identical. One denomination highlights some things more than the other. Which is what I expect.  Which brings me to the reason I am writing this.  I would like to encourage all Churches that really belong to Christ to study God's word and to come together at least in the major doctrinal areas.  I don't want the Churches to just come together, that won't do Christ any good.  We have to come together in Christ.  It scares me to no end, what I see happening when major denominations are allowing all forms of lawlessness in their walls.  Paul said to get those things out of the Church.  Do not let them be named among you.  Remember, There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12).  It is imperative that each of individually make sure we are on God's Path. Paul said to "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."  (Phillipians 2:12)  It is also imperative that the Church weed out false doctrines and other false teachings along with sins from the church.  When the pastors, leaders and 'mature' so called Christians of a church profess to actively participate in lifestyle sins that are more than clearly defined as sin in the bible such as homosexuality, fornication, stealing, lying, etc. without a repentant heart and a desire to leave those things behind AND the remainder of the church allows it THEN this is not a Church that belongs to Christ.  This group of folks are living in disobedience.  If sin (especially lifestyle sins) is found in a church, the Christians must actively weed it out and not accept it.

In the next few post, I want to discuss these doctrinal statements and see if I can successfully elaborate on them. On the AG website AG provides more thoughts and scriptures to consider on each of these statements.  If you want to look up the scriptural references, you can use http://www.biblegateway.com. Here they are for you.  

Major Doctrinal Statements of the Assemblies of God and the Congregational Holiness Churches

One God, a Trinity of The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit:

o   There is but One Living and True God, the Great Creator, and there are three persons in the Godhead. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Genesis 1:1-27; Matthew 28:19; I John 5:7. (CH)

o   WE BELIEVE...There is only One True God–revealed in three persons...Father, Son,  and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity). (AG)

o   WE BELIEVE...In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God's son Jesus was both human and divine. (AG)

The Bible is inspired by God:

o   We believe the Holy Bible to be the inspired Word of God. II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21. (CH)

o   WE BELIEVE...The Scriptures are Inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind (AG)

Salvation:

o    Fall of Man: WE BELIEVE...though originally good, Man Willingly Fell to Sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world. (AG)

o    We believe we are justified when we repent of our sins, and believe in Jesus Christ. Mark 1:15; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 5:1. (CH)

o    WE BELIEVE...Every Person Can Have Restored Fellowship with God Through 'Salvation' (trusting Christ, through faith and repentance, to be our personal Savior). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG] (AG)

Sanctification:

o   We believe Sanctification to be a definite work of Grace, subsequent to Salvation. John 15:2; 17:16-17; Ephesians 5:25-27; I John 1:9. (CH)

o   WE BELIEVE...Sanctification Initially Occurs at Salvation and 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. (AG)

Baptism with the Holy Spirit:

o    We believe in the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and speaking with other tongues, as the Spirit gives utterance to be the initiatory evidence of this experience. Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6. (CH)

o    We believe in the operation of the nine gifts of the Spirit and encourage our people to so live that these gifts may be manifested in their lives. I Corinthians 12:1-12. (CH)

o     WE BELIEVE...the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Special Experience Following Salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG] (AG)

o    WE BELIEVE... 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. (AG)

Divine Healing:

o   We believe in divine healing for the body. Acts 3:2-12; 9:32-43; 5:15-16; James 5:14. We do not condemn medical science. (CH)

o   WE BELIEVE...Divine Healing of the Sick is a Privilege for Christians Today and is provided for in Christ's atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG] (AG)

Atonement:

o    We believe every blessing we receive from God including Divine healing, comes through the merits of the atonement. Romans 5:11; James 1:16-17. (CH)

Mission: 

o    WE BELIEVE...The Church has a Mission 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. (AG)

End Times:

o   We believe in the imminent rapture of the church, and the personal, pre-millennial Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 1:10-11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 1:7. (CH)

o   WE BELIEVE...in 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 AG] (AG)

o   We, as a church, believe in the eternal redemption of all saints who are faithful to the end. Matthew 24:13; Revelation 2:10. But we reject the theory of "Once in grace always in grace" regardless of conduct. I Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 5:4. (CH)

o   We believe all who die out of Christ will be punished eternally, but those who die in Him shall share His glory forever. Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:46; John 5:29; Jude 7. (CH)

o   WE BELIEVE...in 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. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace. (AG)

o   WE BELIEVE...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. (AG)

o   WE BELIEVE...and look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth 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!'(AG)

The Bride of Christ:

o    We believe the Bride of Christ is composed of the entire Spiritual Church. I Corinthians 12:25; II Corinthians 11:2; Galatians 3:28-29; Ephesians 4:16; 5:23-33; Revelation 19:7-8. (CH)

Marriage:

o   We believe in the sacredness of marriage between one man and one woman. We promote commitment to strong family values. Ephesians 5:31-33; 6:1-4; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 19:5; Leviticus 18:22; Genesis 2:24. (CH)

o   We require all our ministers to speak the same thing, and that there be no division among us in doctrine concerning our Articles of Faith. I Corinthians 1:10. (CH)

Ordnances of the Church:

o    The Congregational Holiness Church holds to  three church ordinances, water baptism, the Lord's supper, and feet washing, as well as the operation of nine gifts of the Spirit.

o    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. (AG)

o    WE BELIEVE...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, to build up or edify the body of believers–the Church and to Meet human need with ministries of love and compassion. (AG)

Notes:

(CH) Congregational Holiness Church Articles of Faith. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congregational_Holiness_Church

(AG) Assembly of God Fundamental Truths.  These are nonnegotiable tenets of faith that all Assemblies of God churches adhere to. http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Statement_of_Fundamental_Truths/sft_full.cfm#1

Personal Commitments of the Congregational Holiness Church:

We will demonstrate our commitment to Christ through spiritual examples of holy living. 

We will demonstrate our loyalty to God and our commitment to the body of Christ by good works, a godly walk and faithful stewardship. 

We will only engage in activities that glorify God in our body and spirit. 

We will read, watch and listen to that which provides for our spiritual edification. We will live in a manner so pleasing to God that it will inspire trust and confidence from others and manifest the spiritual image of Christ. 

We will give priority to fulfilling family responsibilities, to preserving the sanctity of marriage, and maintaining the divine order of the home. 

We will practice moderation in lawful things and abstinence in things that are offensive or which lead to addiction or enslavement. 

We will follow the Scriptural principles of modesty through our dress in a manner that will enhance our Christian testimony and will lend credence to our witness. 

We will demonstrate our Christian commitment by fulfilling our obligation to society by being good citizens, by decrying social injustices and protecting the sanctity of life by speaking out against abortion & euthanasia.