Our Beliefs

16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God

These are nonnegotiable tenets of faith that all Assemblies of God churches adhere to. This list is derived from the official Statement of Fundamental Truths.

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

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

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

WE BELIEVE... though originally good, Man Willingly Fell to Sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.

WE BELIEVE... 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.

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 A/G]

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.

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.

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.

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, and to build up or edify the body of believers–the Church.

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 A/G]

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 A/G]

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. 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.

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.

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!'

PRACTICES

We believe each person who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord should be baptized in water by immersion. We are baptized in obedience to Jesus' command that all believers are to be baptized. This represents the burying in a "watery grave" of our old way of living in order to come up out of the waters to walk in a new way of life. This identifies us with Christ's death and resurrection.

COMMUNION

We celebrate Communion the second Sunday morning of each month. This is a time of remembering what Jesus did for us when He died on the cross. The juice causes us to remember His blood (which was an acceptable sacrifice to the Father for our sins), and the bread causes us to remember His body (which was beaten and bruised for us so we can experience His healing power). Communion is open to all who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

PRAYER FOR THE SICK

We pray for the sick in body and soul by anointing with oil and by laying hands on those in need. We believe God for supernatural, miraculous healing.

BABY DEDICATION

The Baby Dedication Service is a symbolic act of parents giving their children to the Lord. The parents come forward to first rededicate themselves to God. Parents promise to live godly lives in order to teach their children by example what it is to be a Christian. The Pastor holds and prays for the child and leads the congregation in commitment to helping in the training of the child to know Jesus Christ.

PURPOSE

As a caring, loving church that proclaims the whole Word of God, we purpose to make disciples of Jesus Christ by:

Exalting God is praise and worship whenever we gather together.

Encouraging Christians in their walk with God. This occurs in our Worship Services, Christian Education, Home Fellowship Bible Studies, and any time we meet - whether formally or informally.

Equipping Christians for ministry. We do not believe in spectator Christianity. We desire every Christian to get involved in reaching and helping others for Christ. Leominster Assembly of God has many ministries through which people can serve the Lord.

Evangelizing the world for Christ. We have a sense of urgency to obey Jesus' command to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." We encourage Christians to share the good news of God's love at every opportunity. Since 1939, when Leominster Assembly of God began, the church as supported home and foreign missionaries in their efforts to proclaim the gospel. We presently support over forty ministries/missionaries with more then ten percent of our budget. We want to see people come to Christ and be trained to follow and serve Him.

WORSHIP

Praise and worship are the privileges of the believer - an offering to God of honor and thanks for who God is and what He has done for us. Listed below, are verses of scripture that explain some of the facets of worship that our service may include. We encourage you to participate. Praise and worship can become a way of life and a mighty weapon to help you walk victoriously with Christ.

SINGING: "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation." Psalm 95:1

HAND CLAPPING: "Oh clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with a voice of triumph!" Psalm 47:1

UPLIFTED HANDS: "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord." Psalm 134:2

"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer" 1 Timothy 2:8

AUDIBLE PRAYER AND PRAISE: "They lifted up their voices to God together..." Acts 4:24 "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1

DANCING: "Let them praise His name with dancing..." Psalm 149:3

SINGING A NEW SONG FROM OUR HEARTS: "Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!" Psalm 96:1; 98:1 "He has put a new song in my mouth..." Psalm 40:3

SPEAKING IN TONGUES AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS: "I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but even more that you prophesy..." 1 Corinthians 14:5

"But the manifestations of the Spirit {gifts of the Holy Spirit} is given to each one for the profit of all." 1 Corinthians 12:7