The Assemblies of God is a Pentecostal denomination within the Protestant Church. They are one of the largest Pentecostal churches in America and have congregations with thousands of members all over the world. They are governed by four core doctrines, namely Salvation, baptism in the Holy Spirit by evidently speaking in tongues, the second coming of Christ, and divine healing. Aside from these core beliefs, the Assemblies Of God have 16 fundamental truths. So, what are the 16 fundamental truths of the Assemblies Of God?
The 16 fundamental truths are; the scriptures inspired, the One True God, the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, the fall of man, the Salvation of man, the ordinances of the Church, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the initial physical evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, sanctification, the Church and its mission, the ministry, divine healing, the blessed hope, the millennial reign of Christ, the final judgment and the new heaven and the new earth.
What is the explanation of these fundamental truths? What are the bible verses to support these fundamental truths? Keep reading to find out.
What are the 16 fundamental truths of the Assemblies Of God
The scriptures inspired
One of the main beliefs of the Assemblies Of God is that scripture is infallible, inerrant, perfect, and complete, without the need to add or subtract anything to and from it. They believe that all scripture, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired by God, and it has the authority to determine the faith and conduct of humanity.
One of the scriptures supporting this is from 2nd Timothy chapter three, verses fifteen to seventeen.
And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which can make you wise for Salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2nd Timothy 3:15-17.
This scripture implies that all scripture, including the Old and New Testaments, is inspired by God. Scripture thoroughly equips the servants of God to do the good works that God has called them to. This is accurately in line with what the Assemblies of God believe.
Another scripture supporting this truth is 1st Thessalonians 3:13,
And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 1st Thessalonians 3:13.
This scripture confirms their fundamental truth that the people whom God chose to write scripture did not write from their intellect but wrote words directly from God.
The last scripture to support this truth is from 2nd Peter chapter 1, verse 21.
For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as the Holy Spirit carried them along. 2nd Peter 1:21.
This scripture implies that even the prophets did not write from their own will but from God with the help of the Holy Spirit.
The One True God
This truth states that there is only one true God, who references Himself as the Great I AM, redeemer of humankind, and the creator of heaven and earth. They also believe that God has further embodied Himself for believers to relate to Him as a Father. This truth also supports the existence of the Holy Trinity, which includes; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The first scripture to support this truth is from Deuteronomy chapter 6, verse 4.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Deuteronomy 6:4.
This scripture implies that only one God is referred to as the Lord our God.
The next scripture from Isaiah chapter 43, verses 10 and 11, suggests God is the only God to have existed. None came before Him, and none will come after Him.
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me, no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me, there is no savior. Isaiah 43:10-11.
Another scripture that implies this truth is Matthew chapter 28, verse 19.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19.
It suggests that there is a trinity, made of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The Trinity is also known as the adorable Godhead, and this truth is further divided into various points to emphasize this point. The main scripture to support the truth of the Godhead is, as shown above, Matthew 28:19. The further points to explain this truth are as follows;
Distinction and relationship in the Godhead
Inasmuch as there is oneness in the Trinity, each is distinct and different from the other. The scripture supports this point in 2nd Corinthians chapter thirteen, verse fourteen.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2nd Corinthians 13:14
Unity of the One being of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
The Holy Trinity constitutes the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They all work in unison but are distinct from each other. The father is the begetter, the Son is the begotten, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the father and the Son.
The scripture in John chapter fifteen, verse twenty-six, implies this.
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. John 15:26
Identity and cooperation in the Godhead
The persons in the Godhead work in unison with each other but are distinctly different. However, neither works or exists separately and distinctly from the other.
This is demonstrated in the scripture in the book of John, chapter five, verse seventeen.
In his defense, Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” John 5:17
The title, Lord Jesus Christ
This title only exclusively belongs to the Son of God. It is not applied to any other persons in the Godhead.
The scripture in Romans chapter one, verses one to four, suggests this.
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who, as to his earthly life, was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:1-4
The Lord Jesus Christ, God With Us
The Lord Jesus Christ is also known as Immanuel, which means ‘God with us.’
The scripture that supports this is found in Matthew chapter one, verse twenty-three.
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23
The Title, Son Of God
The title, Son of God, has been legitimately given to the Lord Jesus Christ. This title describes His proper deity.
This is implied in the scripture in 2nd John chapter one, verse three.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. 2nd John 1:3
Transgression of the doctrine of Christ
This belief states that anyone who denies God is the eternal Father or Jesus Christ as the real and eternal Son displaces the truth that Christ came in the flesh.
The scripture in John chapter one verse eighteen.
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. John 1:18
Exaltation of Jesus Christ as Lord
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is also known as the Lord and the savior of all mankind. He died for the sins of humankind and has dominion over all principalities and powers. He sent the Holy Spirit and is seated at the right hand of the father.
The scripture in Hebrews chapter one, verse three supports this belief.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3.
Equal Honor to the Father and the Son
As mentioned above, the persons of the Godhead are distinct but carry equal power and, therefore, should be given equal honor.
Scripture in John chapter five, verses twenty-two to twenty-three, supports this belief.
Moreover, the Father judges no one but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. John 5:22-23
The deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
This truth demonstrates the Assemblies of God’s belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. They believe that He is the only and eternal Son of God. They also believe in his virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, substitutionary work on the cross, his bodily resurrection from the dead, and his exaltation to the right hand of God.
The areas of scripture that support the aspects of the Lord Jesus Christ that are under this truth include the following;
His virgin birth
This belief is based on the fact that Jesus was born of a virgin, conceived not by man, but by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The scripture supporting this is in Matthew chapter 1, verse 23.
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him “Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) Matthew 1:23
His sinless life
The Lord Jesus Christ was not only sinless since His birth, but also throughout His life.
The scripture to suggest this is found in Hebrews chapter seven verse 26.
Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Hebrews 7:26
His miracles
The scriptures record that when Jesus was on earth, he performed many miracles, such as healing the sick and multiplying food.
The scripture that implies this is found in Acts chapter 2, verse 22.
“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through him, as you know. Acts 2:22
His substitutionary work on the cross
This belief states that Christ died on the cross, and the purpose of His death was so that humanity shall be saved from their sin.
This is implied in 1st Corinthians chapter fifteen verse three.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 1st Corinthians 15:3
His bodily resurrection from the dead
It is believed that after Jesus died, he defeated death by resurrecting on the third day. This is suggested in Matthew twenty-eight, verse three.
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:3
His exaltation to the right hand of God
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, He ascended into heaven and is now believed to be seated at the right hand of God.
The scripture that implies this is found in Acts chapter 2, verse thirty-three.
Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. Acts 2:33
The Fall of Man
Another fundamental truth of the Assemblies of God is that man was created good and upright. This is implied by God creating man in his image and likeness. However, man fell into sin willingly after being tempted by the serpent. Man’s transgressions led him to die physically and spiritually as his sin separated him from God.
The only solution to save man from sin was through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through this one man, all men can be saved.
The scripture suggests this in Romans chapter five from verses twelve to nineteen.
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, in this way, death came to all people because all sinned—
To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man, the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man, the many will be made righteous. Romans 5:12-19
The Salvation of Man
The assemblies of God believe that man is saved only by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. They believe Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ and repentance toward God. They believe that man is saved by grace through faith alone and renewed by the work of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of Salvation is man’s reconciliation with God and the hope for eternal life.
To further elaborate on this truth, it is divided into the following points;
Conditions to Salvation
The only conditions for Salvation are repentance to God and faith in Jesus. This belief is supported by scripture in Ephesians chapter two, verse eight.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- Ephesians 2:8
It is not by works that men are saved; Salvation is a gift from God.
The evidence of Salvation
For one to know that they are saved, it is through the inward witness of the Holy Spirit.
Scripture in Romans chapter eight verse sixteen supports this belief.
The Spirit himself testifies with our Spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:16
The ordinances of the Church
Two of the most essential ordinances observed by the Assemblies of God are baptism by immersion in water and partaking in the Holy Communion during service.
Baptism by immersion
The significance of baptism by immersion is a demonstration to the world that a believer has died with Christ and has risen with Him in the newness of life.
The scripture implies that every believer has to be baptized by immersion in water to fully demonstrate their newness of life. This can be found in the book of Acts chapter ten verses forty-seven to forty-eight.
“Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. Acts 10:47-48
Holy Communion
Another significant ordinance the Assemblies of God follow is partaking in the Holy Communion. This is also referred to as the Lord’s Supper and includes taking bread and wine, signifying the body and blood of Christ. This is done in remembrance of Christ’s suffering and death.
Scripture in 1st Corinthians chapter eleven verse twenty-six supports this belief.
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1st Corinthians 11:26
The baptism of the Holy Spirit
As a command from the Lord Jesus Christ, all believers are entitled to and should expect to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This will empower believers to live a life of serving God and receive gifts to be effectively used in ministry.
This truth is supported by scripture in acts chapter one, verses four to five.
On one occasion, while eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5
The baptism of the Holy Spirit comes with various endowments such as a deep reverence for God, an intensified consecration to God and His work, an active love for Christ, a desire to bring the lost to Salvation, and an overflowing fullness of the Spirit.
The initial physical evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit
One of the most common ways to demonstrate that a believer has the Holy Spirit is their ability to speak in other tongues. These tongues are spoken as God gives utterance and is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The scripture that suggests this is found in Acts chapter two, verse four
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4
This scripture implies that just as when the believers in the early Church received the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues, every believer in this day and age should expect the same.
Sanctification
Sanctification is the process by which a believer is made holy as God is holy. It is an act of separation from the ways of the world and dedication to following God wholly and completely. It is a process that takes place throughout the believer’s life.
The scripture suggests this sanctification process in Romans chapter twelve, verses one and two.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you can test and approve God’s will—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
The believers do not entirely do this process on their own but through the power of the Holy Spirit and even God Himself. This is implied by the scripture in 1st Thessalonians chapter five, verse twenty-three.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole Spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1st Thessalonians 5:23
The Church and its mission
The Church is also referred to as the Body Of Christ, to which each believer is integral. The main mission of the Church is to be a body of believers who bear the image of Jesus, demonstrate His love and compassion to the world, and ultimately save the lost.
The scripture that implies this truth is found in Ephesians chapter one, verse twenty-two.
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the Church, Ephesians 1:22
The Ministry
The body of Christ is divinely called, scripturally ordained, and provided for by God for the fourfold ministry. This fourfold ministry includes meeting human needs with ministries of love and compassion, worship of God, evangelization of the world, and building a body of saints perfected in the image of Jesus.
The fourfold ministry is elaborated further below, with scriptures to support each point.
Evangelization of the world
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name, they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven, and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. Mark 16:15-20
Worship of God
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24
Building a body of saints perfected in the image of God
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead of speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him, the whole body joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:11-16
Meeting human needs with ministries of love and compassion
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
Divine healing
Divine healing is one of the four core beliefs of the Assemblies of God and fundamental truth. The believers have the privilege of being delivered from all sicknesses as part of the atonement. Divine healing is also an integral part of the gospel.
The scripture supports this truth in the book of Isaiah, chapter 53, from verses four to five.
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5
The Blessed Hope
The blessed hope of the Church is that those who died believing in Christ will be reunited with those who will still be alive by the second coming of Christ.
The scripture is found in 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17.
For the Lord, himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17
The millennial reign of Christ
The assemblies of God believe in the second coming of Christ. They believe that when Christ comes for the second time, the rapture of the saints will take place and He shall rule and reign the earth for one thousand years.
The scripture supports this truth in Revelation 20:1-6.
And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss and locked and sealed it over him to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.
I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:1-6
The Final Judgments
There will be a final judgment for those who died when wicked, the devil, his demons, the beast, and the false prophet. Whoever’s name does not appear in the book of life will die a second death by being consigned into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone.
The scripture supports this fundamental truth in Revelation chapter nineteen, verse twenty.
But the beast was captured, and with it, the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs, he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Revelation 19:20
The New Heaven and the New Earth
After the second coming of Christ, there will be a new heaven and new earth that shall be established.
To support this truth, the scripture in 2nd Peter chapter three verse thirteen does just that.
But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells. 2nd Peter 3:13
References
Assemblies of God core doctrines
Assemblies of God 16 fundamental truths
9 things you should know about the Assemblies of God
What is the Assemblies of God Church, and what do they believe?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
