|
Foursquare Declaration of Faith (abbreviated version)
The Holy Scriptures
We believe that the Bible is the
inspired Word of God: true, immutable, steadfast, and unchangeable (2
Timothy 3:16, 17).
The Eternal Godhead
We believe that God is triune: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the Three
are coexistent, coeternal, and equal in divine perfection (1 John 5:7).
The Fall of Man
We believe that man, created in the
image of God, by voluntary disobedience fell into the depths of sin and
iniquity, bequeathing sin’s nature and consequences to all mankind,
with their accompanying loss of intended meaning and purpose (Genesis
1:27; Romans 5:12).
The Plan of Redemption
We believe that while we were yet
sinners Christ died for us, took our place, and with His life’s blood
purchased the pardon for all who believe in Him (John 3:16; Titus
2:14).
Salvation Through Grace
We believe that salvation is wholly through grace; that no human
righteousness or merit can contribute to our receiving God’s love and
favor (Ephesians 2:8).
Repentance
and
Acceptance
We believe that, upon sincere repentance and a whole-hearted acceptance
of Christ, we are justified before God through Jesus’ sacrificial death
(Romans 10:6-10; 1 John 1:9).
The New Birth
We believe that the change that takes place in people at conversion is
a very real one; that having received righteousness in Christ and
having received of His Spirit, people will have new desires, interests,
and pursuits in life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20).
Daily Christian Life
We believe that it is the will of God
that those who have been born again grow in sanctification, become
partakers of His holiness, and daily grow stronger in the faith, power,
prayer, love, and service (2 Corinthians 7:1).
Water Baptism and
the Lord's Supper
We believe that being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit is an essential response to Jesus’ command, testifying to His
lordship as Christ and King (Romans 6:4). We believe in observing the
Lord’s Supper, receiving the broken bread and the fruit of the vine
with joy and faith as we partake anew of the life and triumph of
Christ’s Cross (1 Corinthians 11:24-26)
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
We believe that the baptism in the Holy Spirit empowers believers to
exalt Jesus, to live lives of holiness, and to be witnesses of God’s
saving grace; we expect the Spirit’s incoming to be after the same
manner as that in which He came upon believers in the days of the Early
Church (Acts 1: 5, 8; 2:4).
The Spirit-Filled Life
We believe that it is the will of God that believers walk in the Spirit
moment by moment, serving the Lord and living lives of patience, love,
truth, sincerity, and prayer (Ephesians 4:30-32; Galatians 5:16, 25).
The Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit bestows enabling ministry gifts upon
believers, and that these gifts will build up the Body of Christ
through edification and evangelism(1 Corinthians 12:1-11); as evidence
of a Spirit-filled life, believers should show spiritual “fruit”: love,
joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance (Galatians 5:22-25).
Moderation
We believe a Christians’ moderation should be obvious to others and
that relationship with Jesus should never lead people into extremes of
fanaticism; their lives should model that of Christ in uprightness,
balance, humility, and self-sacrifice (Colossians 3:12, 13; Philippians
4:5).
Divine Healing
We believe that divine healing is the power of Jesus Christ to heal the
sick in answer to the prayer of faith; He, who does not change, is
still willing and able to heal the body, as well as the soul and spirit
in answer to faith (Mark 16: 17, 18; James 5:14-16).
The Second Coming of Christ
We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent;
the certainty of His coming and the fact that no man knows the hour of
His coming prompt our evangelistic efforts; that the Lord Himself will
descend from Heaven, the dead in Christ shall rise, and the redeemed
will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (Matthew 24:36, 42, 44; 1
Thessalonians 4:16, 17).
Church Relationship
We believe that it is our sacred duty to identify ourselves with a
congregation of believers with whom we can worship God, observe the
ordinances of Christ, exhort and support one another, labor for the
salvation of others, and work together to advance the Lord’s Kingdom
(Acts 16:5; Hebrews 10:24).
Civil Government
We believe that civil government is by divine appointment and that
civil laws should be upheld at all times except in things opposed to
the will of God (Acts 4: 18-20; Romans 13:1-5).
Judgment
We believe that all shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ: the
redeemed to be delivered unto everlasting life, and the unrepentant
unto everlasting punishment (Revelation 20:11, 12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
Heaven
We believe that heaven is the glorious habitation of the living God and
the eternal home of born-again believers (John 14:2; Revelation
7:15-17).
Hell
We believe that hell is a place of
darkness, deepest sorrow, and unquenchable fire, which was not prepared
for man but for the devil and his angels; yet it will become the place
of eternal separation from God for all who reject Christ as Savior
(Matthew 13: 41, 42; Revelation 10:10, 15).
Evangelism
We believe that soul winning is the “one big business” of the Church on
earth, and that every hindrance to worldwide evangelism should be
removed (James 5:20; Mark 16:15).
Tithing and Offerings
We believe that tithing and offerings
are ordained of God to sustain His ministry, spread the Gospel, and
release personal blessing (Malachi 3:10; 1 Corinthians 16: 1, 2).
(Taken from http://www.foursquare.org/landing_pages/4,3.html
- Foursquare Church website)
|
|
|
