Bible Study: What Does the Assemblies of God Believe? 10 Things You Should Know Before Visiting FA Memphis
- Boundless Team
- May 27
- 4 min read
Walking into a new church for the first time can feel a bit like stepping into a new world. Whether you are searching for a church home in the 901 area or joining us from across the globe through our digital community, you might find yourself wondering: What exactly do the Assemblies of God believe?
The Assemblies of God is a Pentecostal denomination that holds to the absolute authority of the Bible, salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and the present-day power of the Holy Spirit. We emphasize "Spirit-filled" living, which includes the baptism in the Holy Spirit and divine healing, all centered on the mission of sharing the Gospel with the world.
At First Assembly Memphis and Boundless Online Church, these truths aren't just bullet points on a page; they are the heartbeat of everything we do. From our Wednesday night family dinners in Cordova to our live-streamed services reaching the nations, we are a people anchored in the Word and moved by the Spirit.
1. The Bible is Our Final Authority
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It isn't just an old book of stories; it is our "infallible rule of faith and conduct." This means when we face life’s big questions, about marriage, parenting, or purpose, we look to Scripture first. If you visit us in person at FA Memphis, you’ll see our teaching is always rooted in the text.
2. The Trinity: One God, Three Persons
We believe in the one true God who has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent "I AM," existing in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. This relationship within the Godhead is the model for the community and connection we strive for in our own church family.
3. The Centrality of Jesus Christ
Jesus is at the center of it all. We believe in His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His substitutionary death on the cross, His bodily resurrection, and His current position at the right hand of God. Everything we do, from our kids' ministries to our senior groups, points back to the life and Lordship of Jesus.
4. Salvation is a Gift
You don’t have to earn God’s love. We believe that humanity fell into sin, but salvation is available to everyone through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. It is a work of grace that transforms us from the inside out.
Definition: Salvation Salvation is the deliverance from the power and penalty of sin, realized through faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. It is a new birth that restores our relationship with God.
5. Two Essential Ordinances: Baptism and Communion
When you join us, you’ll notice two symbolic practices we hold dear:
Water Baptism: We practice baptism by immersion as a public declaration of a believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
Holy Communion: Also called the Lord’s Supper, this is a memorial of Christ's suffering and death and a prophecy of His second coming.
6. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
This is a core "Pentecostal" distinctive. We believe that after salvation, believers can experience a distinct empowerment by the Holy Spirit. This experience, often accompanied by the initial physical evidence of speaking in tongues (as seen in the Book of Acts), provides the believer with power for life and service.
Definition: Baptism in the Holy Spirit An experience following salvation where the believer is "filled" with the Holy Spirit, receiving spiritual power for witnessing and holy living.
7. Sanctification: Growing More Like Jesus
Following Jesus isn't a one-time event; it's a lifelong journey. We call this process sanctification. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life to set them apart from evil and dedicate them to God.
Definition: Sanctification The ongoing process of being made holy and more like Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
8. Divine Healing is Still for Today
We believe that God is still in the business of doing miracles. Divine healing is an integral part of the Gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers. We regularly pray for the sick at FA Memphis and through our online prayer requests.
9. The Church Has a Four-Fold Mission
The Church isn't a building (even if we love our home in Cordova!). The Church is the Body of Christ. Our mission is to:
Evangelize the world (sharing the Gospel).
Worship God together.
Build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son.
Demonstrate God’s love and compassion to all.
10. The Blessed Hope: Jesus is Coming Back
We believe in the "imminent" return of Jesus Christ. This "Blessed Hope" motivates us to live holy lives and to be urgent about reaching people with the love of Christ. Whether we are serving our neighbors in the 901 or connecting with someone across the ocean, we do it with the return of our King in mind.
Practical Tips for Your First Visit
Whether you are visiting our physical campus at 8650 Walnut Grove Rd or joining us at Boundless Online Church, here is how to get the most out of your experience:
Feature | Local (FA Memphis) | Global (Boundless) |
Worship Time | Sundays at 10:30 am | Sundays at 10:30 am CST |
Community | Join a Life Group at 9:30 am | Join a Digital Small Group |
Mid-Week | Online Bible Study | |
Connection | Visit the Info Booth | Chat with an Online Pastor |
The Life Takeaway
The Assemblies of God doctrine isn't meant to be complicated; it's meant to be life-giving. It tells us that God loves us, He has a plan for us, and He has given us His Spirit to help us navigate this world. At First Assembly Memphis, we aren't just a collection of people with the same beliefs, we are a family.
Are you ready to experience a community that values both the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit?
Want to go deeper?
If you're in Memphis, Cordova, Arlington, Bartlett, or the 901, we would love to welcome you in person for worship and connection: 🌐 www.famemphis.org
If you're outside the Memphis area or unable to attend in person, you are invited to join our global digital church family: 🌐 www.boundlessonlinechurch.org
Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341. (Note: This line is for prayer and pastoral support, not emergency services. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911.)
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