Bible Study: What Does the Assemblies of God Believe? AG 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Our Core Faith
- Boundless Team
- Jun 10
- 5 min read
Starting a faith journey can feel like walking into a room where everyone speaks a secret language, but finding a spiritual home shouldn't be a mystery. Whether you are visiting us at First Assembly Memphis or joining the community at Boundless Online Church, we want you to feel right at home with the "why" behind our "what."
What Does the Assemblies of God Believe?
The Assemblies of God (AG) is a Bible-centered, Pentecostal fellowship that believes in 16 Fundamental Truths. We emphasize salvation through Jesus, baptism in the Holy Spirit, divine healing, and Christ's return. We believe the Bible is God’s inspired Word and our ultimate guide for faith and living.
The Assemblies of God isn't just a denomination; it’s a global family. With over 69 million members worldwide, it is the largest Pentecostal fellowship on the planet. But at its heart, it’s about a personal, powerful relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Four Pillars: Our Cardinal Doctrines
While we have 16 core beliefs, four of them stand out as the pillars of everything we do. These are known as the "Cardinal Doctrines."
Salvation: The core belief that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, anyone can be forgiven and restored to a relationship with God.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit: The belief that every believer can experience a special empowerment by the Spirit to live a bold, effective Christian life.
Divine Healing: The conviction that God still heals the sick today, physically and emotionally.
The Second Coming: The "Blessed Hope" that Jesus is coming back to earth to gather His followers and make all things new.
Group 1: The Foundation, The Word and God
Every building needs a solid foundation, and for the Assemblies of God, that foundation is the Bible. We believe that the Bible is not just a collection of ancient stories, but the actual, inspired Word of God. It is our "rule of conduct" and our map for how to live a life that honors Him.
We also believe in the One True God. He has revealed Himself as the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. This is what theologians call the Trinity, three distinct persons, yet one eternal God.
Theology Spotlight: Justification Justification is God’s act of declaring a sinner righteous. It is not something we earn through good deeds; it is a "legal" standing given to us the moment we trust in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Group 2: The Human Condition, Sin and Salvation
If you’ve ever felt like something is "broken" in the world or in your own heart, you’re sensing what we call The Fall of Man. We believe that humanity was created good, but we chose to go our own way. This choice, sin, separated us from God and brought spiritual and physical death into the world.
But here is the good news: The Salvation of Man. You don’t have to "clean yourself up" to come to God. In fact, you can't. Salvation comes by grace through faith. When we turn from our way (repentance) and trust in Jesus, we are forgiven.
What are the "Ordinances"? We celebrate two symbolic actions that Jesus commanded:
Water Baptism: We baptize by immersion (going under the water) as an outward sign that our old life is dead and we are rising to a new life in Christ.
Holy Communion: We share bread and juice to remember Jesus’ body and blood given for us. It’s a time of reflection and connection.
Group 3: The Spirit-Filled Life, Power and Healing
This is where the "Pentecostal" part comes in! We believe that the same Holy Spirit who empowered the early church in the book of Acts is available to you today.
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit This is a distinct experience that usually follows salvation. It’s like a "second wind" for your soul. It gives you a deeper love for people, a greater hunger for the Bible, and power to share your faith with others. We believe the initial physical evidence of this baptism is speaking in tongues, just as it was for the first Christians on the Day of Pentecost.
Sanctification Following Jesus isn't a one-time event; it’s a lifelong journey. Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Jesus every day. It’s about turning away from habits that hurt us and others and growing in love, joy, and peace.
Theology Spotlight: Sanctification Sanctification is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. It is the process of being "set apart" from sin and dedicated to God’s purposes. It is both a moment (at salvation) and a journey (throughout life).
Divine Healing We believe that Jesus didn't just come to save souls; He came to heal people. We regularly pray for the sick at FA Memphis and through our online prayer community, believing that God still performs miracles today.
Group 4: The Purpose, The Church and Ministry
Why are we here? The Church is not a building; it is the "Body of Christ." Its mission is simple:
Reach the lost (sharing the Gospel).
Worship God (giving Him our love and attention).
Build up believers (discipleship and community).
Serve people (meeting physical and emotional needs).
We believe God calls specific leaders (Ministers) to equip the church, but we also believe that every member of the church has a ministry. Whether you are serving in our KidsZone, playing baseball, or engaging in Boundless Online Church, you are part of the mission.
Group 5: The Future, Hope and Restoration
The news can be scary, but for the believer, the future is bright. We believe in the Blessed Hope, that Jesus is coming back soon.
The End of the Story:
The Millennial Reign: We believe Jesus will return to earth and rule in peace for 1,000 years.
The Final Judgment: We believe there is an ultimate accountability for how we respond to God’s grace.
The New Heavens and New Earth: Eventually, God will wipe away every tear and create a perfect home for those who love Him, where we will live in His presence forever.
How AG Beliefs Change Your Daily Life
Knowing "doctrine" sounds academic, but these truths have very practical benefits:
You are never alone: Because the Holy Spirit lives in you, you have a constant Comforter and Guide.
Your past is gone: Salvation means your mistakes don't define you anymore.
You have a purpose: You aren't an accident. You were created to be part of God’s global mission.
There is always hope: No matter how dark things look, we know how the story ends, with Jesus making all things new.
Community matters: You were meant to walk this journey with a family, whether in a 901 neighborhood or across the digital world.
Theology Spotlight: Baptism in the Holy Spirit A spiritual empowerment given to believers to provide strength for witnessing and serving. It is distinct from the work of the Spirit in salvation and is often accompanied by the sign of speaking in tongues.
Taking Your Next Step
Understanding what we believe is just the beginning. The real beauty of these truths is found in living them out. If you’re in the Memphis area, from Cordova to Bartlett, we’d love to have you join us for a service. If you’re anywhere else in the world, our digital community is waiting for you.
Faith isn't about having all the answers; it's about knowing the One who does. Are you ready to take that next step of faith?
Want to go deeper?
If you're in Memphis, Cordova, Arlington, Bartlett, or the 901, we would love to welcome you in person: 🌐 www.famemphis.org
If you're outside our area or unable to attend locally, join our global online church community for live worship and chat: 🌐 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.)
We are here for you.
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