Our Mission – 4 – Tenets of Faith
Subject – Statement of Fundamental Truths of the A/G
by Rick Welborne
--Last week we shared with you our Distinctive as a church…
1. Our First Distinctive: We should be passionate about the lost.
2. Our Second Distinctive: Home and world missions.
3. Our Third Distinctive: Being filled with the Holy Spirit.
4. Fourth Distinctive - Generous giving.
5. Fifth Distinctive: Worship.
--In that message we mentioned the Tenets of Faith or what we call the Sixteen Fundamental Truths of the Assembly of God. I felt I should share with you those truths:
1. The Scriptures Inspired
--We believe the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NKJV)
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
--Paul is telling Timothy to continue studying the Holy Scriptures. Why? They will make you wise enough to understand salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
--Paul also tells him that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Wow, how important God’s Word is.
--This is so incredible…the Scriptures will make the man or woman of God complete, equipped to do God’s will. We say we want to know the will of God…read the Word of God.
--Your pastor is always talking about Holy Spirit and how important He is in your lives. Listen to this:
2 Peter 1:20-21 (NKJV)
20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
--Make sure you are careful what you read and who you listen to…just dealt with someone reading books that were only giving half truths about God’s Word. Read translations not interpretations of the Bible.
--The Scriptures or prophecies came as Holy Spirit moved on holy men of God. He spoke through them what the will and the Word of God are to us. Not man’s will but God’s.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV)
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
2. The One True God
--The One true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent “I am”, the Creator of Heaven and Earth and the Redeemer of mankind.
--God has revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relations and associations as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Though this sounds complicated, keep remembering He is God.
Deuteronomy 6:4 (NKJV)
4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
--A caution: there is a Pentecostal denomination that can really confuse you if you are not careful. I have heard them say that we must serve a three headed God if we believe in the Trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
--I have seen them confuse people in Life Church but as always, they only use portions of God’s Word instead of the whole. They were very strong in Covington, La.
--One of their preachers would come to me when I was trying to do restaurant ministry and would want to argue with me. He interrupted me witnessing to people and was being obnoxious. Not a good sign.
--I told him if he would wait until I was finished eating and talking to my friends, I would speak to him. My friends wanted to know who that jerk was. We finished eating, my friends left, and went outside.
--He waited for forty-five minutes to argue about the Trinity. He said, “Show me one portion of Scripture where the Trinity or this three headed God is and I will leave you alone.” I said okay.
Matthew 3:13-17 (NKJV)
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
--I asked Who is in the river…He said Jesus. I said that is one. I asked Who descended like a dove…He said the Spirit of God. I said that is two. I asked Who was speaking from Heaven this is My Beloved Son? Father.
--I said that is three. I said unless Jesus is a ventriloquist I can see all three there. He said “Shut up!” He walked away angry.
--We serve the One true God but He reveals Himself in three persons or personalities as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is a beautiful mystery but it expresses His love for us and His desire to reveal Himself to us.
Isaiah 43:10-11 (NLT2)
10 “But you are My witnesses, O Israel!” says the LORD. “You are My servant. You have been chosen to know Me, believe in Me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God— there never has been, and there never will be.
11 I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no other Savior.
10 “But you are My witnesses, O Israel!” says the LORD. “You are My servant. You have been chosen to know Me, believe in Me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God— there never has been, and there never will be.
11 I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no other Savior.
--That denomination will also tell you that the only way you can baptize someone is in Jesus Name. I believe doing that is okay because the disciples did that too but I choose to listen to Jesus.
Matthew 28:18-19 (NLT2)
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
Deity - comes from a Latin word Deus which means "GOD.". When a person believes in the deity of Christ he is saying, “I believe that Jesus Christ is God! Jesus Christ is the Supreme Being!” He is more than a mere man; He is God!
--The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God.
A. He was born of a virgin.
Matthew 1:22-23 (NLT2)
22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
B. He lived a sinless life.
Hebrews 7:24-26 (NLT2)
24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever.
25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.
24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever.
25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.
C. He worked miracles.
Acts 2:22 (NKJV) 22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—
D. His substitutionary work on the cross.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (NKJV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
E. His bodily resurrection from the dead.
Matthew 28:5-7 (NKJV)
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."
F. His exaltation to the right hand of God.
Acts 2:32-33 (NKJV)
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
4. The Fall of Man
--Man was created good and upright. God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” However, man by his own sin fell and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death. Separation from…
Romans 5:17-18 (NLT2)
17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
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