DOCTRINES OF THE BIBLE

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD DOCTRINES ALSO KNOWN AS THE DOCTRINES OF THE BIBLE

Christian doctrine (the word “doctrine” means literally “teachings” or “instructions”) may be defined as the fundamental truths of the Bible arranged in systematic form. This study is also called theology, which means literally “a treatise or reasoned about God.”

The difference between a Doctrine and a dogma

A doctrine is God’s revelation of truth as found in the scriptures while dogma is man’s statement of that truth as set forth in a creed.

THE VALVE OF DOCTRINE

1.   Doctrinal knowledge supplies the need for an authoritative and systematic statement of truth.

2.   Doctrinal knowledge is essential to full development of Christian character.

A French Unitarian preacher once made the statement: “Purity of heart and life is more important than correctness of opinion” to which another French preacher answered: “Healing is more important than the remedy; but without the remedy there would be no healing.”  It is more important to live the Christian life than merely known Christian doctrines.

3.   Doctrinal knowledge is a safeguard against error

4.   Doctrinal knowledge is a necessary part of Christian teacher’s equipment.

 The Assemblies of God – Ghana has about sixteen fundamental truths from the Bible; and they are,

1.   The scriptures inspired

2.   The one true God

3.   The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ

4.   The fall of man

5.   The salvation of man

6.   The ordinances of the Church

7.   The baptism in the HHHoly Spirit

8.   The initial physical evidence or the baptism of the Holy Spirit

9.   Sanctification

10.                   The church and its Mission

11.                   The ministry

12.                   Divine Healing

13.                   The Blessed Hope

14.                   The Millennial Reign

15.                   The final judgment

16.                   The New Heaven and New Earth

1.         THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED

Inspiration is define as the supernatural influence of the Spirit of God on the human mind, by which prophets (O.T.) and the apostles (N.T.) and sacred writers were qualified to set forth Divine truth without any mixture of error.

The scriptures, both the Old Testament and the New Testament, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.

Inspiration has two parts;

a.    Inspired  word

b.   Inspired writer

 2 Tim 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. NIV

2 Peter 1:21 For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so — it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit. AMP

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. He has further revealed as embodying the principles of relationship and association as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are never identical as to person; nor confuse as to relation; nor divided in respect to the Godhead; nor opposed as to cooperation. The Son is with the Father and the Father is in the Son as relationship. The Son is with the Father and the Father is with the Son, as to fellowship. The Father is not from the Father, but the Son is from the Father, as to authority. The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son proceeding, as to nature, relationship, cooperation and authority. Hence, no person in the Godhead either exists or works separately or independently of the others.

Deut 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: KJV

Isa 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. KJV

Matt 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, NIV

3.         THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declares:

1.   His virgin birth (Matt 1:23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-which means, "God with us." NIV

2.   His sinless life (1 Peter 2:22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." NIV

3.   His miracles (Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, 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 yourselves know. NIV

4.   His substitutionary work on the cross (1 Cor 15:3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, NIV

5.   His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matt 28: 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. NIV

6.   His exaltation to the right hand of God (Heb 1:3 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. NIV

4.         THE FALL OF MAN

Man was created good and upright; for God said, “let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred out only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God.

5.         THE SALVATION OF MAN

Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ.

6.         THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH

a.    Baptism in water – the ordinances of baptism by immersion is commanded in the scriptures. All who repent and believe in Christ as savior and Lord are to be baptized. Matt 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, NIV

b.   Holy Communion – the Lord’s Supper consisting of the element-bread and the fruit of the vine-is a symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ; a memorial of His suffering and death; and a prophecy of His second coming; and is enjoined on all believers “till He comes.” 1 Cor 11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."  25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."  26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. NIV

c.    The baptism in the Holy Spirit – all believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Acts 2:4 “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. NIV

7.         SANCTIFICATION

Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God. Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. NIV

8.         The Church and its Mission

a.    To be an agency of God for evangelizing the word. (Acts 1:8)

b.   To be a corporate body in which man may worship God ( 1 Corinth 12:13)

c.    To be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of Saints being perfected in the image of His Son. (Eph. 4:11-16)

9.         THE MINISTRY

  A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in: (1) evangelization of the world, (2) worship of God and (3) building a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son.

10. DIVINE HEALING

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. (Is. 53:4,5; james 5:14-16)

11.THE BLESSED HOPE

The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church. (1 Thessa. 4:16,17)

12.THE MILLENNIAL REIGN

The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years. (Zech. 14:5, Rev. 20:1-6) The millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel, and establishment of universal peace.

13.THE FINAL JUDGMENT

There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works.

Rev. 20:11 “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. NIV

14.THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH

We, according to His promise, look for new heaven and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

2 Peter 3:13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. NIV

Rev 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. NIV