Both Kelly Campbell and S. D. Kinnee affiliated with the Churches of God in Christ. Campbell affiliated with the Assemblies in 1915 but did not remain affiliated past that year.
See page 128 and 29 of my study for more on the significance of Kinne: This resolution solidified F. F. Bosworth’s resignation from the Assemblies of God. While Bosworth resigned, his close associates Jamieson, Birdsall, and Sisson remained a part of the movement. In October 1918, Brother Seeley D. Kinne wrote an “Open Letter to Elder F. F. Bosworth” in the Pentecostal Herald challenging Bosworth’s rejection of the uniform initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.[1] Kinne had affiliated with the Churches of God in Christ in 1913 when he was in Bloomington, Illinois. While Kinne did not affiliate with the Assemblies of God, he was a strong part of the Pentecostal Movement.[2] Kinne had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Azusa Street in 1907, and he moved to St. Louis, Missouri to share the Pentecostal Message.[3] So then, this newspaper article places Kinne at the 1911 meeting in Eureka Springs in the latter part of July, and he had just met with Erdman and Yoakum at the beginning of the month. From Page 163 of my study: In March 1914, the Word and Witness wrote, “Everybody, all aboard for the Hot Springs convention. This is the final call for objects as previously specified in Word and Witness. Meeting to be in old Grand Opera house, 200 central avenue.”[4] The announcement featured the names of thirty-three early Pentecostal leaders within the Churches of God in Christ as well as the Christian and Missionary Alliance as has been the focus of this study. The first name on the list was “R. E. Edman, Buffalo, N.Y.”[5 KINNE’S NAME WAS SECOND ON THE LIST!] Erdman’s name was misspelled by the Word and Witness and while he did not affiliate with the Assemblies of God, he shared many important connections with other ministers who did. Erdman wrote, Dear Bro. Bell, grace unto you and peace be multiplied. I am wholly in sympathy with the call for the convention in April at Hot Springs, Ark. And the Lord willing, I shall be with you. I am doing what I can to get the brethren from the North to come. There is great need of such a gathering, and I am truly glad that you are having this one.[6] Clearly, Kinne was a key connection to get the northern ministers connected to the movement that became the Assemblies of God. [1] Although the Pentecostal Herald’s editor, Geo. C. Brinkman did not affiliate with the Assemblies of God, the publication’s associate editors—T. K. Leonard and James A. Bell—had affiliated. Seven of the nine contributing editors affiliated (Fred Lohmann, C. W. Pelton, Andrew Urshan, John C. Sinclair, Wm. E. Moody, Mrs. Ettie Reckley, and Hardy Mitchell) while two did not (J. H. Wilson and Andrew Jensen). Twelve of the twenty-one listed field representatives had affiliated with the Assemblies of God as well. See “Masthead,” Pentecostal Herald, October 1918, 2. The Pentecostal Herald was also strongly Trinitarian. [2] Kinne’s letter to Maria Woodworth-Etter was also published in Etter’s Signs and Wonders. See Maria Woodworth-Etter, Signs and Wonders (Indianapolis: M. B. Woodworth-Etter, 1916), 166. [3] Wayne Warner, “The St. Louis Era,” Assemblies of God Heritage 1, no. 1 (Fall 1981): 1-2. In June 28-July 9, 1911, Kinne was a featured “worker” alongside R. E. Erdman of Buffalo, N.Y. and Dr. F. E. Yoakum of Los Angeles, California at a “Pentecostal Campmeeting” at Jordan, Ontario, Canada. The meeting announced “cheap rates in Canada over July 1st, and in the United States over July 4th. Jordan Station is only seventeen miles from Niagara Falls on the Grand Trunk Railroad. For information regarding accommodations, tents, etc., write Pastor George A. Chambers, Vineland, Ontario.” See “Campmeetings,” Latter Rain Evangel, May 1911, 12. Chambers had affiliated with the Assemblies of God in 1914 but was not listed on the ministerial rolls after 1914. Erdman ministered alongside A. A. Boddy, Bro. R. Greer, and A. L. Fraser at Foxchase in July 1914 as previously discussed. See Confidence, August 1914, 146. On December 7, 1913, R. E. Erdman had ordained Ellsworth S. Thomas of Binghamton, New York, who was the first ordained African American minister in the Assemblies of God. See Minutes, 1915, 16 and “Ministerial File: Ellsworth S. Thomas,” Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center. Robert Brown of Glad Tidings endorsed Ellsworth’s application. Brown, Boddy, Erdman, and Yoakum’s relationship was significant in this important moment in Assemblies of God history. [4] General Convention of Pentecostal Saints and Churches of God in Christ,” Word and Witness, March 20, 1914. 1. [5] Ibid. KINNE’S NAME WAS SECOND ON THE LIST! [6] R. E. Erdman, “Coming from the North,” Word and Witness, March 1914, 1.
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2023 Statement of Fundamental Truths (2,562 words: 16 Points)
“Assemblies of God 16 Fundamental Truths.” Assemblies of God Official Website. Accessed April 15, 2023. https://ag.org/Beliefs/Statement-of-Fundamental-Truths. The General Council of the Assemblies of God STATEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. This Statement of Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us (i.e., that we all speak the same thing, 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 2:42). The phraseology employed in this statement is not inspired or contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full-gospel ministry. No claim is made that it contains all biblical truth, only that it covers our need as to these fundamental doctrines. 1. The Scriptures Inspired 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 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21). 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 himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22). THE ADORABLE GODHEAD (a) Terms Defined: The terms trinity and persons, as related to the godhead, while not found in the Scriptures, are words in harmony with Scripture, whereby we may convey to others our immediate understanding of the doctrine of Christ respecting the Being of God, as distinguished from “gods many and lords many.” We therefore may speak with propriety of the Lord our God, who is One Lord, as a Trinity or as one Being of three persons, and still be absolutely scriptural (examples, Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16,17). (b) Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead: Christ taught a distinction of persons in the godhead which He expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but that this distinction and relationship, as to its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible, because unexplained (Luke 1:35; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Matthew 11:25-27; 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 1:3,4). (c) Unity of the One Being of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Accordingly, therefore, there is that in the Father which constitutes Him the Father and not the Son; there is that in the Son which constitutes Him the Son and not the Father; and there is that in the Holy Spirit which constitutes Him the Holy Spirit and not either the Father or the Son. Wherefore, the Father is the Begetter; the Son is the Begotten; and the Holy Spirit is the One proceeding from the Father and the Son. Therefore, because these three persons in the godhead are in a state of unity, there is but one Lord God Almighty and His name one (John 1:18; 15:26; 17:11,21; Zechariah 14:9) (d) Identity and Cooperation in the Godhead: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are never identical as to person; nor confused as to relation; nor divided in respect to the godhead; nor opposed as to cooperation. The Son is in the Father and the Father is in the Son as to relationship. The Son is with the Father and the Father is with the Son, as to fellowship. The Father is not from the Son, 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 (John 5:17-30,32,37; 8:17,18). (e) The Title, Lord Jesus Christ: The appellation Lord Jesus Christ, is a proper name. It is never applied in the New Testament either to the Statement of Fundamental Truths 2/5 Father or to the Holy Spirit. It therefore belongs exclusively to the Son of God (Romans 1:1-3,7; 2 John 3). (f) The Lord Jesus Christ, God With Us: The Lord Jesus Christ, as to His divine and eternal nature, is the proper and only Begotten of the Father, but as to His human nature, He is the proper Son of Man. He is, therefore, acknowledged to be both God and man; who because He is God and man, is “Immanuel,” God with us (Matthew 1:23; 1 John 4:2,10,14; Revelation 1:13,17). (g) The Title, Son of God: Since the name Immanuel embraces both God and man, in the one person, our Lord Jesus Christ, it follows that the title Son of God describes His proper deity, and the title Son of Man, His proper humanity. Therefore, the title Son of God belongs to the order of eternity, and the title Son of Man to the order of time (Matthew 1:21-23; 2 John 3; 1 John 3:8; Hebrews 7:3; 1:1-13). (h) Transgression of the Doctrine of Christ: Wherefore, it is a transgression of the doctrine of Christ to say that Jesus Christ derived the title Son of God solely from the fact of the Incarnation, or because of His relation to the economy of redemption. Therefore, to deny that the Father is a real and eternal Father, and that the Son is a real and eternal Son, is a denial of the distinction and relationship in the Being of God; a denial of the Father and the Son; and a displacement of the truth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh (2 John 9; John 1:1,2,14,18,29,49; 1 John 2:22,23; 4:1-5; Hebrews 12:2). (i) Exaltation of Jesus Christ as Lord: The Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, having by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, angels and principalities and powers having been made subject unto Him. And having been made both Lord and Christ, He sent the Holy Spirit that we, in the name of Jesus, might bow our knees and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father until the end, when the Son shall become subject to the Father that God may be all in all (Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 3:22; Acts 2:32-36; Romans 14:11; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28) (j) Equal Honor to the Father and to the Son: Wherefore, since the Father has delivered all judgment unto the Son, it is not only the express duty of all in heaven and on earth to bow the knee, but it is an unspeakable joy in the Holy Spirit to ascribe unto the Son all the attributes of deity, and to give Him all the honor and the glory contained in all the names and titles of the godhead except those which express relationship (see paragraphs b, c, and d), and thus honor the Son even as we honor the Father (John 5:22,23; 1 Peter 1:8; Revelation 5:6-14; Philippians 2:8,9; Revelation 7:9,10; 4:8-11). 3. The Fall of Man The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare: a. His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,35). b. His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22). c. His miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38). d. His substitutionary work on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21). e. His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4). f. His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9,11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3). 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 not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Genesis 1:26,27; 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12-19). 5. The Salvation of Man Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. (a) Conditions to Salvation: Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7). (b) The Evidences of Salvation: The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12). 6. The Ordinances of the Church (a) Baptism in Water: The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47,48; Romans 6:4). (b) Holy Communion: The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements—bread and the fruit of the vine—is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers “till He come!” 7. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:12-17; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9). With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His Word, and for the lost (Mark 16:20). 8. The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4-10,28), but different in purpose and use. 9. Sanctification Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Romans 12:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12). Scriptures teach a life of “holiness without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15,16). Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-11,13; 8:1,2,13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12,13; 1 Peter 1:5). 10. The Church and Its Mission The Church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her Great Commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22,23; 2:22; Hebrews 12:23). Since God’s purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshiped by man, to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, and to demonstrate His love and compassion for all the world, the priority reason-for-being of the Assemblies of God as part of the Church is: a. To be an agency of God for evangelizing the world (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15,16). b. To be a corporate body in which man may worship God (1 Corinthians 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 (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 14:12). d. To be a people who demonstrate God’s love and compassion for all the world (Psalms 112:9; Galatians 2:10; 6:10; James 1:27). The Assemblies of God exists expressly to give continuing emphasis to this reason-for-being in the New Testament apostolic pattern by teaching and encouraging believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. This experience: a. Enables them to evangelize in the power of the Spirit with accompanying supernatural signs (Mark 16:15-20; Acts 4:29-31; Hebrews 2:3,4). b. Adds a necessary dimension to a worshipful relationship with God (1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 1 Corinthians 12-14). c. Enables them to respond to the full working of the Holy Spirit in expression of fruit and gifts and ministries as in New Testament times for the edifying of the body of Christ and care for the poor and needy of the world (Galatians 5:22-26; Matthew 25:37-40; Galatians 6:10; 1 Corinthians 14:12; Ephesians 4:11,12; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Colossians 1:29; Galatians 5:22-26). 11. The Ministry A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the fourfold purpose of leading the Church in: (1) evangelization of the world (Mark 16:15-20), (2) worship of God (John 4:23,24), (3) building a Body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11,16), and (4) Meeting human need with ministries of love and compassion (Psalms 112:9; Galatians 2:10; 6:10; James 1:27). 12. 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 (Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:16,17; James 5:14-16). 13. 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 Thessalonians 4:16,17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51,52). 14. The Millennial Reign of Christ 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 (Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:27,30; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-14; 20:1-6). This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Ezekiel 37:21,22; Zephaniah 3:19,20; Romans 11:26,27) and the establishment of universal peace (Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalm 72:3-8; Micah 4:3,4). 15. The Final Judgment There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; 20:11- 15; 21:8). 16. The New Heavens and the New Earth “We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21,22). Statement of Fundamental Truths is the official delineation of the Assemblies of God’s 16 doctrines. These truths are non-negotiable beliefs that all Assemblies of God churches adhere to. Part of the reason for my study was to make the founding documents of the Assemblies of God more accessible to the modern reader. Legibility proves difficult at times with the older newspapers and even in the meeting minutes. Hopefully, the work I have put into digitalizing the documents will pay off for your studies!
Appendix D: 1916 and 2023 Statement of Fundamental Truths For more information about the revisions of the Statement of Fundamental Truths, see Daniel D. Isgrigg, "The Origin, Development, and Future of Assemblies of God Eschatology," PhD Dissertation, Bangor University, Wales, UK, 2019. Isgrigg covers titles, wording, and content changes in 1917, 1920, 1921, 1927, 1961, and 1969. The original statement of fundamental truths from 1916 contained seventeen points. These points were consolidated in 1920 to reflect the numbering today. Click here for Isgrigg's study. Or, you can get his book on Amazon! Note: The 1916 Fundamental Truths use the British and Canadian spelling for “Saviour.” Most likely, this is due to Welch’s editorial contribution and preference. In 1916, when he took over the Weekly Evangel, the paper used “Saviour” ninety-six times versus “Savior” only eleven times. This could also be due to Boddy’s influence in the Assemblies of God. When Bell edited the Word and Witness, he preferred the American spelling. 1916 Fundamental Truths (2,112 words: 17 Points) Minutes, Constitution, and Bylaws of the General Council of the Assemblies of God. St. Louis: Gospel Publishing House, October 1916, 10-13. This Statement of Fundamental Truths is not Intended as a creed for the Church, nor as a basis of fellowship among Christians, But only as a basis of unity for the ministry alone (I. e., that we all speak the same thing, 1 Cor. 1:10; Acts 2:42). The human phraseology employed in such statement Is not Inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth in such phraseology Is held to be essential to a full Gospel ministry. No claim Is made that It contains all truth In the Bible, only that It covers our present needs as to these fundamental matters. 1. The Scriptures Inspired. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to men, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason. 2 Tim. 3:15, 16; I Pet. 2:2. 2. The One True God. The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent. self-revealed " I AM;" and has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association, i.e., as Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; Isa. 43: 10, II; Matth. 28:19. 3. Man, His Fall and Redemption.Man was created good and upright; for God said, "Let us make man in Our image and in our likeness." But man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ the Son of God. Gen. I :26-31; 3:1-7: Rom. 5:12-21. 4. THE SALVATION OF MAN.(a) Conditions to Salvation. The grace of God that brings salvation to all men has appeared through the preaching of repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ; whereupon man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which is shed upon him richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; and, having been justified by grace through faith. He becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life. Tit. 2:11; Rom. 10:13-15; Luke 24:47; Titus 3:5-7. (b) The Evidences of Salvation. The Inward evidence to the believe4 of his salvation, is the direct witness of the Spirit. Rom. 8: 16. The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness, Luke 1:73-75; Titus 2: 12-14; the fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5:22, and brotherly love, Jno. 13: 35; Heb. 13: 1; 1 Jno. 3:14. 5. THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER. All believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect, and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. Luke 24:49: Acts 1:4; 1:8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31. 6. THE FULL CONSUMMATION OF THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST. The full consummation of the baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost and fire, is indicated by the initial sign of speaking in tongues, as the Spirit of God g iyes utterance. Acts 2: 4. This wonderful experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. Acts 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:8,9. 7. ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION, THE GOAL FOR ALL BELIEVERS. The Scriptures teach a life of holiness without which no man shall see The Lord. By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command, "be ye holy for I am holy." Entire sanctification is the will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God's Word. Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1: 15. 16 ; 1 Thess. 5: 23, 24; 1 Jno. 2:6. 8. THE CHURCH IS A LIVING ORGANISM. The Church is a living organism; a living body; yea the body of Christ; a habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Every local assembly is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the First-born, written in heaven. Eph. 1: 22, 23; 2:22; Heb. 12:23. 9. THE MINISTRY AND EVANGELISM. A divinely called and a Scripturally ordained ministry for the evangelization of the world, is the command of the Lord, and the chief concern of the Church. Mk. 16:15-20; Eph. 4:11-13. 10. THE LORD'S SUPPER. The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and the fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Pet. 1:4; a memorial of his suffering and death, 1 Cor. 11:26; and a prophecy of His second coming, 1 Cor. 11:26; and is enjoined on all believers "until He comes." 11. BAPTISM IN WATER. The Ordinance or Baptism by a burial with Christ should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures, by all who have really repented and in their hearts have truly believed on Christ as Saviour and Lord. In so doing, they have the body washed in pure water as an outward symbol of cleansing while their heart has already been sprinkled with the blood of Christ as an inner cleansing. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and that they have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. Math. 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Rom. 6:4: Acts 20:21; Heb. 10:22. 12. DIVINE HEALING. deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers. Isa. 53:4, 5; Matth. 8:16,17. 13. THE ESSENTIALS AS TO THE GODHEAD. (a) Terms Explained: The terms "Trinity" and "Persons," as related to the Godhead while not found in the Scriptures, yet are words in harmony with Scripture, whereby we may convey to others our immediate understanding of the doctrine of Christ respecting the Being of God, as distinguished from "gods many and lords many." We, therefore, may speak with propriety of the Lord our God, who is One Lord, as a Trinity or as one Being of three Persons, and still be absolutely Scriptural. (Examples: Matth. 2:6; 8:16,17; Acts 15:15-18.) (b) Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead: Christ taught a distinction of Persons in the Godhead which he expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and that this distinction and relationship, as to its existence, is an eternal fact, but as to its mode it is inscrutible and incomprehensible, because un-explained. (That is, it is not explained as to how there can be three persons in the Godhead.) (Luke 1:35; 1 Cor. 1:24; Matth. 11:25-27; 28 :19; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Jno. 1:3,4.) (c) Unity of the One Being of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: Accordingly, therefore, there is that in the Father which constitutes Him the Father and not the Son; there is that in the Son which constitutes Him the Son and not the Father; and there is that in the Holy Ghost which constitutes him the Holy Ghost and not either the Father or the Son. Wherefore, the Father is· the Begetter; the Son is the Begotten; and the Holy Ghost is the one proceeding from the Father and the Son. Therefore, because these three eternally distinct and related persons in the Godhead are in a state of unity, there is but one Lord God Almighty and His name one. Jno. 1:18; 15:26; 17:11,21; Zech. 14:9. (d) Identity and Co-operation in the Godhead: The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are never identical as to Person ; nor confused as to relation; nor divided in respect of the Godhead; nor opposed as to co-operation. The Son is in the Father and the Father is in the Son as to relationship. The Son is with the Father and the Father is with the Son as to fellowship. The Father is not from the Son, but the Son is from the Father, as to authority. The Holy Ghost is from the Father and the Son proceeding, as to nature, relationship, co-operation and authority. Hence, neither Person in the Godhead either exists or works separately or in dependently of the others. Jno. 5: 17-30. (e) The Title, Lord Jesus Christ: The appellation “Lord Jesus Christ” is a proper name. It is never applied, in the New Testament, either to the Father or to the Holy Ghost. It therefore belongs exclusively to the Son of God. Rom. 1:1-3, 7; 2 Jno. 3. (f) The Lord Jesus Christ, God with us: The Lord Jesus Christ, as to His divine and eternal nature is the proper and only Begotten of the Father; but, as to His human nature, He is the proper Son of Man. He is, therefore, acknowledged to be both God and man: who, because He is God and man, is “Immanuel,” God with us. Matth. 1:23; 1 Jno. 4:2, 10, 14; Rev. 1:13, 14-17. (g) The Title, Son of God: Since the name “Immanuel” embraces both God and man in the one Person, our Lord Jesus Christ, it follows that the title, So n of God, describes His proper Deity, and the title, Son of Man , His proper humanity. Therefore, the title, Son of God , belongs to the order of eternity, and the title, Son of man , to the order of time. Matth. 1:2 3,21; 2 Jno. 3; 1 Jno. 3:8; Heb. 7: 3; 1:1-13. (h) Transgression of the Doctrine of Christ: Wherefore, it is a transgression of the Doctrine of Christ to say that Jesus Christ derived the title, Son of God, either from the fact of the Incarnation, or because of His relation to the economy of redemption. Therefore, to deny that the Father is a real and eternal Father, and that the Son is a real and eternal Son, is a denial of the distinction and relationship in the Being of God; a denial of the Father and the Son; and a displacement of the truth that Jesus Christ is come in flesh. 2 Jno. 9; Jno. 1: 1, 2, 14, 18, 29, 49; 8:57, 58; 1 Jno. 2:22, 23; 4:1-5; Heb. 12:3, 4. (i) Exaltation of the Jesus Christ as Lord:The Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. having by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: angels and principalities and powers having been made subject unto Him. And, having been made both Lord and Christ, He sent the Holy Ghost that we, in the name of Jesus, might bow our knees and confess that J e us Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father until the end, when the on shall become subject to the Father that God may be all in all. Heb. 1: 3; 1 Pet. 3:22: Acts 2:32-36; Rom. 14:11; 1 Cor. 15:24-28. (j) Equal honor to the Father and the Son: Wherefore, since the Father has delivered all judgment unto the Son, it is not only the express duty of all things in heaven and in earth to bow the knee, but it is an unspeakable joy in the Holy Ghost to ascribe unto the Son all the attributes of Deity, and to give him all the honor and the glory contained in all the names and titles of the Godhead, (except those which express relationship. See paragraphs b, c and d) and thus honor the Son even as we honor the Father. Jno.5:22, 23; 1 Pet. 1:8: Rev. 5:6-14; Phil. 2:9, 8; Rev. 7:9, 10; 4:8-11. 14. THE BLESSED HOPE. The Resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ, the rapture of believers which are alive and remain, and the translation of the true church, this is the blessed hope set before all believers. 1 Thess. 4: 16, 17: Rom. 8:23; Tit. 2:13. 15. THE IMMINENT COMING AND MILLINIAL REIGN OF JESUS. The premillennial and imminent coming of the Lord to gather His people unto Himself, and to judge the world in righteousness while reigning on the earth for a thousand years is the expectation of the true Church of Christ. 16. THE LAKE OF FIRE. The devil and his angels, the Beast and false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, the fearful and unbelieving, and abominable. and murderers and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolators and all liars shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. 17. THE NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH. We look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21 and 22. |
AuthorHi! I am Kent. I love history and church history. While this website is especially dedicated to Assemblies of God history, I publish a lot of church history on this blog! Archives
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