FOURSQUARE DECLARATION OF FAITH
Compiled by Aimee Semple McPherson
I. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible is the Word of the living God; true, 1immutable, steadfast, unchangeable, as its author, the Lord Jehovah; that it was written by holy men of old as they were moved upon and 2inspired by the Holy Spirit; that it is a 3lighted lamp to guide the feet of a lost world from the depths of sin and sorrow to the heights of righteousness and glory; an unclouded mirror that reveals the face of a crucified Savior; a plumb line to make straight the life of each individual and community; a sharp two-edged sword to convict of sin and evil doing; a strong cord of love and tenderness to draw the penitent to Christ Jesus; a balm of Gilead, 4inbreathed by the Holy Spirit, that can heal and quicken each drooping heart; the only true ground of Christian fellowship and unity; the 5loving call of an infinitely loving God; the solemn warning, the distant thunder of the storm of wrath and retribution that shall overtake the unheeding; a sign post that points to Heaven; a danger signal that warns from Hell; 6the divine, supreme and eternal tribunal by whose standards all men, nations, creeds, and motives shall be tried.
Scripture References
1. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Mt. 24:35) “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” (Ps. 119:89)2. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16,17)
3. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Ps. 119:105)
4. “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpre-tation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19-21)
5. “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and theseare they which testify of Me.” (Jn.5:39)
6. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15) “...let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.” (Phil. 3:16) (Also, 1 Jn.4:1; Is.8:20; 1 Thess. 5:21; Acts 17:11; 1 Jn.4:6; Jude 3; Eph. 6:17; Ps. 119:59,60; Phil. 1:9-11).
II. THE ETERNAL GODHEAD
We believe that there is 1but one true and living God; maker of heaven and earth and all that is in them; the Alpha and Omega, who ever was, and is and shall be, time without end, Amen; that He is infinitely holy, mighty, tender, loving and glorious; worthy of all possible love and honor, confidence and obedience, majesty, dominion and might, both now and forever; and that in the unity of the Godhead there are three, equal in every divine perfection executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
The Father — Whose glory is so exceeding bright that mortal man cannot look 2upon His face and live, 3but whose heart was so filled with love and pity for His lost and sin-benighted children that He freely gave His only begotten Son to redeem and reconcile them unto Himself.
The Son — 4Co-existent and co-eternal with the Father, who, conceived by the Holy Spirit and 5born of the Virgin Mary took upon Himself the form of man, bore our sins, carried our sorrows, and by the shedding of His precious blood upon the cross of Calvary, purchased redemption for all that would believe upon Him: then, bursting the bonds of death and hell rose from the grave and ascended on high leading captivity captive, 6that as the great mediator between God and man, He might stand at the right hand of the Father making intercession for those whom He laid down His life.
The Holy Spirit — The 7third person of the Godhead, the Spirit of the Father shed abroad, omnipotent, omnipresent, performing an inexpressibly important mission upon earth, convicting of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, 8drawing sinners to the Savior, rebuking, pleading, searching, comforting, guiding, quickening, teaching, glorifying, baptizing and enduing with power from on high those who yield to His tender ministrations, preparing them for the great day of the Lord's appearing.
Scripture References
1. “...Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.” (Is. 43:10) “Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.” (Is.44:8)2. “...You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” (Ex. 33:20)
3. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (Jn. 3:16)
4. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” (Jn. 1:1-3) (Also Job 38:4-7)
5. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel...” (Mt. 1:23)
6.“I, even I, am the LORD, and besides Me there is no savior.” (Is. 43:11) “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all...” (1 Tim.:2:5, 6a) “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” (Eph. 2:18)
7. “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one.” (1 Jn. 5:7)
8. “But when the Helper comes whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.” (Jn. 15:26) (Also, 2 Cor. 13:14; Mt. 28:19; Rom. 8:11; Jn. 16:7-14).
III. THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was 1created in the image of God, before whom he walked in holiness and purity, but that by voluntary disobedience and transgression, he fell from the Eden of purity and innocence to the depths of sin and iniquity, and 2that in consequence of this, all mankind are sinners sold unto Satan, 3sinners not by constraint but by choice, shapen in iniquity and 4utterly void by nature of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil, 5guilty and without excuse, justly deserving the condemnation of a just and holy God.
Scripture References
1. “ So God created man in His own image.” (Gn. 1:27)2. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Rom. 5:12) “...by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners...” (Rom. 5:19) Also, Jn.3:6; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:15-19;8:7)
3. “We have turned, every one, to his own way;” (Is. 53:6) (Also, Gen. 6:12; 3:9-19)
4. “among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” (Eph. 2:3) (See Rom. 1:18,32; 2:1-16; Mt. 20:15; Gal. 3:10; Eph.18:19,20)
5. “...so that they are without excuse.” (Rom. 1:20) “...that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” (Rom. 3:19) (Also, Gal. 3:22)
IV. THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION
We believe that 1while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, the Just for the unjust; 2freely, and by divine appointment of the Father, taking the sinner's place, bearing his sins, receiving his condemnation, dying his death, 3fully paying his penalty, and signing with His life's blood, the pardon of every one who should believe upon Him; 4that upon simple faith and acceptance of the atonement purchased on Mount Calvary, 5the vilest sinner may be cleansed of his iniquities and made whiter than driven snow.
Scripture References
1. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” (Is. 53:5)2. “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14)
3. “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” (Is. 55:7)
4. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:25)
5. “”Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the LORD, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.’” (Is. 1:18)
V. SALVATION THROUGH GRACE
We believe that 1the salvation of sinners is wholly through grace; 2that we have no righteousness or 3goodness of our own 4wherewith to seek divine favor, and must come, therefore, throwing ourselves upon the 5unfailing mercy and love of Him who bought us and washed us in His own blood, 6pleading the merits and the righteousness of Christ the Savior, standing upon His word and accepting the 7free gift of love and pardon.
Scripture References
1. “For by grace you have been saved...” (Eph. 2:8)2. “‘There is none righteous, no, not one:’”(Rom. 3:10)
3. “...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)
4. “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.” (Is. 64:6)
5. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.” (Jn. 6:47)
6.“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph. 2:13)
7. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23)
VI. REPENTANCE AND ACCEPTANCE
We believe that 1upon sincere repentance, godly sorrow for sin, and a whole-hearted acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, they who call upon Him may be 2justified by faith, through His precious blood and 3that in place of condemnation they may have 4the most blessed peace, assurance and favor with God; that with open arms of mercy and pardon the Savior waits to receive each penitent who will in unfeigned contrition and 5supplication for mercy, open the door of his heart and accept Him as Lord and King.
Scripture References
1. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn. 1:9)2. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Rom. 5:1,2)
3. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:1)
4. “‘To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.’” (Lk. 1:77-79)
5. “...the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (Jn. 6:37)
VII. THE NEW BIRTH
We believe that the change which takes place in the heart and life at conversion is a very real one; 1that the sinner is then born again in such a glorious and transforming manner 2that the old things are passed away and all things are become new; insomuch that the things once most desired are now abhorred, while the things once abhorred are now held most sacred and dear; and that now 4having imputed to him the righteousness of the Redeemer and having received of the Spirit of Christ, new desires, new aspirations, new interests, and a new perspective on life, time and eternity, fills the blood-washed heart 5so that his desire is now to openly confess and serve the Master, seeking ever those things which are above.
Scripture References
1. “...unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (Jn. 3:3)2. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17)
3. “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world...therefore the world hates you.” (Jn. 15:19)
4. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20) “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.” (Rom. 3:24,25)
5. “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.” (Ps. 1:1,2)
VIII. DAILY CHRISTIAN LIFE
We believe that having been cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and having received the witness of the Holy Spirit at conversion, 1it is the will of God that we be sanctified daily and 2become partakers of His holiness; 3growing constantly stronger in faith, power, prayer, love and service, first as babies desiring the sincere milk of the Word; 4then as dear children walking humbly, seeking diligently the hidden life, 5where self decreases and Christ increases; then as strong men having on the whole armor of God, 6marching forth to new conquests in His name beneath His blood-stained banner, ever living a patient, sober, unselfish, godly life that will be a true reflection of the Christ within.
Scripture References
1. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification...” (1 Thess. 4:3) “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:23)2. “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Cor. 7:1)
3. “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.” (Prov. 4:18)
4. “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection...” (Heb. 6:1)
5. “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:5)
6. “A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray.” (Is. 35:8) (Also, 1 Peter 2:2)
IX. WATER BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that water baptism 1in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, according to the command of our Lord, is a blessed outward sign of an inward work; a beautiful and solemn emblem reminding us that even as our Lord died upon the cross of Calvary 2so we reckon ourselves now dead indeed unto sin, and the old nature nailed to the tree with Him; and that even as He was taken down from the tree and buried, 3so we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in newness of life.
We believe in the 4commemoration and observing of the Lord's supper by the sacred use of the broken bread, a precious type of the Bread of Life, even Jesus Christ, whose body was broken for us; and by the juice of the vine, a blessed type which should ever remind the participant of the shed blood of the Savior who is the true vine of which His children are the branches; that this ordinance is a glorious rainbow that spans the gulf of years between Calvary and the coming of the Lord, when in the Father's kingdom, He will partake anew with His children; and that the serving and receiving of this blessed sacrament should be ever preceded by the most solemn heart-searching, 5self-examination, forgiveness and love toward all men, that none partake unworthily and drink condemnation to his own soul.
Scripture References
1. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Mt. 28:19) (Also, Acts 2:37,38; Gal. 3:27,28)2. “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Rom. 6:4) (Also, Col. 2:12; 1 Peter 3:20,21; Acts 22:16)
3. “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” (Acts 2:41) (Also, Mt. 28:19,20)
4. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” (1 Cor. 11:26) “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1 Cor. 11:28)
5. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” (2 Cor. 13:5)
X. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the baptism of 1the Holy Spirit is the incoming of the promised Comforter in mighty and glorious fullness 2to endue the believer with power from on high; to glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus; to give inspired utterance in witnessing of Him; to foster the spirit of prayer, holiness, sobriety; to equip the individual and the Church for practical, efficient, joyous, Spirit-filled soul-winning in the fields of life; and that this being still the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, the believer may have every reason to expect His incoming to be after the same 3manner as that in which He came upon 4Jew and Gentile alike in Bible days, and 5as recorded in the Word, that it may be truly said of us as of the house of Cornelius: 6the Holy Ghost fell on them as on us at the beginning.
Scripture References
1. “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever–the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” (Jn.14:16,17)2. “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:5,8)
3. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:4)
4. “Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:17)
5. “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.” (Acts 10:44-46)
6. “And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:6) “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16)
XI. THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE
We believe that while the Holy Spirit is as a mighty rushing wind and as tongues of living flame that can shake and set ablaze whole communities for God, He is also as a gentle dove, 1easily grieved and wounded by impiety, coldness, idle conversation, boastfulness, a judging or criticizing spirit and 2by thoughts and actions dishonoring to the Lord Jesus; that it is therefore, the will of God that we 3live and walk in the Spirit, moment by moment, under the precious blood of the Lamb; 4treading softly as with unshod feet in the presence of the King; being patient, 5loving, truthful, sincere, prayerful, not murmuring, instant in season and out of season, serving the Lord.
Scripture References
1. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:30-32) “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--” (Eph. 6:18)2. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Rom. 12:1,2)
3. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 Jn. 2:6)
4. “...Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:16,25)
5. “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (1 Cor. 3:17)
XII. THE GIFTS AND FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit has the following 1gifts to bestow upon the believing church of the Lord Jesus Christ: 2wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, interpretation; that according to the degree of grace and faith possessed by the recipient, these gifts are divided to every man severally, as He, the Holy Spirit, wills; that they are to be most earnestly desired and coveted, 3in the order and proportion wherein they prove most edifying and beneficial to the church; and 4that the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, should be put forth, 5cultivated, and diligently guarded as the resultant adornment, the constant, eloquent, and irrefutable evidence of a Spirit-filled life.
Scripture References
1. “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:...But earnestly desire the best gifts...” (1 Cor. 12:1,31) “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Cor.12:11)2. “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.” (1 Cor. 14:12) “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Rom. 11:29)
3. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Rom. 12:6-8)
4. “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.” (Jn. 15:8)
5. “And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Lk. 3:9)
XIII. MODERATION
We believe that 1the moderation of the believer should be known of all men; that his experience and daily walk should never lead him 2into extremes, fanaticism, 3unseemly manifestations, back-bitings, murmurings; but that his sober, thoughtful, balanced, 4mellow, forgiving, and zealous Christian experience should be one of steadfast uprightness, equilibrium, humility, self-sacrifice and Christ-likeness.
Scripture References
1. “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Phil. 4:5)2. “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine...but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head–Christ--” (Eph. 4:14,15)
3. “[Love] does not behave rudely...” (1 Cor. 13:5)
4. “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” (Col. 3:12,13)
XIV. DIVINE HEALING
We believe that divine healing is the power of the Lord Jesus Christ 1to heal the sick and the afflicted in answer to believing prayer; that He who is the same 2yesterday, today and forever has never changed but is 3still an all-sufficient help in the time of trouble, able to meet the needs of, and quicken the body into newness of life, as well as the soul and spirit in answer to the 4faith of them who ever 5pray with submission to His divine and sovereign will.
Scripture References
1. “‘He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.’” (Mt. 8:17)2. “For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’”? (Mt. 9:5)
3. “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mk. 16:17,18)
4. “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29,30)
5. “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed...” (James 5:14-16)
XV. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent; that He will descend from Heaven 1in the clouds of glory with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God; and that at this hour, which no man knoweth beforehand, the dead in Christ shall rise, then the 2redeemed that are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and that so shall they ever be with the Lord; that also seeing that a thousand years is as a day with the Lord, and 3that no man knoweth the hour of His appearance, which we believe to be near at hand, each day should be lived as though He were 4expected to appear at even, yet that in obedience to His explicit command, 5“Occupy till I come,” the work of spreading the gospel, the sending forth of missionaries, and the general duties for the upbuilding of the church 6should be carried on as diligently, and thoroughly, as though neither ours nor the next generation should live in the flesh to see the glorious day.Scripture References
1. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thess. 4:16,17)2. “...denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:12,13)
3. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Mt. 24:36,42,44)
4. “...so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” (Heb.9:28)
5. “ ...‘Do business till I come.’” (Lk. 19:13)
6. “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.”(Lk.12:35-37)
XVI. CHURCH RELATIONSHIP
We believe that having accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior and King, and having thus been born into the family and invisible body or church of the Lord, it is the sacred duty of the believer, whenever this lies within his power, 1to identify himself with, and 2labor most earnestly for the upbuilding of God's kingdom with the 3visible church of Christ upon the earth; and that such visible church is a congregation of believers, who have associated themselves together in Christian fellowship and in the 4unity of the Spirit, observing the ordinances of Christ, worshipping Him in the beauty of holiness, 5speaking to each other in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, reading and proclaiming His Word, laboring for the salvation of souls, giving their temporal means to carry on His work, edifying, encouraging, establishing one another in the most holy faith, and working harmoniously together as dear children who are many members but one body of which Christ is head.
Scripture References
1. “I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.” (Ps. 111:1)2. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb. 10:24,25)
3. “...And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47) “So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.” (Acts. 16:5)
4.“so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” (Rom. 12:5) (Also, Rom. 12:6-8)
5. “Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. ‘They shall be Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘On the day that I make them my jewels, And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.’” (Mal. 3:16,17)
XVII. CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that the civil government is of 1divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that governors and rulers should be prayed for, obeyed, and upheld, at all times except only in 2things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the 3ruler of the conscience of His people, 4the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords.
Scripture References
1. “...the authorities that exist are appointed by God...For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil...” (Rom. 13:1,3) (Also, Deut. 16:18; 2 Sam. 23:3; Ex.18:21-23; Jer. 30:21)2. “‘...We ought to obey God rather than men..’” (Acts 5:29) “...do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” (Mt. 10:28) (Also Dan. 3:15-18;6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20)
3. “...One is your Teacher, the Christ...” (Mt. 23:10)
4. “And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Rev. 19:16) (Also, Ps. 72:11, Rom. 14:9-13)
XVIII. JUDGEMENT
We believe that the dead both small and great shall be raised up and stand with the living before the 1judgement seat of God; and that then a solemn and awful separation shall take place wherein the 2wicked shall be adjudged to everlasting punishment and the righteous to life eternal; and that this judgement will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or in hell on principles of righteousness as set forth in His holy Word.
Scripture References
1. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Cor. 5:10)2. “The son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Mt. 13:41-43)
XIX. HEAVEN
We believe that Heaven is the 1indescribably glorious habitation of the living God; and that thither the Lord has 2gone to prepare a place for His children; that unto this four-square city, whose builder and maker is God, the earnest believers who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and have overcome by the word of their testimony will be carried; that the Lord Jesus Christ will present them to the Father without spot or wrinkle; and that there is unutterable joy when they will ever behold His wonderful face, in an everlasting kingdom where unto comes no 3darkness nor night, neither sorrow, 4tears, pain, nor 5death, and wherein hosts of attending angels sweep their harps, sing the praises of our King, and bowing down before the throne, cry: “Holy, holy, holy."
Scripture References
1. “...as it is written, ‘eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’” (1 Cor. 2:9)2. “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (Jn. 14:2)
3. “There shall be no night there. They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 22:5)
4. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:4)
5. “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Rev. 7:15-17)
XX. HELL
We believe that hell is a place of outer darkness and deepest sorrow, where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched; a place prepared for the devil and his angels, where there shall be weeping and 1wailing and gnashing of teeth, a place of grief and eternal regret on the part of them who have rejected the mercy, love and tenderness of the crucified Savior, choosing death rather than life; and that there into a 2lake that burns with fire and brimstone shall be cast the 3unbelieving, the abominable, the murderers, sorcerers, idolaters, all liars, and they who 4have rejected and spurned the love and sacrifice of a bleeding Redeemer, — passing the cross to their doom, 5in spite of every entreaty and warning of the Holy Spirit.
Scripture References
1. “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Mt.13:41,42)2. “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:10,15)
3. “he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever...” (Rev. 14:10,11)
4. “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” (Mt. 25:41) “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched–where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’” (Mk. 9:43,44)
5. “... ‘As I live,’ says the LORD God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’” (Ezekiel 33:11)
XXI. EVANGELISM
We believe that seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, and that the end of all things is at hand, the redeemed children of the Lord Jehovah 1should rise and shine forth as a light that cannot be hid, a city set upon a hill, 2speeding forth the gospel to the ends of the earth, girding the globe with the message of salvation, declaring with burning zeal and earnestness the whole counsel of God that when the Lord of Glory shall appear, they shall be found standing, with their loins girded about with truth, their activities and ministry laden down with the wealth of jewels they have won and guarded for Him, the precious 3souls, whom, by their faithful testimony they have been instrumental in leading from 4darkness into light; that soul winning is 5the one big business of the Church upon earth; and that therefore every weight and hindrance which would tend to quench the flame or hamper the efficiency of 6world-wide evangelism should be cut off and cast away as unworthy of the Church, 7detrimental to the most sacred cause of Christ and contrary to 8the great commission by our Lord.
Scripture References
1. “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:1,2)2. “redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:16)
3. “...And he who wins souls is wise.” (Prov. 11:30)
4. “let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:20)
5. “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.” (Ezekiel 3:17,18)
6. “...lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’” (Jn. 4:35-37)
7. “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Mt. 9:38)
8. “...‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’” (Mk. 16:15)
XXII. TITHING AND OFFERINGS
We believe that the method ordained of God to sustain His ministry and the spread of the gospel after His command is “Tithing” and is generally accepted throughout all Foursquare churches, not only as God's method to take care of the material and financial needs of His Church, but to raise the spiritual morale of His people to the extent that God must bless them. We are commanded in Malachi 3:10, “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this’, Says the LORD of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.’” In the matter of “giving” and “free will offerings,” they are ordered of the Lord and practiced in all Foursquare churches as part of God's plan for the church's material needs and the spirituality of His people. We are admonished in Luke 6:38,“Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Being “joint heirs” with Him we know that giving unto His kingdom which is also ours is an enjoyable thing, it being more blessed to give than to receive, for we are commanded in II Corinthians 9:7,“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Scripture Reference
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” (1 Cor. 16:1,2)All scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New King James Version.
Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Source:
To view the pdf file, please click here.
Copyright 2010. Marlon B. Raquel