statement OF faith
An abbreviate version of the Foursquare Doctrine is below. Visit the
Foursquare website to download the complete declaration of faith at
www.foursquare.org.
The Holy Scriptures
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God:
true, immutable, steadfast, and unchangeable (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).
The Eternal Godhead
We believe that God is triune: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the Three are
coexistent, coeternal, and equal in divine perfection (1 John 5:7).
The Fall of Man
We believe that man, created in the image of God, by
voluntary disobedience fell into the depths of sin and iniquity, bequeathing
sin’s nature and consequences to all mankind, with their accompanying loss of
intended meaning and purpose (Genesis 1:27; Romans 5:12).
The Plan of Redemption
We believe that while we were yet sinners Christ died for
us, took our place, and with His life’s blood purchased the pardon for all who
believe in Him (John 3:16; Titus 2:14).
Salvation Through Grace
We believe that salvation is wholly through grace; that no human righteousness
or merit can contribute to our receiving God’s love and favor (Ephesians 2:8).
Repentance and Acceptance
We believe that, upon sincere repentance and a whole-hearted acceptance of
Christ, we are justified before God through Jesus’ sacrificial death (Romans
10:6-10; 1 John 1:9).
The New Birth
We believe that the change that takes place in people at conversion is a very
real one; that having received righteousness in Christ and having received of
His Spirit, people will have new desires, interests, and pursuits in life (2
Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20).
Daily Christian Life
We believe that it is the will of God that those who have
been born again grow in sanctification, become partakers of His holiness, and
daily grow stronger in the faith, power, prayer, love, and service (2
Corinthians 7:1).
Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper
We believe that being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
is an essential response to Jesus’ command, testifying to His lordship as Christ
and King (Romans 6:4). We believe in observing the Lord’s Supper, receiving the
broken bread and the fruit of the vine with joy and faith as we partake anew of
the life and triumph of Christ’s Cross (1 Corinthians 11:24-26)
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
We believe that the baptism in the Holy Spirit empowers believers to exalt
Jesus, to live lives of holiness, and to be witnesses of God’s saving grace; we
expect the Spirit’s incoming to be after the same manner as that in which He
came upon believers in the days of the Early Church (Acts 1: 5, 8; 2:4).
The Spirit-Filled Life
We believe that it is the will of God that believers walk in the Spirit moment
by moment, serving the Lord and living lives of patience, love, truth,
sincerity, and prayer (Ephesians 4:30-32; Galatians 5:16, 25).
The Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit bestows enabling ministry gifts upon believers,
and that these gifts will build up the Body of Christ through edification and
evangelism(1 Corinthians 12:1-11); as evidence of a Spirit-filled life,
believers should show spiritual “fruit”: love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22-25).
Moderation
We believe a Christians’ moderation should be obvious to others and that
relationship with Jesus should never lead people into extremes of fanaticism;
their lives should model that of Christ in uprightness, balance, humility, and
self-sacrifice (Colossians 3:12, 13; Philippians 4:5).
Divine Healing
We believe that divine healing is the power of Jesus Christ to heal the sick in
answer to the prayer of faith; He, who does not change, is still willing and
able to heal the body, as well as the soul and spirit in answer to faith (Mark
16: 17, 18; James 5:14-16).
The Second Coming of Christ
We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent; the
certainty of His coming and the fact that no man knows the hour of His coming
prompt our evangelistic efforts; that the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven,
the dead in Christ shall rise, and the redeemed will be caught up to meet the
Lord in the air (Matthew 24:36, 42, 44; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).
Church Relationship
We believe that it is our sacred duty to identify ourselves with a congregation
of believers with whom we can worship God, observe the ordinances of Christ,
exhort and support one another, labor for the salvation of others, and work
together to advance the Lord’s Kingdom (Acts 16:5; Hebrews 10:24).
Civil Government
We believe that civil government is by divine appointment and that civil laws
should be upheld at all times except in things opposed to the will of God (Acts
4: 18-20; Romans 13:1-5).
Judgment
We believe that all shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ: the redeemed
to be delivered unto everlasting life, and the unrepentant unto everlasting
punishment (Revelation 20:11, 12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
Heaven
We believe that heaven is the glorious habitation of the living God and the
eternal home of born-again believers (John 14:2; Revelation 7:15-17).
Hell
We believe that hell is a place of darkness, deepest
sorrow, and unquenchable fire, which was not prepared for man but for the devil
and his angels; yet it will become the place of eternal separation from God for
all who reject Christ as Savior (Matthew 13: 41, 42; Revelation 20:10, 15).
Evangelism
We believe that soul winning is the “one big business” of the Church on earth,
and that every hindrance to worldwide evangelism should be removed (James 5:20;
Mark 16:15).
Tithing and Offerings
We believe that tithing and offerings are ordained of God
to sustain His ministry, spread the Gospel, and release personal blessing
(Malachi 3:10; 1 Corinthians 16: 1, 2).
