ASSEMBLY OF GOD
Australia 5.1   Doctrinal Statement
The Doctrinal Statement has hardly been amended since the Fellowship was established. The 1991 National Conference added a clause on "Creation" but apart from that we have not varied our beliefs since the 1930's. However, within a couple of the Doctrinal positions of the Assemblies of God, there is some latitude for variations of emphasis.

Prophecy:
The statement on Prophecy allows for either Pre, Mid, or Post Tribulational theories regarding the return of Christ.

Creation:
We believe that creation was by the specific immediate act of God and there is room for those who believe the Gap Theory of Genesis 1:1-2 and those who accept the "Young Earth" position.

Baptism With the Spirit:
However, despite the fact that there are many groups today who believe that speaking in tongues may or may not accompany the Baptism with the Spirit, our Fellowship is emphatic that the scriptural teaching is that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence or consequence of receiving the Baptism with the Spirit. All of our State Executives are resolute in upholding this Biblical position and do not process credential applications by any candidate who is not clear about this.

The Doctrinal Statement follows and is taken from Article 5 of the United Constitution: The Holy Scriptures, known as the Bible are the inspired Word of God and our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice.
 

5.2   Articles of Faith
These articles of faith of the Assemblies of God in Australia, grounded in these scriptures, are given as a basis for belief, fellowship and ministry "that we all preach the same thing" (1 Corinthians 1:10). Let it be remembered, however, that this is not given as a summary of the complete revelation of biblical truth, only that it covers our present needs as to these fundamental doctrines. These are found in the United Constitution Article 5.

DOCTRINAL BASIS
Preamble:
The Holy Scriptures, known as the Bible are the inspired Word of God and our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice.

1. THE ETERNAL GODHEAD: WE BELIEVE in the unity of the true and living God who is the eternal, self-existent one, who has revealed himself as one being in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and who is the Creator and preserver of things visible and invisible - Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; Matthew 28:19; Genesis 1:1; Psalm 86:9-10; Isaiah 43:10-11; John 1:1-3.

2. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST: WE BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus Christ, the second person of the triune Godhead, who was and is the eternal Son of God; that he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin Mary.

WE BELIEVE in his sinless life, miraculous ministry, substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, glorious ascension, and abiding intercession - Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22; Acts 2:22; 10:38; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:12; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Acts 1:9; Ephesians 4:8-10; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25.

3. THE HOLY SPIRIT: WE BELIEVE in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the triune Godhead, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is ever present and active in the work of convicting and regenerating the sinner, and sanctifying and guiding the believer into all truth - John 14:26; John 16:8-11; 1 Peter 1:2; Romans 8:14.

4. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES: WE BELIEVE in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, namely the Old and New Testaments in their original writings. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is infallible, inerrantly revealing the will of God concerning us all in all things necessary to our salvation, and is absolutely supreme and sufficient in authority in all matters of faith and conduct. The Bible does not simply contain the Word of God, but is, in reality, the complete revelation and very Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that whatever is not contained therein is not to be enjoined as an article of faith - Matthew 5:17,18; 24:35; John 4:39; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:19-21.

5. THE DEVIL: WE BELIEVE in the personality of the devil, who, by his influence, brought about the downfall of man, and now seeks to destroy the faith of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ - Genesis 3:1-15; Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8; John 13:2.

6. THE FALL OF MAN: WE BELIEVE that man was created by God by specific immediate act and in his image and likeness, morally upright and perfect, but fell by voluntary transgression. Consequently, all men are separated from original righteousness, being depraved and without spiritual life - Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21.

7. THE ATONEMENT: WE BELIEVE that God's answer to man's sinful state is in the death of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross, whose sufferings and shed blood have made full atonement for the sins of the whole world, both original and actual, and that there is no other ground for salvation - 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:25, 26; 1 Peter 1:19,20.

8. SALVATION OF MAN: WE BELIEVE salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This experience is also known as the new birth and is an instantaneous and complete operation of the Holy Spirit whereupon the believing sinner is regenerated, justified, and adopted into the family of God and becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus and heir of eternal life - Titus 2:11, 3:5-7; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 5:1.

9. THE CHURCH: The Church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfilment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the first-born which are written in heaven - Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:22; Hebrews 12:23.

10. WATER BAPTISM: WE BELIEVE that baptism, by single immersion, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is enjoined upon all who have repented and have believed in Christ as Saviour and Lord, and that it is symbolic of our identification with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection - Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 10:47-48; 2:38-39; Romans 6:4-5; Colossians 2:12; Mark 16:16.

11. THE LORD'S SUPPER: WE BELIEVE the Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements of 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 sufferings and death (1 Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of his second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26), and is enjoined upon all believers "until He comes" - Luke 22:15-20; Matthew 26:26-28; Acts 20:7.

12. SANCTIFICATION: Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God.
WE BELIEVE it is the glorious provision for every believer in Christ to be made pure in heart and wholly sanctified, through the operation of the Holy Spirit, by the blood of Jesus and the Word of God - John 17:15-19; Acts 15:8-9; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; Hebrews 2:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 10:16-19; Romans 12:1-2.

13. THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT: WE BELIEVE that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the bestowing of the believer with power to be an effective witness for Christ. This experience is distinct from, and subsequent to, the new birth; is received by faith, and is accompanied by the manifestation of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, as the initial evidence - Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,5,8; 2:1-4; 8:15-19; 11:14-17; 19:1-7.

14. GIFTS: WE BELIEVE in the present day operation of the nine supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 12. We also believe in the ministry gifts of Christ, as recorded in Ephesians 4:11- 13.

15. DIVINE HEALING: In accordance with the teachings of the Scriptures, we trust our heavenly Father to protect and heal our bodies from sickness and disease. WE BELIEVE that divine healing for the body, as with all redemptive blessings of God, has been provided for us by the atoning death and victorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; it is the privilege of all believers and it is appropriated by faith in our heavenly Father's unfailing promises - Exodus 15:26; Isaiah 53:4; Matthew 8:16,17; 1 Peter 2:24; Psalms 103:3; James 5:14-15; Mark 16:17-18.

16. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST: WE BELIEVE in the premillennial, imminent and personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ to gather his people unto himself. Having this glorious hope and earnest expectation, we purify ourselves, even as he is pure, so that we may be ready to meet him when he comes - John 14:1-3; James 5:7-8; Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; 1 John 2:28; 3:2, 3.

17. THE MILLENNIUM: WE BELIEVE in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to set up his millennial reign on this earth - Zechariah 14:5; Daniel 7:22; Revelation 5:9-10; Psalms 96:10-13; Psalms 11; Revelation 20:1-10.

18. THE PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED: WE BELIEVE in the everlasting punishment of the wicked (in the sense of eternal torment) who wilfully reject and despise the love of God manifested in the great sacrifice of his only Son upon the cross for their salvation - Matthew 25:46; 13:49-50; Luke 12:47-48; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15. We believe that the devil and his angels and whosoever is not found written in the book of life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death - Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10-15.

19. 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 Chapters 21 and 22.

20. CREATION: WE BELIEVE that the heavens and earth and all original life-forms, including man, were made by the specific immediate creative acts of God as described in the account of origins presented in Genesis, and that all biological changes which have occurred since creation are limited to variation within each species.