What We Believe
Statement of Fundamental and Essential Truths
The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
1. HOLY SCRIPTURES
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3:16,17) by which we understand the whole Bible to be inspired in the sense that holy men of God were moved by the Holy Spirit to write the very words of Scripture (2 Pet. 1:20,21). Divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the original writings. The whole Bible in the original is, therefore, without error and, as such, is infallible, absolutely supreme and sufficient in authority in all matters of faith and practice (Ps. 119:160a; Mat. 5:17,18).
2. THE GODHEAD
The Godhead exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, having the same nature and attributes and are worthy of the same homage, confidence, and obedience (Mat. 3:16,17; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).
THE FATHER: The Father exists eternally as the Creator of heaven and earth, the Giver of the Law, to whom all things will be subjected, so that He may be all in all (Gen. 1:1; 1 Cor 15:28).
THE SON: The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father, is true God and true man (John 1:1, 14; John 10:30; John 17; Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 1:8). He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary (Lk. 1:26-35), and by His sinless life, miracles and teaching, gave full revelation of the Father (Jn. 12:49; Acts 2:22; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:26). He died upon the cross, the Jus for the unjust, as a substitutionary sacrifice (Rom. 5:6, 8; 1 Cor. 15:3; 1 Pet. 3:18). He rose from the dead (Mat. 28:6; 1 Cor. 15:4, 20). He is now at the right hand of the majesty on high as our great High Priest (Acts 1:9-11; Acts 2:33; Heb. 8:1). He will come again to establish His kingdom in righteousness and peace (Mat. 25:31).
THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit is also God, performing actions and possessing the attributes of Deity (Acts 5:3-4). His personality is shown by the fact that He has personal characteristics and that individuals may relate to Him as a person (Jn. 16:13-14).
3. SALVATION
ATONEMENT OF CHRIST: Salvation has been provided for all men through the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross (Isa. 53:3-6; Jn. 12:32-33; 1 Pet. 2:24). It is the only perfect redemption and substitutionary atonement for all the sins of the world, both original and actual. His atoning work has been proven by His resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:36; Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:14, 17-20; Heb. 10:12; 1 Jn. 2:2).
Those who repent and believe in Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and receive eternal life. Furthermore, in the atonement, divine healing was provided for all believers.
REPENTANCE AND FAITH: Man can be born again only through faith in Christ. Repentance, a vital part of believing, is a complete change of mind wrought by the Holy Spirit, turning a person to God from sin.
REGENERATION: Regeneration is a creative work of the Holy Spirit by which man is born again and receives spiritual life.
JUSTIFICATION: Justification is a judicial act of God by which the sinner is declared righteous solely on the basis of his acceptance of Christ as Savior.
4. THE CHURCH
The local church is a body of believers in Christ who have joined together to function as a part of the universal church. The local church is ordained by God and provides a context in which believers corporately worship God, observe the ordinances of the church, are instructed in the faith and are equipped for the evangelization of the world.