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CERTIFIED CREDENTIALS EXAM - ASSEMBLIES
OF GOD
Exact Titles of 16 Fundamental Truths - ANSWER-1. The Scriptures Inspired 2 Timothy 3:15-
- The One True God Matthew 28:
- The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ Hebrews 1:
- The Fall of Man Romans 5:12-
- The Salvation of Man Ephesians 2:
- The Ordinances of the Church Romans 6:4 - baptism 1 Corinthians 11:26 - communion
- The Baptism in the Holy Spirit Acts 1:
- The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit Acts 2:
- Sanctification Romans 12:1,
- The Church and Its Mission Ephesians 2:
- The Ministry Ephesians 4:11-
- Divine Healing Isaiah 53:4,
- The Blessed Hope Titus 2:
- The Millennial Reign of Christ Revelation 20:1-
- The Final Judgment Revelation 20:11-
- The New Heavens and the New Earth 2 Peter 3: Fourfold Mission of the Church - ANSWER-Evangelism Worship Edification (Discipleship) Compassion Four Cardinal Doctrines - ANSWER-1. The Salvation of Man
- The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
- Divine Healing
- The Blessed Hope (the Second Coming) Policies Regarding Divorce and Remarriage of Ministers - ANSWER-We disapprove of any married minister of the Assemblies of God holding credentials if either minister or spouse has a former spouse living unless the divorce occurred
Scripture contains no mistakes because God does not lie or make a mistake. Reliable anchor Authority of Scripture - ANSWER-Bible should be highest authority in matters of faith and conduct:
- Matters of faith - God has clearly revealed what we need to believe in written Word. Doctrines we teach must be clear teachings of Scripture. Be like Bereans.
- Matters of conduct - Bible sets our standards and tell us how we should act. Lifestyle must be based on Word of God. Other sources of authority:
- human reason or conscience - people damaged by sin, make mistakes.
- religion - religious leaders merely men; when from man's tradition (and not God), cannot provide trustworthy source of authority
- culture - tradition and culture must always bow to Scripture. Autographs - Original Manuscripts - ANSWER-The original, handwritten manuscripts produced by the human authors of Scripture. These were probably circulated and copied so many times that they wore out. None of them are now known to exist. However, copies from close to the time they were written do exist. (glossary, Bible Doctrines) Variants - small differences in copies due to errors in copying and printing. Over 3,500 ancient copies; 98-99% rate of agreement - extremely high! Trinity - ANSWER-One Being in Three Persons. Perfectly one in nature and character, but each completely distinct from the others.
One Being: Unity - numerically one, completely unique, collectively one, cannot be divided into parts - God cannot be separated from His characteristics. Three Persons: three distinct personalities harmoniously interrelated, Godhead. Scriptural Evidence:
- Genesis 1:26 - "Let us make man in our image."
- Matt 3:16-17; Mark 1-10-11; Luke 3:21-22 - all three at Jesus' baptism. Errors:
- tritheism - 3 separate gods
- Sabellianism - 3 aspects of one God revealed progressively Bible Versions - ANSWER-Translation of the Bible into languages people actually speak. Good translation is one that is accurate and readable; would fall in between literal (word for word) and meaning (thought for thought); none perfect, but Holy Spirit can illuminate. Use multiple versions when studying. Officially A/G approved: KJV and NIV. (position paper) Canon of Scripture - ANSWER-Canon means "rule, standard, measuring rod." Canon of Scripture = books that have met a standard and that the church has accepted as the inspired Word of God. OT - 39 books - accepted as Scripture in Jesus' day. NT - 27 books - formed over 3 centuries; books from God testified for themselves; Holy Spirit led process. AD 367 - Athanasius - listed 27.
Inspiration of Scripture - ANSWER-The special act of the Holy Spirit by which He led the writers of Scripture to write the message that God gave them. (THE 211, ch 1) "...men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." - 2 Peter 1: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness." - 2 Timothy 3: Breathed - spirit - wind, breath Is - present power for life All - it's all inspired Fallacies:
- partial inspiration - since humans wrote it, could contain mistakes; gives humans task of deciding; no, fully accept or reject.
- mechanical dictation - God took complete control; no, although Holy Spirit gave message, individual writers used own vocabulary, and their divergent personalities are clear. Holy Spirit helped them choose words so that they communicated his intent and message. Verbal Plenary Inspiration - ANSWER-Plenary - full, complete, entire Verbal - words The Holy Spirit inspired every word in the original documents. The words are important because God inspired them. Immutable - ANSWER-Unchanging; God's nature and plans are unchangeable. "I the Lord do not change." Malachi 3: God "does not change like shifting shadows." James 1: Arguments for Existence of God - ANSWER-- ontological - our ability to imagine a perfect Being means there must be one.
- cosmological - a First Cause caused the universe, it didn't just happen.
- teleological - detailed design of universe could not have happened by chance; a designer must have been at work.
- moral - basic conception of right and wrong cannot be by chance; must come from God. Virgin Birth and Conception - ANSWER-The birth of Jesus Christ brought about by God's creative act through the Holy Spirit so that Mary became His mother without His having a human father. (glossary, Bible Doctrines) Jesus was "not the literal son of Mary and Joseph; he was the literal son of Mary and God" (Betzer 1989, quoted in THE 211, p.
Both fully God and fully man. Born without sin nature. Sinless. Image of God - ANSWER-Image - We reflect something of the shape and image of God. Likeness - resemblance. Does NOT mean like God physically or that we're little gods. DOES mean:
- Moral likeness - God made man upright (Eccl. 7:29).
- Natural likeness - personal beings with spirit (God conscious, unregenerate before salvation) and soul (the self, the conscious life here and now - mind, emotions, will).
- Capacity for immortality. Means we can have fellowship with Him and that our lives can and should reflect Him. Atonement - ANSWER-kippur - covering
"Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture." 1 Cor. 15: Results of the Fall of Man - ANSWER-- We are born spiritually dead with a corrupted sinful nature, naturally inclined toward sinfulness; sin breaks our relationship and fellowship with holy God.
- Will face physical death.
- Will face eternal separation from God if physically die when still spiritually dead.
- Face lives of struggle and pain in a world cursed because of sin. Water Baptism - ANSWER-Ordinance (symbolic, doesn't bring a special grace), not a sacrament (a visible sign and pledge of invisible grace). We publicly declare that we identify with Jesus' death and resurrection. "We are lowered beneath the water to show how we have died to the old way of life without Christ and are buried with Him in His death. We are then raised up out of the water to show how we are united with Jesus in His resurrection and how we share His new life." (THE 211, p. 87) By immersion. Baptizo (Greek) means "to submerge." As used in New Testament, means "to cover completely." Done "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." ("into the name" - "into the worship and service") (THE 211, p.
Holy Communion - ANSWER-Ordinance (symbolic, doesn't bring a special grace), not a sacrament (a visible sign and pledge of invisible grace). Bread and juice are emblems (symbols) of body and blood of Jesus.
Replaces Jewish Passover, reminds us of daily need for Christ.
- Past - looks back at Jesus' death; reminds us that we share not only in His death but in His nature.
- Present - we unite with Him and with each other. "complete unity" (John 17:23)
- Future - looks forward to Christ's return, helps keep us steadfast and faithful "while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13) Security of the Believer - ANSWER-Salvation can be lost. A/G combines Scriptural elements of both Calvinist and Arminian views, emphasizes God's sovereignty and prerogative and a person's free will and responsibility: "We believe not only that God is sovereign but also that human beings have a free will. Four basic truths provide the foundation for our belief:"
- Salvation is available for every person. (God "is patient with you,, not wanting anyone to perish" - 2 Peter 3:9.)
- Salvation is received and kept by faith. (Eph 2:8-9 saved by grace through faith.)
- Continued sin will damage the believer's faith. Heb 3:12 links ongoing sin with unbelief.
- A Christian can forfeit salvation by rejecting Christ. (Christians who have "shared in the Holy Spirit" and "tasted the goodness of the Word of God" can "fall away" - Heb 6:4-6.) Article IX, Section B-1 of Bylaws: In view of the biblical teaching that the security of the believer depends on a living relationship with Christ (John 15:6); in view of the Bible's call to a life of holiness (1 Peter 1:16; Hebrews 12:14); in view of the clear teaching that a man may have his part taken out of the Book of Life (Revelation 22:19); and in view of the fact that one who believes for a while can fall away
hands on them. "The Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied." Pentecost - ANSWER-"Fiftieth," a name for the harvest feast which occurred fifty days after Passover. On first Pentecost after resurrection of Jesus, Holy Spirit poured out on 120 believers to empower them. Holy Spirit Baptism and Gifts - ANSWER-The baptism in the Spirit is a gift, not earned. For all people (Joel 2:28). The gift is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Experience subsequent to salvation. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts as He desires to believers who are filled with the Spirit. (THE 211, pp. 96-97). Gift of the Spirit is power. He came as the Gift and the Power. (Empowerment for service.) Gifts of the Spirit are means and power for service... Baptism is gateway into the manifold ministries of the Spirit called the gifts of the Spirit (Bible Doctrines). 1 Cor. 12:7-12 - wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues... Initial Physical Evidence - ANSWER-The outward sign - speaking in tongues - that a person has been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Five cases in Acts where people baptized, all point to speaking in tongues. It is clear that early church leaders recognized tongues as the initial evidence. Prophecy - ANSWER-Means "speaking for God" in a known language. Reveals the progress of the kingdom of God and puts the sinner under conviction by revealing the secrets of his or
her heart (1 Cor. 14:24-25). Brings edification and encouragement to assembled believers (Acts 15:32). Tongues and Prophecy - ANSWER-1 Corinthians 14:1-6, 12-15, 18-19 NIV - [1] Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. [2] For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. [3] But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. [4] Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. [5] I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. [6] Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? ... [12] So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. [13] For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. [14] For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. [15] So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. ... [18] I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. [19] But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. The Fruit of the Spirit - ANSWER-Christian maturity is seen in the development of the Fruit of the Spirit:
Sanctification - ANSWER-Separation FROM evil and common use and separated TO God... both aspects work together to make us holy and righteous before God. Consecrated. Set apart. Holiness - complete separation from sin and evil. God is holy. Same words in Bible for holiness and sanctification. Saint means "holy one." Sanctification is the process by which God makes people holy. Sanctification is both instant and progressive:
- Instant - "positional holiness" - we are declared holy from the beginning of our Christian lives. Immediately justified and sanctified. Legally holy.
- Progressive - "actual holiness" - "the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin" (1 John 1:7) - Purifies is present tense - is making us holy. "By one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy" (Heb 10:14).
- Blood of Jesus provides filter of holiness so God sees not our sin but holiness of Jesus. But those around us can still see the sin. Process of holiness or sanctification lasts our whole lives. Work at holiness in following ways:
- Decide to pursue holiness as act of will.
- Intentionally set self apart from things that could lead to sin.
- Practice self discipline.
- Obey both the Word and the Holy Spirit. Worldliness - ANSWER-Being concerned with worldly affairs, especially to the neglect of spiritual things. 1 John 2:15-16 NIV - [15] Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. [16] For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world.
Immature (1 Cor 3:1-3), following own lusts and desires. "[18] ...If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. [19] For the wisdom of this world is folly with God..." - 1 Cor 3:18-19. "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." - James 4: Article IX, Section B-6 of Bylaws: In view of the alarming erosion of national moral standards, we reaffirm our intention of holding up Bible standards against all forms of worldliness. We urge all believers to "love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.... For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" ( John 2:15,16). In its teaching regarding worldliness, the Scriptures warn against participation in activity that defiles the body, or corrupts the mind and spirit; the inordinate love of or preoccupation with pleasures, position, or possessions, which lead to their misuse; manifestation of extreme behavior, unbecoming speech, or inappropriate appearance; any fascination or association which lessens one's affection for spiritual things (Luke 21:34,35; Romans 8:5-8; 12:1,2; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:11; 1 Timothy 2:8-10; 4:12; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; Titus 2:12). Ecclesiology - ANSWER-The study of church doctrine. Church is from Greek, ekklesia, "called out of," was used in Greek for assembly of citizens.
Available to all believers. Biblical faith based on trust relationship in sovereign God. It is God's normal will to heal. If He does not heal us, we can continue to trust Him. By doing so, we give God glory no matter what happens. Rapture - ANSWER-The snatching away of true believers for a meeting with Jesus in the air. (glossary, Bible Doctrines) Abruptly and without warning, Jesus will catch away those who are prepared for His coming, but He will not descend to earth at that time. Those "in Christ," both those resurrected and those still alive, will together be "caught up" (Greek, harpagesometha), "snatched away powerfully" in the clouds for a meeting with Him in the air - above the earth. Second Coming - sometimes describes both the rapture of the church and the revelation of Jesus Christ (at the beginning of the millennial reign); sometimes refers to just the revelation part. Imminent Return of Christ - ANSWER-People will be going about everyday business when rapture occurs. Dates should not be set, for "no one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come." (Mark 13:32-33) We need to stay alert, speak of this blessed hope as imminent. Purify self. Live in a state of readiness. Resurrection - ANSWER-Jesus is the first in resurrection (Fundamental Truth #3). Jesus' resurrection is a guarantee of ours. The last enemy to be defeated is death. (1 Cor 15:26)
Everyone will be resurrected. The dead in Christ will be resurrected at the Rapture... and welcomed to eternity in the presence of God. Resurrected to Judgment Seat of Christ. Not judged for salvation - covered by Jesus. Instead, judged for deeds, particularly motives. Use of opportunity, talents, and time appropriately recognized. The believers' judgment, often called Bema (word used in 2 Cor. 5:10) to distinguish it from Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11. The dead without Christ will be resurrected after the millennium for the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:11)... and condemned to eternity apart from God (the second death). Book of Life opened - to show they're not in it. Then judged by deeds, which are evidence of their unbelief. The judgment makes a final dispensation of the unsaved. Eternal Punishment - Hell - ANSWER-Satan released after millenium, people follow him in a rebellion. They are all consumed by fire from Heaven, and Satan is thrown into Lake of Fire. After that, the White Throne Judgment occurs. After the witness from the Book of Life that their names are not included, the wicked are thrown into the Lake of Fire (Hell), the lake of burning sulfur, which is the second death... final separation from God and from the inheritance of the saints. Death and Hades are thrown into the Lake of Fire, too. Death will have no part in the New Heavens and the New Earth. Millennium - ANSWER-Begins with the revelation of Jesus Christ
- His return in power and glory. Will bring His saints with Him. Defeats Antichrist, throws Antichrist and allies into Lake of Fire, bounds Satan in the Abyss. Begins 1,000-year reign that will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace.
