Faith Assembly of God

Spiritual Help

WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT SALVATION:

1. Man is a sinner
   Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” You may think, or you may have been told, that mankind is good by nature. When you see the awful things that man is capable of doing, it is not difficult to accept that mankind is actually sinful by nature. This truth often leads to a feeling of hopelessness as we recognize that there is nothing we can do to change it.

2. Man’s sin requires a penalty
   God created each of us with a conscience within, and this moral part of our makeup expects punishment because of our wrongdoing. God confirms this in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death...” That means our penalty for a life of sin is eternal and spiritual death. It is what we truly deserve for our wrong choices.

3. God has provided a way out
   The last part of Romans 6:23 concludes with the good news, “...but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Even though we deserve to die, God planned it so we wouldn’t have to. This is a marvelous gift that allows us spiritual life through Jesus Christ.

4. We can have this gift because God loves us
   Don’t believe it when someone tells you that God doesn’t care about your life. The very opposite is true. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This truth is found in John 3:16. God loves all those who He created. Jesus was willing to go to death on the cross to become the sacrifice in our place.

5. This gift of salvation is only available through Jesus
   You may believe that there are many ways to find salvation and peace within. Acts 4:12 says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” You can choose to believe in anyone or anything you want, but only Jesus can bring you true salvation and forgiveness.

6. You must accept Jesus Christ and His salvation
   All the truth in the world means nothing unless you do something about it. Read what Romans 19:9-10 shares with us:“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” We are asked to believe in what Jesus did for us on the cross, and make a confession of faith. It is only this faith that saves us. We can never work for it.

7. Salvation includes eternal life
   Man has tried to find a literal fountain of youth. But God offers us a true life without end. In John 3:36 we read, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” This means that we avoid a literal hell, and instead receive the joys of heaven with our God.

8. We can have an assurance of salvation
   Every Christian desires this assurance. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” You can find that in 1 John 5:13. Read all of 1 John as this was the purpose of the letter. We must be continually obedient to all that God asks of us. To assume a salvation based on a past experience or faith is a grave error on our part.

9. What should you do now?
 Does what you have read answer some of your long-held spiritual questions? If so, then you have come to a place of decision. You must decide what to do with these truths God has revealed to you. Will you make the decision to live for Jesus Christ, or will you just go on from here and ignore God’s voice? The decision is up to you.
   If you would like to follow through with a life of faith in Jesus Christ, you can pray the following prayer. There’s nothing magical about these words, but they represent what God is looking for:

    “Dear Jesus: I know I am a sinner and have sinned against God and man. Please forgive me of my sins and give me another chance to live a holy life in your sight. I know I can’t do it myself, so please  help me to do what is right. I confess you as my Savior and my Lord, and ask you to come into my life. Thank you for loving me and for the wonderful gift of eternal life ahead for me. I pledge to follow through on this decision and live for you all the days of my life.”
  
   Did you mean these words as you prayed them? Then I have good news for you! God has answered your prayer and given you the gift of salvation! You can be sure of it. So what comes next? The best thing you can do is to begin reading your Bible and let God speak to you through His Word. Take every opportunity to communicate with Him in prayer. And find a Bible-believing church to partner with. You might want to talk with the person who gave you this card as they can help you get on the right track. Or contact us at:

Faith Assembly of God
1225 Nicholson Road
Lincoln, Illinois 62656
Church phone: (217) 735-5900
Pastor David Andreasen

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These are non-negotiable tenets of faith that all Assemblies of God churches adhere to. This list is derived from the official Statement of Fundamental Truths. Click links below to see the complete original statement with scriptures.

  1. WE BELIEVE...The Scriptures are Inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.

  2. WE BELIEVE...There is only One True God–revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).

  3. WE BELIEVE...In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God's son Jesus was both human and divine.

  4. WE BELIEVE...though originally good, Man Willingly Fell to Sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.

  5. WE BELIEVE...Every Person Can Have Restored Fellowship with God Through 'Salvation' (trusting Christ, through faith and repentance, to be our personal Savior). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]

  6. WE BELIEVE...and practice two ordinances—(1) Water Baptism by Immersion after repenting of one's sins and receiving Christ's gift of salvation, and (2) Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's suffering and death for our salvation.

  7. WE BELIEVE...the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Special Experience Following Salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it didin New Testament times. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]

  8. WE BELIEVE... The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is ‘Speaking in Tongues,’ as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles.

  9. WE BELIEVE...Sanctification Initially Occurs at Salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.

  10. WE BELIEVE...The Church has a Mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe 'the Church' is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God's offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ.

  11. WE BELIEVE...A Divinely Called and Scripturally Ordained Leadership Ministry Serves the Church. The Bible teaches that each of us under leadership must commit ourselves to reach others for Christ, to worship Him with other believers, and to build up or edify the body of believers–-the Church.

  12. WE BELIEVE...Divine Healing of the Sick is a Privilege for Christians Today and is provided for in Christ's atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]

  13. WE BELIEVE...in The Blessed Hope—When Jesus Raptures His Church Prior to His Return to Earth (the second coming). At this future moment in time all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]

  14. WE BELIEVE...in The Millennial Reign of Christ when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace.

  15. WE BELIEVE...A Final Judgment Will Take Place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire.

  16. WE BELIEVE...and look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on Earth. 'And so shall we forever be with the Lord!'