The Ordinances of the Church

We believe in baptism by immersion in water following salvation. This ordinance is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe in Christ as Lord and Saviour are to be baptised. In this act we declare to the world that we have died with Christ and have been raised with Him to live a new life.

We believe in Holy Communion, also known as The Lord’s Supper, consisting of bread and wine. These symbols express our sharing in the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. They are also a memorial of His suffering and death and a prophecy of His second coming. The observance of Holy Communion is to be celebrated by all believers until He returns.

The Church and Mission

We believe that the Church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Holy Spirit, with divine gifts and graces for the fulfilment of the Great Commission. Every believer is an integral part of the universal Church and should find a place of connection and belonging in a local church. Since God’s purpose concerning humanity is to seek and to save those who are lost, to draw humanity into fellowship, and to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, the primary reason for being of the Assemblies of God in New Zealand as part of the Church is:

  1. To be an agency of God for evangelising the world
  2. To be a corporate body in which people may worship God
  3. To be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of believers, who are being perfected in the image of His Son

Christian Ministry

We believe that a divinely called and biblically ordained body of ministers has been provided by Christ for the threefold purpose of leading the Church to evangelise the world, the worship of God and in building a body of believers, who are being perfected in the image of His Son. We also believe that every member of the body of Christ is called to active service.

Divine Healing

We believe that divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Healing, health and wholeness for the whole person is provided for in the atoning work of Christ.

The Kingdom of God

We believe that Christ came to inaugurate the Kingdom of God. This Kingdom is therefore already present but is not yet fully realised. It is seen wherever God’s reign is extended and is a present reality in the hearts and lives of believers. The Church is empowered by the Holy Spirit as the agency by which the Kingdom is extended. The Kingdom will be seen in its fullness when Christ returns at the end of this age.

The Return of Christ

We believe in the physical and visible return of Christ. At this time those who have died believing in Christ will be resurrected. They will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, along with those believers who are alive at the time of His return. This is the hope of all believers, in all ages. We believe in the millennial reign of Christ.

Judgment

We believe that every person who has ever lived will face a day of final judgment. The righteous will be judged for rewards at the judgment seat of Christ. The unbelievers will face eternal separation from God in hell.

The New Heavens and the New Earth

We believe in the promise of a new heavens and a new earth, the eternal home of the righteous.