Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Pine Forest Assembly of God based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these Biblical doctrines.
God
There is one eternally existing God who has three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible, and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise. God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, justice, and mercy. He is unchangeable and therefore is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Revelation
God has revealed himself to us through his son, Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God, the holy scriptures, and through all of creation itself.
Mankind
Humans, both male and female, were created in God's image for His glory. The first humans, Adam and Eve, were created without sin and appointed as caretakers of the rest of God's creations.
The Fall
When Adam and Eve chose not to obey God, they ceased to be what they were made to be and became distorted images of God. This caused them to fall out of fellowship with God, and fractured all of creation ever since that time.
Salvation
Jesus Christ came to reconcile us with God. He lived a life without sin and willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty for our transgressions. God raised him from the dead and now, by grace, offers as a free gift of eternal life to all who follow Christ, by faith, as their Lord and Savior. That is why salvation can be found in Christ alone.
The Church
The Church is meant to be the visible body of Christ, sent into the world to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ressurection
Jesus Christ is returning one day to judge both the living and the dead and to usher in the fullness of God's kingdom on earth.
Scripture References
We believe...
*In the Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of God, (2 Tim. 3:15, 16).
*In one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; Mark 12:29).
*In the virgin birth of Christ, His vicarious, atoning death, bodily resurrection, and ascension, (Isa. 7:14; Rom. 8:34; Acts 1:10).
*In salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, (1 John 5:10; Rom. 10:13-15).
*In water baptism by immersion, (Matt. 28:19).
*In divine healing through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross, (Isa. 53:4; Matt. 8:16, 17; Jas. 5:13, 14).
*In the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues, (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 15:8, 9).
*In the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit who enables a believer to live holy, (Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15, 16).
*In the second coming of Jesus Christ, (Acts 24:15; Luke 14:14; Rev. 19:7-9).
*In the Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of God, (2 Tim. 3:15, 16).
*In one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; Mark 12:29).
*In the virgin birth of Christ, His vicarious, atoning death, bodily resurrection, and ascension, (Isa. 7:14; Rom. 8:34; Acts 1:10).
*In salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, (1 John 5:10; Rom. 10:13-15).
*In water baptism by immersion, (Matt. 28:19).
*In divine healing through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross, (Isa. 53:4; Matt. 8:16, 17; Jas. 5:13, 14).
*In the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues, (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 15:8, 9).
*In the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit who enables a believer to live holy, (Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15, 16).
*In the second coming of Jesus Christ, (Acts 24:15; Luke 14:14; Rev. 19:7-9).
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
What it means to be baptized by the Holy Spirit...
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever (John 14:16).
When Jesus returned to Heaven, He promised His disciples they would not be left alone. He told them He would send the Holy Spirit who would baptize them with power to preach the Gospel.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witness unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Jesus did send the Holy Spirit, just as He promised he would. There were 120 disciples gathered together in an upper room to pray, waiting for the promised Holy Spirit.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)
This wonderful outpouring from God was followed by one of the most dynamic demonstrations of preaching recorded in the Bible. Peter was a disciple who had earlier denied that he even knew Jesus. He was so changed by this baptism of power that 3000 men (not even counting women or children) were saved when he preached that day!
This is the primary purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. God does not expect us to witness to others about Jesus without any proof or evidence to back up what we are saying.
A witness is someone who produces proof that what he is saying is true. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a baptism of power which gives us the ability to produce proof that what we are saying about Jesus is true—that He is alive and wants to live in every person!
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4
The first evidence the disciples had of this new baptism was the ability to speak in an unknown tongue—a language they had never learned. Visitors to the city even heard them speaking in their own languages, telling the wonderful works of God.
Peter explained that not only was this the fulfillment of the promise Jesus made, it had been prophesied by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy (Acts 2:17,18)
God does not expect us to preach without power and He does not expect us to live without power.
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20).
Speaking in other tongues is a benefit that results from being baptized in the Holy Spirit. It is an important part of our prayer life. By taking time to speak in tongues when we pray, we can build ourselves up spiritually. It is important to remain strong in our faith so our testimony of what God has done in our lives remains strong and brings glory to Him.
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
If you have been born again, you can receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
All you need to do is ask:
“Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me. Thank you for making me new from the inside out. I ask you now to baptize me with the Holy Spirit. Fill me with power from on high to be a witness for you.”
God will fill you to overflowing, just like you asked Him to. You now have within you the ability to speak with other tongues. Be sure to take time in prayer to allow God to develop this gift in you.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13).
You will also begin to experience a new understanding of the Bible. As you spend time reading your Bible, the Holy Spirit will begin to show you truths from God’s word, which will help you in your walk with God.
You have turned in an exciting new direction in your Christian life. God wants to do wonderful things in your life. Your old life is gone and your new life is just beginning. You will never, ever be the same again!
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever (John 14:16).
When Jesus returned to Heaven, He promised His disciples they would not be left alone. He told them He would send the Holy Spirit who would baptize them with power to preach the Gospel.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witness unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Jesus did send the Holy Spirit, just as He promised he would. There were 120 disciples gathered together in an upper room to pray, waiting for the promised Holy Spirit.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)
This wonderful outpouring from God was followed by one of the most dynamic demonstrations of preaching recorded in the Bible. Peter was a disciple who had earlier denied that he even knew Jesus. He was so changed by this baptism of power that 3000 men (not even counting women or children) were saved when he preached that day!
This is the primary purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. God does not expect us to witness to others about Jesus without any proof or evidence to back up what we are saying.
A witness is someone who produces proof that what he is saying is true. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a baptism of power which gives us the ability to produce proof that what we are saying about Jesus is true—that He is alive and wants to live in every person!
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4
The first evidence the disciples had of this new baptism was the ability to speak in an unknown tongue—a language they had never learned. Visitors to the city even heard them speaking in their own languages, telling the wonderful works of God.
Peter explained that not only was this the fulfillment of the promise Jesus made, it had been prophesied by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy (Acts 2:17,18)
God does not expect us to preach without power and He does not expect us to live without power.
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20).
Speaking in other tongues is a benefit that results from being baptized in the Holy Spirit. It is an important part of our prayer life. By taking time to speak in tongues when we pray, we can build ourselves up spiritually. It is important to remain strong in our faith so our testimony of what God has done in our lives remains strong and brings glory to Him.
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
If you have been born again, you can receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
All you need to do is ask:
“Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me. Thank you for making me new from the inside out. I ask you now to baptize me with the Holy Spirit. Fill me with power from on high to be a witness for you.”
God will fill you to overflowing, just like you asked Him to. You now have within you the ability to speak with other tongues. Be sure to take time in prayer to allow God to develop this gift in you.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13).
You will also begin to experience a new understanding of the Bible. As you spend time reading your Bible, the Holy Spirit will begin to show you truths from God’s word, which will help you in your walk with God.
You have turned in an exciting new direction in your Christian life. God wants to do wonderful things in your life. Your old life is gone and your new life is just beginning. You will never, ever be the same again!