Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of First AG New Rochelle NY 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
We believe in one God who reveals Himself through Jesus, the Bible, and all of creation. He exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—holy, loving, and powerful. God is the Creator, the Ruler, and the One who holds everything together.
REVELATON
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.
HUMANITY
We believe every person was lovingly created by God in His image—so you matter and your life has purpose. How we treat others, use our gifts, and live each day can reflect God’s love and be an act of worship.
SIN
We believe our biggest problem is sin—putting anything above God in our hearts and lives. Sin isn’t just doing wrong things; it’s when we trust or treasure something more than we trust God. This broke our connection with God, with others, with ourselves, and even with creation. But there’s hope—because God made a way to restore what was lost.
JESUS
We believe Jesus came to restore our relationship with God. He lived the life we should have lived, died the death we should have died, and was raised from the dead—giving us hope beyond any grave. He offers forgiveness and eternal life as a free gift to all who trust Him. Jesus is our only hope.
THE GOSPEL
We believe the Gospel is our central message and our constant motivation. The Gospel is the good news that God is rescuing humankind and renewing creation in and through the person and work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. Jesus accomplished for you what you could never have accomplished for yourself. The Gospel is an invitation to believe and receive, not instruction or inspiration to achieve.
SALVATION
We believe salvation is found only in trusting fully and solely in Jesus. We are saved when we respond to God's grace by placing faith in the person and work of Jesus. There are three "tenses" of salvation: We have been saved from the penalty of sin, we are being saved from the power of sin, and someday we will be saved from the very presence of sin.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe the Holy Spirit is at work in the life of every Christian; He is the third person of the Godhead. The Holy Spirit was sent to be our helper. The Holy Spirit reveals the person and work of Jesus to our hearts, convicts us of sin, and forms us into the image of Jesus. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live on mission and the Spirit enables us to pray with words, without words and with His words.
GOD'S MISSION
We believe that mission is the heartbeat of God. His mission is to restore the rightful rule and reign of His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven and to form a people for his purposes. We live on mission by sharing God's priorities and perspectives, working for the good of the city and making disciples who make disciples.
THE CHURCH
We believe the church is a community of people transformed by God’s love, called to live for His purpose. At First AG, we gather each week to pursue God passionately—through worship, prayer, Bible teaching, communion, and baptism.
Then we go out to pour into people genuinely, sharing the hope we’ve found and serving those in need. In everything we do, we seek to proclaim the gospel boldly so others can experience the life-changing love of Jesus.
Then we go out to pour into people genuinely, sharing the hope we’ve found and serving those in need. In everything we do, we seek to proclaim the gospel boldly so others can experience the life-changing love of Jesus.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
We believe that we are all in process. Our sanctification (ongoing spiritual growth) is rooted in our justification (being declared righteous by and before God because of faith in Jesus). As we behold Jesus, we become like Him--our beliefs and behavior are changed. Gospel-motivated obedience is nurtured by reliance upon the Spirit, the practice of spiritual disciplines and commitment to doing life together.
RESURRECTION
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.
HEAVEN
We believe that heaven is a place with no more sin, shame or sickness; God is there--He will dwell with His people. All who die in Christ are in the present presence of God. Both those who have died and those who remain await the return of Jesus and the resurrection of their physical bodies on that day. The new heavens and the new earth will be a place where everything will be the way it was meant to be...and so much more! In heaven, we will serve God perfectly, find ever increasing joy, and be healed of all wounds.
DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
ASSEMBLIES of GOD 16 FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS
This "Statement of Fundamental Truths" contains the 16 doctrines of the Assemblies of God. These are non-negotiable tenets of faith that all Assemblies of God churches adhere to. Four of these, Salvation, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, and the Second Coming of Christ are considered Cardinal Doctrines which are essential to the church's core mission of reaching the world for Christ.
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD STATEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS
The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. This Statement of Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us (i.e., that we all speak the same thing, 1 Corinthians 1:10 [KJV/NIV]; Acts 2:42 [KJV/NIV]). The phraseology employed in this Statement is not inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full-gospel ministry. No claim is made that it covers all Biblical truth, only that it covers our need as to these fundamental doctrines.
This "Statement of Fundamental Truths" contains the 16 doctrines of the Assemblies of God. These are non-negotiable tenets of faith that all Assemblies of God churches adhere to. Four of these, Salvation, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, and the Second Coming of Christ are considered Cardinal Doctrines which are essential to the church's core mission of reaching the world for Christ.
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD STATEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS
The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. This Statement of Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us (i.e., that we all speak the same thing, 1 Corinthians 1:10 [KJV/NIV]; Acts 2:42 [KJV/NIV]). The phraseology employed in this Statement is not inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full-gospel ministry. No claim is made that it covers all Biblical truth, only that it covers our need as to these fundamental doctrines.
OUR 16 FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD STATEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS
The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. This Statement of Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us (i.e., that we all speak the same thing, 1 Corinthians 1:10 [KJV/NIV]; Acts 2:42 [KJV/NIV]). The phraseology employed in this Statement is not inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full-gospel ministry. No claim is made that it covers all Biblical truth, only that it covers our need as to these fundamental doctrines.
1. Inspiration from Scripture
The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 [KJV/NIV]
1 Thessalonians 2:13 [KJV/NIV]
2 Peter 1:21 [KJV/NIV]
2. THE ONE TRUE GOD
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent "I AM," the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Deuteronomy 6:4 [KJV/NIV]
Isaiah 43:10,11 [KJV/NIV]
Matthew 28:19 [KJV/NIV]
Luke 3:22 [KJV/NIV]
3. THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
His virgin birth,
Matthew 1:23 [KJV/NIV]
Luke 1:31 [KJV/NIV]
Luke 1:35 [KJV/NIV]
His sinless life,
Hebrews 7:26 [KJV/NIV]
1 Peter 2:22 [KJV/NIV]
His miracles,
Acts 2:22 [KJV/NIV]
Acts 10:38 [KJV/NIV]
His substitutionary work on the cross,
1 Corinthians 15:3 [KJV/NIV]
2 Corinthians 5:21 [KJV/NIV]
His bodily resurrection from the dead,
Matthew 28:6 [KJV/NIV]
Luke 24:39 [KJV/NIV]
1 Corinthians 15:4 [KJV/NIV]
His exaltation to the right hand of God.
Acts 1:9 [KJV/NIV]
Acts 1:11 [KJV/NIV]
Acts 2:33 [KJV/NIV]
Philippians 2:9-11 [KJV/NIV]
Hebrews 1:3 [KJV/NIV]
4. THE FALL OF MAN
Man was created good and upright; for God said, "Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness." However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God.
Genesis 1:26,27 [KJV/NIV]
Genesis 2:17 [KJV/NIV]
Genesis 3:6 [KJV/NIV]
Romans 5:12-19 [KJV/NIV]
5. THE SALVATION OF MAN
Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Conditions to Salvation
Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God, according to the hope of eternal life.
Luke 24:47 [KJV/NIV]
John 3:3 [KJV/NIV]
Romans 10:13-15 [KJV/NIV]
Ephesians 2:8 [KJV/NIV]
Titus 2:11 [KJV/NIV]
Titus 3:5-7 [KJV/NIV]
The Evidence of Salvation
The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit.
Romans 8:16 [KJV/NIV]
The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness.
Ephesians 4:24 [KJV/NIV]
Titus 2:12 [KJV/NIV]
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6. THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
BAPTISM IN WATER
The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life.
Matthew 28:19 [KJV/NIV]
Mark 16:16 [KJV/NIV]
Acts 10:47,48 [KJV/NIV]
Romans 6:4 [KJV/NIV]
HOLY COMMUNION
The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements --bread and the fruit of the vine-- is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4 [KJV/NIV]), a memorial of his suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26 [KJV/NIV]), and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26 [KJV/NIV]), and is enjoined on all believers "till He come!"
6. THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
BAPTISM IN WATER
The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life.
Matthew 28:19 [KJV/NIV]
Mark 16:16 [KJV/NIV]
Acts 10:47,48 [KJV/NIV]
Romans 6:4 [KJV/NIV]
HOLY COMMUNION
The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements --bread and the fruit of the vine-- is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4 [KJV/NIV]), a memorial of his suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26 [KJV/NIV]), and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26 [KJV/NIV]), and is enjoined on all believers "till He come!"
7. THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry.
Luke 24:49 [KJV/NIV]
Acts 1:4 [KJV/NIV]
Acts 1:8 [KJV/NIV]
1 Corinthians 12:1-31 [KJV/NIV]
This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth.
Acts 8:12-17 [KJV/NIV]
Acts 10:44-46 [KJV/NIV]
Acts 11:14-16 [KJV/NIV]
Acts 15:7-9 [KJV/NIV]
With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as:
an overflowing fullness of the Spirit, John 7:37-39 [KJV/NIV], Acts 4:8 [KJV/NIV]
a deepened reverence for God, Acts 2:43 [KJV/NIV], Hebrews 12:28 [KJV/NIV]
an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work, Acts 2:42 [KJV/NIV]
and a more active love for Christ, for His Word and for the lost, Mark 16:20 [KJV/NIV]
8. THE INITIAL PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance.
Acts 2:4 [KJV/NIV]
The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues, but is different in purpose and use.
1 Corinthians 12:4-10 [KJV/NIV]
1 Corinthians 12:28 [KJV/NIV]
9. SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God.
Romans 12:1,2 [KJV/NIV]
1 Thessalonians 5:23 [KJV/NIV]
Hebrews 13:12 [KJV/NIV]
The Scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord."
Hebrews 12:14 [KJV/NIV]
By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: "Be ye holy, for I am holy."
1 Peter 1:15,16 [KJV/NIV]
Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by the faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:1-11 [KJV/NIV]
Romans 6:13 [KJV/NIV]
Romans 8:1,2 [KJV/NIV]
Romans 8:13 [KJV/NIV]
Galatians 2:20 [KJV/NIV]
Philippians 2:12,13 [KJV/NIV]
1 Peter 1:5 [KJV/NIV]
10. THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION
The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven.
Ephesians 1:22,23 [KJV/NIV]
Ephesians 2:22 [KJV/NIV]
Hebrews 12:23 [KJV/NIV]
11. THE MINISTRY
A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the fourfold purpose of leading the Church in:
Evangelization of the world.
Mark 16:15-20 [KJV/NIV]
Worship of God.
John 4:23,24 [KJV/NIV]
Building a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son.
Ephesians 4:11-16 [KJV/NIV]
Meeting human need with ministries of love and compassion.
Psalms 112:9 [KJV/NIV]
Galatians 2:10; 6:10 [KJV/NIV]
James 1:27 [KJV/NIV]
12. DIVINE HEALING
Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers.
Isaiah 53:4,5 [KJV/NIV]
Matthew 8:16,17 [KJV/NIV]
James 5:14-16 [KJV/NIV]
13. THE BLESSED HOPE
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church.
1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 [KJV/NIV]
Romans 8:23 [KJV/NIV]
Titus 2:13 [KJV/NIV]
1 Corinthians 15:51,52 [KJV/NIV]
14. THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST
The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years.
Zechariah 14:5 [KJV/NIV]
Matthew 24:27 [KJV/NIV]
Matthew 24:30 [KJV/NIV]
Revelation 1:7 [KJV/NIV]
Revelation 19:11-14 [KJV/NIV]
Revelation 20:1-6 [KJV/NIV]
This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel,
Ezekiel 37:21,22 [KJV/NIV]
Zephaniah 3:19,20 [KJV/NIV]
Romans 11:26,27 [KJV/NIV]
and the establishment of universal peace.
Isaiah 11:6-9 [KJV/NIV]
Psalms 72:3-8 [KJV/NIV]
Micah 4:3,4 [KJV/NIV]
15. THE FINAL JUDGMENT
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to the everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
Matthew 25:46 [KJV/NIV]
Mark 9:43-48 [KJV/NIV]
Revelation 19:20 [KJV/NIV]
Revelation 20:11-15 [KJV/NIV]
Revelation 21:8 [KJV/NIV]
16. THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH
"We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness."
2 Peter 3:13 [KJV/NIV]
Revelation 21 [KJV/NIV]
Revelation 22 [KJV/NIV]
