That God’s purpose concerning man finds fulfillment in a priority reason-for-being: 1) to be an agency of God for evangelizing the world, 2) to be a corporate body in which many worship God, and 3) to be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son, and (4) to demonstrate His love and compassion for all the world.
That the Nebraska District Council of the Assemblies of God, hereinafter called “Nebraska District Council”, exists expressly to give continuing emphasis to this reason-for-being in the New Testament apostolic pattern by teaching and encouraging believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, which enables them to evangelize in the power of the Spirit with accompanying supernatural signs, adding a necessary dimension to worshipful relationship with God, and enabling them to respond to the full working of the Holy Spirit in expression of fruits and gifts and ministries as in New Testament times for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Therefore we recognize ourselves to be a cooperative fellowship of Pentecostal, Spirit-baptized saints from local Pentecostal Assemblies of like precious faith in the Nebraska District Council of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, whose purpose is neither to usurp authority over the various local assemblies, nor to deprive them of their scriptural and local rights and privileges; but to recognize and promote scriptural methods and order for worship, unity, fellowship, work, and business for God so that results of our efforts may be considered and assemblies established and developed along the line of our distinctive testimony; and to disapprove unscriptural methods, doctrines, and conduct, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).
Mission Statement
“We exist to glorify God by loving Him and obeying His Word, being birthed, empowered, and taught by the Holy Spirit, thus becoming more and more like Jesus, taking on His character and ministry, that in these last days, Nebraska, the nation and the world might also glorify Him.”
Definition of Words and Concepts
We exist…
While this statement could be made singular for any individual or made plural for an individual church, the intention of “we exist” is to represent the precious nature of our fellowship among the congregations joined in this Nebraska District. We are a voluntary cooperative fellowship and our unity in diversity is precious to us and is a work of the Holy Spirit Himself, who has brought us to this time. Colossians 1:6-18, 21-23a, Psalm 133:1
…to glorify God…
God is eternally unchanging and resplendent but it is our calling to make His name and character known in the earth. We are to reflect through our humanity how we have been touched by His life, His very Presence and Person. Where we are, God should be seen and honored. Matt. 5:14-16, Ephesians 1:3-6, I Corinthians 10:31
…by loving Him…
He loved us first and has called us to the priority of fellowship with Him. Intimacy with Him must always precede our doing anything for Him. We love Him by speaking with Him, by singing to Him, by attending to His voice in the manifestations of His life and gifts among us, and in the quietness we nurture privately with Him. Romans 5:8, John 15:9, Ephesians 3:14-19
…and obeying His Word…
There can be no love of God without accompanying obedience to His Word and Will. Worship alone is not obedience. If we love Him we will diligently study His Word and keep His commandments, no matter how much the human cost. John 14:15, 21, 23, John 15:10-12, James 1:22, 2:14-17
…being…
We recognize that what we describe here is first of all His initiative toward us. We exist only because He has been and is giving us life. We recognize our “being” is only because He is at work within us to will and work for His good pleasure. John 6:63, Acts 17:24-28, Philippians 2:13
…birthed (by the Holy Spirit)…
The point of beginning is the same for every person – the sovereign action of the Spirit of God to cause us to be born into the family of God. This is salvation and must be experienced individually by repenting of sin to God and by placing faith in Jesus Christ, His Person and work. John 3:3-8, Acts 2:38-40, Ephesians 2:1-10
…empowered (by the Holy Spirit)…
The pattern of empowering as it is described in the book of Acts is for the church of every age. We expect tongues to accompany the infilling of the Holy Spirit as a mark of persons being equipped for spiritual service, and we look for signs to follow in each of our lives as we obey the directives of the Spirit daily. Acts 1:8, 2:1-4, 10:44-46, 19:6, Mark 16:17-18
…taught by the Holy Spirit…
The Bible, God’s Word, is the standard for faith and practice; the inspired, inerrant revelation of truth to mankind for every culture and time. The Holy Spirit “taught” it to the first authors, and reteaches it to us today through personal study and meditation, and through the public gifts of teaching and preaching. John 14:26, II Timothy 2:15, Ephesians 4:11-13
…thus becoming more and more…
None of us have reached perfection. We are all in the process of transformation and will continue to be until we see Him face to face. Philippians 3:7-15, II Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 1:3-6
…like Jesus…
Our standard and goal is to become in all ways like Jesus Christ. Our measure of everything must be this one perfect life and example. Romans 8:29, Colossians 3:1-4, Hebrews 12:2-3
…taking on His character…
We are called to His ethics and values, His priorities and commitment, His lifestyle and justice. Our first question in every situation must be, “What would Jesus do?” Matthew 5:3-10, John 21:19-22, I Peter 2:21
…and (taking on His) ministry…
We are called to His focuses in ministry – to the poor, the oppressed, the lost. We are called to proclaim healing, and deliverance, to the discipling and assembling of His church. Luke 4:18-19, Matthew 25:31-40, I John 4:19-21
…that in these last days,…
We affirm that now, more than ever before, “the day of the Lord is at hand.” The earth is groaning, awaiting the manifestation of the children of God. We are committed to living in the light of the brevity of time itself and of our own personal lives in particular. We live knowing that life is short and is but preparation for eternity. Romans 8:18-25, II Peter 3:8-15, James 4:13-17
…Nebraska,…
Our first call is to take Jesus to every person in Nebraska. Luke 10:27-28, Acts 1:8
…the nation,…
We bear on our hearts the intense need to evangelize and plant churches in the large urban areas of our nation. We will not be selfish. As we feed the nation from our soil, so we shall feed the nation from our hearts. Mark 1:38, Romans 15:20, Romans 10:6-15
…and the world…
The racially diverse, the economically stratified, the geographically segmented, and the politically polarized; this is the world God loves. We shall not rest until the whole world knows Jesus. That is His will for us. John 3:16-17, Galatians 3:26-29, Colossians 3:11, Mark 15:15-20
…might also glorify Him.
Our statement forms a continual cycle of growth. In each place where a church is planted we believe that they too, must take this statement and live it out . . . that all may, with one voice and heart, glorify God forever. II Timothy 2:1-2, Matthew 28:18-20
This Nebraska District Council adopts the Statement of Fundamental Truths adopted by the General Council (in Article V of its Constitution) as follows:
The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. This Statement of Fundamental Truth is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us (i.e., that we all speak the same thing, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Acts 2:42). The phraseology employed in this statement not inspired or contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full-gospel ministry. No claim is made that it contains all biblical truth, only that it covers our need as to these fundamental doctrines.
1. The Scripture Inspired
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 Tim. 3:15-17, 1 Thess. 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21)
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 Ghost (Deut. 6:4, Isaiah. 43:10, 11, Matt. 28:19, Luke 3:22).
3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, the Scriptures declare:
(a) His virgin birth. (Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:31, 35)
(b) His sinless life. (Hebrews 7:26, I Peter 2:22)
(c) His miracles. (Acts 2:22, 10:38)
(d) His substitutionary work on the cross. (I Corinthians 15:3, II Corinthians 5:21)
(e) His bodily resurrection from the dead. (Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:39, I Corinthians 15:4)
(f) His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9, 11, 2:33, Philippians 2:9-11, Hebrews 1:3)
4. The Fall of Man
Man was created good and upright; for God said “Let us make man in our 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, 2:17, 3:6, Romans 5:12-19).
5. The Salvation of Man
Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
(a) 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 Ghost, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47, John 3:3, Romans 10:13-15, Ephesians 2:8, Titus 2:11, 3:5-7).
(b) The Evidences of Salvation
The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24, Titus 2:12).
6. The Ordinances of the Church
(a) Baptism in Water
The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior 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, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:47, 48, Romans 6:4).
(b) 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); a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers “till He come!
7. The Baptism in the Holy Ghost
All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Ghost 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, Acts 1:4, 8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:12-17, 10:44-6, 11:14-16, 15:7-9). With the baptism in the Holy Ghost come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39, Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His Word, and for the lost (Mark 16:20).
8. The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost
The baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4-10, 28), but different in purpose and use.
9. Sanctification
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Romans 12:1, 2, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 13:12). Scriptures teach a life of holiness without which no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command: “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15, 16). Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by 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, 13, 8:1, 2, 13, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:12, 13, 1 Peter 1:5).
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, 2:22, Hebrews 12:23). Since God’s purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshiped by man, and to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, the priority reason-for-being of the Assemblies of God as part of the Church is:
a. To be an agency of God for evangelizing the world (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19, 20, Mark 16:15, 16).
b. To be a corporate body in which man may worship God (1 Corinthians 12:13).
c. To be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 14:12).
d. To be a people who demonstrate God‘s love and compassion for all the world (Psalm 112:9; Galatians 2:10; 6:10; James 1:27).
The Assemblies of God exists expressly to give continuing emphasis to this reason-for-being in the New Testament apostolic pattern by teaching and encouraging believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. This experience:
a. Enables them to evangelize in the power of the Spirit with accompanying supernatural signs (Mark 16:15-20, Acts 4:29-31, Hebrews 2:3, 4).
b. Adds a necessary dimension to a worshipful relationship with God (1 Corinthians 2:10-16, 1 Corinthians 12-14).
c. Enables them to respond to the full working of the Holy Spirit in expression of fruit and gifts and ministries as in New Testament times for the edifying of the body of Christ (Galatians 5:22-26, 1 Corinthians 14:12, Ephesians 4:11, 12, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Colossians 1:29).
11. The Ministry
A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in: (1) evangelization of the world (Mark 16:15-20), (2) worship of God (John 4:23, 24), and (3) building a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11, 16).
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, Matthew 8:16, 17, James 5:14-16).
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, Romans 8:23, Titus 2:13, 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52).
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 the earth for one thousand years (Zechariah 14:5, Matthew 24:27, 30, Revelation 1:7, 19:11-14, 20:1-6). This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Ezekiel 37:21, 22, Zephaniah 3:19, 20, Romans 11:26, 27) and the establishment of universal peace. (Isaiah 11:6-9, Psalm 72:3-8, Micah 4:3, 4).
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 everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43-48, Revelation 19:20, 20:11-15, 21:8).
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, Revelation 21, 22).