What We Believe
Truth That Leads to Life
What We Believe—and Why It Matters
You do not need to understand every Christian doctrine before you walk through our doors. Questions are welcome here. At the same time, truth matters because what we believe about God shapes how we understand ourselves, treat other people, face suffering, and live each day. Ignite Church AG is part of the Northwest Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God, and the Bible is the foundation for our faith and practice.
God created us to know Him and live in relationship with Him. Sin separates every one of us from God, and none of us can repair that separation through good behavior or religion. Jesus Christ—the eternal Son of God—lived without sin, died in our place, and bodily rose from the dead. Everyone who turns from sin and trusts in Jesus receives forgiveness, new life, and restored fellowship with God as a gift of grace.
Why this matters: Christianity is not about earning God’s love. It is responding to the love God has already shown us through Jesus.
Key Scriptures: John 3:16–17; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8; Romans 10:9–13; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Ephesians 2:8–10.
The Bible is God-breathed, trustworthy, and our final authority for what we believe and how we live. Through the Old and New Testaments, God reveals who He is, what He has done, and His plan to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ. We read Scripture in its context and depend on the Holy Spirit to help us understand and faithfully apply it.
Why this matters: Our faith is grounded in God’s revealed truth rather than changing opinions, traditions, or cultural trends.
Key Scriptures: Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:15–17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20–21.
Our 16 Fundamental Truths
Our beliefs are more than ideas. They shape how we know God, understand ourselves, and live with hope.
These beliefs summarize the essential doctrines we hold as an Assemblies of God church. Open any section for a plain-language explanation, why it matters, and the Scriptures behind it.
We believe the entire Bible—both Old and New Testaments—is inspired by God and is the trustworthy, authoritative standard for faith and conduct.
Why this matters: Scripture gives us a reliable foundation for knowing God, recognizing truth, and learning how to live.
Key Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:15–17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20–21.
There is one true God, the eternal Creator and Redeemer, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three distinct Persons are perfectly united as one God—commonly called the Trinity.
Why this matters: God is personal, relational, holy, and worthy of our complete trust and worship.
Key Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10–11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22; 2 Corinthians 13:14.
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God—fully God and fully human. He was born of a virgin, lived without sin, performed miracles, died in our place, bodily rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and now reigns at the Father’s right hand.
Why this matters: Because Jesus is truly God and truly human, He alone can reveal God to us, bear our sin, defeat death, and reconcile us to the Father.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 1:23; John 1:1–14; Acts 2:22–36; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Philippians 2:9–11; Hebrews 1:1–3.
Human beings were created good and in God’s image, but humanity freely chose disobedience. Sin brought spiritual separation from God, brokenness, and physical death into the world. Every person is affected by sin and needs God’s rescue.
Why this matters: The Bible honestly explains what is wrong with our world and why personal effort alone cannot heal the deepest problem of the human heart.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 3:1–19; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12–19.
Salvation is God’s gift, made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We receive forgiveness and new life by turning from sin toward God and placing our faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. We are saved by grace, not by earning God’s acceptance.
Why this matters: Anyone can come to Jesus. Our past does not place us beyond His mercy, and religious achievement does not replace genuine repentance and faith.
Key Scriptures: Luke 24:46–47; John 3:3–17; Romans 10:9–13; Ephesians 2:8–10; Titus 3:4–7.
Jesus gave the Church two practices that visibly proclaim the Gospel. Water baptism by immersion follows repentance and faith, publicly identifying a believer with Christ’s death and resurrection. Holy Communion remembers Jesus’ sacrifice, celebrates our shared life in Him, and points forward to His return.
Why this matters: These practices help believers publicly remember, proclaim, and live out what Jesus has done.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26.
We believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience following salvation that empowers believers for holy living, courageous witness, and effective service. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts and enables ordinary people to participate in God’s mission, just as He did in the New Testament Church.
Why this matters: Following Jesus is not something we do through willpower alone. God gives His people power to live faithfully and share Christ with others.
Key Scriptures: Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4–8; Acts 8:12–17; Acts 10:44–46; 1 Corinthians 12:1–11.
We believe the initial physical evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues as the Spirit enables. This was experienced on the Day of Pentecost and appears throughout the book of Acts. This sign is related to, but distinct in purpose from, the congregational gift of tongues described in 1 Corinthians.
Why this matters: This doctrine reminds us that the Holy Spirit is still present and active, empowering Christ’s followers today.
Key Scriptures: Acts 2:1–4; Acts 10:44–46; Acts 19:1–6; 1 Corinthians 12:4–10, 28.
Sanctification is the Holy Spirit’s lifelong work of setting believers apart from sin and making us more like Jesus. It begins when we are saved and continues as we surrender to God, obey His Word, and depend on the Spirit’s power.
Why this matters: Jesus does not only forgive our past; He transforms our character, choices, relationships, and purpose.
Key Scriptures: Romans 6:1–14; Romans 12:1–2; Galatians 2:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15–16.
The Church is not merely a building or weekly event; it is the worldwide body of everyone who belongs to Jesus. God calls the Church to worship Him, make disciples, proclaim the Gospel, grow believers into Christlikeness, and demonstrate His love and compassion to the world.
Why this matters: Every believer has a place in God’s family and a part in His mission.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:22–23; Ephesians 2:19–22; Ephesians 4:11–16.
God calls and equips spiritual leaders to serve the Church. Pastors and ministry leaders are responsible to teach Scripture, care for people, equip believers for service, protect sound doctrine, and help the Church fulfill its mission with humility and integrity.
Why this matters: Biblical leadership does not exist for status or control; it exists to serve people and help every believer mature in Christ.
Key Scriptures: Mark 10:42–45; Ephesians 4:11–13; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; 2 Timothy 4:1–5; 1 Peter 5:1–4.
We believe God still heals and that divine healing is provided through Christ’s atoning work. We pray with faith for the sick, depend on the Holy Spirit, and trust God’s wisdom and compassion in every outcome.
Why this matters: Sickness and suffering matter to Jesus. The Church can pray with hope while walking faithfully and compassionately with people through every season.
Key Scriptures: Isaiah 53:4–5; Matthew 8:16–17; James 5:14–16; 1 Peter 2:24.
Our Blessed Hope is that Jesus will gather His Church to Himself before His visible return to earth. Believers who have died will be raised, and believers who are alive will be caught up with them to be with the Lord forever.
Why this matters: Christians face death and uncertainty with confident hope because Jesus will return and His people will always be with Him.
Key Scriptures: John 14:1–3; 1 Corinthians 15:51–52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Titus 2:13.
We believe Jesus will return with His saints and reign over the earth for one thousand years. His reign will bring righteous rule, the salvation of national Israel, and the establishment of universal peace.
Why this matters: History is moving toward the rule of Jesus. Evil will not have the final word, and God will fulfill His promises.
Key Scriptures: Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:27–30; Revelation 19:11–14; Revelation 20:1–6.
We believe every person will ultimately answer to God. Those who reject Christ will face final judgment and eternal separation from God. God is perfectly holy and just, and He lovingly calls people everywhere to repent and receive the salvation offered through Jesus.
Why this matters: Our choices have eternal significance, and the Gospel is an urgent message of mercy and rescue.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 25:31–46; John 3:16–18; Revelation 20:11–15; 2 Peter 3:9.
We look forward to the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness dwells and God lives forever with His redeemed people. Sin, death, grief, pain, and everything broken by evil will be gone. God will make all things new.
Why this matters: Christian hope is not an escape from creation but its final restoration under the reign of Jesus.
Key Scriptures: 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1–7; Revelation 22:1–5.