Our Doctrine
Our Name – The Foursquare Gospel Church:
Our name reflects the unchanging ministry of Jesus Christ and our mission to declare it worldwide. The four squares of our logo represent the four scriptural roles of Jesus as Savior, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit, Healer and Soon-Coming King.
The term “Foursquare Gospel” was given in the inspiration of revival to our founder, Aimee Semple McPherson, during an evangelistic campaign in Oakland, California, in 1922. It represents that which is equally balanced on all sides, established and enduring. Such confidence in the power of the Gospel is also expressed by the verse, Hebrews 13:8, displayed in Foursquare churches proclaiming,
“Jesus Christ the Same, Yesterday and Today and Forever.”
The Foursquare Church exists to glorify God and advance His kingdom. Jesus Christ’s command is to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19). Therefore, we are “Dedicated unto the cause of Inter-denominational and Worldwide Evangelism.”* These words express our spirit and our focus.
Our call is to preach Jesus Christ, God’s Son, as The Savior, The Baptizer, The Healer and The Coming King.
Our assignment is to develop healthy, growing churches. Our commitment is to plant national churches around the world led by loving servants of Jesus Christ. Churches developed in this manner will reproduce again and again.This makes possible the spread of the gospel to those who have not heard or accepted the message of God’s Son.
What we Believe
Since Foursquare began, we’ve stayed true to our doctrine and founding statement of faith. Though ways of doing church may change with time, cultures and contexts, our message remains anchored in God’s Word.
Jesus Christ the Saviour of the World
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him…” – Isaiah 53:5
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” – Titus 2:14
Jesus Christ the Healer
“that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying: Himself took our infirmities, and bare our diseases..” – Mathew 8:17
“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[a] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will.” – Mark 16:17-18
Jesus Christ the Baptizer and Holy Spirit
“for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Mathew 8:17
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? ” – Mark 16:17-18
Jesus Christ the Soon Coming King
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
“so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” – Hebrew 9:28
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” – Titus 2:14
The Foursquare Church Believes:
22 Tenets of Faith
These we believe, the Foursquare declaration of Faith.
BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that baptism with the Holy Spirit empowers believers, and that the Holy Spirit’s incoming follows the same pattern that is described in the New Testament (Acts 2:4).
WATER BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that baptism by immersion in water is an outward sign of an inward work (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4). We believe in commemorating the Lord’s Supper by the symbolic use of bread and fruit of the vine (1 Cor. 11:24, 25).
CHURCH RELATIONSHIP
We believe that followers of Christ have a sacred duty to identify with the visible church of Jesus Christ and should meet regularly with fellow believers (Heb. 10:24, 25).
CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that laws and ordinances come from God’s ultimate authority and should be upheld, except when they are in opposition to the revealed will of God (Rom. 13:1-5).
DAILY CHRISTIAN LIFE
We believe that it is the will of God for believers to walk in progressive sanctification, growing continuously in the faith (Heb. 6:1).
DIVINE HEALING
We believe that divine healing is the power of Christ to heal the sick in answer to prayer offered in faith (Jas. 5:14-16).
EVANGELISM
We believe that the church’s primary responsibilities are taking the gospel to the entire world and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matt. 28:19-20).
THE ETERNAL GODHEAD
We believe that God is Triune: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14).
THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man is created in the image of God but, by voluntary disobedience, fell from perfection—thereby imbuing humanity with sinfulness (Rom. 5:12).
THE GIFTS AND FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit has gifts to bestow upon Christians (1 Cor. 12:1-11) and that we should show spiritual fruit as evidence of a Spirit-filled life (Gal. 5:22-25).
HEAVEN
We believe that heaven is the glorious eternal home of born-again believers (John 14:1-3; Rev. 7:15-17).
HELL
We believe that hell is the place of eternal torment for all who reject Christ as Savior (Rev. 20:11-15).
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Bible is God-inspired (2 Tim. 3:16, 17)
THE FINAL JUDGMENT
We believe every person will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive eternal life or death (Rev. 20:11-15; Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10).
MODERATION
We believe that people who follow Christ should avoid the extremes of fanaticism and pursue lives of balance and moderation, demonstrating gentleness and patience (Phil. 4:5, KJV; Col. 3:12, 13).
THE NEW BIRTH
We believe that a genuine change takes place in people who accept Christ as Savior; believers allow Christ’s life to be lived through them (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20).
REPENTANCE AND ACCEPTANCE
We believe that, upon sincere repentance and a wholehearted acceptance of Christ, we are justified before God (Rom. 10:8-10; 1 John 1:9).
THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION
We believe that, while we were sinners, Christ died for us—pardoning all who believe in Him (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8).
SALVATION THROUGH GRACE
We believe that we receive salvation when we come to God through faith in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Salvation is God’s gift to us (Eph. 2:8).
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent (1 Thess. 4:16, 17; Titus 2:11- 13).
THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE
We believe that it is the will of God that we daily walk in the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30-32).
TITHES AND OFFERINGS
We believe the method ordained by God for the support and spread of His cause is giving tithes and offerings (Mal. 3:10; 2 Cor. 9:7).