The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about daily living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any form of error (including scientific and historical.)
(I Tim 1:13 & 3 :16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; I Cor 2:13; Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 30:5)
God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God.
(Genesis 1:1, 26, 27 & 3:22; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus came to this earth in the flesh, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin and lived a sinless human life as God in a body. Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He physically rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. Jesus ascended to Heaven and will physically return again someday to earth to reign as King.
(Matt 1:22,23; John 1:1-5,14; Heb 4:14-15; 1 Cor 15:3-4; Rom 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Tim 6:14-15; Is. 7:14; 9:6)
Human Beings / Sin Nature
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called sin. Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our life.
(Gen 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Rom 3:23)
Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty of death. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
(Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:2; Gal 3:26; Rom 5:1, 10:9-10)
Communion
We regularly practice (usually once a month) Communion or the Lord’s Supper in our weekend services. Jesus initiated this practice (I Cor 11:28-32) as a way to help us remember His death and resurrection.
Water Baptism
We practice baptism by fully immersing an adult person in water. Baptism is not necessary for salvation, but is simply a choice that is made to obey Jesus’ command and to follow His example. Teens are encouraged to be water baptized as well (those under age 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian). At Erie First, we baptize people “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
(Matthew 3:13-17; 28;19; Acts 2:34-36; 19:1-6)
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
When a person begins a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to live inside the believer at the moment of salvation. At Erie First, we also believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a biblical experience that follows salvation (Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 10:44-46; Gal 3:14-15). This baptism of the Holy Spirit is given to every believer who asks God for it.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
In 1 Corinthians 12-14, the Bible lists many gifts of the Holy Spirit. The First Century Church practiced these gifts regularly, and we should as well. We desire to have these gifts functioning within the members of our local church family too.
Physical Healing in Jesus Christ
We believe what Jesus’ death on the cross provided physical healing to our human bodies. God’s miracle power for healing is freely given to us as we pray in faith.
(Isaiah 53:4,5; Matt 8:16,17; James 5:14-16)
Marriage
God created marriage (Genesis 2:22). It is a covenant made between a man and a woman that makes them one (Genesis 2:24). The marriage covenant requires the married parties to be faithful, loving, and helpful to each other as long as they both shall live (Mark 10:31).
Family
The family is the first and most important classroom and training ground for society. We believe God’s best vision for family is based on a marriage covenant between a man and a woman, which provides the child with the effective presence of both a father and a mother in their upbringing. The family provides the security, the heritage, and the perpetuation of morality without which no society can survive (Genesis 4:12; Ephesians 6:14).
Our Affiliation
Erie First Assembly is a member church of the Assemblies of God. You can find more info here.