Quartz Hill Foursquare Church
 

What We Believe


Purpose
The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel exists to glorify God and advance His kingdom in obedience to Jesus Christ's mandate to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19). Therefore, we are "Dedicated unto the cause of interdenominational and worldwide evangelism."

Mission 
In fulfillment of our biblical purpose we believe we are called to present Jesus Christ, God's Son as the Savior, the Healer, the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit and the Soon-Coming King and to establish healthy, mature, culturally appropriate, reproducing churches. Therefore, we are dedicated to the development of churches which are infinitely reproducible, making possible the continuous spread of the gospel to those yet unreached.

Vision
In order to fulfill its biblical purpose and historic mission, the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel seeks to follow the pattern of Spirit-empowered church devleopment found in the New Testament epistles and the book of Acts (Acts 1:8). A four-stage developmental process is followed both in North America and throughout the world. Foursquare Missions focuses on such development internationally, seeking to foster a worldwide family of national churches related by loving servanthood.

Stage 1: Pioneer
The church starts when workers bring the lost to Christ and plant local congregations. The goal is responsible disciples who evangelize and reproduce themselves. The church at Thessalonica in Greece started this way (Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10).

Stage 2: Establish
The church grows stronger when workers give practical Christian teaching and train leaders. The goal is responsible, reproducing leaders who serve their families and the local church. The church on the island of Crete matured this way (Titus 1-3).

Stage 3: Empower
The national church organizes to govern and support itself and to do its own evangelism in a way that is sensitive to local cultures. The goal is responsible local congregations that plant other churches. Together they become a national church movement to reach the entire country. The church at Ephesus in Turkey developed and multiplied this way (Acts 19-20).

Stage 4: Send
The national church reaches out to people of other cultures and languages. The goal is responsible national churches that send and support workers who serve other cultures and countries. In obedience to the Holy Spirit, the church at Antioch in Syria became such a church when they sent Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:1-4).

Name
"Foursquare" is a Biblical term used of the tabernacle in the Book of Exodus, of the Temple of the Lord in Ezekiel 40:47, and of Heaven, as described in the book of the Revelation. The term "Foursquare Gospel" was given in the inspiration of revival to the denomination's founder, Aimee Semple McPherson, during an evangelistic campaign in Oakland, CA, 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 name represents the four-fold ministries of Jesus:

CROSS: life
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him..." –Isaiah 53:5 (Titus 2:14, Isaiah 55:7, Hebrews 7:25, Isaiah 1:18)

DOVE: strength
"For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit... 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 ends of the earth." –Acts 1:5,8 (John 14:16-17, Acts 2:4, Acts 8:17, Acts 10:44-46, 1 Corinthians 3:16)

CUP: healing
"He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses..." –Matthew 8:17 (Mark 16:17-18, Matthew 9:5-6, Acts 4:29-30)

CROWN: hope
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout... 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 (Titus 2:12-13, Matthew 24:36-44, Hebrews 9:28, Luke 19:13, Luke 12:35-37.)

Values 
The Foursquare Church values the following concepts and behaviors in pursuit of a community of believers that is bound together with a common belief system and ethic:

  • prayer
  • relying upon the Scriptures as God’s infallible word
  • striving for balance in doctrine and practice
  • practicing sensitivity and awareness
  • practicing compassionate justice
  • having concern for a lost world
  • embracing diversity
  • teaching people about God and how to live well
  • caring for leaders
  • cultivating a relational family
  • releasing people into their God-ordained ministries
  • managing our resources with excellence
  • practicing creativity and innovation

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