AGA Constitution
(Extract)
1.2 THE TRINITY
1.2.1 We believe the Lord our God is but one only living and true God; who is in and of Himself infinite in being and perfection; whose essence cannot be comprehended by anyone but Himself; a most pure spirit, invisible, who alone is immortal, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto who is immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, every way infinite, most holy, most wise, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long suffering, abundant in goodness and truth; forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sins; the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, and most just and terrible in His Judgements, hating all sin. (Duet. 6:4; Jer. 10:10; John 1:1-3; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:2; Matt. 28:19; Ex. 3:14; John 4:24)
1.2.2 We believe that in this divine and infinite Being, there are three Persons - The Father, The Word or Son, and The Holy Spirit, each having the same individual essence, power and eternity yet the essence undivided. The Father is of none, neither begotten nor preceding; The Son is eternally begotten of the Father; The Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son; all infinite, without beginning, there is but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative attributes and personal relations; . (1 John 5:7; Matt.28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Ex. 3:14; John 14:11; 1 Cor. 8:6; John 1:14-18; John 15:26; Gal. 6:6)
The AGA Constitution is dedicated to Henry Alexander White Former General Overseer of the AGA, a servant of the denomination for fifty-three years, life member of the Executive Board, former Pastor of Rehoboth Gospel Assembly, and former pastoral overseer of many of our local churches.
While Pastor White’s contribution to the Associated Gospel Assemblies, and also to the Evangelical Church in Jamaica is significant, the AGA Constitution is dedicated to him primarily for his contribution to writing about, for, and on behalf of the AGA. He is chiefly responsible for the written historical accounts of yesteryear through the Ebenezer Messenger, the Ebenezer Bulletin, the AGA Convention Reporter and special anniversary magazines. Further, he has been policy-maker as a writer and editor of the three editions of the AGA Handbook and Statement of Faith which this Constitution succeeds: the first edition of twenty-nine pages (1969); the second edition of thirty-nine pages (1977); and the third edition of forty-four pages (1991).
1.1.1 We believe the Holy Scriptures are the only sufficient, certain and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience.
1.1.2 We believe that under the name Holy Scriptures is contained all the books of the Old and New Testament (sixty-six in number) being immediately inspired by God who caused the writers to impart divine truth in accordance with His exact mind and will and who through His singular care and providence, has kept them free from error, so that they are genuine as well as authentic. (2 Tim. 3:15, 16,17; Isa. 8:20; Heb. 1:1; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 Thess. 2:13)
1.1.3 We believe the infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of a Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be examined with other Scriptures that speak more clearly. (Acts 15:15, 16; I Peter 1:2-21)
1.5 JUSTIFICATION
1.5.1 We believe those whom God calls, He freely justifies, not by infusing righteousness onto them, but by pardoning their sins, and accounting and accepting them as righteous; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's merits alone. (Rom. 3:24, 4:5-8, 8:30; Eph.1:7)
1.5.2 We believe Christ by His obedience and death fully discharged the debt of all those who are justified, and made a proper and full satisfaction to God's justice on their behalf; yet their justification is only of free grace. (1 Peter 1:18-19; Isa. 53:5-8; Eph. 1:7)
1.5.3 We believe the justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in all respects, one and the same with justification of believers under the New Testament. (Gal. 3:9; Rom. 4:22-24.)
1.6 SANCTIFICATION
1.6.1 We believe those who belong to Christ, having been regenerated, are also further sanctified, really and personally through the same virtue, by His word and Spirit indwelling them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified; and they are quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to practice true holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. (Acts 2:32; Rom. 6:5-6; John 17:17; Col. 1:11; 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:14)
1.3 THE FATHER
.3.1 We believe in God the Father, the First Person of the Trinity who has eternally existed and is immortal, whose nature is both transcendent and immanent and whose attributes are perfect, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, immutable, compassionate, merciful and just. (Gen. 1:26; Matt. 28:19; Duet. 33:27; Ps. 90:2; I Tim. 1:17; Isa. 57:15; 2 Chron. 2:6; Ex. 29:45; Matt. 6:25-28, 5:48; Gen. 17:1; Heb. 4:13; Job 12:13; Mal. 3:6; 2 Kgs. 13:23)
1.4 THE HOLY SPIRIT
1.4.1 We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity, proceeding from the Father, and the Son, and is of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternally God. His relationship to the unbelieving world is that He convicts of sin, righteousness and judgement. His work among believers is that He seals, indwells, infills, guides and teaches them ways of righteousness.
1.4.2 We believe the distinction between the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and now in the New Testament, dispensation must be recognized.
1.6.3 We believe there is a new and unique work of the Holy Spirit in relation to the body of Christ for which there is no Old Testament parallel. (Matt. 28:19; John 14:16,17; John 14:26; John 7:39; John 16:7; Heb. 9:14; Eph.1:13-14)
1.7 SAVING FAITH & REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE AND SALVATION & STRENGTHENING
1.7.1 We believe that saving faith whereby sinners are enabled to believe in Christ to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, ordinarily wrought by the ministry of His Word and strengthened by other means appointed by God. (2 Cor. 4:13; Eph. 2:8; Rom. 1:14-17)
1.7.2 We believe repentance is a change of mind towards God from sin, whereby a person being made sensible of the manifold evils of himself, for it with Godly sorrow, praying for pardon and strength of grace, with a new purpose and endeavour to walk before God unto all well-pleasing in all things. (Zach. 12:10; Acts 11:18; 2 Cor. 7:11)
1.7.3 We believe as repentance is continued through the whole course of the believers’ lives, because of the sinful tendency of the flesh, that it is therefore man's duty to repent of particular known sins.