Information On Foursquare Churches In Las Vegas

By Mary Ward


The name Foursquare Church is the common name used to refer to International Church of Foursquare Gospel. The longer version of the name is usually shortened to ICFG. ICFG is a protestant evangelical Pentecostal Christian denomination that was founded by Aimee Semple McPherson in 1923. As such, the church has a long history in the United States although its membership remains comparatively lower than other denominations of the same age. Foursquare churches in Las Vegas are some of the churches of the denomination with the largest congregations.

The four-fold ministry of Jesus is the sources of the name Foursquare church. These four ministries include soon-returning King, Baptizer, Savior, and Healer. Believers of this faith believe in baptismal by the Holy Ghost, salvation, the return, and the healing power of Jesus Son of God. They believe that the return of Jesus Christ is new and He will punish sinners while glorifying the righteous into the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Declaration of Faith refers to a compilation of text written by McPherson, the founder of this faith. The Declaration of Faith contains beliefs of the church. Members have faith in the Holy Trinity, verbal inspiration of scriptures of the Bible, and deity of Jesus. Human beings became sinful in nature after the fall, but they took after God in likeness.

ICFG members believe that sins of the world were taken away through the death of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the salvation that people receive came through grace and not good works of the individuals that receive it. Faith in turn leads to justification and being born again comes through repentance of sin. In this denomination, those who are born again proclaim Jesus as their only King and Lord.

The church also believes that human beings possess the free will to do what they please. That puts them at risk of backsliding from salvation, but through prayer and repentance, they are redeemed. Sanctification is viewed as a continuous process in the book of beliefs and should not be stopped so as to attain spiritual growth. Total surrender and consecration to God lead to attainment of Christian perfection.

The ICFG has the Foursquare Convention as the main body responsible for making decisions. The convention meets biennially. Members of the convention are comprised of international officers and ministers, often licensed. Delegates are sent to the convention from churches in the United States to vote on key issues. Churches that are located outside the United States are also allowed to send delegates to vote in the convention.

Local churches form subordinate divisions of the International church. They are governed by bylaws enforced by the International church. ICFG churches fall into two broad categories, that is charter member and covenant member churches. A charter member church is not legally separate from the International church and its property is owned by the main church.

Conversely, the international church and covenant churches are separate entities, with the latter owning property of their own. Non-member and pioneer churches are also classified under covenant churches. Any pioneer church is capable of being upgraded to a covenant church.




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