International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel was founded by evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson in Los Angeles in 1923. Its theology centers on four aspects of Christ's ministry: Savior, Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, Healer, and Coming King. It holds to Arminian soteriology, believer's baptism by immersion, the ongoing gifts of the Spirit including tongues, and premillennial eschatology. The denomination has grown significantly in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, and has historically allowed women in pastoral leadership.
Theology
Christology
Nature of Jesus
Affirms
Fully divine and fully human; eternal Son; Jesus as Savior (first Foursquare pillar)
Virgin Birth
Affirms
Literal virgin birth of Jesus from Mary; affirmed as essential doctrine
Pre-existence of Christ
Affirms
Eternal Son; pre-existed incarnation; divine Word through whom all created
Soteriology
Salvation
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith; Arminian; ongoing sanctification; apostasy possible
Atonement & Ransom
Affirms
Penal substitution atonement offered freely; unlimited atonement; divine healing included
Predestination
Nuanced
Election conditional on foreseen faith; Arminian; prevenient grace enables choice
Original Sin
Affirms
Inherited sinful nature; free will restored by prevenient grace for response
Eschatology
Soul & Afterlife
Affirms
Immortal soul; conscious intermediate state; bodily resurrection and eternal life
Hell
Affirms
Eternal punishment; separation from God for those who reject Christ
Heaven
Affirms
Eternal life with God; bodily resurrection; new creation; Jesus the Coming King
Second Coming
Affirms
Premillennial literal return; Jesus the Coming King; literal bodily resurrection
Millennium
Affirms
Premillennial; literal 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth before eternity
Ecclesiology
Church Authority
Nuanced
District and national oversight combined; eldership model governance; Scripture primary authority
Clergy & Priesthood
Affirms
Women fully ordained; all believers share in ministry; priesthood of all believers
Sacraments & Ordinances
Nuanced
Two ordinances: water baptism and communion; symbolic, not means of grace
Scripture
Biblical Canon
Affirms
66-book Protestant canon; Old Testament and New Testament; apocrypha excluded
Biblical Inerrancy
Affirms
Inerrant and infallible Word of God; authoritative for faith and practice
Extra-biblical Revelation
Affirms
Ongoing prophetic gifts; Spirit speaks today; secondary to Scripture; tested by Word
Scripture Interpretation
John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"
Affirms
The Word was fully divine; preincarnate Christ is fully God
Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"
Affirms
Virgin birth affirmed; Isaiah 7:14 predicts supernatural conception and birth
Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"
Nuanced
Peter as apostolic foundation; church authority is pastoral, not papal
Romans 9:18-21 — "God's Sovereign Choice"
Nuanced
God's sovereignty in election affirmed; human choice and responsibility preserved
James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"
Affirms
Faith produces works; justified by faith but demonstrated through righteous living
Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula essential; baptism in name of Trinity required
Hebrews 1:8 — "Your Throne, O God"
Affirms
Christ is God; worthy of worship, adoration, and absolute obedience
Revelation 20:1-6 — "The Thousand Years"
Nuanced
Premillennial hope emphasized; Christ's return and future kingdom are foundational
Genesis 1:1-2 — "In the Beginning"
Affirms
Creation ex nihilo; God as almighty Creator of all things from nothing
Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Affirms
Longer ending is canonical; includes signs and wonders that characterize Pentecostal faith
John 7:53–8:11 — "The Woman Caught in Adultery"
Affirms
Passage affirmed for its message of mercy, transformation, and redemption
1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"
Affirms
Trinitarian affirmation strongly supported; fuller reading affirms Father, Word, and Spirit
Deuterocanonical Books — "Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees"
Nuanced
Not canonical; respected as historical and devotional texts of value
Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"
Nuanced
Valued for spiritual exhortation; not canonical Scripture but respected patristic text
Ethics & Practice
Sabbath
Nuanced
Sunday worship as Lord's Day; no strict Sabbatarian obligation; Christian liberty
Blood Transfusions
Affirms
Blood transfusions permitted; medical treatment accepted; divine healing and medicine
Military Service
Affirms
Military service is permitted for believers; just war principle; citizenship affirmed
Holidays
Affirms
Christmas, Easter observed; flexible liturgical calendar; celebration of Christ's work