Basics About 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 source of the name Foursquare church is the four-fold ministry represented by Jesus during his stay on earth. The four ministries are soon-returning King, Healer, Baptizer, and Savior. ICFG followers believe in salvation, baptismal by Holy Spirit, the healing power, and the second coming of Jesus the Son of God. It is believed that Jesus will come back again in the near future to take the righteous with Him and punish sinners.

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.

When Jesus died, it is believed that he took away all sins that were committed in the world. This led to attainment of salvation through grace and not personal deeds. Through faith, people are justified and they become born again when they repent from their evil ways. Proclamation of Jesus as the son of God is required of born again Christians.

The church also maintains belief in free will and that human beings are free to choose their own actions. This disposes them to backsliding, but through repentance, they can find their way back to light. According to the book of beliefs, sanctification is an unending process that should be done continuously to lead to spiritual growth. Holiness and perfection in Christianity can be attained if one surrenders and consecrates to God.

Decision making body within ICFG is the Foursquare Convention. The convention meets after every two years. Licensed ministers and international officers make membership of the convention. US-based churches send delegates to the convention to make the decision-making body. Non-US congregations are allowed to send a single delegate from every country.

Local churches form part of subordinate divisions of the Inter-national church. The bylaws of the inter-national church are the ones that govern any subordinate church. Covenant and the charter churches are the two main classes of ICFG churches. There is no separate legal existence given to a charter member church and property owned belongs to the international church..

On the contrary, covenant churches are separate from the international church and they own property independently. This category includes pioneer churches and non-member churches. An upgrade may be done to a pioneer church so that it becomes a charter church.




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