Australian Christian Churches

The Australian Christian Churches (ACC), formerly Assemblies of God in Australia, is a network of Pentecostal churches in Australia affiliated with the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, which is the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world. The ACC grew out of the Assemblies of God in Australia, which was founded in 1937 with the merger of Assemblies of God Queensland (AGQ) and the Pentecostal Church of Australia. In 2007, at which time it had over 375,000 members, it assumed "Australian Christian Churches" as its public name, but remained registered as the incorporated Assemblies of God in Australia until 2013. Hillsong Church, the largest church in ACC, separated from the ACC in 2018. Beliefs The Doctrinal Basis of Australian Christian Churches contains the central beliefs of the denomination. Its 20 articles are summarized below: There is only one true God who exists as a Trinity. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and, as the second person of the Trinity, is God. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He convicts and regenerates the sinner and guides the believer into all truth. The Bible is inspired by God and is "the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct". The devil is a real being who "seeks to destroy the faith of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ". Man was created good by God but, because of voluntary transgression, fell. As a result, men are "separated from original righteousness" (see original sin). Christ's death on the cross has made full atonement for the world's sins. Salvation "is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ". In this "new birth", the believer is regenerated, justified, and adopted into the family of God. The Church is the Body of Christ and consists of all people who accept Christ, regardless of Christian denomination. It is to work to fulfill the Great Commission. Believer's baptism by single immersion as a declaration to the world of the believer's identification with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. Observance of the Lord's Supper as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's suffering and death. Sanctification, "an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God". Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a separate and subsequent experience following conversion which brings empowerment to be an effective witness for Christ.