Alliance founder Dr. A. B. Simpson voiced the core “theology” of the C&MA many years ago. He called it the Fourfold Gospel, and it’s all about Jesus—our Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King. The Fourfold Gospel is the Christological summary on which the spiritual DNA of The Christian and Missionary Alliance is built.
One of Simpson’s life verses contains these words: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). The Fourfold Gospel points to this fact: as we experience Jesus in these ways, we will experience the “hope of glory” Simpson spoke of.
The Name of Jesus has permeated every culture for more than 2,000 years. In the Name of Jesus, people have experienced great miracles as well as horrific persecution. Jesus made clear His purpose on earth; only through Him is salvation available.
Jesus’ death on a cross was the fulfillment of Old Testament law, which required blood atonement for sin. By His death and resurrection, we are redeemed from eternal separation from God, justified, made righteous, and accepted in His Name. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to man by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
Salvation for the believer happens in three tenses. First, in the past tense—we have been justified. Second, in the present tense, we are being sanctified, made over in the image of Jesus, as described in Romans 8:29. Finally, in the future tense, we will be glorified, according to 1 John 3:2, a process made possible by Christ, our Sanctifier.
The laver symbol represents the daily cleansing from sin by the power of the Holy Spirit. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness (2 Peter 1:3).
A great portion of Christ’s earthly ministry was dedicated to healing the sick. We find no record in the gospels of Jesus turning away anyone who came to him for healing, nor do we find that any disease was too difficult for him to heal. He even raised the dead. Miraculous healings continue today—evidence that Christ still is our Healer.
This symbol represents a pitcher containing oil to anoint the sick for healing that comes through obedience to God’s Word and the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up (James 5:15).
Clearly, the entire New Testament tells us of the Second Coming of Christ. The Alliance is committed to doing its part to complete Jesus’ Great Commission before His glorious return.
The crown represents Christ’s royalty as the King of Kings. His coming will be a visable, personal appearance. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven (Mark 14:62).
The Cross
The Laver
The Pitcher
The Crown