Assemblies of God

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Assemblies of God
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationPentecostal, Evangelical
PolityPresbyterian
Origin1914
SeparationsOneness Pentecostals (separated 1917)

The World Assemblies of God Fellowship, or Assemblies of God for short, is the world's largest Pentecostal denomination, with over 12,311 churches in the U.S. and 283,413 churches and outstations in over 200 countries, and approximately 57 million adherents worldwide. [1] [2] [3]

The Assemblies of God has aggressive missions programs that are designed to establish self-supporting and self-propagating national church bodies in every country. As of late 2006, the Assemblies of God World Missions Research Office reported constituencies in 212 countries and territories, with over 5,000 adherents added per day.[4] As of 2005, the fellowship operated 859 Bible schools, 1,131 extension programs and 39 seminaries outside of the United States.[5]

Contents

[edit] History

The Assemblies of God has its roots in the Pentecostal revival of the early twentieth century. This revival is generally traced to a prayer meeting held under the leadership of Charles Parham, at Bethel Bible College in Topeka, Kansas, on January 1, 1901. The "awakening" or "revival" spread rapidly to Missouri, Texas, California and elsewhere. In 1906, a three year revival meeting began at Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles that attracted believers from around the world.

Reports of the revival were carried far and wide by periodicals and other publications that sprang up along with the movement. Independent revivals also began to break out during this time in other parts of the world. The Pentecostal aspects of the revival were not generally welcomed by established churches, and participants in the movement soon found themselves forced outside existing religious bodies. These people sought out their own places of worship, and founded hundreds of distinctly Pentecostal congregations.

In approximately 1913, many of the original Assemblies Of God pastors and leaders had separated themselves from the Church Of God In Christ[citation needed], and other prominent Pentecostal denominations. This split was due, in part, to racial tensions and societal laws requiring segregation[citation needed]. Another key factor for the separation was due to the lack of structured missionary support for worldwide efforts. This is of particular importance because many of the original Assemblies of God leaders and pastors were either ordained or received their appointments while in the Church Of God In Christ[citation needed]. There was also a separation from the non-Pentecostal Christian and Missionary Alliance over "The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit".

By 1914, many ministers and laymen alike began to realize just how far-reaching the spread of the revival and pentecostalism had become. Many evangelistic outreaches birthed by the new movement created a number of practical problems-- Formal recognition of ministers, approval and support of missionaries, doctrinal unity, gospel literature, and a permanent Bible training school, and full accounting of funds were all issues that needed to be dealt with.

Concerned leaders felt the desire to protect and preserve the results of the revival these thousands of newly Spirit-baptized believers by uniting through cooperative fellowship. In April of 1914 about 300 preachers and laymen gathered from 20 states and several foreign countries for a "General Council" in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to discuss and take action on these and other pressing needs.

A cooperative fellowship emerged from the meeting and was incorporated under the name The General Council of the Assemblies of God. In time, self-governing and self-supporting general councils broke off from the original fellowship or were formed independently in several nations throughout the world, originating either from indigenous Pentecostal movements or as a direct result of the indigenous missions strategy of the General Council.[6]

The Assemblies of God experienced a major schism early in their history when they adopted the doctrine of the Trinity at their Fourth General Council in October 1916 in St. Louis. Those that withdrew from the fellowship were known as "Oneness Pentecostals," who believed in baptizing "in the name of Jesus Christ" and not "in the name of The Father, The Son, and the Holy Ghost/Spirit." This schism caused the loss of approximately one-fourth of recognized A/G ministers, including all ministers in the state of Louisiana. Oneness ministers met in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and on January 2, 1917, they formed their own fellowship. Two "Oneness" organizations were birthed out of this split. The Pentecostal Assemblies Of The World (PAW) and a group which later became known as the United Pentecostal Church International.

In 1988, the loose body of cooperative councils joined under the name World Pentecostal Assemblies of God Fellowship as result of an initiative by Dr. J. Philip Hogan, then executive director of the Division of Foreign Missions of the General Council of the Assemblies of God of the United States. The initial purpose was to coordinate evangelism, but soon developed into a more permanent organism of inter-relation. Dr. Hogan was elected the first chairman of the Fellowship and served until 1992 when Rev. David Yonggi Cho was elected chairman. In 1993, the name of the Fellowship was changed to the World Assemblies of God Fellowship.[7]

[edit] Doctrine

Image:E9210-Nadi-airport-church.jpg
An AOG church in Fiji, conveniently located to serve passengers entering the country via Nadi Airport

According to the Assemblies of God (USA) website, "Two years after the church’s founding, the pioneers of the Assemblies of God adopted 16 beliefs for the Fellowship, which remains virtually unchanged." These are known as "The 16 Fundamental Truths." The Assemblies' doctrines are summarized in its Statement of Fundamental Truths.[8]

Numerous Christian groups share some or all of these tenets -- and some positions (like the Trinity) are considered more central to the faith than others. Of these sixteen, four are considered "core beliefs of the Fellowship," or "Cardinal Doctrines." These are:

  • Salvation Through Jesus Christ
  • Baptism in the Holy Spirit
  • Divine Healing
  • The Second Coming of Christ

These positions are considered non-negotiable,[5] although critics have questioned how well doctrinal integrity is maintained[citation needed]. These statements of belief have a Biblical basis.
Below is a summary of the Assemblies of God's doctrinal positions and biblical references which are used to back up these statements.

[edit] 16 Fundamental Truths

1. The Scriptures Inspired - The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21)

2. The One True God - The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent "I AM," the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10,11 , Matthew 28:19 , Luke 3:22)

  • The AG doctrine has further clarified this position into several sub-categories of: Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead, Unity of the One Being of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Identity and Cooperation in the Godhead, The Title, Lord Jesus Christ, The Lord Jesus Christ, God with Us, The Title, Son of God, Transgression of the Doctrine of Christ, Exaltation of Jesus Christ as Lord, Equal Honor to the Father and to the Son.

3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ - The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:

4. The Fall of Man - Man was created good and upright; for God said, "Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness." However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. (Genesis 1:26,27, Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:6, Romans 5:12-19)

5. The Salvation of Man - Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

  • Conditions to Salvation - Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God, according to the hope of eternal life. (Luke 24:47, John 3:3, Romans 10:13-15, Ephesians 2:8, Titus 2:11, Titus 3:5-7)
  • The Evidence of Salvation - The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit. (Romans 8:16)
  • The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:24, Titus 2:12)

6. The Ordinances of the Church

  • Baptism in Water - The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:47,48, Romans 6:4)
  • Holy Communion - The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements --bread and the fruit of the vine-- is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4 ), a memorial of his suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26 ), and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26 ), and is enjoined on all believers "till He come!"

7. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit - All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31) This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. (Acts 8:12-17, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 11:14-16, Acts 15:7-9)

With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as:

  • an overflowing fullness of the Spirit, (John 7:37-39 , Acts 4:8)
  • a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43 , Hebrews 12:28)
  • an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42)
  • and a more active love for Christ, for His Word and for the lost (Mark 16:20)

8. The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit - The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance. (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues, but is different in purpose and use. (1 Corinthians 12:4-10, 1 Corinthians 12:28)

9. Sanctification - Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God. (Romans 12:1,2, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 13:12) The Scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14) By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: "Be ye holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15,16)

Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by the faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 8:1,2, Romans 8:13, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:12,13, 1 Peter 1:5)

10. The Church and its Mission - The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven. (Ephesians 1:22,23, Ephesians 2:22, Hebrews 12:23)

Since God's purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshipped by man, and to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, the priority reason for being of the Assemblies of God as part of the Church is:

  • To be an agency of God for evangelizing the world. (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19,20, Mark 16:15,16)
  • To be a corporate body in which man may worship God (1 Corinthians 12:13)
  • To be a channel of God's purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son. (Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 1 Corinthians 14:12)

The Assemblies of God exists expressly to give continuing emphasis to this reason for being in the New Testament apostolic pattern by teaching and encouraging believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. This experience:

  • Enables them to evangelize in the power of the Spirit with accompanying supernatural signs. (Mark 16:15-20, Acts 4:29-31, Hebrews 2:3,4)
  • Adds a necessary dimension to worshipful relationship with God. (1 Corinthians 2:10-16, 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Corinthians 13, 1 Corinthians 14)
  • Enables them to respond to the full working of the Holy Spirit in expression of fruit and gifts and ministries as in New Testament times for the edifying of the body of Christ. (Galatians 5:22-26, 1 Corinthians 14:12, Ephesians 4:11,12, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Colossians 1:29)

11. The Ministry - A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in:

  • Evangelization of the world. (Mark 16:15-20)
  • Worship of God. (John 4:23,24)
  • Building a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

12. Divine Healing - Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers. (Isaiah 53:4,5, Matthew 8:16,17, James 5:14-16)

13. The Blessed Hope - The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church. (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17, Romans 8:23, Titus 2:13, 1 Corinthians 15:51,52)

14. The Millennial Reign of Christ - The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years. (Zechariah 14:5, Matthew 24:27, Matthew 24:30, Revelation 1:7, Revelation 19:11-14, Revelation 20:1-6)

  • This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel, (Ezekiel 37:21,22, Zephaniah 3:19,20, Romans 11:26,27)
  • and the establishment of universal peace. (Isaiah 11:6-9, Psalms 72:3-8, Micah 4:3,4)

15. The Final Judgment - There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to the everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43-48, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 21:8)

16. The New Heavens and the New Earth - "We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." (2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21, Revelation 22)

[edit] Beliefs

[edit] Pacifism

Today, the Assemblies of God acknowledges that its members may take different stands on the question of war, and allows each church and believer to take the stance they feel most appropriate. The denomination acknowledges its loyalty to the government, but has no other official stance on the issue.

However, prior to 1967, the A/G, along with the majority of other Pentecostal denominations, officially opposed Christian participation in war and considered itself a peace church. The official position of the church until that time read as follows, "We, as a body of Christians, while purposing to fulfill all the obligations of loyal citizenship, are nevertheless constrained to declare we cannot conscientiously participate in war and armed resistance which involves the actual destruction of human life, since this is contrary to our view of the clear teachings of the inspired Word of God, which is the sole basis of our faith." [9] Most of the founders and first generation members of the denomination held to this view and it was presented as official teaching throughout World Wars I and II. In 1940, The Pacifist Handbook listed the Assemblies of God as the third largest peace church in America.

[edit] Denominational Post-secondary Educational Institutions

United States
Canada (Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada)
Central America and the Caribbean
  • The Assemblies of God Bible College [14] Nassau, NP, Bahamas [AA, Diploma, BA] {BRANCHES: Pneuma Bible Institute: Freeport, Bahamas; Abaco Bible Institute: Abaco, Bahamas]
Latin America
  • Caribbean Theological College, Bayamon, Puerto Rico (A.A., B.A.)
Europe
Asia
Australia

[edit] Denominations members of the WAGF

The data shown below are primarely drawn from the World Christian Database (2005 ed) but also contains national denominational data and/or Census where indicated.

Region Country Denomination Total members (2005)
Asia Afghanistan Assemblies of God in Afghanistan 110
Europe Albania Assemblies of God in Albania[10] 1,300
Africa Algeria Assemblees de Dieu en Algeria 80
Africa Angola Assembleias de Deus em Angola 1,500,000
Caribbean Antigua Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies[11] 20,000
Latin America Argentina Union of the Assemblies of God in Argentina[12] 600,000
Caribbean Aruba Assemblies of God in the Dutch Caribbean 600
Europe Austria Free Christian Assemblies of Austria[13] 5,200
Oceania Australia Australian Christian Churches 200,000
Caribbean Bahamas Assemblies of God in the Bahamas [14] 7,200
Asia Bangladesh Assemblies of God in Bangladesh 30,200
Caribbean Barbados Pentecostal Assemblies of West Indies[15] 13,400
Europe Belgium Fellowship of Flemish Pent. Churches/Assemblées de Dieu de Belgique[16] 6,500
Latin America Belize Assemblies of God 3,800
Africa Benin Assemblées de Dieu 300,000
Caribbean Bermudas Pentecostal Assemblies of West Indies[17] 220
Latin America Bolivia Asambleas de Dios de Bolivia[18] 14,000
Africa Botswana Assemblies of God 9,500
Latin America Brazil Convenção Geral das Assembléias de Deus no Brasil[19] 3,500,000
North America Canada Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada[20] 270,000
North America Canada Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland[21] 31,700
North America Canada Canadian Assemblies of God[22] 2,500
Africa Cape Verde Assembleias de Deus 875
Caribbean Cayman Islands Assemblies of God of Cayman Islands 180
Africa Central African Republic Assemblées de Dieu 1,037
Africa Chad Assemblées de Dieu de Chad 4,790
Africa Republic of Mauritius Mauritian Assemblies of God[23] 71,000
Africa Réunion Mission Salut & Guerison[24]

[edit] References

  1. ^ World Christian Database, Asia Pacific Mission Office
  2. ^ Assemblies of God World Missions Research Office - AGWM Current Facts and Highlights (2007)
  3. ^ A/G Statistical Reports
  4. ^ Assemblies of God World Missions Research Office - AGWM Current Facts and Highlights (2007)
  5. ^ Assemblies of God World Missions Research Office - AGWM Current Facts and Highlights (2005)
  6. ^ General Council of the Assemblies of God (USA) - Our History (2006) [1]
  7. ^ David Cho Evangelistic Mission Journal - History of WAGF and its Leadership (September 2000 Edition) [2]
  8. ^ Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God (AOG website)
  9. ^ Paul Alexander, An Analysis of the Emergence and Decline of Pacifism in the History of the Assemblies of God, PhD dissertation, Baylor University, 2000
  10. ^ Assemblies of God in Albania
  11. ^ Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies
  12. ^ Union of the Assemblies of God in Argentina
  13. ^ Free Christian Assemblies of Austria
  14. ^ Assemblies of God in the Bahamas
  15. ^ Pentecostal Assemblies of West Indies
  16. ^ Fellowship of Flemish Pent. Churches/Assemblées de Dieu de Belgique
  17. ^ Pentecostal Assemblies of West Indies
  18. ^ Asambleas de Dios de Bolivia
  19. ^ Convenção Geral das Assembléias de Deus no Brasil
  20. ^ Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
  21. ^ Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland
  22. ^ Canadian Assemblies of God
  23. ^ Mauritian Assemblies of God
  24. ^ Mission Salut & Guerison

[edit] External links

[edit] Africa

[edit] North America

[edit] Central America and the Caribbean

[edit] South America

[edit] Asia

[edit] Europe

[edit] Oceania

[edit] Churches links


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