Assembly of God

[cyber1call]

I won’t try to hide the fact that I am not a Catholic. But I have huge respect for all Catholics and consider you all my brothers and sisters. It is sad that others are so ignorant and unloving and they will have to answer to Jesus Christ personally about that some day.

When it comes to salvation I believe THAT transcends church or denomination. Catholics may believe that their way is the best way and perhaps that will turn out to be true. I also believe that any true Christian does by definition have a personal relationship with the Lord, but that does not come about just by saying certain words or practicing a particular liturgy.

I think sometimes we make things too complicated. I take great comfort in the Apostle Paul’s words:

1 Corinthians 15

1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

**3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:**

5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

7After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

11Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

 

[1holycatholic]

That sucks. I’m sure that NEVER happens in any Catholic Church.

I didn’t say that it doesn’t. That doesn’t make it right.

That is simply wrong. No matter what anyone at that particular church may have said, the AoG does NOT believe that glossolalia has anything to do with salvation. They believe that speaking in tongues is evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit in a manner similar to the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. I don’t personally believe that, but that it how they believe. (I used to be a member of the AoG.)

You’re right. AoG doctrine may have been misrepresented to me. I’m not terribly surprised, my relative doesn’t believe several things the AoG teaches, that doesn’t stop her from attending.

I knew about this: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.
I didn’t know they taught this:Do Christians receive the Holy Spirit when they are saved? If so, how is this experience different from the baptism in the Holy Spirit?

Yes, when persons accept Christ, the Holy Spirit begins a great work in their lives. The Spirit convicts them of sin, convinces them of righteousness, and dwells within them (John 6:44; 14:17; Roman 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13). No one becomes a Christian without this gracious work of the Holy Spirit.
However, there is an additional and distinct ministry of the Holy Spirit called the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The Baptism is an empowering gift from God the Father that is promised to every believer (Matthew 3:11; Luke 11:13; 24:49; Acts 2:33, 38). It helps the Christian to live a holy life and also brings a new devotional attachment to Jesus Christ, making Him very real and precious. The primary purpose of the Baptism is to give greater power for witnessing (Acts 1:8). Other benefits include a greater joy in spiritual service, and a heightened sense of one’s mission to the world.
Or this: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.
It’s not consistent, evidence that you receive the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues, yet you are “saved” by renewing the Holy Spirit without speaking in tongues.

These doctrines are completely unknown in the writings of the early Church Fathers. The AoG has been around less than a hundred years, the Pentecostal movement is only a few years older. I don’t know of these doctrines existing before them.

Since you receive the Holy Spirit at Baptism, I was under the impression that the AoG believed that you weren’t Baptized unless you experienced glossolalia.

So in what sense do you think Protestants are saved in contrast to how Catholics are saved?

With Sola Scriptura that depends on which Protestant you ask, now doesn’t it? AFAIK the AoG don’t believe in OSAS, which separates them doctrinally from most Protestants. The AoG don’t have consistent, coherent statements of doctrine.

 

[Angels_Unaware]

Cyber1call,

I can vouch for you that AOG does not teach salvation is evidenced by speaking in tongues, only the “baptism of the Holy Spirit”. This is a doctrine which separates evangelicals.

I appreciate your recognition that Catholics are Christians. I also appreciate you pointing out that we are saved by grace, and that it is an easy and simple thing to be saved by grace. That it is.

You may have misconceptions about Catholic doctrine, I don’t know. If you do, I hope you will stick around and learn.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that Catholics believe in a “works righteousness” salvation. This is untrue. We believe men are saved by grace alone, and that salvation is a process. We say we are saved, are being saved, and will be saved. We believe that we respond in faith to the gospel as we are brought up to learn and understand our faith. We believe that as James said, “the devils also believe, and tremble”, and that to be in a state of grace we must use our will, and actively follow Christ. This involvement of the will is often confused by Protestants as meaning “works”, or something that is equivalent to the Jewish law. It isn’t.

 

[cyber1call]

this: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.
It’s not consistent, evidence that you receive the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues, yet you are “saved” by renewing the Holy Spirit without speaking in tongues.

Yes, that statement could be confusing. But I don’t think they are connecting the two sentences as requirements for salvation. That is to say, they believe that repentance and faith produce salvation, and THEN as a result of that a person’s soul is regenerated and renewed by the Holy Spirit.

You may disagree, but that seems correct to me based on the Scriptures. Now the issue of OSAS or works being necessary to keep that salvation is another topic altogether.

Now the “Baptism of the Spirit” is something else entirely and a major reason I left that denomination as it seemed very contrived and was certainly horribly abused by putting the focus on people rather than on Christ. They will deny that but I think for the vast majority of people that I ever saw speak in tongues it was true.

 

[LegoGE1947]

I don’t know all of the details, they were hidden from us. I think the AoG must practice tithing plus aka “give till it hurts.” We live in an extremely affluent community where the typical homeowner is around forty years old and the typical household income is triple the state average.

The AoG building was a few hundred feet from the Catholic Church. I think the AoG had 300-400 members. Our parish has 10,000-12,000 parishioners.

The relative is 72 year old woman with about $400.00 per month in Social Security. She already was an AoG member. She moved into our home and lived with us with free room and board. Even with free room and board her expenses (medical, insurance, automobile etc.) left little money for anything else.

On her first visit to the AoG apparently they weren’t interested in having her worship with them. I’m not certain what happened, but she came away from the AoG extremely upset.

She finally did join them when she moved in with us. They would schedule people to buy donuts and coffee for the members for a social after their services. I don’t know how she could afford to do this. All too often one of the other AoG who was scheduled to do this would bail at the last minute and dump the job on her.

Many of the AoG members were fallen away Catholics, usually over “pelvic issues” like divorce and remarriage, contraceptives, female clergy etc… They apparently are quite hostile to the Catholic Church.

I found it odd that while they downplayed the importance of good works, they appeared to have an unwritten rule that those not heavily involved in AoG activities weren’t “saved” (in the Protestant sense.) Further, the AoG profess that evidence of being “saved” (in the Protestant sense) comes through glossolalia, and if you don’t, you aren’t.

The AoG churches that I have experienced the glossolalia was an extra thing beyond being saved (in the evangelical sense) but because it is mentioned in Acts and 1 Corinthians it is something you have to have or you aren’t “spirit filled” There are several Protestant churches, mostly Lutheran, Episcopal, Anglican, Methodist that believe, as do Catholics that you are saved by baptism. It is funny I remember an AoG missionary who ministered in some country in the mid-east and the natives there believed you could make all the “professions of faith” you wanted but you weren’t really a Christian until you were baptised! Then when you are baptised they’ll hold a mock funeral for you because you are no longer one of them since they are not Christians.

 

[Katrina5]

I won’t try to hide the fact that I am not a Catholic. But I have huge respect for all Catholics and consider you all my brothers and sisters. It is sad that others are so ignorant and unloving and they will have to answer to Jesus Christ personally about that some day.

When it comes to salvation I believe THAT transcends church or denomination. Catholics may believe that their way is the best way and perhaps that will turn out to be true. I also believe that any true Christian does by definition have a personal relationship with the Lord, but that does not come about just by saying certain words or practicing a particular liturgy.

I think sometimes we make things too complicated. I take great comfort in the Apostle Paul’s words:

1 Corinthians 15

1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

**3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:**

5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

7After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

11Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

Catholics believe that God the Father is the Creator,
He sent His only Son to save us, in the Flesh. Jesus was and still is PRESENT in the flesh, in the form of the Eucharist. The Eucharist has been kept alive as Jesus Christ through Apostolic Succession. If you don’t have a priest who can consecrate the bread and change it into Christ’s Body-- His physical body, you are only experiencing the Spirit.
How much more PERSONAL can you be? He is STILL HERE!
He said that He would leave the Holy Spirit, the Comfortor. The Holy Spirit has guided us through 2000 years of ups and downs and we have survived.
Once you understand the Eucharist, you will understand why we believe our church is the “Right” church.
When I say “Right”, I only mean that it is wonderful! The baby was thrown out with the bathwater in the 1500’s. Yes, the Catholic church has suffered through some painful events and horrible people. But the Holy Spirit has been there all along to guide us.
People who think “Catholics don’t know the Bible” have never been to Mass and seen that the entire Mass is made up of Scripture.
I wish I could share the beauty of it with you.
I urge you to read Rome Sweet Home by Scott Hahn. He came through the fire, and is a wonderful writer.
I don’t know why people who are not Catholic come to Catholic Answers, other than to stir up problems. I hope I am wrong about this, and that you are in some way seeking Christ’s Real Presence here on Earth. I hope that the Holy Spirit is speaking to you.

'Blest are those who love you, happy those who follow you, blest are those who seek you, O God.'  Psalm 128

'Praise the Lord, my heart, my whole life give praise. Let me sing to God as long as I live."  Psalm 147

 

[LegoGE1947]

Catholics believe that God the Father is the Creator,
He sent His only Son to save us, in the Flesh. Jesus was and still is PRESENT in the flesh, in the form of the Eucharist. The Eucharist has been kept alive as Jesus Christ through Apostolic Succession. If you don’t have a priest who can consecrate the bread and change it into Christ’s Body-- His physical body, you are only experiencing the Spirit.
How much more PERSONAL can you be? He is STILL HERE!
He said that He would leave the Holy Spirit, the Comfortor. The Holy Spirit has guided us through 2000 years of ups and downs and we have survived.
Once you understand the Eucharist, you will understand why we believe our church is the “Right” church.
When I say “Right”, I only mean that it is wonderful! The baby was thrown out with the bathwater in the 1500’s. Yes, the Catholic church has suffered through some painful events and horrible people. But the Holy Spirit has been there all along to guide us.
People who think “Catholics don’t know the Bible” have never been to Mass and seen that the entire Mass is made up of Scripture.
I wish I could share the beauty of it with you.
I urge you to read Rome Sweet Home by Scott Hahn. He came through the fire, and is a wonderful writer.
I don’t know why people who are not Catholic come to Catholic Answers, other than to stir up problems. I hope I am wrong about this, and that you are in some way seeking Christ’s Real Presence here on Earth. I hope that the Holy Spirit is speaking to you.

'Blest are those who love you, happy those who follow you, blest are those who seek you, O God.'  Psalm 128

'Praise the Lord, my heart, my whole life give praise. Let me sing to God as long as I live."  Psalm 147

The Holy Spirit has been speaking to me for a long time. For the last 1-1/2 years since my wife and I left the Catholic Church I have had very little or no peace about it. I’m on my way back whether my wife comes or not! I simply can’t believe in Protestantism anymore!

 

[Graubo3]

From post #80 of this thread:

I was wondering what the best way is to deal with people who are atheist. Certainly it should not be the way former President Bush did by calling them “un-american and not fit to be citizens of this country!”

My sincere apologies to the tobinatorstark. This is not an attempt at derailing your thread as it may lead to another. Thank you!

Lego,

Could you please supply a source for this quote other than an atheist’s publication or blog spot. I am not implying that it was not legitimate journalism but I could not find anything from the MSM (that I am sure would have swarmed on it like Bill Gate’s mosquitos ). It was reported by Robert Sherman of the American Atheist Press** as a member of the invited press corps to cover the campaign for POTUS of then VP G.H.W. Bush in 1988. The difficulty that I am having is that no other member of the press corps reported such that I am able to find:shrug: . Please feel free to PM me. Thank you!

My prayers are with you and your wife on your journey!

Peace, Graubo

 

[Katrina5]

The Holy Spirit has been speaking to me for a long time. For the last 1-1/2 years since my wife and I left the Catholic Church I have had very little or no peace about it. I’m on my way back whether my wife comes or not! I simply can’t believe in Protestantism anymore!

God bless you on your Journey!
He has called us by name…
He never said it would be easy, though!

 

[Delraek]

We all are “sick” to some extent and all need the Great Physician to heal us. I was wondering what the best way is to deal with people who are atheist. Certainly it should not be the way former President Bush did by calling them “un-american and not fit to be citizens of this country!” We expect them to respect our beliefs, how do we respect theirs? Many of them it seems are quite set in their ways and seem to have plausable answers for why they are atheist. I see them as one of the most persecuted groups in the world if not this country.

I strongly disagree with your last statement! It’s the true followers of Christ that are one of the most persecuted groups in the world, especially in this country. Atheism is spreading quickly in this country - just a few examples of this are: abortion, homosexuality, porn, sexual immorality, etc. A true Christian would never embrace these behaviors, but are sure criticized and put down for speaking against them. And religious freedoms in this country are slowly being taken away - Catholic Charities in Maryland had to close its adoption agency because the state said they had to provide services for homosexual couples. If FOCA passes, Catholic hospitals may have to close their doors. Just a few examples of religious persecution in this country…

Sorry about derailing the thread but I felt compelled to comment -

 

[firstmode]

Originally Posted by tobinatorstark View Post
They are very anti-Catholic. (Aunt and Uncle). They repeatedly condemn us to hell, accuse my of idolatry and not reading the correct Bible version. They believe it watching TV is a sin, anything other than church and prayer on Sunday is a sin, gym class in school and extra ciricular activities are sins, any music outside Gospel music is sinful just to name a few. They aren’t charitable and do hoard their money

Huh:shrug:

This is totally unlike any Assembly of God church that I am aware of.

I am an Assemblies of God Protestant, I have attended 5 or 6 different AG churches between TN and IL over the last 5 years due to moving around.

The united Pentecostal Church and United Apostolic Church are many times against popular culture, watching tv, wearing makeup, jewelry, etc. They are also Oneness.

Assemblies of God is not like this at all. BTW, AG is VERY much into having defined doctrine. I know from the outside looking in a lot of you Catholics may be very confused with the church as many Protestants are of the Catholic church, but if you go to AG.org, they have VERY detailed explanations on ALL of their beleifs, much like the catechism of the Catholic church.

One church I went to had like 75 booklets on a wall in holders that covered every area of doctrine.

I hope my explanation helps!

 

[firstmode]

i have been with friends to their assembly of God church. i can tell you, they are very anti Catholic. they say Catholics are not Christians. we worship balaal. they constantly brings attractions to their churches to attract peoples. once i saw this pastor who was invited to perform miracles. the miracles were that people would see gold power in their hands, oil would drip from their hands also. it was really strange. they also see the devil everywhere and in everything. christmas tree is part of the devil and so forth. my friend told me that they threw their crucifix away because it was a course to carry a cruicifix. crucifix was from the devil. their pastor came over to my house once and told me to throw hte picture of St Francis away, he told me to throw away it was from the devil. there i saw many weird things going on in their church. slammed in he spirit was their main thing. people falling around, groanings, all kinds of scary sounds. i was really scared about what i saw. the last time i went there was after i saw an exorcism performed by a very strange looking man. this was my last time. no more of that.

WOW, I have never been to an AG church like that! And I have been to many in TN and IL. WOW, that sounds like the United Pentecostal Church!

 

[firstmode]

Guys, please…

I am reading a lot of mis-information about the Assemblies of God here.

You guys are judging the entire group by certain experiences.

The majority of Catholics I have met feel that their obligation to the Lord is met by attending mass each week, and because they have not missed mass in however many years they BETTER be going to heaven (Actually had one guy use BETTER in his delivery).

I have actually never personally known or met a devout Catholic, and I have known many Catholics. The majority of Catholics I have know believe that all paths lead to God!!! That the Buddhists, Muslims, Jainists, Hindu, etc are all going to be with God, it is all about what you are born into…

I DO NOT CARE IF THESE PEOPLE GO TO CONFESSION, GET BAPTIZED, TAKE THE EUCHARIST, These Catholics do not believe Jesus is the way, but just A way for SOME people, they forsake Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and it’s true meaning.

I am not making this up. I KNOW though, through my own research that these are not Catholic beliefs, I know this because I cared to know and research this. I actually cared to know devout Catholics, I cared to know the truth behind a Catholics devotion and not judge the whole by these cafeteria Catholics.

I love you guys, my Catholic Brothers and Sisters!

Let me tell you about AG though as I know second hand stories and bad experiences can really muddle understanding of how the majority really practice their religion (See your Catholic clown masses with super soakers for a bad example of how Catholics practice their religion)

CONTINUED ON NEXT POST:

 

[firstmode]

Here is a topic index with a comprehensive response to most matters:

ag.org/top/Beliefs/topic_index.cfm

A​

Abortion: Sanctity of Human Life Including Abortion and Euthanasia​

Abortion​

Abuse​

Alcohol, Tobacco & Drugs​

Alcohol: Abstinence from Alcohol (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Angels​

Apostles and Prophets (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Astrology, Psychics & Transcendental Meditation​

B​

Balancing Relationships and Responsibilities​

Bible Translations​

Bible: The Inerrancy Of Scripture (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Bible: The Scriptures Inspired (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

C​

Capital Punishment​

Christian Radio and TV Ministries​

Church: Church Conflict​

Church: Regular Church Attendance​

Church: The Church and Its Mission (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

Church: The Church at Large - the Body of Christ​

Civil Disobedience​

Counseling and Psychology​

Creation: The Doctrine of Creation (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Creationism​

D​

Daily Devotions​

Dancing: Social Dancing​

Dating: Appropriate Intimacy in Dating​

Dating: Dating and Marrying Unbelievers​

Deacons and Trustees: Qualifications and Responsibilities (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Death and Burial​

Demon Possession: Can Born-Again Believers be Demon Possessed? (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Disability: Ministry to People With Disabilities: A Biblical Perspective​

Discipleship and Submission Movement (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Discipline and Self-Control​

Divorce and Remarriage (Official A/G Position Paper)​

E​

End-Time Events​

End-Times: Eternal Punishment (Official A/G Position Paper)​

End-Times: Heaven, Hell, and Judgment​

End-Times: The Blessed Hope (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

End-Times: The Final Judgment (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

End-Times: The Millennial Reign of Christ (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

End-Times: The New Heavens and the New Earth (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

End-Times: The Rapture of the Church (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Entertainment​

Environmental Protection​

F​

Family - A Biblical Institution​

Family: Extended Family​

Family: Leadership in the Home​

Fasting​

Feminism and Appropriate Roles for Women​

Financial Practices & Credit​

Forgiveness and Grace​

Friendships​

G​

Gambling and Lotteries​

Gambling: A Biblical Perspective on Gambling (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Gambling​

Generational Curse​

Gifts: Imparting of Spiritual Gifts​

God: The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

God: The One True God (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

God’s Sovereignty, God’s Providence, and Mankind’s Free Will​

Gossip and Appropriate Speech​

Governments and Political Parties​

 

[firstmode]

Healing: Divine Healing (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

Healing: Divine Healing is an Integral Part of the Gospel (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Healing: Laying on of Hands and Anointing the Sick​

Holidays: Celebration of Holidays​

Holy Spirit Baptism: Baptism in the Holy Spirit​

Holy Spirit Baptism: Frequently Asked Questions about Tongues​

Holy Spirit Baptism: Frequently Asked Questions​

Holy Spirit Baptism: Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

Holy Spirit Baptism: Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Holy Spirit Baptism: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

I​

Immigration (Official statement from the Executive Presbytery)​

Israel - the Church’s Response​

J​

K​

Kingdom of God as Described in Holy Scripture (Official A/G Position Paper)​

L​

Law: Christian Involvement in Law Suits​

Law: Law and Crime​

Legalism​

M​

Manifestations of the Spirit​

Marriage: Dating and Marrying Unbelievers​

Marriage: Divorce and Remarriage (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Marriage: Divorce and Remarriage​

Marriage​

Materialism​

Medical: AIDS/HIV (Is It God’s Judgment?)​

Medical: AIDS/HIV (Ministry To People with…)​

Medical: Birth Control​

Medical: Euthanasia, and Extraordinary Support to Sustain Life​

Medical: Genetic Alteration and Cloning​

Medical: Infertility​

Medical: Modern Medicine and the Assemblies of God​

Medical: Organ Donation​

Ministry: AG View of Ordination​

Ministry: The Ministry (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

Ministry: The Role of Women in Ministry (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Ministry: The Theology of Ministry (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Miracles​

Modesty in Physical Appearance​

Music Styles​

N​

O​

Ordinances of the Church (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

Ordination: Assemblies of God View of​

Our Statement of Fundamental Truths (Official A/G 16 Doctrines)​

P​

Politics: Does the Assemblies of God involve itself in political issues?​

Pornography​

Positive Confession and the Believer (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Poverty: The Poor​

Prayer: Faith for Answered Prayer​

Pride​

Prophets and Personal Prophecies​

Q​

R​

Racism​

Religions: Non-Christian Religions​

Reverence and Respect​

Revival: Endtime Revival - Spirit-Led and Spirit-Controlled​

S​

Sabbath: Observing the Sabbath​

Salvation: The Salvation of Man (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

Sanctification (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

Sanctification & Holiness​

Secret Societies​

Secular Humanism & New Age​

Security of the Believer (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Security of the Believer​

Sexuality: Celibacy and Singles​

Sexuality: Homosexual Conduct​

Sexuality: Homosexuality (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Sexuality: Sexual Purity​

Sexuality: Sexual Relations​

Sin: Confession of Sins​

Sin: Fall of Man (Statement of Fundamental Truths)​

Sin: Unpardonable Sin​

Spiritual Warfare (Attacks of Satan)​

Statement of Fundamental Truths (Condensed)​

Suffering​

Suicide: Assisted Suicide (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Suicide​

T​

Thought Life​

Tithing​

Transcendental Meditation (Official A/G Position Paper)​

Truth and Integrity​

U​

V​

W​

War and Conscientious Objectors​

Water Baptism: Infant Baptism, Age of Accountability, Dedication of Children​

Work Ethic​

 

[firstmode]

Here are the Fundamental Truths of AG:

Our 16 Fundamental Truths
Condensed
(See full text version in English or Spanish)

These are nonnegotiable tenets of faith that all Assemblies of God churches adhere to. This list is derived from the official Statement of Fundamental Truths. Click links below to see the complete original statement with scriptures.

  WE BELIEVE...The Scriptures are Inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.

  WE BELIEVE...There is only One True God–revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).

  WE BELIEVE...In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God's son Jesus was both human and divine.

  WE BELIEVE...though originally good, Man Willingly Fell to Sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.

  WE BELIEVE...Every Person Can Have Restored Fellowship with God Through 'Salvation' (trusting Christ, through faith and repentance, to be our personal Savior). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]

  WE BELIEVE...and practice two ordinances—(1) Water Baptism by Immersion after repenting of one's sins and receiving Christ's gift of salvation, and (2) Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's suffering and death for our salvation.

  WE BELIEVE...the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Special Experience Following Salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]

  WE BELIEVE... The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is ‘Speaking in Tongues,’ as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles.

  WE BELIEVE...Sanctification Initially Occurs at Salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.

  WE BELIEVE...The Church has a Mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe 'the Church' is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God's offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ.

  WE BELIEVE...A Divinely Called and Scripturally Ordained Leadership Ministry Serves the Church. The Bible teaches that each of us under leadership must commit ourselves to reach others for Christ, to worship Him with other believers, and to build up or edify the body of believers–the Church.

  WE BELIEVE...Divine Healing of the Sick is a Privilege for Christians Today and is provided for in Christ's atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]

  WE BELIEVE...in The Blessed Hope—When Jesus Raptures His Church Prior to His Return to Earth (the second coming). At this future moment in time all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]

  WE BELIEVE...in The Millennial Reign of Christ when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace.

  WE BELIEVE...A Final Judgment Will Take Place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire.

WE BELIEVE...and look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on Earth. 'And so shall we forever be with the Lord!'

 

[1holycatholic]

Here are the Fundamental Truths of AG:

Can you provide me with sources showing where the early Church believed all of the things listed? Don’t waste time listing Bible citations. That’s not helpful since the Catholic Church exercised her infallibly by establishing the canon of the Bible in the late fourth century. There are tremendous amounts of writings by the early Church prior to to that. You should be able to provide the same sort of citations as you just did with the AoG.

 

[firstmode]

Can you provide me with sources showing where the early Church believed all of the things listed? Don’t waste time listing Bible citations. That’s not helpful since the Catholic Church exercised her infallibly by establishing the canon of the Bible in the late fourth century. There are tremendous amounts of writings by the early Church prior to to that. You should be able to provide the same sort of citations as you just did with the AoG.

Dont have time right now, just posting against some of the more glaring errors reported about AG.

Where in the early church were there Clown masses with waterguns?

 

[Le_Cracquere]

My sister went to Catholic schools through eighth grade. She married a Protestant, and about ten years later got “saved” and left the Catholic Church.
She is now an AOG member, and seems to enjoy the loud praise and worship, and babbling in tongues.
She has said to me things like, “Your Catholic God” which leads me to think she believes there is more than one God.
She thinks the Epistles are “Gospels”.
She has no idea who King James is, and doesn’t think that’s important.
She doesn’t know where the word Protestant came from, and doesn’t care.
She confuses Martin Luther with Martin Luther King, Jr.
She thinks Joan of Arc is a Biblical figure.
She said she would “never bow down and kiss a Man’s ring” (The Pope)
HOWEVER, there are so many problems in her church with people fighting and starting new churches when there are disagreements.
And, she may not bow down and kiss a man’s ring, but when Pastor Tim left, she went to HIS church, so it isn’t about Jesus at all, it’s about who can PREACH the best.
She thinks The Word Made Flesh is the Bible.
She has no clue who the Early Church Fathers are. In her Church History class, they teach that Clement, Iraneus, etc “didn’t live very long” which means they were wrong. Seems to forget Jesus lived only 33 years.
She has no idea who Jerome is.
Pastor Tim knows a little Hebrew and a little Greek, so he is ‘learned’ but has no seminary training.
The Catholic Church is the Whore of Babylon, and will be cast into the Lake of Fire for worshipping statues, praying to Mary and Saints.
They know about twenty Bible verses that back up their beliefs.
Oh, and on the ‘levels of sin’ thing? Homosexuality is THE worst sin there is. She has been divorced three times.
I finally decided that she wasn’t paying attention during the years when she made her first Holy Communion, Confession, or Confirmation-- except St Joan was her Confirmation name!
I stopped trying to help her, because the people in her church are not nice to her. But I do pray for her every day.
We have to trust that the Holy Spirit will guide everyone to the Truth.

For me, the most telling detail in all this is that your sister spent eight grades in specifically Catholic schools, and was able to leave knowing so little about the Christian faith–in fact, knowing less about the Catholic faith than many a Protestant does!

I was raised in the Church of God, sort of a “little sister” to the AoG. The people there had large gaps in their knowledge of the Catholic Church, and didn’t agree with what they did know, but they considered Catholics fellow Christians and mostly took a civil, brotherly, and charitable stance towards them. Occasionally, though, you’d encounter real animus towards the CC, and it was inevitably from an ex-Catholic (generally a northern transplant). And to the extent we had outright misinformation about what the CC believed, it came from them.

Sorry to digress from the main thrust of this thread, but sometimes I wonder how much present-day “Protestant anti-Catholicism” is simply Catholic laxity toward catechesis, come back to bite them?

 

[1holycatholic]

Where in the early church were there Clown masses with waterguns?

Can you show me where they’re supposed to do that now?