Assembly of God questions

[secretdawn]

I started searching for a church a few months after becoming saved. I found the St. Charles First Assembly of God. I chose it because the people were welcoming, the pastors made a special trip to visit my family, and they seemed to really celebrate Christ in a way I hadn't seen in other churches. They seemed very happy, and I was comfortable so I stayed. I looked on their web sites and didn't agree with everything they said...but I can't always agree with everything. I don't always like what the pastor discusses in services, and I am fine with that. For the most part they I fit well there. They discuss things pertenent to today, and have the guts to call someone on their sins.

But what I don't understand is the "charismatic" "pentecostal" parts. I have heard people speak in tounges, and there is one woman who is constantly interupting worship to say something...it is in english and a good message, but i find it rude and inappropriate...is she just doing it to do it, or is there a reason behind it. Could someone please explain the beliefs of the Assembly of God that make it "charismatic" or "pentocostal", like the holy spirit, tounges, baptism in the holy spirit, and other "specialties" for lack of better word?

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

I started searching for a church a few months after becoming saved. I found the St. Charles First Assembly of God. I chose it because the people were welcoming, the pastors made a special trip to visit my family, and they seemed to really celebrate Christ in a way I hadn't seen in other churches. They seemed very happy, and I was comfortable so I stayed. I looked on their web sites and didn't agree with everything they said...but I can't always agree with everything. I don't always like what the pastor discusses in services, and I am fine with that. For the most part they I fit well there. They discuss things pertenent to today, and have the guts to call someone on their sins.

But what I don't understand is the "charismatic" "pentecostal" parts. I have heard people speak in tounges, and there is one woman who is constantly interupting worship to say something...it is in english and a good message, but i find it rude and inappropriate...is she just doing it to do it, or is there a reason behind it. Could someone please explain the beliefs of the Assembly of God that make it "charismatic" or "pentocostal", like the holy spirit, tounges, baptism in the holy spirit, and other "specialties" for lack of better word?

I grew up in the Assembly's of God and frequently saw this happen too. There was one AG though that I started attending in my late teens and went there for 10 yrs where the Pastor taught people on the issue. He would encourage others to flow in the gifts as well as he did.

I remember one lady in particular who did not do it every Sunday but it was frequent, who would just out of the blue, jump up, start screaming a message in tongues and jerk To my embarrasment it always seemed to happen when I brought a visitor. While I don't believe that was the correct way to do it, there always was an interpretation and personally I think God got a big laugh at those of us who squirmed out of embarrasment. Mercy definately triumphs over judgement.

I now attend a non-denominational where we are taught even more extensively. I know with the first pastor, if this had happend every week he probably would have said something to her. I remember the first time I ever gave a message in tongues. . .I was in my teens and I was so scared. I knew what it was but I was so afraid. . ."what if it's not interpreted?", "what if it's not really God?, all the "what if's?" flooded my mind. By the time I finely spoke it was like a bomb exploding because I had held it in so long. Over time though, I have relaxed and I know it is the Holy Spirit. I talk in a normal tone of voice and I wait for the Spirit to make the opening . . .I don't interrupt. And I've also moved into interpreting. . .so I don't worry anymore about that.

I think it's that way with most people. . .they just need to grow and mature in the gift. I guess if the Pastor allows the interruption then there is not much you can do. . .except pray. . .or maybe even ask him about it.

If there is no training then doing it the wrong way will most likely continue. Yet, God has ways of working all that out. I can look back on some of that and laugh and know how not to do it. Yet, I still consider those people precious in the eyes of the Lord and at least they stepped out and tried . . .even if they did it wrong.

I know some may dissagree with me but that's OK. I know lot's of people who may claim to being harmed by such activity but personally I feel they are just grabbing at straws to give their lack of response and obedience to the Lord some ground to stand on. Just my opinion though.

 

[drdeancrosby]

I don't belong to the Assembly of God denomination so I can't explain their beliefs in detail but I can confirm some of their basic beliefs.Jesus explained that we will not receive salvation until we experience two different baptisms - the water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit which comes from God through prayer.This must come as a great shock to all those people who were told they were saved if they just repeated a prayer of 25 words or less.It sure would be nice if people would read the bible to get instructions from God instead of some minister,many of whom have false teachings.No wonder so many people who call themselves Christians believe in war,abortion and capitol punishment.They haven't even read or believed the THOU SHALT NOT KILL commandment.
After God baptises people with His Holy Spirit,they receive talents or gifts as they are called.Some,but not all are able to speak in a different language for instance.(the gift of tongues)The woman who keeps talking during the service believes that she is receiving a message from the Holy Spirit and obviously your minister does too or he wouldn't let her speak during the service.You should feel very fortunate that you've found a church that is visited by the Holy Spirit.In most churches,the minister wouldn't know what to do if the Holy Spirit ever showed up.But just one warning about Assembly of God churches.Their ministers are not closely supervised and some of them do engage in some really unscriptural activities.All the more reason to keep reading the new testament to verify what your minister is telling you.

 

[enoch son]

Let's see A/G I can think of one preacher from that church that God got his doctrine right, Let's see oh yes a son of God shun by them JIMMY SWAGGER! There sin doctrine smells but the Holy Spirit they know. I've been all over the country and find that church's in the most part follow sound doctrine and not the behaviour as spoken about in the above post.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

I don't belong to the Assembly of God denomination so I can't explain their beliefs in detail but I can confirm some of their basic beliefs.Jesus explained that we will not receive salvation until we experience two different baptisms - the water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit which comes from God through prayer.This must come as a great shock to all those people who were told they were saved if they just repeated a prayer of 25 words or less.It sure would be nice if people would read the bible to get instructions from God instead of some minister,many of whom have false teachings.No wonder so many people who call themselves Christians believe in war,abortion and capitol punishment.They haven't even read or believed the THOU SHALT NOT KILL commandment.
After God baptises people with His Holy Spirit,they receive talents or gifts as they are called.Some,but not all are able to speak in a different language for instance.(the gift of tongues)The woman who keeps talking during the service believes that she is receiving a message from the Holy Spirit and obviously your minister does too or he wouldn't let her speak during the service.You should feel very fortunate that you've found a church that is visited by the Holy Spirit.In most churches,the minister wouldn't know what to do if the Holy Spirit ever showed up.But just one warning about Assembly of God churches.Their ministers are not closely supervised and some of them do engage in some really unscriptural activities.All the more reason to keep reading the new testament to verify what your minister is telling you.

These are not doctrines I heard growing up. . .did you attend an AG that taught this? Please don't explain the belief's of those you are not part of or maybe have never been part of . . .it will keep anyone from having to correct.

Thankyou

 

[secretdawn]

ok so i am confused, the Assembly of God believes you MUST be baptised in the holy spirit to be saved? where do i find the scriptures for this? that would mean i am not saved, but i am...at least i thought i was...
i still don't quite understand though, can anyone who is a member of the church explain it to me, with scripture references? please don't overwhelm me too much though, i am still green lol...

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

ok so i am confused, the Assembly of God believes you MUST be baptised in the holy spirit to be saved?

NO. . .they do NOT believe that. I was in the AG for at least 20 years.

 

[Jim B]

You're right, Quaffer, the Assemblies of God does not believe that you must be baptized in the Holy Spirit to be saved. I pastored four AG churches over a 20 year period. If you really want to know what they believe try this link to their official website. Questions about the AG would be better answered there than here. Asking questions on an open forum is like the blind leading the blind.

AG website http://www.ag.org/top/.

However, many denominations and persons (including me) believe that the term "baptism of/in/by the Holy Spirit" is the new birth (1 Cor. 12.13, “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body -- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free -- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”) That can only happen when we are regenerated. What the AG calls the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” (BHS) are those infillings we read about throughout the New Testament and what happened at Pentecost was an infilling (as it says in Acts 2.4) of the Spirit. To my thinking, the Christians at Pentecost were already converted and had already been baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. These infillings, I believe, may be accompanied by tongues, prophecy, boldness, or no visible sign whatever. Deaf or mute people and people without physical tongues can be filled with the Holy Spirit without speaking in tongues or else God is a respecter of persons. Right?

 

[Jim B]

enoch son wrote

Let's see A/G I can think of one preacher from that church that God got his doctrine right, Let's see oh yes a son of God shun by them JIMMY SWAGGER! There sin doctrine smells …

Hey, e.s., I think JIMMY SWAGGER spells his name “Swaggart.”

Just what is the AG "sin doctrine" that smells so odious to you? Do you really understand it or are you just shooting buckshot? From my recollection as an AG minister for almost 30 years that their doctrine of sin is the same as that of any evangelical. You probably share the same views on it.

You know, e.s., just from the tone of your post somebody might say, fairly or unfairly, that your mercy doctrine stinks, too.

Jim

 

[crystalpc]

I have a question, and I really don't want debate, because it is an honest question for my knowledge only. The question that bothers me is this in reading through the forums I have read statements that the A/G is "trying" to be an evangelical church???
Trying??
My understanding of the word Evangelical is from webster . Function: adjective
Date: 1531
1 : of, relating to, or being in agreement with the Christian gospel especially as it is presented in the four Gospels
2 : [size=-1]PROTESTANT[/size]
3 : emphasizing salvation by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ through personal conversion, the authority of Scripture, and the importance of preaching as contrasted with ritual
4 a capitalized : of or relating to the Evangelical Church in Germany b often capitalized : of, adhering to, or marked by fundamentalism : [size=-1]FUNDAMENTALIST[/size] c often capitalized : [size=-1]LOW CHURCH[/size]
5 : marked by militant or crusading zeal : [size=-1]EVANGELISTIC[/size] <the evangelical ardor of the movement's leaders -- Amos Vogel>
Brittanica:
any of the classical Protestant churches or their offshoots, but especially in the late 20th century, churches that stress the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, personal conversion experiences, Scripture as the sole basis for faith, and active evangelism (the winning of personal commitments to Christ).

The A/G fits both of these descriptions, it is an offshoot of the Methodist church if I remember my Assembly Church History right.

I currently go to a WOF A/G, but was saved in and am a member of the Church of God which is an offshoot of Conservative Baptist. If offshoot means that they came out of Baptist roots.
So far I have not found major doctrinal differences between these two churches except the WOF movement not being so readily accepted by CofGod people, and their stricter rules of personal holiness. But they are both loving christian bodies with people who love God. Preach salvation, and forgiveness of sin by Gods grace alone.
I know about Jimmy Swaggart and all the problems he has had, but every man is subject to attacks of the enemy, and he did ask forgiveness. I don't throw stones, at times I am too busy ducking, so that doesn't bother me. He is not representative of all the people in the church, or even the doctrine of the church.
Can anyone shed light on this, I truly want to know who is defining Evangelicals?

 

[crystalpc]

AG website http://www.ag.org/top/.

Thanks for the link I was able to look up some of the history there. As a youngster growing up in the Church of God I was always thrilled with history. I consumed the book Like a Mighty Army, and treasured From Their Own Words.
Thank you again

 

[mrversatile48]

Nearly every epistle teaches that baptism in the Holy Spirit happens at regeneration, as He is called a deposit or down-payment, & a seal of guarantee

Ephesians 5:18's present continuous tense is best translated, "Don't get drunk on wine, as it leads to debauchery: instead, be continuously being filled with the Holy Spirit"

Why?

When we sin, we prove we have leaked the blessing somewhat, as no-one FILLED with the Holy Spirit can possibly sin, so those who think they have "arrived" thru one experience need to recall 1 John 1:10 - "If we claim we have no sin, we make Him out to be a liar, & His Word has no place in our lives"

It is, "when we see Him face to face", that, "we shall be like Him"

1 Corinthians 12 clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit gives different spiritual gifts to each member of the Body of Christ, graphically describing how, like a human body, the Church is made up of different parts, none of which should either feel unneeded, or reject others "Do all speak in tongues? Do all prophesy?"

We are commanded to "earnestly seek the higher gifts, that build up the Body" - & it is when "every joint & ligament does its part", that the Body of Christ - the Church - is strong & healthy, & the New Testament never pictures the church as a 1-man ministry

A quick point of interest is that both Elvis Presley & James Brown's stage movements were inspired by watching enthusiastic black AoG Pentecostal preachers: both their pastors said that they never came to the point of firmly committing their lives to Christ's Lordship, but they always loved gospel music

Jimmy Swaggart was a cousin of Jerry Lee Lewis, & many rated Jimmy a better pianist

Will you echo the popular chorus, "I'll give You more than a song, for a song in itself is not what You have required: You look much deeper within - You're lookinginto my heart"

Have you given your heart to Christ, dear reader?

Elvis, at the height of fame, fortune & adulation, once told his pastor, "I feel like the most miserable man alive" (Mega-rich Howard Hughes said the same thing!)

Like the rich young ruler, challenged by Christ, "he went away sorrowful"

"Set your love on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand if God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" - (Colossians 3:1/2)

 

[pmarquette]

ok so i am confused, the Assembly of God believes you MUST be baptised in the holy spirit to be saved? where do i find the scriptures for this? that would mean i am not saved, but i am...at least i thought i was...
i still don't quite understand though, can anyone who is a member of the church explain it to me, with scripture references? please don't overwhelm me too much though, i am still green lol...

baptism of the Holy Spirit .... Acts 2 , 4 , 19.5 , Mk 16.16-20
2 works of grace ...
1. baptism - deliverance ...original sin ( adam ) , separation from worldly persuits as Moses and people passed through the red sea

2. baptism of power / authority / service as in Acts 2 and 19.5 to
empower us to walk out the call on our lives ; by the laying on of hands
2 tim 1.5-7 ; Romans ; Hebrews ... to impart to some one

3. evidence of the works of grace - Mk 16.16-20 answered prayers,
stronger faith , desire to be / do / go

 

[Jim B]

pmarquette wrote:

baptism of the Holy Spirit .... Acts 2 , 4 , 19.5 , Mk 16.16-20
2 works of grace ...
1. baptism - deliverance ...original sin ( adam ) , separation from worldly persuits as Moses and people passed through the red sea

2. baptism of power / authority / service as in Acts 2 and 19.5 to
empower us to walk out the call on our lives ; by the laying on of hands
2 tim 1.5-7 ; Romans ; Hebrews ... to impart to some one

Your Pentecostal theology is impeccable!!

Do you believe that 1 Cor. 12.13* is a reference to the Baptism of/in/by the Holy Spirit?

• “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”

And do you believe that Eph. 4.5* is a reference to the BHS?

• “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

I would be interested in your comments.

Jim