Try to learn about the Assembly of God

[JI4M]

Hi Everyone,

I am a 38 year old single female. I was baptized Greek Orthodox, but grew up Catholic. I went to a few different churches, different denominations in my adult years but really didn't practice any religon. In October/November, I dedicated my life to Jesus, became born again and now I am looking for a church. In the past, finding a church has been an extremely uncomfortable experience for me, mostly due to not feeling like I fit in anywhere so this is a big leap for me. Especially since I don't know what denomination I would like to partake in.

So, on to why I am here in this section. There is a cute little Church down the street, very close by to where I live. Today I reached out to them and asked them what denomination they were, and they said Assembly of God. They invited me to come check it out.

Can someone give me any information on Assembly of God? I read that they were Pentecostal but I don't know anything about that denomination either.

Thank you so much in advance.

 

[JI4M]

Edit my title to "Trying*"

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

If God Assembles with them, you will find blessing , peace, joy and life abundantly !

 

[riesie]

Hi @JI4M !
Very welcome! I hope you will feel comfortable in this forum. I'll try to give you a general idea of this denomination. Note to all readers, please correct me if I'm wrong or do not explain correctly!

The Pentecostal denomination started on April 9, 1906 with the Azusa Street Revival. I think it was the first denomination who allowed black people in the church. It is a protestant denomination with high emphasis on the gifts of the Spirit, especially speaking in tongues. Pentecostals believe it is prove of being born again. Their are inside this denomination several different schools of thought I think. If you look for Azusa Street Revival online you'll find a bit of history on it. The Assemblies of God is the umbrella body of the Pentecostal churches.
I know what it's like to look for a place, a church. I found it very difficult. I hope and pray you'll find a place soon!

Best regards,
Ries

 

[mark kennedy]

The Assemblies of God did emerge from the Azuza street revival, in 1911 they split with the COGIC church right down racial lines. At Hot Springs Arkansas C.H. Mason, the founder of the COGIC churches could have been indignant but instead showed up the Saints Industrial, a gospel singing group and blessed them saying 'may the waters bring forth abundantly'. While the COGIC churches did more work in the United States the Assemblies of God are a more missionary minded church. The Assemblies of God are actually a pretty solid Pentecostal denomination, most places you will see a pretty diverse crowd, white and black, young and old etc. I fellowshipped with them for a year, they are pretty awesome.

 

[Blade]

If someone told me about this Church you talk about.. I would say yes I ME ME look for a Church that believes ALL the word.. preaches the WORD...

 

[worshipjunkie]

Hi Everyone,

I am a 38 year old single female. I was baptized Greek Orthodox, but grew up Catholic. I went to a few different churches, different denominations in my adult years but really didn't practice any religon. In October/November, I dedicated my life to Jesus, became born again and now I am looking for a church. In the past, finding a church has been an extremely uncomfortable experience for me, mostly due to not feeling like I fit in anywhere so this is a big leap for me. Especially since I don't know what denomination I would like to partake in.

So, on to why I am here in this section. There is a cute little Church down the street, very close by to where I live. Today I reached out to them and asked them what denomination they were, and they said Assembly of God. They invited me to come check it out.

Can someone give me any information on Assembly of God? I read that they were Pentecostal but I don't know anything about that denomination either.

Thank you so much in advance.

Another 38 year old single female here.

Pentecostal is a umbrella term for many denominations (Assembly of God, Foursquare, Open Bible Standard churches, some I can't remember, and many non-denominational ones). The term comes from believing in a post-conversion experience called the baptism of the Holy Spirit like the apostles did on the day of Pentecost (with some clear differences, of course). They also are not Reformed in theology- most affirm free will and the possibility of losing your salvation by choosing to walk away/sin grievously. For pretty much any denomination, their national website will include a statement of faith. Here's the Assembly of God's (Assemblies of God (USA) Official Web Site | Assemblies of God 16 Fundamental Truths). Their beliefs are pretty standard for Pentecostal denominations. Hopefully that helped clarify things instead of confuse things; post if you have any further questions.

ETA: Pentecostals don't believe baptism of the Holy Spirit or speaking in tongues is proof of salvation, at least that's not standard Pentecostal thought. We believe it's a gift God wants to give, that it is to be a normal part of Christian experience, but not that those who disagree aren't really Christian.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Hi Everyone,

I am a 38 year old single female. I was baptized Greek Orthodox, but grew up Catholic. I went to a few different churches, different denominations in my adult years but really didn't practice any religon. In October/November, I dedicated my life to Jesus, became born again and now I am looking for a church. In the past, finding a church has been an extremely uncomfortable experience for me, mostly due to not feeling like I fit in anywhere so this is a big leap for me. Especially since I don't know what denomination I would like to partake in.

So, on to why I am here in this section. There is a cute little Church down the street, very close by to where I live. Today I reached out to them and asked them what denomination they were, and they said Assembly of God. They invited me to come check it out.

Can someone give me any information on Assembly of God? I read that they were Pentecostal but I don't know anything about that denomination either.

Thank you so much in advance.

The only thing I would say is they emphisise speaking in tongues too much . It is part of their articles of faith that it IS the initial evidence for having the Holy Spirit. This is disputed by many other denominations. Here is Article 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.

 

[quietbloke]

I thank God for Assemblies of God. As a young lad of 14 years of age I found Jesus as my Saviour and Lord in an Assemblies of God church in 1965. I grew in grace and was baptised in water. After seeking God with all my heart,He baptised me in the Holy Spirit and I spoke in tongues as the Holy Spirit gave me utterance. I went on to serve God in ministry and pastoral care. What a mighty God we serve!

 

[riesie]

The only thing I would say is they emphisise speaking in tongues too much . It is part of their articles of faith that it IS the initial evidence for having the Holy Spirit. This is disputed by many other denominations. Here is Article 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.

I think I agree with you. I've seen a lot of people full off the spirit who didn't speak in tongues, so I don't think it's the only proof of being born again. Besides that they are very sola scriptura which I do like.

 

[JI4M]

Thank you everyone for your honest replies. They are exactly what I needed. I am going to try this church out next Sunday. I think it might be a little shock to my system, the whole speaking in tongues part of it all so I am glad I was fore-warned about that. But the rest of it sounds good. I will let you all know how it goes. Please pray it goes good. It's really important that I find a church once and for all. I am 38 years old, I am not getting any younger. I need a church desperately.

 

[riesie]

Thank you everyone for your honest replies. They are exactly what I needed. I am going to try this church out next Sunday. I think it might be a little shock to my system, the whole speaking in tongues part of it all so I am glad I was fore-warned about that. But the rest of it sounds good. I will let you all know how it goes. Please pray it goes good. It's really important that I find a church once and for all. I am 38 years old, I am not getting any younger. I need a church desperately.

Dear Ekina,

I'm in a Pentecostal church and speaking in tongues is only every now and then.
And also because of it is every now and then, it's being concidered very special.
There are clips on youtube (which I find rather extreme), where people are falling on the ground with convulsions and so on. Don't worry, there are lots and lots of Pentecostal churches where this does not happen!

So I'll pray it will be nice, welcoming and a blessed visit! Keep me posted.


P.S. Unusual name you have, never heard of it. Then again I'm a disaster with names, so it could be just me, hahahah!

 

[riesie]

Hey Ekina,
Did you try the AOG chruch?
How was it?

 

[quietbloke]

Love and blessings to you,'Ekina'. Hope you get on well

 

[quietbloke]

Assemblies of God :the 'Ecclesia' of God'. 'People set apart for God' Let it be!

 

[rocknanchor]

Hopefully, folks can see quite plainly from God's word and as I was taught in the AOG, that speaking in tonques is NOT the only evidence of receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.