History

History and Doctrine of Assembly of God

Assemblies of God, Pentecostal, evangelistic, and missionary Protestant cooperative organization, founded in 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA, by a group of independent ministers. Although forms of worship vary, articles of faith include salvation through a life of holiness; baptism with the Holy Spirit, accompanied by speaking in tongues (ecstatic, inspired speech often unintelligible to listeners); divine healing; and the second coming of Jesus Christ. Each congregation is sovereign in management of local affairs. Regional matters are handled by 55 district councils, and a general council is held every second year. A 13-member executive presbytery maintains offices at Springfield, Missouri, home of the international headquarters of the group. According to the most recent statistics, the denomination has more than 9,000 churches and about 1,630,000 members in the United States churches and missions are also maintained in more than 90 other countries, and the worldwide membership numbers about 6 million. (Encarta 2001)

Assemblies of God

1. Name: Assemblies of God

2. Founder: Eudorus N. Bell

Eudorus N. Bell was born in Lake Butler, Florida (Brugess & McGee. 53) on June 27, 1866, and died on June 15, 1923. In 1903, Bell graduated from the University of Chicago and become a pastor in Texas with the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1907, he became the pastor of a small Pentecostal church in Malvern, Arkansas (Melyon, 34). Bell was instrumental in calling together the first General Assembly meeting of Pentecostal leaders. The Assemlies of God evolved from this meeting (Blumhofer, 35).

3. Date of Birth: June 27, 1866 – June 15, 1923

4. Birth Place of the Organization: Hot Spring, Arkansas

5. Year Founded: 1914

6. Sacred or Reverd Texts: Holy Bible – specifically Acts 2

7. Cult Sect:

Negative sentiments are typically implied when the concepts “cult” and “sect” are implied in popular discourse. Since the Religious Movements Homepage seeks to promote religious tolerance and appreccciation of the positive benefits of the pluralism and religious diversity in human cultures, we encourage the use of alternative concepts that do carry implicit negative stereotypes. For a more detailed discussion of both scholarly and popular usage of the concepts “cult” and “sect,” please visit our Conceptualizing “Cult” and “Sect”

8. Size of Group:

The Assemblies of God are one of the world’s largest and fasterst growing Protestant denominatiuons. They currently claim over 2.3 million members in the United States and over 30 million worldwide. There are roughly 11,100 establish churches in the United States and approximately 117,000 churches worldwide in 120 nations. Church ministers and leaders are educated in over 325 Bible Colleges across the world.

The Assemblies of God maintains an aggressive foreign mission program. Currently, over 1,500 missionaries are spread throughout 120 different countries (Assemblies of God, 1989, 14). Gospel Publishing, the Assemblies of God printing company, prints 24 tons of church literature and curriculums daily (Assemblies of God, 1989, 15). A radio broadcast entitled Revivaltime is the official radio production of the Assemblies of God. The radio program broadcasted over 600 times per week. They claim this coverage allows the gospel to reach nearly the entire Englis-speaking world (Assemblis of God, 1989, 13).

 

9. Organizational Structure:

The General Council is the Legislative body which rules over the Assemblies of God. It is composed of every ordained minister within the Assemblies of God churches. Also, one delegate representing each church has position on the council (Assemblies of God, 1989, ). The General Council is the legislative body which rules over the Assemblies of God. It is composed of every ordained minister within the Assemblies of God churches. Also, one delegate representing each church has a position on the council (Assemblies of God, 1989, 7). The General Council has ordered business meetings every two years. On August 5–10, 1997, they convened for the 47th General Council in Indianapolis, Indiana.

One of the essential features of the Assemblies of God organizational structure is local church autonomy. Each congregation of the Assemblies of God is considered a self governing “assembly.” The General Council is not directly involved in running the local congregations. Every congregation has the right to select its own pastor and elect each own officers. The church also has the power to discipline each member and sanction the pastor.  In administering discipline, the church must follow its by-laws and the words of the Holy Scripture. The church is also responsible for each property holdings and its business transactions (Assemblies of God, (1989, 8).

Beyond the individual congregations, the feloowship of the Assemblies of God is divided into 57 districts in US which are headed by a District Council. Each district has the power to ordain ministers, establish new churches, and provide moneytary aid or other resources for the congregations in their district (Assemblies of God, 1989, 7).

The international headquarters of the Assemblies of god is separated into seven divisions. Each of the divisions govern a different aspect of the church’s fellowship. The seven divisions are: Division of Christian Education, Division of Church Ministries, Division of Communications, Division of Foreign missions, Division Of Home Missions, Division of Publication, and other Departments (Assemblies of God, 1989, 9 – 15).

II. History

Revival swept through the United States during the late 1800s and early 1900s. One important manifestation of this revival was the birth of Pentecostal movement. The Assemblies of God, the largest of the Pentecostal traditions, traces its origins to a gathering in Hot Springs, Arkansas called by Eudorus N. Bell. The assembly, entitled “A Convention of Pentecostal Saints and churches of Christ” (Melton, 375) was called for the purpose of “(1) doctrinal unity; (2) chartering churches under common name for legal purposes; (3) the need for a Bible Training School; (4) conservation of the work; (5) foreign mission interests” (Assemblies of God. 1989,4).

The rise of the Pentecostal movement is largely based on the teaching of a man named Charls Parham. He is created with being the founder of the First Pentecostal church – the Apostolic Faith Church (Melton, 1991, 352). His early teachings involved two main criteria: (1) the understanding that holiness was the second work of Grace (Blumhofer, 23); This involved entire sanctification (Lippy & Williams, 1264). (2) Parham taught and practice divine healing (Blumhofer, 23); this act of divine healing was grounded in his faith (Lippy & Williams, 1264).

Parham opened a Bible School in Topeka, Kansas. He modeled his Bible School after “The Holy Ghost and Us” Bible School founded by Frank Sandford. Parham’s students paid no board or tuition to attend school. Here students assembled to study and learned about the Word of God. His school emphasized one divine text, the Holy Bible, and one divine teacher, the Holy Spirit. The experience of Spirit Baptism was considered to be a key component of one’s faith (Blumhofer, 24-25).

During the Christmas recess of 1900, Parham asked his students to search the Bible and discover the biblical evidence for the act of Baptism in the Holy Spirit. His students found the evidence for Spirit Baptism in Chapter 2 of the book of Acts. Baptism in the Holy Spirit was expressed and accompanied with speaking in tongues (Melton 1991, 352).  With this belief, a distinct Pentecostal Movement was created. From the belief the Assemblies of God eventually emerged. For the next several years Parham lead religious revival spreading this Apostolic Faith” (Blumhofer, 26-27).

This revival of the Pentecostal mission first spread to Missouri, Texas, and then on to California. Pentecostal believers across the world were drawn together for the first time at Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles (Assemblies of God, 1989, 5) in 1906. William J. Seymour, An African American holiness minister, was delivering the messagrs. Here, the west coast of the United States heard speaking in tongues for the first time (Melton, 1996, 81). The Pentecostal meesage had succeeded in spreading across the nation and beyond. As the fires of revival continued to spread exculsive Pentecostal congregations began to form.

During the revival, the Holy Spirit came on to large numbers of these eager Christians. They responded with an outpouring of spontaneous worship and driving desire to spread the love and grace of Christ found in the Gospels. The coming of the Holy Spirit came to be known as the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit.” The act of speaking in togues accompanied the baptism. This ritual is rooted in the text of the New Testament Book of Acts. Speaking in tongues involves speaking in a language believed to be divinely inspired by God. It usually is not understood by others. Also, according to Acts, the Holy Spirit was revealed to Jesus on the Christian holy day called Pentecost. Hence, the name Pentecostals (Assemblies of God, 1989, 4).

Between 1910 and 1913, a preacher by the name Eudorus N. Bell began to have his voice heard. In the south, Bell and his colleagues had been promoting the Pentecostal faith in a newspaper publication called “Apostlic Faith.” A man of H.G. Rogers was heading another independent Pentecostal movement in the southastern part of the country. Bell eventually mergecd his group with that of Rogers. The two formed a loosely knit organization called “The Church of God in Christ and In Unity with Apostolic Faith Movement.” By 1913, 352 independent groups were associated with this religious movement. They shortened their name to “Church of God in Christ” (Blumhofer, 35-36).

By the year 1914, the need for an organized assembly had arisen. The revival continued to have growing needs. Bible literature, missionaries, specialized funds, and the need for formal ministers were some of those needs. Eudorus N. Bell was instrumental in calling this meeting/assembly into existence. Bell invited Pentecostal “Saints” from everywhere to attend (Blumhofer, 36). During this year, approximately 300 preachers, laymen, from 20 states and foreign countries, came together to discuss these needs. This discussion, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on April 2-12, 1914 (Melton, 1996, 375) became the first “General Council.” The cooperative fellowship which evolved from this meeting was called The General Council of the Assenlbies of God (Assemblis of God, 1986. 5). By the end of 1914, Assemblies of God list of independent followers had grown to include 531 organizations. At this time, the movement had an initial membership of approximately 6,000 members. By 1926, membership had jumped to 41,000. The Assemblies of God continue to report positive membership growth with 3000,000 members in 1950 and approximately 500,000 in 1960 (Queen, Prothero, & Shattuck, 1996, 43).

 

 

III. Its Name and Early History

The Assemblies of God, which operates on a world-wide basis, came into being as a result of a small convention in Hot Spring, Arkansas, April 2-12, 1914. At this gathering, some one hundred twenty pastors and evangelist registered as delegates representing twenty states and several foreign lands.

“Events leading up to the organizational step go back more than twenty years earlier. In the latter part of the nineteenth century a spirit of revival swept the world, engendering a deep spiritual hunger among evangelical believers.

“As the spiritual tempo began to rise, prayer bands met in various areas of the United States and in many places throughout the world. Bible conferences were held and much was written about conditions of the Christian church. God began to respond to these cries for revival and poured His Spirit upon groups simultaneously – in the United States, Great Britain, Holland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and among missionaries of many denominations.”

“With 1913 about to close; the Word and Witness issued the now famous call for a general council of Pentecostal ministries to convene in Hot Spring, Arkansas, in the spring of 1914 _ the call that culminated in the founding of the Assemblies of God.”

“In spite of the years of opposition to organization, more than three hundred persons attended the convention.”

“The name Assemblies of God, probably can be trasced to T.K. Leonard whose ordination papers show him to have been ordained by the Christian Church in 1901, and then by ‘The Assembly of God, Findlay, Ohio,’ April 14, 1912 – two years before the first General Council.”

“During the convention a number of important resolutions were approved. The group agreed to incorporate as the General Council of the Assemblies of God. Fifty-eight men signed this incorporation papers on October 13, 1914.” (Brandt, Robert L. 1963).

IV. Belief of the Group

The Assemblies of God are Pentecostal. With their faith comes several distinctly Pentecostal beliefs and worship practice is “glossolalia,” or “speaking in tongues.” To those outside of the Pentecostal tradition glossolalia may seem to be unintelligible gibberish. To believers, speaking in tongues is a sign of anointing and is understood as the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is a sign of “second baptism” and means the Holy Ghost dwells in the heart and soul of the believer. Pentecostal believers worship in several spontaneous ways including rhythmic hymns, energetic “Amens”, and prayers. Another distinct practice of the Pentecostal faith includes “Healing.” The power to heal is a gift from the Holy Ghost. Assemblies of God often hold healing services (Melton, 1996, 79-80).

About the Bible… Scripture Search – 2 Timothy 3:15-17 The New and Old Testaments of the Bible are divinely inspired, unquestionable truths delivered by God. The Bible is looked to as the ultimate example of how to model one’s life and one’s faith (Assemblies of God), 1989, 17).

The Godhead… This is a belief in three distinct persons: Father (God), Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. They believe in the unified existence of these three persons into one body. The existence of God is revealed in the writings of the Bible. He existed before creation and will continue to exist infinitely. Jesus Christ was the human manifestation of God the Father. He was born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life and died by being crucitied for the sins of the world. The third day after his death, he was resurrected from the dead and exalted to heaven with God. The Holy Spirit is the essence of God which moves among the people. It touches the lives of believers here on Earth. God power is incorporated into one’s self. It leads to a better understanding of God’s love and renewed energy to spread the Gospel.

About the Ordinance… The Assemblies of God practice two official ordinances. The first ordinance is “Water Baptism” This takes place by complete immersion in a pool, sea or river. This serves as a public showing of a believer’s acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The second ordinance is Holy Communion.” This is representation of Christ’s Last Supper here on Earth prior to his death on the cross. “Bread and Wine” are presented as symbolic representations of the “Body and Blood” shed by Christ for the sins of the world. Believers are invited to take part in this service. (Assemblies of God, 1989, 20).

About the Church… Scripture Seach – Ephesians 1:22-23 The church is understood to be the body of Christ here on Earth. It is charged with the mission to spread the word of God to all the nations. It is a place where believers come to worship their God (Assemblies of God, 1989, 20).

About the Future… Scripture Search – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Some date in the near future will bring the “Second coming of Jesus Christ.” The first coming was experienced when Jesus was born in human form to Virgin Mary. In the event called the “Rapture of the Church” current and past Christians will be taken to live with Christ forever (Assemblies of God, 1989, 21). There will be a  seven years Great Tribulation that will happen to Earth after the rapture it will become the age of the Antichrist and he will be defeated by Christ at the end of the tribulation. Satan will gather many nations at Armageddon under the direction of antichrist and make war against God and his people in the battle that will involve the intire world (see Rev. 16:16). When that time comes, Christ will return and supernaturally intervene to destroy the antichrist, his armies and all who disobey the gospel (Rev. 19:15-21). And then Christ will bind Satan and establish his kingdom on earth (Rev. 20:1-6).  After that event Christ will reign in this earth for a thousand years while Satan will be bound. Tribulation saints (and possibly OT saints) will rise from the dead. The church and the martyred tribulation saints will reign with Christ. Christ wiil reign on earth over the tribulation saints alive at his second coming, God children will have rest, nature will be restored to its original order and perfection, after a thousand year, Satan will be released for a brief time at the end of the millennium, and will end with Christ turning over the kingdom to the Father.The Final Judgment events: final battle of Gog and Magog, All the wicked will be raised from the dead to face judgment, the great white throne judgment All God’s enemies will be put into the lake of fire. The New Heaven and the New Earth: God will destroy the present earth, God will create a New Heaven and a New Earth, God will wipe away all effects of sin, The New earth will become the headquarters of God. Rev. 21:1-3.

V. Current Controversies

Many controversies and conflicts have palues the Assemblies of God within the past 20 years. The organization structure of the church is designed to allow individual congregations autonomous control over activities within the church. Since there is no uniform control over the preachers of each congregation, this autonomity has been a topic of great conflict and problems. Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart, infamous televangelists, surrounded the Assemblies of God with stories of sexual scandals and exploitations. Their promiscuous behavior resulted in negative reputations and publicity ofr the Assemblies of God.

Jim Bakker’s television ministry began in 1978 when he became a co-host with Pat Robertson of the 700 Club. He left the Christian Bradcating Company. After only a short partnership with Crouch, the Bakkers returned to the East coast where they build the PTL Television Network and Heritage U.S.A. Bakker, an Assemblies of God preacher, and his wife Tammy Faye shared the gospel with the television audience with an emotional flair that is probably unparalleled in religious broadcasting.

In 1987, a detail of an illicit sexual scandal involving Jim Bakker and a church secretary was uncovered. Other stories regarding homosexual behavior and the misuse of religious ministry funds began to surface. The Assemblies of God relieved Jim Bakker from his ministerial duties within the fellowship for sexual misconduct. The United States Criminal Justice System charged Bakker with financial fraud. The courts found Bakker guilty and sentenced him to 45 years in prison (Melton, 1997, 19-22).

Jimmy Swaggart was also a well-known Assemblies of God television evangelist. Swaggart is a flamboyant hellfire and brimstone preacher as well as a talented singer and songwriter. When Bakker fell, Swaggart bitterly criticized him for bringing disgrace to religious bradcating and the Assemblies of God. Less than a year later, on February 21, 1988, a teary-eyed Swaggart appeared on his nationally syndicated television program and confessed that he was guilty of sexual misconduct involving a prostitute. The Assemblies of God relieved Swaggart of his ministerial duties for the period of one year. When Swaggart complained about this penalty, and indicated he would defy the injunction, the denomination dismissed him. In the year following the scandal, Swaggarty attempted to revive his ministries. However, in 1991 a second scandal involving another prostitute surfaced (Melton, 1997, 340-342). Saggart continues a television ministry, but it is only a fraction of the size it was in the late 1980s before sexual misconduct was disclosed.

VI. History of the Philippines Assembly of God

The Philippines General Council of the Assemblies of God is an expansion of the Pentecostal Movement which had its origin in the United States at the turn of the century. This Pentecostal Movement was characterized by a revival of faith in the fundamental Christianity, a re-emphasis upon the charismatic gifts and their operations, an intense evangelistic fervor, and great missionary zeal.

 

First A/G Missionaries

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin H. Caudle received appointment from the Foreign Missions Department of the General council of the Assemblies of God in Springfield, Missouri, U.S.A. as the first Assemblies of God missionaries to the Philippines. They arrived in Manila in September, 1926. They rented a place in Leveriza Street, Malate District. Mr. Cauder began his missionary works with personal witnessing in English and language study in Spanish and Tagalog. He distributed tracts asnd conducted market and street meetings. He also held a Bible class once a week. The Caudles conducted work in the backyard and in their home. They have fifty five in Sunday School, mostly children. Then the hot season of the year came which was very trying to Mrs. Caudles health. Together with her duties in the home and her part of the work in the ministry, her health broke. They return to the States with no one to continue the work they had started.

Filipino Pioneers

Among the recipients of the Pentecostal outpouring were many Filipinos who went to the United States for various reasons. They got saved and attended Assemblies of God Bible Schools and became missionary to their own people. They pioneered the work of the Assemblies of God in the Philippines. Crispulo Garsulao blazed the trail. In 1928 he returned to his home barrio in Villar, Simbalom, Antique. His brother and sisters and many other accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour and Baptizer. They help him evangelize neighboring barrios and towns. Vision of the lost in his homeland impelled Pedro Collado to leave the States in March 1935 and preached to his folks in Bagumbayan, Nueva Ecija. Then he left them and went to Antique to pastor the flock behind by Cris Garsulao. Subsequently, Collado followed his people to Pikit, Cotabato, Then to Marbel, Koronadal. In November 1935 Benito Acena left San Francisco and on New Year’s Day 1936 began works in La Paz, Laoag, and Ilocos Norte where he built a church in Bangay, Dingras. Eugenio M. Suede builds the first Assemblies of God church in the province of Iloilo. Pedro Castro from Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur had an almost apostolic ministry among the mountain people of Ilocos Sur and Abra. Emil Bernaldes began work in Guindulman, Bohol and reached out into other towns, Jose Maypa had many places open in Capiz. Lorenzo Sebastian preached in Bilad, Camiling, and Tarlac. Cirilo Barcena began work in Ilagan, Isabela. Pangasinan Province has several native missionaries from the States, too. Hermogenes Abrenica began work in San Nicolas, Villasis; Rodrigo Esperanza in Rosario, Pozorrubio; Servillano Obaldo in Caramutan, Villasis; and Marcelino Etrata in San Felipe, Binalonan. All these Filipinos began workindependently of one another.

These Filipino pioneers wanted to Assemblies of God appointed missionary to help them become organized. Their reason for this action was that the Philippines at the time were still under the United States protectorated with a Counsel General as the final seat of authority. A requirement for permitting any outside church denomination to operate in the Philippines was that it must seek registration with the United States Counsel General and have a duly appointed missionary or church leader from the home body in the United States.

Organizational Convention

Leland E. Johnson, The appointed missionary, and his wife and two children landed in Manila on Christmas Eve 1939. On January 2, 1940 H. Abrenica, R. Alcantara and R. Esperanza went to meet the Johnsons. Plans were laid for a convention. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Dunn came to the Philippines from China in February. They were soon to go on furlough back to the States but they very kindly consenterd to help organize the works in the Philippines.

The organizational convention waas held in San Nicolas, Villasis, Pangasinan on March 21-27, 1940. L.E. Johnson, the superintendent appointed by Springfield, presided over the meetings. A constitution was adopted. The elected officers were: R. C. Esperanza, secretary; Pedro Castro, treasurer; H.P. Abrenica and R. Alcantara, presbyters. The newly organized “Philippines District Council of the Assemblies of God” was incorporated  and registered with the Security and Exchange Commission of the Department of Justice of the Philippines on July 11, 1940.

Feeling they belonged to a duly recognized religious body, the ministers launched into more active sevice. Missionaries from China came and help with the work.  They were Blanche Appleby, Rena Baldwin, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tangen, Doris Carlson, Gladys Knowles and Elizabeth Galley. About the same time the Dunns left for their furlough to the States.

The fellowship between the missionaries and the national workers was very close. There was a united effort to accomplish one great aim, the establishment of indigenous churches. Bethel Bible Institute was opened in Baguio in August, 1941.

The wheels of operation for young organization had just started to turn when World War II broke out in the Philippines. With the missionaries’ interned and later repartriated to the United States, the work in its embryonic stage was left without a head. Leadership passed from the U.S.A. to the nationals.

The war curtailed the advancement of the work, but the nationals were quick to “redeem the time” after liberation. The Fourth District Council was held in Bilad, Camiling, and Tarlac on December 29 – 31, 1945. Due to the absence of the District Superintendent, the Foreign Mission Department in Springfield, Missouri granted an election for an acting chairman to be ratified later by said Department. Rodrigo C. Esperanza was elected Acting District Superintendent and Secretary at the same time. His election ratified, he became the duly elected acting representative in the Philippines of the General Council of the Assemblies of God in the Philippines had been headed by a national elected acting representative in the Philippines of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, U.S.A. This arrangement allowed the normal functioning of the District Council as an incorporated religious body. Since 1946, the Assemblies of God in the Philippines had been headed by a national elected periodically during the Council meetings.

 

Fruitful Missionay Work

The liberation ushered in a more fruitful time of missionary endeavor. New missionary appointees came and pioneered works in different places. Elva Vanderbout opened works in the Mountain Province, Edwin M. Brengle in Sogod, Leyte. Paul Pipkins, Paul Davidsons, Ruth Melching, Evelyn Hatchett came from China and help in Far East Broadcating Company and Bethel Bible Institute in Polo, Bulacan. Mr. and Mrs. Warren Denton pioneered work in San Jose, Antique; Mr. and Mrs. Gunder Olsen in Iloilo City; Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Zeissler in Bacolod City, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Sumrall in Manila; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Blount in Cebu City. Ernie Sjoberg, Eliseo Sadorra, Urias Ronquillo were the first to go to the Bicol Region. Graduates of Immanuel Bible Institute in Cebu pioneered works in Southern Mindanao. Leslie Bedell, while district superintendent of Visayas and Northern Mindanao District helped pioneer the Agusan Valley with twenty churches established. This pioneer works of the missionaries became mother of several churches. Other missionary appointees worked in the Bible schools. Evangelist Mayme Williams came in 1949 and traveled all over the country preaching the Word. Other evangelists who contributed much to the growth of works are Harvey McAlister, A.C. Valdez, Clifton Erickson, Oral Roberts, Rudy Cerullo, T.L. Osborn, Hal Herman and Ralph Byrd.  Thousands were saved, healed and filled with the Holy Spirit in their meetings.

 

District Expansion

The growth and expansion of the works brought an increasing need for supervision from the office of the District Superintendent. At the Eleventh District Council held in Malinta, Polo, Bulacan on April 20 -24, 1953, a resolution was approved which amemded the District Council into a General Council, creating as many district as necessary for a growing organization, prosecuting its activities through its General and District Councils. The Philippine General council of the Assemblies of God was incorporated and registered September 23, 1953. The General Council met triennially from 1953 to 1959 and met biennially from 1961 to 1973 and met annually.The General Council began with three district councils Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. On May 21, 1958 the Luzon District council divided into two, the Nothern Luzon District Council and the Southern Luzon District Council. The Western Visayas District Council was formed from the Visayas and Nothern Mindanao District Council in October 1960. In November 1961 the Central District Council was organized from the Southern Luzon District Council. The rapid growth and expansion of the work necessitated these divisions to insure more efficient supervision and administration. In 1960s there are ten districts council, with one aim – to perpetuate the evangelistic fervor and missionary zeal with which the Pentecostal Movement was born. With the Holy Spirit’s anointing (Acts 1:9), nationals and missionaries, clergy and laity work together in winning the Philippines for God until Jesus comes. In early 2000s The Philippines General Council of the Assemblies of God has now eighteen district council in the entire nation.

Bibliography

         Assemblies of God 1989. “Who We Are and What We Believe.” Assemblies of God. Springfield,MO; Gospel Publishing House. 1 – 22

The Assemblies of God. 1996. “The Local Church Pamphlets” The Assemblies of God Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House.

Brandt, Robert L. “How to Live the Christian Life” Student Manual, The Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, Missouri. 1963.

Blumhofer, Edith Waldvogel. 1985 The Assemblies of God: A Popular History. Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House.

Burguess, Stanly M. & McGee, Gary B. 1988. Dictionary of Pentecoastal and Charismatic Movements. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. P. 53.

Johnson, Peter K. 1996  “Assemblies: Reching Out to People in Need.” Ther Saturday Evening Post. March/April

Lippy, C.H. & Williams, R.W. 1988. Encyclopedia of American Religion, 5th edition, Detroit,MI: Gale Research, Inc. 79-82; 375-376.

Melton, J. Gordon; Lucus, Phillip Charles; Stone, Jon R. 1997. Prime Time Religion: An Ecyclopedia of Religious Broadcasting. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press. 19-22; 340-342.

Melton, J. Gordon. 1991. Religious Leaders of America. Detroit, MI: Gale Research, Inc. 34.

Queen, II, Edward L.; Prothero, Stephen R; Shattuck, Jr., Gardiner H. 1996. Encyclopedia of American Religious History, Vol. 1. New York, NY: Proseworks 42-44

Seleky T.E., 1980 philippines General Council of the Assemblies of God 40th Foundation Year 1940 – 1980.

 

SIXTEEN FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE OF TRUTH

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

 

I. THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED

  1. 1.      Verbally inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:21)
  2. a.      Verbal inspiration defined.
  3. b.      The scriptures defined
    1. 2.      The revelation of God to man (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
    2. 3.      The rule of faith and conduct. (James 1:23-25)
    3. a.      Infallible (Psalm 19:7)
    4. b.      Authoritative (John 17:17)

 

II. THE ONE TRUE GOD

  1. 1.      God revealing Himself in unity. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
    1. a.      The one true God (Isaiah 43:10,11)
    2. b.      The eternally self-existent “I AM”. (Exodus 3:13,14; John 8:58)
    3. c.       The creator of heaven and earth. (Hebrews 1:10-12)
    4. d.      The redeemer of Mankind. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

       2. God revealing Himself as a trinity (Matthew 28:19)

  1. a.      The Father (Matthew 5:16; 6:6-8)
  2. b.      The Son (John 14:8-10,28; Luke 3:22)
  3. c.       The Holy Spirit (John 14:16,17,26)

 

III. THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

  1. 1.      His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:21.35)
  2. 2.      His virtuous life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22)
  3. 3.      His valid miracles. (Acts 2:22; 10:38)
  4. 4.      His vicarious death. (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
  5. 5.      His victorious resurrection. (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:14)
  6. 6.      His visible ascension. (Acts 1:9,11; Acts 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11)

IV. THE FALL OF MAN

      1. The creation of man

  1. a.      Creation theories

(1)   Evolution of species

(2)   Fixity of the species

(3)   Theistic evolution

(4)   Progressive creation

  1. b.      Creation principle

(1)   Man created good and upright (Gen 1:27)

(2)   Man created in the likeness of God (Genesis 1:26,27)

       2. The fall of man

  1. a.      A fall that was voluntary (Genesis 3:6)
  2. b.      A fall that incurred physical death (Romans 5:12; Genesis 3:19)
  3. c.       A fall that incurred spiritual death (Romans 5:18,19)

 

V. THE SALVATION OF MAN

      1. Condition of salvation

  1. Salvation received (Titus 2:11)

(1)   Through repentance toward God (Luke 24:47; 13:3)

(2)   Through faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:5,8)

  1. Man an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:5-7)

(1)   By the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5)

(2)   By the renewing of the Holy Ghost (John 3:3)

(3)   By being justified by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8)

       2. Evidence of salvation

  1. Inward – the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16)
  2. b.      Outward – a life

(1)   Or righteousness (Ephesians 4:24)

(2)   Of true holiness (Titus 2:12)

 

VI. THE ORDINANCE OF THE CHURCH

        1. Baptism in water

  1. a.      A scriptural command to all who repent and believed on Christ as Saviour(Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47,48)
  2. b.      A declaration to the world

(1)   That they have died with Christ (Romans 6:3)

(2)   That they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4)

         2. Holy Communion

  1. a.      A symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4)

(1)   Bread (1 Corinthians 11:23,24)

(2)   Fruit of the vine (1 Corinthians 11: 25)

  1. b.      A memorial of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26)
  2. c.       A prophesy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26)
  3. d.      A charge to all believers “till He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26)

 

VII. THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST

         1. Definition

  1. a.      The promise of the Father (Acts 1:4)
  2. b.      A baptism (Acts 10:44-46; 11: 14-16)
  3. c.       Distinct from the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:16)
  4. d.      Subsequent to the experience of the new birth. (Acts 8:17)
  5. e.       The normal experience of all in the early Christian church. (Acts 15:7,8)

         2. Benefits

  1. a.      Endowment of power (Acts1:8)
  2. b.      Bestowment of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11,28)
  3. c.       An overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7: 37-39; Acts 4:8)
  4. d.      A deepening reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28)
  5. e.       An intensified consecration to God (Acts 2:42)
  6. f.        An intensified dedication to God’s work (Mark 6:20)
  7. g.      More active love for Christ, for God’s Word, and the lost (Mark 16:20)

         3. Candidates

  1. a.      An experience to which all believers are entitled.
  2. b.      An experience which all believers should earnestly seek (Luke 24:49)

 

VIII. THE EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST

          1. Tongues as a witness of the baptism in the Holy Ghost

  1. a.      A supernatural sign (Acts 2:4)
  2. b.      An initial sign (Acts 10:45,46)
  3. c.       A physical sign (Mark 16:17)
  4. d.      To be the first of many signs (Acts 2:17-21)

           2. Tongues as a gift of the Spirit

  1. a.      The same in essence as the sign
  2. b.      Different in purpose from the sign

(1)   To edify the church (1 Corinthians 14:5)

(2)   A sign to the unbeliever (1 Corinthians 14:21,22)

  1. c.       Different in use from the sign

(1)   Tongues used in edifying oneself (1 Corinthians 14:4)

(2)   Tongues used in prayer (Romans 8:26;    1Corinthians 14:14)

 

IX. SANCTIFICATION

1. Includes both separation and dedication

  1. a.      Separation from evil (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
  2. b.      Dedication unto God (Romans 12:1)

2. Realized by three steps

  1. a.      Recognizing our identification with Christ (Romans 6:1-4)
  2. b.      Reckoning on the fact of our union with Christ (Romans 6:11)
  3. c.       Relinquishing our faculties to the dominion of the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:12,13)

(1)    Our part – To yield ourselves to God (Romans 6:13)

(2)   The Spirit’s part – To mortify the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13)

 

X. THE CHURCH

1. The ministry of the church

  1. a.      The body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22,23)
  2. The habitation of God (Ephesians 1:22)

2. The mission of the church

  1. a.      The assignment (Matthew 28:19,20)
  2. The appointments (Ephesians 4:11,12)

3. The member of the church

  1. a.      ) Each a believer (Acts 4:32)
  2. b.      Each born in the Spirit (Ephesians 4:4)
  3. c.       Each written in heaven (Luke 10:20)
  4. Each an integral part (1 Corinthians 12:14-20

 

XI. THE MINISTRY

1. The provision of the ministry

  1. a.      Divinely called (John 15:16)
  2. Scriptural ordained (Ezekiel 13:3,6)

2. The purpose of the ministry

  1. a.      Evangelizing the world (2 Timothy 4:5)
  2. b.      Edifying the church (Ephesians 4:11-13)

 

XII. DIVINE HEALING

          1. Part of the gospel

  1. a.      Included in the gospel Christ presented (Matthew 8:16,17)
  2. b.      Included in the gospel the apostles presented (Mark 16:20)

          2. Provided in the atonement

  1. a.      Isaiah saw it prophetically (Isaiah 53:4,5)
  2. b.      Peter saw it personally (1 Peter 2:24,25)

          3. Privilege of all believers

  1. d.      The privilege of calling (James 5:14)
  2. e.       The privilege of confessing (James 5:15,16)

 

XIII. THE BLESSED ONE

1. What about Christians who have died?

  1. a.      Where are they now? (2 Corinthians 5:8)
  2. b.      What is meant by resurrection and translation? (1 Corinthians 15:51,52)

2. What about Christian living when Christ descends?

  1. a.      What is meant by their translation? (1 Corinthians 15:53)
  2. b.      Will there be a reunion? (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17)

            3. Why do we call this the blessed hope?

  1. a.      Where is the blessing of this hope? (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17)
  2. b.      Why is there imminence in this hope? (Titus 2:1-13)
  3. c.       To whom is the hope given? (1 John 3:2,3)

 

XIV. THE MILLENIAL REIGN OF CHRIST

1. The millennium and Christ

  1. a.      Visible return 

(1)   All earth shall see Him come (Matthew 24:27,30)

(2)   All earth shall wail because of Him (Revelation 1:7)

  1. b.      Return with His saints

(1)   All His saints (Zechariah 14:5)

(2)   All as His army (Revelation 19:11-14)

  1. c.       Return to begin His earthly reign

(1)   The evil cast out (Revelation 20:1-3)

(2)   The saints reigning with Him (Revelation 20:4-6)

2. The millennium and Israel

  1. a.      Israel political restoration (Ezekiel 37:21,22; Zephaniah 3:19,20)
  2. b.      Israel’s political restoration (Romans 11:26,27)

       3. The millennium and peace

                 a. Peace among earth’s creatures (Isaiah 11:6-9)

b. Peace among earth’s people (Psalm 72:2-8)

     c. Peace among earth’s nations (Micah 4:3,4)

 

XV. THE FINAL JUDGMENT

1. Final judgment inevitable

  1. a.      Resurrection of the wicked dead (Revelation 20:13)
  2. b.      Judging of the wicked dead (Revelation 20:11)

2. Everlasting Punishment

  1. a.      Describe by Jesus Christ

(1)   Because of His unlimited knowledge

(2)   Because of His infinite love

  1. b.      Describe as a lake of fire (Revelation 21:8)
  2. Describe as the second death (Revelation 20:14)

3. Those consigned to punishment

  1. a.      Those committed to oppose Christ (Matthew 25:41)

(1)   The devil and his angels (Revelation 20:10)

(2)   The antichrist and his prophets (Revelation 19:20)

  1. Those uncommitted to Christ (Revelation 20:15)

 

XVI. THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH

1. The divine covenant

  1. a.      God’s promise giving confidence (Isaiah 65:17)
  2. b.      God’s promise bringing expectation (1 Corinthians 15:54-58)
  3. c.       God’s promise showing patience (2 Peter 3:9)

2. The divine creation (Revelation 21:1,2)

  1. a.      The new heavens (Revelation 21:1,2)
  2. b.      The new earth (Revelation 21:1,2)

3. The divine conditions

  1. a.      A dwelling place for the righteousness (2 Peter 3:13)
  2. b.      A dwelling place for God (Revelation 21:22,23)
  3. c.       A dwelling place for the redeemed (Revelation 21:24-27)

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