The Assemblies of God (AG) are the fourth largest international Christian group and largest Pentecostal denomination worldwide. Their members, known as pentecostals, follow Scripture exclusively as their guidebook.
They believe God created the earth and everything on it. Additionally, demons and Satan are real beings roaming around the planet, tempting people into sinful activities.
1. It’s a cult
The Assemblies of God, officially the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, are an umbrella grouping over 140 independent but generally affiliated national churches that have come together to form the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination. With 384,000 pastors and congregations spread across 212 nations and regions, it ranks as both fourth largest international Christian grouping of denominations and largest Pentecostal church worldwide.
The church holds that the Bible is inspired by God and is the sole authority for faith and practice. It teaches salvation, water baptism, divine healing, baptism with the Holy Spirit accompanied by speaking in tongues, and pre-millennial second coming of Jesus Christ as core doctrines. Additionally, personal experience with the Holy Spirit is stressed within this church community.
Many Assemblies of God believe in the personal, empowering presence of the Holy Spirit as a guide and empowerer for believers throughout their daily lives and helps them fulfill the church’s mission. Furthermore, they hold that Christians should be active members in their community as Jesus did (Matthew 10:35-39).
Another fundamental doctrine is the belief in the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to heal people of disease and suffering. This belief stems from Jesus’ example as God’s Son, healing those who were sick, blind, leprous, and crippled among other conditions.
They believe the Holy Spirit can speak in tongues to believers and that people should be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to receive this power. Additionally, believers believe in receiving spiritual gifts such as prophecy and healing from the Holy Spirit.
The Assemblies of God believe Christians should pray for the rapture of the church and for Christ’s visible return with His saints to rule on earth for one thousand years, known as “the millennial reign.” During this period, there will be peace on earth, harmony among nations, and Israel’s restoration.
The Assemblies of God have a long and distinguished history, and are an integral part of church families around the globe. However, there have been some serious concerns expressed about their organization and operations which has caused some members to leave the Assemblies of God.
2. It’s a religion
What is wrong with Assemblies of God (AG)?
The Assemblies of God, commonly abbreviated to AG, is a Christian denomination comprised of churches around the world that adhere to similar beliefs. Established in 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, it is the largest Pentecostal group worldwide.
Formally, the Assemblies of God form a World Fellowship with national assemblies that are self-governing and autonomous. Members from around the globe make up its executive council. Furthermore, it belongs to organizations like United Presbyterian Church, Christian and Missionary Alliance, United Methodist Church, Evangelical Covenant Church and Baptist Union.
According to the Statement of Fundamental Truths, Assemblies of God believers believe in God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; salvation is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ; that Scripture is inspired by God; that man has incurred physical death through sin; and all men will be judged at the end of time.
At Assemblies of God believers, Jesus Christ will return in power and glory to earth. This Second Coming includes the rapture of believers which will take place upon His arrival and usher in a visible reign for one thousand years under Christ’s rule.
The Assemblies of God hold to a young-earth creationist view of the world, in which dinosaurs roamed a few thousand years ago. Furthermore, it believes demons and Satan are real people with non-metaphorical existences who roam the earth to tempt vulnerable souls into evil. Additionally, they believe there to be non-metaphorical entities like witches, wizards, and evil creatures which must be prayed away through prayer.
3. It’s a social club
The Assemblies of God (AG) are the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination and fourth-largest Christian group worldwide, founded by the Azusa Street Revival of 1906.
Pentecostalism boasts the highest percentage of female pastors of any Pentecostal denomination and boasts more than 384,000 active pastors in 212 countries. Additionally, this group boasts the highest per capita number of evangelists among all Protestant denominations.
Assemblies of God hold that the Bible is infallible and authoritative. Additionally, they affirm a biblically-based view of church government and the role of elders and deacons within local congregations.
Unfortunately, many assemblies still adhere to an array of esoteric practices that draw from tradition and legalism and do not accurately reflect God’s Word. In some cases, these practices may even constitute direct violations against His commandments.
One common example is accommodated ministry – where many men are given a pulpit to minister to their audience. Not only is this an unnecessary waste of money, but it also reduces the focus placed on spiritual matters like prayer and teaching the Word (Acts 6:4).
The church has some unorthodox healing practices. For instance, some churches make false claims to possessing the power of the Holy Spirit to heal illnesses.
In conclusion, there are plenty of valid reasons to leave the Assemblies of God – some theological and some less so. That being said, if you’re searching for the ideal place to worship God, there are a few viable alternatives that will meet your requirements while helping you grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
4. It’s a business
The Assemblies of God, also known as the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, is the largest Pentecostal denomination worldwide with 67 million followers worldwide. Its leaders and congregations are spread out over 212 countries around the world, while 384,000 ministers and factions serve throughout these 212 locations.
The World Assemblies of God Fellowship consists of national assemblies, or church groups, that are organized synchronously and cooperatively by their national councils. Each assembly has its own set of local rules and regulations but leadership coordination is overseen by a global executive council comprised of representatives from different regions around the globe.
General Superintendent Doug Clay has a monumental task ahead of him as he leads this organization, but he has his sights set on some key objectives. One of his primary responsibilities is ensuring the Assemblies of God maintains its global influence and remains an influential voice within Christian faith circles.
He desires to establish a robust infrastructure and enhance how people around the world engage with his denomination, which has necessitated several strategic moves recently. These include moving global headquarters from Greene County to Springfield, opening a new campus in New York City and hiring more staff members.
He hopes to increase international evangelism and the number of churches and pastors in his denomination by developing relationships with leaders and congregations from other countries, particularly those less developed than the U.S.
The Bible is inspired by God and the only infallible, authoritative rule for faith and conduct. It can be found in both Old and New Testaments, proclaiming Jesus to be the Son of God who was born of a virgin and died on the cross to atone for our sins; that He was raised from the dead as proof his death was real; that He will return to earth in power and glory to reign over all creation for 1,000 years; and nonbelievers will be cast into hell when they die.
