The Assemblies of God (AG) is a Pentecostal Christian denomination that emphasizes the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the importance of speaking in tongues. It has over 69 million members worldwide, making it one of the largest Pentecostal denominations. Here is an overview of the key beliefs and history of the Assemblies of God Church:
History of the Assemblies of God
The Assemblies of God has its roots in the Pentecostal revival that began in the early 20th century. This revival emphasized the role of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing. In 1914, a council of Pentecostal ministers overseeing this revival adopted the name “Assemblies of God” for their collective body. The first official General Council met in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1914, consisting of several independent Pentecostal churches and mission organizations.
Over the next few decades, the Assemblies of God experienced rapid growth, establishing churches, Bible schools, and foreign missions. They held their beliefs in common but remained organizationally independent until the 1920s when they agreed on a statement of fundamental truths and established a centralized leadership structure. This formal organization allowed the AG to pool resources and coordinate missions and church planting on a broader scale.
Some key figures in the early development of the AG include Eudorus N. Bell, J. Roswell Flower, and Joseph A. Synan. Bell served as the first chairman of the General Council. Flower, an early Pentecostal missionary, helped organize and convene the first General Council. Synan was an influential pastor and educator who helped shape the denomination’s theology and growth in its formative years.
Today, the Assemblies of God worldwide is organized into over 140 national and regional offices. It remains one of the most racially inclusive and culturally diverse Pentecostal denominations globally. While upholding its Pentecostal identity, the AG has increasingly engaged with the broader evangelical Christian community over the decades.
Core Beliefs and Practices
The Assemblies of God holds a number of distinctive Pentecostal beliefs:
- Baptism in the Holy Spirit – The AG believes that after conversion, believers should seek a subsequent baptism in the Holy Spirit accompanied by speaking in tongues. This experience empowers Christians for service and witnessing (Acts 1:5, 8).
- Gifts of the Spirit – Pentecostals believe that spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing are still active today. The Holy Spirit distributes these gifts for the edification of the church (1 Corinthians 12).
- Divine Healing – Physical healing is provided in Christ’s atonement. The AG believes praying for the sick and deliverance are important Christian practices (James 5:14-16).
- Premillennial Return of Christ – The second coming of Christ will occur before the millennium period when He will defeat evil and establish His kingdom on earth (Revelation 20:1-6).
- Sanctification – An ongoing process of spiritual growth and holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit following conversion (2 Corinthians 3:18).
In addition to these beliefs, the AG holds many doctrines in common with broader evangelical Christianity, such as the authority of Scripture, the Trinity, salvation by grace, and the resurrection of Christ.
Pentecostal worship services in the AG are known for their spiritual passion and use of spiritual gifts. Praise and worship, prayer, preaching, and altar calls are common practices. Many AG churches integrate contemporary worship music and multimedia technology into their services.
Church Government
The Assemblies of God has an episcopal form of church government. This means leadership and authority are balanced between the central organization and local churches:
- The AG General Council oversees the international fellowship of member districts and churches. It elects executive leadership, establishes core doctrine, and coordinates global missions.
- District councils provide regional administration and coordination for local churches.
- Local AG churches have autonomy in governance and operations under elected pastors and elders, while adhering to AG principles and cooperating in the broader fellowship.
The General Superintendent and Executive Leadership Team provide spiritual oversight and strategic leadership for the international AG at large. Executive Presbyters are respected ministers who advise and assist the General Superintendent.
Major policy and doctrinal decisions require approval by the General Council in session, which meets every two years. Voting delegates include ministry department officials and representatives from AG districts worldwide.
Church Ministries and Missions
The Assemblies of God has extensive ministries aimed at evangelism, discipleship, and humanitarian work. These include:
- Chi Alpha – College ministry on university campuses.
- Teen Challenge – Drug addiction recovery program.
- Convoy of Hope – Humanitarian relief aid, done in partnership with churches.
- Men and Women’s Ministries – Discipleship and service groups.
- Royal Rangers and Missionettes – Scout type youth programs.
Global missions are a high priority for the AG. They currently have over 300 missionaries directly appointed and supported by the General Council, along with thousands more endorsed missionaries who raise support independently. The AG is present in 190 countries worldwide.
The AG also operates 17 colleges and seminaries in the U.S. to train pastors, ministers, and missionaries. Additional Bible schools and training institutes exist internationally.
Membership and Organization
Total worldwide membership of the Assemblies of God exceeded 69 million by 2019. Around 13,000 churches exist in the U.S. with over 3 million members. Globally, the AG sees its most rapid growth in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of Asia.
In the U.S., the AG is organized into 67 regional districts. Districts outside the U.S. are organized into 8 regions. Each district elects a superintendent, executive leadership, and presbytery to provide oversight of local churches.
Candidate requirements for ordination are determined by each district. The general guidelines include being baptized in the Holy Spirit, adhering to AG doctrine, committing to the support of the AG, and demonstrating a divine call to ministry. Accepted candidates are officially ordained at a district ceremony.
The national headquarters of the U.S. Assemblies of God is located in Springfield, Missouri where their publishing arm, Gospel Publishing House, is also based.
Relationships with Other Christians
The AG maintains its Pentecostal and evangelical identity while seeking cooperation with other Christian groups. It holds membership in the National Association of Evangelicals and Pentecostal World Fellowship.
In 1994, the AG opened formal dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, resulting in a better understanding and relationships between the two traditions. The Anglican Church has also engaged with the AG in areas of social justice and evangelism cooperation.
The very doctrine of Spirit baptism and gifts that distinguishes Pentecostals has historically been a divisive issue with some Protestant evangelicals. However, relationships improved through the 1970s as evangelical revivals adopted aspects of Pentecostal spirituality. This “charismatic renewal” opened the door for increased cooperation between the AG and non-Pentecostal evangelicals.
The AG continues to engage with Christians from many backgrounds in order to fulfill the gospel mandate despite secondary doctrinal differences between traditions.
Notable Assemblies of God Churches and Members
Some prominent AG churches and members include:
- Bethel Church in Redding, California – Pastored by Bill Johnson, a well-known Pentecostal author and advocate for supernatural ministry.
- Hillsong Church based in Australia – A global mega-church known for their praise and worship music.
- Jimmy Swaggart – TV evangelist and pastor from Louisiana.
- Jim Bakker – Founder of the PTL Club TV ministry and Heritage USA complex in the 1980s.
- Tommy Barnett – Pastor and co-founder of the L.A. Dream Center for urban ministry.
- Jim Tolle – Founding and senior pastor of the El Camino Metro Church in Los Angeles.
These prominent examples indicate the diversity present within the broader Assemblies of God fellowship. Local AG churches exhibit a range of worship styles and ministry philosophies.
Controversies and Criticisms
Like any denomination, the Assemblies of God has experienced controversies and criticisms over the years, including:
- Extreme manifestations – Critics accuse the AG of extreme practices like being “slain in the Spirit,” holy laughter, or other dramatic spiritual manifestations.
- Prosperity teaching – Teachings that promise physical and financial blessing and prosperity have been a source of controversy.
- Isolationism – Historically, some have characterized the AG as isolationist and sectarian regarding other Christian groups.
- Jim Bakker scandal – The sex and financial scandal involving televangelist Jim Bakker brought embarrassment and criticism in the late 1980s.
- Women in leadership – The AG only permits the ordination of men, limiting women’s leadership roles and receiving ongoing criticism.
Pentecostal beliefs and worship practices often conflict with mainstream American evangelicalism, sparking criticism. As the movement matures and expands globally, the AG continues clarifying and refining problematic doctrines and practices.
Conclusion
The Assemblies of God represents one of the most significant and influential Pentecostal groups that emerged from the early 20th century revival. Their emphasis on the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, evangelism, and conservative Christian living continue to resonate with millions globally. As a decentralized fellowship, AG beliefs are defined clearly at the core, yet allow for diversity in many aspects of doctrine and worship between local congregations.
While holding unique Pentecostal characteristics, the AG increasingly engages with Christians from across the theological spectrum in order to build God’s kingdom. Their passion for revival remains strong over a century after their founding. The Assemblies of God seem poised to continue its vitality and rapid growth for the foreseeable future.