The Assemblies of God Distinctives: Introduction

A brief introduction to the Assemblies of God and what makes it different.

AI Generated; modern church on historical distinctives

Introduction

The Assemblies of God (AG) is a voluntary cooperative fellowship of Pentecostal churches. It forms part of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, and it is the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination, with 3 million adherents in the United States and over 86 million worldwide.^[1]

Founded in 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the Assemblies of God began when about 300 Pentecostal ministers and leaders came together to form the cooperative fellowship. They came from diverse backgrounds and earlier Pentecostal movements to declare, “we commit ourselves and the Movement to Him for the greatest evangelism that the world has ever seen.”^[2] From the Hot Springs gathering there was a united and common vision to spread the message of Jesus Christ with urgency and in the power of the Holy Spirit. This was based largely on the following Bible passages quoting Jesus:^[3]

·       Matthew 24:14: “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come,” reflecting their understanding that missionary outreach to the entire world must precede the second coming of Christ.

·       Acts 1:8: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth,” indicating the power by which this overwhelming task would be completed.

·       Mark 16:15, 17–18: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation…And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well,” revealing the confirming signs they expected would accompany their missionary endeavors.

From AG’s founding, due to its initial rejection by the traditional denominations and a concern that bureaucracy could quench the Holy Spirit, it has always carefully blended local church independence with national and global cooperation.^[4] This balance means that each congregation is self-governing, but churches share a common identity, vision, and set of beliefs. For this reason, the AG has often called itself a “fellowship” or “movement” rather than a denomination.

The U.S. headquarters is located at 1445 N. Boonville Avenue, Springfield, Missouri, which also hosts the AG’s executive and administrative offices, its publishing arm (Gospel Publishing House), and its disaster relief and humanitarian outreach program (Convoy of Hope).^[5] In the United Kingdom the cooperative fellowship is known as Assemblies of God in Great Britain, located at Arlington House, Bloom Street, Manchester.^[6] For clarity, this presentation will focus on the AG in the U.S., using material from Global University Course HISC154.

A Brief History

·       Early Years (1914–1920s): The AG was born out of the Pentecostal revival movement, which emphasized Spirit baptism, speaking in tongues, and a return to New Testament Christianity akin to the Restoration Movement. Early on, the AG leaders agreed that the baptism in the Holy Spirit, accompanied by speaking in tongues, would be their distinctive testimony. This commitment was reaffirmed in 1917 after internal debate, and it remains central to the AG’s identity.^[7]

·       Doctrinal Clarity (1916): In response to disputes over the Trinity and Oneness Pentecostalism, the AG adopted the Statement of Fundamental Truths in 1916. These “Sixteen Fundamental Truths” became the fellowship’s official doctrinal backbone.^[8]

·       Diversity and Challenges: Like many denominations founded in the early 20th century, the AG wrestled with cultural issues. For example, it excluded African American ministers from ordination between 1939 and 1962, although black ministers could still be licensed locally by districts. Women, however, were officially permitted to serve as pastors beginning in 1935, continuing a tradition of women evangelists and missionaries in Pentecostalism.^[9]

·       Post-War Identity (1940s–1970s): The AG increasingly identified with mainstream evangelicalism while still maintaining Pentecostal distinctives. The charismatic movement of the 1960s and 1970s influenced AG churches, and the fellowship relaxed some of its earlier strict standards on lifestyle and dress.^[10]

·       Renewal and Revivals (1980s–2000s): The AG experienced a number of renewal movements, including the Brownsville Revival of the 1990s, which drew hundreds of thousands of people. These seasons echoed the revivalist energy that gave birth to the AG in the first place.^[11]

·       Today: The AG continues to grow globally. It is marked by a missions-driven spirit, a passion for planting new churches, and a deep commitment to training future leaders. Its purpose remains the same; “to pursue the fulfilment of the Lord’s command to evangelize the lost in the shortest possible time”.^[12]

Core Values and Priorities

From 2007, initially under the supervision of George O. Wood, AG leaders identified five core values to guide the Fellowship.^[13] These were to:

·       Passionately proclaim at home and abroad, by word and deed, Jesus as Savior, Baptizer in the Spirit, Healer, and Soon-Coming King.

·       Strategically invest in the next generation.

·       Vigorously plant new churches and revitalize existing ones.

·       Skillfully resource the Fellowship.

·       Fervently pray for God’s favor and blessing as we serve Him with pure hearts and noble purpose.

Each minister in the Fellowship received a copy of the Core Values book and was encouraged to recommit to them. This renewed commitment then sparked a significant and inspiring revitalization of the Assemblies of God. The Assemblies of God Trust, launched in 2008 under Assistant Superintendent Alton Garrison, has also played a key role in practically applying these values with a forward-looking vision. The main commitment from the trust is to plant churches, strengthen existing ones, and to increase Bible engagement.^[14]

Four Core Beliefs (Full Gospel)

The “fourfold gospel” remains one of the clearest summaries of AG distinctives. The AG organizes its message around four key truths about that gospel based on Jesus Christ:

·       Salvation (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13–15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11, 3:5–7),

·       Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,8; 1 Corinthians 12:1–31; Acts 8:12–17, 10:44–46, 11:14–16, 15:7–9),

·       Divine healing (Isaiah 53:4–5; Matthew 8:16–17; James 5:14–16), and

·       The second coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51–52)

A more detailed understanding and further resources expounding on the Core Beliefs is available online at: https://ag.org/beliefs/our-core-doctrines. Former General Superintendent George O. Wood says of the beliefs, “I want to embrace and value them personally in my heart and to flesh them out as priorities in my life. Won’t you join me in reaching and teaching those in your church and community? Together we can impact the world and change lives for eternity.”^[15]

Sixteen Fundamental Truths

Uncertainty about beliefs creates confusion and conflict. Without an agreed-upon statement of doctrinal beliefs, persuasive members could introduce false teaching and create a schism.^[16] To safeguard its unity, the AG has therefore summarized its theology in the Sixteen Fundamental Truths. These truths are detailed in Article V of the AG Constitution, but can be summarized as believing that:^[17]

1. The Scriptures are inspired by God.

2. There is One True God, the self-existent. (He was not created.)

3. The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God.

4. Mankind fell by voluntary transgression.

5. Humans can only be saved from this death through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

6. God directed the church to practice two ordinances: water baptism and Holy Communion.

7. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience available to all believers.

8. The initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking with other tongues (languages) as God’s Spirit makes it possible.

9. Sanctification is the necessary act of separation from that which is evil.

10.The church is the body of Christ.

11. The Bible teaches that the Lord calls and appoints some believers to ministry in the body and to lead the church to fulfill the fourfold gospel.

12. Divine healing is a key part of the gospel.

13. The Blessed Hope of the church is the resurrection of those who have died as believers in Christ along with the translation of those who are alive so that all may be with the Lord forever.

14. The millennial reign of Christ is promised in the Bible.

15. There will be a final judgment of the wicked.

16. The Bible promises a new heaven and a new earth.

Questions & Answers

(What makes the AG different?)

·       Q: Do all Assemblies of God churches look the same?

No. While AG churches share the same core beliefs, local congregations vary widely. Some are large suburban churches with modern worship bands, while others are small rural congregations or multicultural city churches. This diversity reflects the AG’s emphasis on local church independence, while keeping to its fundamental truths.

·       Q: What is a typical worship service like?

Worship often includes contemporary music, expressive praise, prayer, preaching, and sometimes spiritual gifts such as prophecy or tongues with interpretation. Services can feel lively and participatory, though styles vary by church.

·       Q: Why does the Assemblies of God emphasize speaking in tongues?

The AG believes the Book of Acts shows that tongues were the initial evidence of Spirit baptism. While other gifts are important, tongues serve as the outward sign of an inward work, confirming the believer’s Spirit-filled experience.

·       Q: What does the AG believe about women in leadership?

The AG affirms the ministry of women. Since 1935, women have been allowed to serve as pastors, missionaries, and leaders, following the biblical examples of women whom God called to ministry.

·       Q: Is the Assemblies of God evangelical?

Yes. The AG is part of the broader evangelical movement, affirming the authority of Scripture, salvation by grace through faith, and the centrality of Jesus Christ. What makes the AG unique is its Pentecostal emphasis on Spirit baptism and the gifts.

·       Q: How does the AG relate to other Christians?

The AG considers all who trust in Christ as Savior to be part of the body of Christ, regardless of denomination. While it holds its own distinctives, the AG partners with other churches in missions, humanitarian aid, and evangelism.

·       Q: What about missions and social outreach?

The AG is strongly missions-oriented. Its humanitarian arm, Convoy of Hope, provides disaster relief, food distribution, and community development worldwide. Locally, AG churches often run food banks, addiction recovery programs, and outreach to vulnerable populations.

With thanks and acknowledgment to the faculty of the School for Ministry Development, Global University, Jim Robinson (Course Intructor), and authors Gary McGee; Annette Newberry and Randy Hedlun. This blog is part of the learning requirement for the course.

References

[1]       Website: https://ag.org/About.

  [2]     HISC154 Course Notes: Chapter 6, Introduction.

  [3]     HISC154 Course Notes: Chapter 6.1, McGee 1986 166.

  [4]     HISC154 Course Notes: Chapter 4.1, The Need to Organize.

  [5]     Website: https://ag.org/About/About-the-AG/History.

  [6]     Website: https://www.aoggb.com/about.

  [7]     HISC154 Course Notes: Chapter 3.Video (Vimeo): AG Timeline: https://vimeo.com/89735458?fl=pl&fe=vl.

  [8]     HISC154 Course Notes: Chapter 5.4, Sixteen Fundamental Truths.Assemblies of God Heritage (Magazine), 2012, Volume 32, Page 61: The Historical Development of the Statement of Fundamental Truths, by Glenn W. Gohr.Available at: https://archives.ifphc.org/pdf/Heritage/2012.pdf (page 60 onwards).

  [9]     HISC154 Course Notes: Chapter 10.2, The Door to Racial Unity Shut.

[10]     HISC154 Course Notes: Chapter 9.3, The Charismatic Renewal.

[11]     HISC154 Course Notes: Chapter 9.3, The Toronto Blessing & Pensacola Outpouring.

[12]     HISC154 Course Notes: Chapter 9.2, Word Assemblies of God Fellowship (1988).General Council 2021, World AG Fellowship.

[13]     HISC154 Course Notes: Chapter 12, Revitalization.

            George O. Wood, personal email, July 8, 208.

[14]     HISC154 Course Notes: Chapter 12.1, Revitalizing Core Principles.

[15]     Website: George O. Wood (Quote): https://ag.org/beliefs/our-core-doctrines.

[16]     HISC154 Course Notes: The Fellowship’s Spiritual Foundation.

[17]     HISC154 Course Notes: Chapter 13.2, Sixteen Truths Considered. Website: https://ag.org/Beliefs/Statement-of-Fundamental-Truths.

© 2025 NorthSaint: Darren Roy