Bible Study & AG 101: What Does the Assemblies of God Believe About the Bible?
- Boundless Team
- 6 hours ago
- 6 min read
The Assemblies of God believes the Old and New Testaments are the verbally inspired Word of God, revealed through human authors under the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Scripture is infallible and the final authority for Christian faith, doctrine, conduct, and daily life.
A Bible on a shelf can collect dust. A Bible opened with humility can reorder a life.
If you are beginning a faith-start routine, exploring Pentecostal faith, or wondering what Assemblies of God beliefs actually teach, Fundamental Truth #1 gives us a clear foundation: The Scriptures Inspired.
What does “The Scriptures Inspired” mean?
The Assemblies of God states that:
“The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.”
This teaching is grounded in passages such as 2 Timothy 3:15–17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, and 2 Peter 1:20–21. You can read the full Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths for the official wording.
Definition: Inspiration
Inspiration means that God worked through human writers by the Holy Spirit so that Scripture communicates His truth faithfully. The Bible is genuinely God’s Word, while also reflecting the personalities, vocabulary, circumstances, and literary styles of its human authors.
The Spirit did not erase the humanity of Moses, David, Isaiah, Luke, Paul, or Peter. He superintended their writing so that God’s revelation would be given to His people.
What does the Bible say about its own authority?
Paul told Timothy that “all Scripture is God-breathed” and is useful for:
Teaching what is true
Rebuking what is false or sinful
Correcting what has gone wrong
Training in righteousness so believers can live faithfully
The purpose is not merely to make us informed. Scripture equips God’s people “for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
That means the Bible speaks to both belief and behavior. It teaches us who God is, what Jesus has done, how salvation is received, how the Holy Spirit empowers believers, how the Church lives together, and how disciples grow in holiness.
Scripture is not one voice among many competing voices. It is the measuring line by which every sermon, prophecy, spiritual experience, tradition, opinion, and cultural message must be tested.
The Assemblies of God’s doctrinal statement is important because it summarizes shared convictions, but the statement itself is not equal to Scripture. The Bible remains the final standard.
Is the Bible just a human book?
The Bible was written by human authors, but it is not merely a human book.
Peter explained that biblical prophecy did not originate in someone’s private interpretation or personal invention. Instead, “prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).
This gives us a balanced understanding:
The Bible has real historical settings.
Its writers addressed real people and real problems.
Different books use different literary styles.
The authors sometimes wrote as poets, historians, prophets, pastors, or eyewitnesses.
Yet the Holy Spirit guided the process so Scripture faithfully reveals God’s truth.
Christian faith does not require us to pretend the Bible fell from heaven in a modern printed format. It calls us to trust the God who revealed Himself through a long, unified story that leads to Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament prepares us for Christ through creation, covenant, law, prophecy, worship, wisdom, failure, judgment, and hope. The New Testament announces Christ’s life, death, resurrection, ascension, the coming of the Holy Spirit, the mission of the Church, and the promised return of Jesus.
Both Testaments belong together.
Do Pentecostals only follow spiritual experiences?
No. Pentecostal believers should be deeply open to the Holy Spirit, but every spiritual experience must remain submitted to Scripture.
The Holy Spirit inspired the Bible, and He will never lead believers away from what He has already revealed. He illuminates Scripture, helps us understand it, convicts us through it, and empowers us to obey it. He does not replace the Word.
This matters because emotions can change, experiences can be misunderstood, and people can sincerely reach wrong conclusions. Scripture gives the Church a stable foundation.
A Spirit-filled life is not driven by chasing dramatic moments. It is marked by love for Jesus, hunger for God’s Word, holy character, spiritual gifts used to build up the Church, compassion for people, and courage to share the Gospel.
The Spirit and the Word work together. The Spirit brings Scripture alive, and Scripture keeps our spiritual lives anchored in truth.
How can Scripture shape an ordinary day?
A Memphis believer does not need a perfect schedule, a silent retreat, or an impressive theological library to begin. Scripture can shape an ordinary day in simple, repeatable ways.
1. Begin before the noise takes over
Starting the day with God can be as simple as reading a short passage before checking the phone. Read slowly. Ask what the passage says about God, people, sin, grace, obedience, or hope.
A Memphis church morning may include traffic, children getting ready, work responsibilities, and a full calendar. Even five attentive minutes with Scripture can turn the heart toward God.
2. Read for context, not just comfort
A familiar verse deserves a careful reading. Notice who is speaking, who is listening, what problem is being addressed, and what comes before and after the passage.
The goal is not to force the Bible to say whatever we already wanted to hear. The goal is to listen faithfully.
3. Pray what you read
If Scripture reveals God’s faithfulness, thank Him. If it exposes impatience, confess it. If it gives a command, ask for grace to obey. If it offers hope, receive that hope.
Bible study becomes daily faith encouragement when it moves from information to conversation with God.
4. Carry one truth into one relationship
Ask, “Where should this Word change me today?”
Perhaps it means answering gently instead of reacting sharply, forgiving instead of rehearsing an offense, telling the truth, serving a neighbor, encouraging a child, or resisting temptation.
Sanctification often develops through ordinary obedience.
5. Bring questions into Christian community
You do not have to understand everything alone. Talk with mature believers, ask honest questions, and study Scripture with others.
For people in Memphis, Cordova, Arlington, Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, Millington, Atoka, West Memphis, and throughout the 901, a healthy local church community can provide encouragement and accountability. Those outside the area, homebound, traveling, or unable to attend locally can connect through Boundless Online Church.
What are common misunderstandings about the Bible?
“If the Bible is inspired, why are there different translations?”
Translations differ because languages differ. Faithful translators work to communicate the meaning of the original biblical texts in understandable language. Comparing translations can sometimes clarify a passage, but the existence of translations does not weaken the authority of Scripture.
“Does believing in inspiration mean we should stop asking questions?”
No. Scripture welcomes honest seeking. The disciples asked questions. The Bereans examined Paul’s teaching against the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). Humble questions can deepen faith when they lead us toward truth rather than away from obedience.
“Can I interpret the Bible any way I want?”
Personal reading is valuable, but private preference is not the final authority. We interpret Scripture in context, alongside the whole counsel of God, with prayer, sound study, and the wisdom of the Christian community.
“Does the Bible only apply to church life?”
No. Scripture speaks to the whole person: work, family, money, speech, relationships, suffering, sexuality, justice, forgiveness, worship, leadership, and hope. It does not merely prepare us for Sunday. It trains us for Monday through Saturday.
A simple AG 101 Scripture practice
Try this four-question pattern for seven days:
What does this passage reveal about God?
What does it reveal about my heart or my habits?
What does it show me about Jesus and the Gospel?
What faithful step should I take today?
Begin with a short passage such as Psalm 23, Mark 1, Romans 8, Philippians 2, or James 1. Read it more than once. Write down one sentence. Pray over it. Then obey what you understand.
The point is not to complete a religious assignment. The point is to meet God in His Word and become more like Jesus.
Life takeaway
The Assemblies of God believes the Bible is inspired, trustworthy, authoritative, and sufficient to guide faith and practice. We do not place Scripture beneath personal preference, cultural pressure, or spiritual experience.
We come to the Bible expecting correction without condemnation, truth without manipulation, and grace that leads to transformation.
What would change in your ordinary day if you treated Scripture not as background noise, but as God’s gracious invitation to walk with Him?
Take your next step
Join a Small Group: If you are in Memphis or the 901, explore Life Groups at FA Memphis and study Scripture in community.
Join an Online Bible Study: If you are outside the Memphis area, homebound, traveling, or looking for a place to begin, connect through the Boundless Bible Study library. Join us from anywhere and take your next step with Jesus.
If you need prayer or would like someone to walk with you, call or text 901-213-7341. You are not alone.
Stay connected
Phone: Call or text 901-213-7341 for prayer and pastoral support.
Dual invitation: Visit www.famemphis.org if you are in the Memphis area, or join the global online community at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org.
Prayer line: Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341.(Note: This line is for prayer and pastoral support, not emergency services. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911.)
FA Memphis ministry office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. CST. Sunday streaming is available with live chat from the Pastor for Boundless Online outreach.
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