Bible Study: What Does the Assemblies of God Believe About the Holy Spirit?
- Boundless Team
- Jun 20
- 6 min read
The Assemblies of God believes the Holy Spirit is a divine person who empowers believers for life and service. We teach that the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit" is a distinct experience following salvation, evidenced initially by speaking in tongues, providing spiritual power for witnessing.
The Breath of God in Memphis: A Living Faith
If you walk through the neighborhoods of Memphis, from the historic streets of Midtown to the growing suburbs of Cordova and Bartlett, you’ll find a city that understands the need for power. We see it in our music, our grit, and our community resilience. But in the life of a believer, there is a different kind of power we desperately need: the power of the Holy Spirit.
At First Assembly Memphis, we often get questions about our Pentecostal roots. People ask, "What makes your view of the Holy Spirit different?" or "Is the Holy Spirit just a 'feeling' or a force?" To understand the Assemblies of God (AG) perspective, we have to look at the 16 Fundamental Truths, which serve as our doctrinal lighthouse.
The Holy Spirit isn't just a historical figure from the Book of Acts; He is a present, active, and essential part of the Christian walk right here in the 901.
Definition: The Person of the Holy Spirit
Term | Biblical Definition |
The Holy Spirit | The third person of the Trinity, co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and God the Son (Jesus Christ). He is not an "it" or a "force," but a divine Person with will, emotion, and intellect. |
The Two-Step Experience: Salvation and Spirit Baptism
One of the most distinct teachings of the Assemblies of God is that there is a difference between being "born again" (salvation) and being "baptized in the Holy Spirit."
When you accept Jesus as your Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to indwell you. He regenerates your heart and makes you a new creation. However, we believe there is a separate and subsequent experience available to every believer. Think of it this way: salvation is about receiving the Spirit for regeneration, while Spirit baptism is about receiving the Spirit for empowerment.
"But 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." , Acts 1:8
Fundamental Truth #7: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The AG teaches that all believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church.
With this baptism come such experiences as:
An overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39).
A deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43).
An intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42).
A more active love for Christ, His Word, and the lost.
Fundamental Truth #8: The Initial Physical Evidence
Perhaps the most discussed aspect of Pentecostal doctrine is the "initial physical evidence." The Assemblies of God believes that the baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4).
Why do we believe this? We look at the pattern in the Book of Acts. In Acts 2 (Pentecost), Acts 10 (Cornelius' house), and Acts 19 (the Ephesian disciples), the common denominator when people were filled with the Spirit was that they spoke in tongues.
It’s important to note the difference between:
The Sign of Tongues: The initial evidence that occurs when one is first baptized in the Spirit.
The Gift of Tongues: One of the "spiritual gifts" mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, intended for the ongoing edification of the church body.
Definition: Spiritual Empowerment
Term | Biblical Definition |
Baptism in the Holy Spirit | An experience distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth, providing the believer with power for life and service. |
Initial Physical Evidence | The first outward sign (speaking in tongues) that a believer has received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. |
The Purpose of the Power: Why It Matters Today
It is easy to get caught up in the "sign" and forget the "purpose." The Holy Spirit does not empower us just so we can have a "mountain-top" emotional experience. The Spirit empowers us to be witnesses.
In a city like Memphis, being a witness means more than just talking about Jesus. It means having the supernatural boldness to serve our neighbors, the wisdom to navigate complex social issues with grace, and the spiritual strength to remain faithful in a world that often pulls us away from God. Whether you are connecting with us in person at FA Memphis or joining our global community through Boundless Online Church, the goal is the same: transformation.
Sanctification: The Lifelong Process
While Spirit baptism is often a sudden "event," the work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification is a lifelong process. Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God.
The Holy Spirit works within us to produce "Fruit." While the "Gifts" of the Spirit show God's power, the "Fruit" of the Spirit shows God's character.
The Fruit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
As we walk in the Spirit, He "sanctifies" us, making us more like Jesus every day. This is the heart of spiritual growth in the 901. We want to be a people who are not only known for our "power" but for our "love."
Definition: Sanctification
Term | Biblical Definition |
Sanctification | The ongoing process by which the Holy Spirit sets the believer apart from sin and conforms them into the image of Jesus Christ. |
Divine Healing and Gifts for Today
The Assemblies of God also holds firmly to the belief in Divine Healing (Fundamental Truth #12). We believe that deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers.
The Holy Spirit still distributes "Gifts" as He wills, gifts of healing, prophecy, wisdom, and faith. These aren't relics of a bygone era; they are tools for the modern church to bring hope to a hurting world. When we pray for someone in Memphis or online, we are asking the Holy Spirit to move in power, just as He did 2,000 years ago.
Walking in the Spirit in the 901
What does this look like on a Tuesday afternoon in Shelby County? It looks like:
Prayer: Asking the Spirit for guidance before a difficult meeting.
Service: Feeling a "prompting" to help a neighbor in need or volunteer at a local outreach.
Community: Engaging in online discipleship to grow deeper in the Word.
Boldness: Sharing your testimony with a friend who is struggling with anxiety.
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, our Counselor, and our Strength. He is the one who binds the local church in Memphis to the global body of believers.
Summary of AG Beliefs on the Holy Spirit
Truth Topic | Scripture Reference | Key Meaning |
The Person | Matthew 28:19 | He is God, the Third Person of the Trinity. |
The Promise | Luke 24:49 | Every believer is invited to receive His power. |
The Evidence | Acts 2:4 | Speaking in tongues is the initial sign of Spirit baptism. |
The Purpose | Acts 1:8 | We are empowered to be witnesses to the world. |
The Process | Romans 12:1-2 | He sanctifies us to be more like Christ. |
Life Takeaways: One Step Closer
Seek the Promise: If you haven't experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit, ask God for it! He loves to give good gifts to His children.
Walk in Character: Focus on the "Fruit." Power without character can be destructive; power with character is transformative.
Use Your Voice: The Spirit empowers you to speak. Whether it’s in tongues or in your native language, use your words to bless others and share the Gospel.
Stay Connected: Faith wasn't meant to be lived alone. Join a group or visit us this Sunday.
Are you ready to experience the power of the Holy Spirit in your own life?
Want to go deeper?
If you're in Memphis, Cordova, Arlington, Bartlett, or the 901, we would love to welcome you in person to experience our community and worship: 🌐 www.famemphis.org
If you're outside our area, traveling, or unable to attend locally, join our global online church community for discipleship and prayer: 🌐 www.boundlessonlinechurch.org
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.)
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