Bible Study: What Does the Assemblies of God Believe About the Holy Spirit? AG 101 for the 901
- Boundless Team
- May 25
- 5 min read
Seeking more than just a Sunday routine in Memphis? Discover the power that transforms ordinary family life into an extraordinary journey right here in the 901 through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Assemblies of God believes the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, empowering believers for life and service. This includes the baptism in the Holy Spirit, a distinct experience from salvation, evidenced by speaking in tongues, providing spiritual gifts and power for witnessing, marriage, and parenting.
Why Does the 901 Need the Holy Spirit?
Life in Shelby County is vibrant, but it can also be exhausting. Between navigating the school runs in Bartlett, managing career stress in Downtown Memphis, or trying to build a strong marriage in Cordova, many of us feel like we are running on empty. We often try to be the "perfect" parent or the "perfect" spouse using only our own strength.
The Assemblies of God (AG) teaches that we weren’t meant to do it alone. In fact, a central pillar of our faith is the belief that God has provided a supernatural "Helper", the Holy Spirit, to give us the power we lack. Research from the Pew Research Center suggests that while over 70% of adults in the South identify as Christian, many struggle to connect their faith to the practical stresses of daily life. The Holy Spirit is the bridge between ancient scripture and Monday morning in Memphis.
The Person: Not an "It," But a "He"
One of the first things we learn in AG 101 is that the Holy Spirit is not a vague force or a "ghostly" energy. He is a Person. He has a mind, emotions, and a will. He is God dwelling with us.
For a family in Germantown or a young couple in Midtown, this means that God is not a distant figure watching from the clouds. He is a present companion. When we talk about the Holy Spirit, we are talking about the "Paraclete", one called alongside to help.
Definition: The Trinity The Christian belief that there is one God who exists eternally in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. All three are co-equal and co-eternal.
Power for Parenting and Marriage: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The Assemblies of God is a Pentecostal denomination. This means we place a high priority on the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit."
Wait, isn't that just being saved?
According to AG doctrine, Spirit baptism is an experience distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (salvation). Think of it this way: salvation is like getting into the car; Spirit baptism is like putting the fuel in the tank. It is an enduement of power for life and service.
How does this apply to your marriage in Shelby County?
Patience: When you are at your wit's end with a toddler, the Spirit provides a "fruit" of patience that isn't natural.
Wisdom: When navigating difficult financial decisions in Collierville, the Spirit provides "words of wisdom" (1 Corinthians 12:8).
Boldness: It gives you the courage to pray with your spouse or share your faith with a neighbor at the grocery store.
The Sign: Why Speaking in Tongues?
A unique distinctive of the Assemblies of God is the belief in the Initial Physical Evidence. We believe that the first time someone is baptized in the Holy Spirit, they will speak in "other tongues" as the Spirit gives them utterance.
Definition: Initial Physical Evidence The biblical doctrine (based on Acts 2:4) that speaking in tongues is the first outward sign that a believer has received the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
In the 901, we value authenticity. Speaking in tongues isn't a badge of "super-holiness." It is a humble sign of surrender. It is a way for our spirits to communicate with God when words in English fail us. It serves as a reminder that God’s power is at work in our lives, helping us to pray for our children and our city with a depth we didn’t know was possible.
Walking it Out: Sanctification in Shelby County
Being "filled with the Spirit" isn't just about a one-time emotional experience at an altar. It is about a lifelong process called sanctification.
Definition: Sanctification The ongoing process by which the Holy Spirit makes a believer more like Jesus Christ, separating them from sin and dedicating them to God’s purposes.
In the context of community life in Memphis, sanctification looks like:
Choosing integrity in your business dealings in Bartlett.
Forgiving a neighbor who wronged you in Cordova.
Modeling Christ-like character to your kids even when you’re stuck in traffic on I-40.
The Holy Spirit doesn't just give us "power" for big miracles; He gives us the "grace" for the small, daily choices that define a godly life.
The 5 Ways the Holy Spirit Transforms Shelby County Families
Area of Life | The Spirit's Role | Biblical Promise |
Marriage | Provides the "Agape" love needed for self-sacrifice. | Romans 5:5 |
Parenting | Gives wisdom and discernment for guiding children. | Isaiah 11:2 |
Community | Empowers us to serve our neighbors with spiritual gifts. | 1 Corinthians 12:7 |
Mental Health | Brings a "peace that passes understanding" in anxiety. | Philippians 4:7 |
Purpose | Reveals our specific calling within the 901 area. | Acts 1:8 |
Community Life: Empowered to Serve the 901
We aren't filled with the Spirit just so we can feel good. We are filled so we can be good to our city. The Assemblies of God believes that every believer is given "spiritual gifts", special abilities to help others.
Whether it’s helping with the Prime Time Cruzers or volunteering at a local school, the Holy Spirit gives us the "uncommon" energy required to make a difference. In a city like Memphis, which faces its fair share of challenges, a Spirit-filled community is a lighthouse of hope.
Takeaway: Your Next Step in the Spirit
The Holy Spirit isn't a doctrine to be debated; He is a Person to be known. If you find yourself struggling with the pressures of marriage, the weight of parenting, or a lack of purpose in Shelby County, there is more for you.
You don't have to be "perfect" to ask for the Spirit’s help. You just have to be hungry. As we say in the 901, God doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called.
Life Takeaway: Stop trying to manage your family and your life through sheer willpower. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you, guide you, and empower you today. He is as close as a prayer.
Closing Question:
Are you ready to stop running on your own strength and invite the Holy Spirit to lead your family and your life in Memphis?
Want to go deeper?
If you're in Memphis, Cordova, Arlington, Bartlett, or the 901, we would love to welcome you in person to explore these truths together. Check out our I'm New page for what to expect. 🌐 www.famemphis.org
If you're outside our area or unable to attend locally, join us online for community and discipleship: 🌐 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.)
We are here for you.
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