Bible Study: What Is the Assemblies of God?

The Assemblies of God (AG) is the world’s largest Pentecostal fellowship, emphasizing the Bible as God’s Word, salvation through Jesus Christ, and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit. It focuses on modern worship, divine healing, global missions, and the belief that God still works miracles today.

Whether you’ve just moved to Cordova, Bartlett, or Arlington and saw our sign, or you’ve stumbled upon us online from halfway across the world, you might be asking: "What exactly is the Assemblies of God?"

It’s a great question. For some, "Assemblies of God" sounds a bit formal. For others, "Pentecostal" sounds a bit mysterious. But at its heart, this movement is about a simple, vibrant, and life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s about a faith that isn’t just studied in a book but experienced in everyday life.

The Heart of the Movement: A Brief History

The Assemblies of God didn't start in a corporate boardroom. It started in a prayer meeting. In the early 1900s, people across the United States were hungry for a deeper connection with God. This hunger led to the famous Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, where people experienced the Holy Spirit in ways that mirrored the Book of Acts in the Bible.

In 1914, a group of about 300 ministers gathered in Hot Springs, Arkansas. They wanted to protect the integrity of their teachings, support global missions, and create a sense of unity. They formed the General Council of the Assemblies of God. Since then, the fellowship has grown to over 69 million members worldwide.

In our local corner of the 901, First Assembly Memphis (FA Memphis) has been a lighthouse for this faith for decades, serving the families of Shelby County with that same Spirit-led passion.

The 16 Fundamental Truths: What We Believe

To keep the movement anchored, the AG established 16 Fundamental Truths. These aren't just rules; they are the biblical foundations that keep our faith focused on Jesus.

Topic	The Core Message
The Bible	It is God’s inspired, infallible Word and our ultimate guide.
One True God	Revealed as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Trinity).
Jesus Christ	Fully God and fully man; He lived, died, and rose again.
The Fall of Man	All have sinned and are separated from God.
Salvation	A free gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Ordinances	We practice water baptism and Holy Communion.
Holy Spirit Baptism	An experience that empowers believers for witness and service.
Evidence of Tongues	The initial physical sign of being baptized in the Spirit.
Sanctification	The lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus.
The Church	The body of believers called to worship and reach the world.
The Ministry	Leadership called by God to equip the church for service.
Divine Healing	God still heals the sick today through prayer and faith.
The Blessed Hope	The promise that Jesus is coming back for His people.
Millennial Reign	Christ will reign on earth for 1,000 years of peace.
Final Judgment	Everyone will give an account of their lives to God.
New Heavens/Earth	We look forward to a perfect eternal home with God.

The Four Cardinal Doctrines

While all 16 truths are important, we often highlight four as the "Cardinal Doctrines." These represent the four-fold mission of the church:

1. Salvation: The door to everything else. It’s the belief that Jesus died for our sins so we can live in relationship with God forever.

2. Baptism in the Holy Spirit: The power to live out our faith. This is a distinct experience after salvation that gives us the courage and spiritual gifts to serve others.

3. Divine Healing: The belief that God cares about our physical and emotional pain. We pray for the sick because we believe Jesus is still the Great Physician.

4. The Second Coming: The hope that fuels our mission. We believe Jesus is returning soon, and that motivates us to share His love with everyone we can.

Key Definitions for Your Journey

As you explore the Pentecostal faith, you might hear some "churchy" words. Here is what they mean in plain English:

• Salvation: Being rescued from the penalty of sin and brought into a relationship with God through faith in Jesus.

• Repentance: A "change of mind" that leads to a change of direction, turning away from sin and toward God.

• Sanctification: A fancy word for growth. It’s the lifelong process where the Holy Spirit helps us become more like Jesus in our character and actions.

• Baptism in the Holy Spirit: An empowering experience, as seen in the Bible (Acts 2), that fills a believer with God’s presence and power for service.

• Divine Healing: Supernatural healing provided by God’s power, often in response to prayer.

Faith in the 901: Why It Matters Locally

If you live in Memphis, Cordova, or Bartlett, you know that our community is built on relationships. At First Assembly Memphis, we believe the Assemblies of God "way" is a perfect fit for our city. We aren't about rigid traditions; we are about a Spirit-filled community that supports one another.

We see this faith in action through our local ministries, from KidsZone to our outreach for families in the 901. Being part of an AG church in Memphis means you have a family that will pray with you, celebrate with you, and help you grow in your walk with God.

Faith Without Borders: Boundless Online Church

We also realize that not everyone can walk through the doors of a building in Cordova. Maybe you’re traveling, homebound, or living in a place where a healthy local church is hard to find.

That’s why we created Boundless Online Church. It’s our way of taking the AG 101 principles, Bible authority, Holy Spirit empowerment, and global missions, and making them accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Whether you’re in Memphis or Manila, you are part of the family.

Practical Takeaways for New Believers

1. Start with the Word: If the Bible is our guide, the best thing you can do is read it. Start with the Gospel of John or the Book of Acts.

2. Talk to God: Prayer isn't a ritual; it’s a conversation. Just start talking to Him about your day, your fears, and your hopes.

3. Find Community: Faith wasn't meant to be lived alone. Join us in person at FA Memphis or connect with our digital community.

4. Be Open to the Spirit: Don't be afraid of the "supernatural" side of faith. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit and show you how He wants to use your life.

Taking Your Next Step

Understanding the Assemblies of God is really about understanding how much God loves you and how much He wants to be involved in your life. It’s not just a denomination; it’s a movement of people who have been changed by the grace of Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Are you ready to experience this for yourself?

Want to go deeper?

If you're in Memphis, Cordova, Arlington, Bartlett, or the 901, we would love to welcome you in person at First Assembly Memphis: 🌐 www.famemphis.org

If you're outside our area or unable to attend locally, join our global online church community: 🌐 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.)