What Does the Assemblies of God Believe About the Holy Spirit?
- Boundless Team
- Mar 3
- 5 min read
If you've ever heard the phrase "Spirit-filled church" and wondered what that actually means, you're in the right place. Here in Memphis, whether you're in Cordova, Bartlett, Germantown, or anywhere in the 901, we believe the Holy Spirit isn't just part of church history. He's active, present, and personal today.
At First Assembly Memphis, we're part of the Assemblies of God family, and our beliefs about the Holy Spirit shape everything we do, from worship on Sunday mornings to how we pray for one another during the week. So let's dive into what we believe, why it matters, and how it impacts your everyday walk with Jesus.
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
Let's start with the basics. The Holy Spirit isn't a force, a feeling, or some abstract spiritual vibe. He is a Person, the third person of the Trinity. Just like God the Father and God the Son (Jesus), the Holy Spirit is fully God.
The Assemblies of God teaches that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son in nature, relationship, cooperation, and authority. That's a theological mouthful, but here's the takeaway: the Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and Son, working in perfect unity with them.
In John 14:16-17, Jesus promises, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of truth." Notice Jesus calls Him "another advocate", meaning someone just like Jesus, a Helper who comes alongside us.
He's not distant. He's not impersonal. The Holy Spirit is present, active, and deeply invested in your life.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit: A Core Belief
Here's where things get distinctly Pentecostal. One of the four cardinal doctrines of the Assemblies of God is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This isn't the same as salvation, it's a separate, empowering experience that happens after you accept Jesus as your Savior.
Think of it this way: when you're saved, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside you. That's huge! But baptism in the Holy Spirit is about receiving a fresh overflow of His power, specifically for witnessing, service, and living out the mission Jesus gave us.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus told His followers, "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." That promise wasn't just for the early church. It's for you, for me, for every believer today.
This baptism brings:
Power to witness boldly about Jesus
A deepened reverence for God and His Word
Greater dedication to His work and mission
A more active love for Christ and others
It's not about having an emotional experience for the sake of it. It's about being equipped and empowered to live out your faith with boldness and effectiveness.
Speaking in Tongues: The Initial Evidence
Okay, this is the part that sometimes raises eyebrows or questions. The Assemblies of God believes that speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit.
What does that mean? When someone is baptized in the Holy Spirit, they speak in other tongues, a language they've never learned, given by the Spirit. This happened on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:4: "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
It also happened repeatedly throughout the book of Acts:
- **Acts 10:44-46** – Cornelius and his household
- **Acts 19:6** – Believers in Ephesus
Speaking in tongues isn't the end goal, it's the beginning. It's the sign that you've received the Spirit's fullness and are now empowered to walk in new dimensions of faith, prayer, and service.
Some folks worry it's weird or wonder if it's really biblical. We get it. But here's the thing: throughout Scripture, when people were filled with the Spirit, they spoke in tongues. It's not manufactured or forced, it's a supernatural gift from God, and it's still available today.
The Holy Spirit as Our Helper and Guide
Beyond baptism in the Holy Spirit, the Assemblies of God teaches that the Holy Spirit is our abiding Comforter and Helper. He doesn't just show up once and disappear. He stays.
Jesus said in John 16:13, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth." The Holy Spirit leads us, teaches us, convicts us, comforts us, and helps us pray when we don't even know what to say (Romans 8:26-27).
He is the one who:
Testifies of Jesus and points us to Him
Unifies believers into one body, the Church
Empowers us for worship and service that honors God
Produces spiritual fruit in our lives, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)
His presence is the foundation of everything we do as a church. Without Him, worship is just music. Prayer is just words. Service is just activity. But with Him, everything changes.
What This Means for You
So why does all of this matter? Because the Holy Spirit isn't just theology on a page, He's real, active, and available to you right now.
Maybe you've been a Christian for years but never heard about baptism in the Holy Spirit. That's okay. It's never too late to ask God for more of Him. Luke 11:13 says, "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Or maybe you're new to faith and this all feels a little overwhelming. That's okay too. You don't have to have it all figured out. Start where you are. Ask questions. Seek God. The Holy Spirit will meet you right where you are.
Here in the 901, we've seen lives transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. People who were stuck find freedom. People who were fearful become bold. People who felt empty discover a fullness they never knew was possible.
That's the beauty of a Spirit-filled life. It's not about being perfect or having all the answers. It's about being empowered, equipped, and filled with the presence of God every single day.
Next Steps
If you want to learn more about what we believe, check out our beliefs page. And if you're curious about what it looks like to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, come visit us. We'd love to pray with you, answer your questions, and walk with you on this journey.
Whether you're here in Memphis, Cordova, Bartlett, Germantown, or anywhere in the 901, you're always welcome. We're not about religion, we're about relationship. And we believe the Holy Spirit is the one who makes that relationship come alive.
Connect With Us
Want to go deeper?
If you're in Memphis or the 901, we would love to welcome you in person: 🌐 www.famemphis.org
If you're outside our area or unable to attend locally, join us online: 🌐 www.boundlessonlinechurch.org
If you need prayer or someone to talk to, you are not alone. 📞 Call or Text: (901) 213-7341
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