In the century since the Assemblies of God Protestant denomination was formed, it has grown to be the largest group of Pentecostal Christian churches in the country.
Here are five major events and reasons for the development of Assemblies of God as a Protestant Christian denomination in the United States:
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1. Charles Parham’s Work: A pastor named Charles Parham is considered the father of the modern Pentecostal movement from which the Assemblies of God Protestant denomination was formed. Parham believed in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. He taught his beliefs at his Bethel Bible School in Topeka, Kansas in the early 1900s.
2. Azusa Street Revival: In 1906, a small Apostolic Faith Mission Church at 312 Azusa Street in Los Angeles, CA became the site of a revival based on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Thousands of people came to be a part of meetings and experience their faith in a new way. This revival brought worldwide attention and momentum to the Pentecostal movement.
3. The need for accountability: Since the Pentecostal tradition believes in the active movement of the Holy Spirit, a group of ministers believed it was responsible and even necessary to find some way to be accountable
for that work. The Assemblies of God leaders first met in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1914. Over 300 delegates from churches involved in the Pentecostal movement came to the first General Council.
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4. Clarification of doctrine: The Assemblies of God Protestant denomination adhere to statements of
fundamental truth.The church was formed to clarify these doctrines which are similar to other Christian denominations. However, their beliefs differ in the distinct baptism by the Holy Spirit which includes the evidential outpouring of actions like speaking in tongues and healing.
5. Spreading the word of the spirit around the world:
Assemblies of God Protestant churches began in part to commence a cooperative and organized effort in missions. They wanted to take the Pentecostal revival around the world. Assemblies of God Protestant churches are part of a worldwide network of indigenous denominations called the World Assemblies of God Fellowship. There are several historically linked Assemblies of God Protestant denominations which share similar faith and values.
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