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ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
CREDENTIALING STUDY GUIDE
Does receiving water baptism save us? - ANSWERS-No Is the term "trinity" found and clearly defined in Scripture? - ANSWERS-No. (SOF #2- Section A) The terms trinity and persons, as related to the godhead, while not found in the Scriptures, are word in harmony with Scripture. What is the status of recognition of ministry gifts and issues of gender, race, disability, or national origin? - ANSWERS-Christ's gifts to the Church include apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, exhorters, administrators, leaders, and helpers. We understand God's call to these ministry gifts is totally within His sovereign discretion without regard to gender, race, disability, or national origin. (Bylaws- Article VII- Section 1) Can a person who has not yet received the baptism in the Holy Spirit receive ministerial credentials? - ANSWERS-No. Testimony to having received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues according to Acts 2:4. (Bylaws- Section VII- Section 2B) What "ordinances" are recognized by the A/G? - ANSWERS-Water Baptism and Communion (SOF #6)
What is meant by the "blessed hope?" - ANSWERS-Rapture of the saints (SOF #13) What is the biblical pattern for water baptism? - ANSWERS-All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. (SOF #6) Ordinance of baptism by full immersion. What is the official position of the A/G regarding how a person is saved? (how salvation is determined) - ANSWERS-Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. Inward evidence is direct witness of the Spirit. Outward evidence is life of righteousness and true holiness. (SOF #5) Saved by grace through faith What is the official eschatological position of the A/G regarding what is referred to as "the tribulation?" - ANSWERS-AG believes that saying church will go through tribulation is only confusing and dividing so it's not worth teaching. Under what circumstances may a divorced and remarried person be an A/G minister? - ANSWERS-Bylaws Article VII- Section 2- J and K
The EP of the GC is the credentials committee of the GC of the A/G. It shall have the final authority in matters of doctrine and the personal conduct of all certified, licensed, and ordained ministers. District actions related to the termination of credentials or the remedial discipline of restoration are to be in the form of recommendations to the GC Credentials Committee. All references to the discipline of ministers within this article of the Bylaws relate solely to certified, licensed, and ordained ministers. Know the doctrines and practices that are disapproved by the A/G. See AR District bylaws Article XI. - ANSWERS-Bylaws- Article IX- Section B
- Unconditional Security
- Legalism (matters of conscience and adding conditions to salvation)
- Eschatological Errors
- Membership in Secret Orders
- Divorce and Remarriage
- Worldliness
- Abuses of Stewardship
- Violations of Ministerial Courtesy
- Ministry in Non-A/G Church
- An Improper Attitude Toward Those Removed from the Fellowship
- Interdenominational or Ecumenical Relationships
- Accountability in Education Attribution
What is the status of our Statements of Fundamental Truths in the Assemblies of God? Is it equal to that of Scripture? - ANSWERS-The status of our Statement of Fundamental Truths are the basis of fellowship. No, our Statement of Fundamental Truths are not equal to scripture. Identify each of the traditional categories within systematic theology.
- ANSWERS-Theology Proper Bibliology Christology Pneumatology Soteriology Theological Anthropology Hamartiology Angelology Ecclesiology Eschatology Theology Proper - ANSWERS-Study of the Character of God Bibliology - ANSWERS-Study of the Bible Christology - ANSWERS-Study of Christ
gospel and work of Lord and not to be given to charity or used for other purposes. Who should the "tithes" belong to according to the constitution and bylaws of AG? - ANSWERS-God. Does not belong to the pastor, but into the storehouse (local church) According to the Bylaws of AG, and the Statement of Fundamental Truths, what is the nature of the security of the believer? Is it conditional or unconditional? - ANSWERS-The AG disapproves of unconditional security. It all depends on ones relationship with Christ in view of the Bible's call to holiness. One who believes can fall away (In view that the biblical teaching that the security of the believer depends on a living relationship with Christ; in view of the Bibles call to a life of holiness; in view of the clear teaching that man may have his part taken out of the Book of Life- The AG stands between the extreme positions of Calvinism and Arminianism. It accepts the scriptural elements found in both teachings) What is the status of Scripture in terms of the authority for the believer and the Church? - ANSWERS-Scripture is the ultimate authority- all-sufficient rule for faith and practice (All Scripture was God-breathed; which means that God inspired the words and the biblical authors wrote it) What about authority of revelations, visions, and prophetic utterances? - ANSWERS-Revelations, visions, and prophetic utterances cannot be the ultimate authority. They go through man, and man is not trustworthy (don't contradict Scripture)
Who is the AntiChrist? - ANSWERS-Earthly dictator. "In place of" Christ. Not "against" Christ, but will claim to be Christ. (A false Christ who will appear at the end of this age, become a world dictator, and demand worship.) What is meant by the term "sanctification"? - ANSWERS-Act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God What is the nature of "sanctification" in the life of the believer according to the bylaws of AG and - ANSWERS-Sanctification is realized in the life of a believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit." What are the 2 aspects of Sanctification? - ANSWERS-1. Justification
- the moment of conversion we are declared sanctified - holy.
- Sanctification - the rest of your life becoming holy as you are already declared holy. Is sanctification instantaneous or progressive? - ANSWERS-- Mostly progressive. Justification is instantaneous BOTH
Repentance - ANSWERS-Changing of mind- turning away from sin Regerneration - ANSWERS-Holy Spirit's work of giving new life to the sinner who repents and believes in Jesus Propitation - ANSWERS-Turning away of wrath by an offering Sanctification - ANSWERS-Holy Spirit's work that separates believers from sin and evil and dedicates them to worship and service of the Lord Glorification - ANSWERS-Process of partaking in God's glory. (final steps) Inspiration - ANSWERS-God's Spirit inspired the words written in scripture. Scripture was verbally inspired and is God-breathed and those who wrote were 'moved' or 'carried along' by the Holy Spirit. The original autographs are inspired and inerrant. Infalliable - ANSWERS-Incapable of failing. Incapable of error and therefore, not capable of misleading, deceiving, or disappointing us inerrant - ANSWERS-Without error
Revelation - ANSWERS-God revealing himself and His word to people through scripture Authority - ANSWERS-Scriptures hold the authority for faith and practice Autographs - ANSWERS-Original manuscripts Canon - ANSWERS-Books recognized as inspired by God and put together to create the Bible Apocrypha - ANSWERS-Collection of Jewish and Christian writings that have certain similarities with the OT and NT, but not canonized (additional books we do not considered to be inspired (Books written during the period between the Book of Malachi and the birth of Jesus. The Jews did not include them in the Hebrew Bible and all the Protestant reformers rejected them as not being inspired.) What is meant by the term "the baptism of the Holy Spirit"? From a biblical perspective, what is its primary purpose? - ANSWERS-The initial physical evidence is speaking in tongues. It empowers believers, endowment of power for life and service. The bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. Enduement of power to live a Christian life and to witness
Setting a date for the Lord's return - ANSWERS-AG doesn't believe we know the date at all and is unwise to set a date for the Lord's return. Post- Tribulation Rapture - ANSWERS-AG believes that saying church will go through tribulation is only confusing and dividing so it's not worth teaching. Amillennialism - ANSWERS-AG believes in a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth. (Amillennialism is the view that there will be no future reign of Christ on earth. Some spiritualize the Millennium and make it represent Christ's present reign in heaven during the entire Church Age According to Bylaws of AG, what is meant by the "imminent" return of Christ? - ANSWERS-It will happen, it is just a matter of timing. Nothing can stop it- could be any time and soon What is meant by the term "The Great Commission"? What is included in the Great Commission (Various Aspects)? What is the primary thrust based upon the controlling verb in the Greek sentence? - ANSWERS-Jesus' command to spread the gospel to the whole world. Make disciples Baptizing them Teaching them
Going Matthew 28:19- 20 Sovereignty - ANSWERS-Having supreme authority and rule Omniscience - ANSWERS-All-knowing Omnipresence - ANSWERS-God is everywhere Omnipotence - ANSWERS-Having all power What is meant by the term "the second death" in the book of Revelation? - ANSWERS-Those who are not in the Book of Life will be thrown into the eternal lake of fire What experiences or benefits accompany the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? Which of these is recognized as the "initial physical evidence" according to the Bylaws of the AG - ANSWERS-1. Gifts of wisdom
- Gifts of knowledge
- Gifts of Faith
- Gifts of Healing
- Gifts of Miracles
- Gifts of prophecy
Is He a dependent of self-sufficient being? - ANSWERS-God is loving and created man in his image. (Sovereign, omniscience, omnipresent, omnipotent, alive, spirit, unity, infinite, eternal, immutable, immanent, transcendent, love, good, free, righteous, faithful, truth, holy, gracious God is Uncreated. He is the Creator. God is self-sufficient. He created all things and existed before all things, depends on nothing. What is meant and not meant by the term "saint"? - ANSWERS- Believers not meant: don't have to be without sin (not worthy of any praise or worship- not a Catholic saint) Who is the OT writer who prophesied that Jesus would be "pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities" and by "whose stripes we are healed"? - ANSWERS-Isaiah Gifts of Power - ANSWERS-Faith Healing Miracles Gifts of Utterance - ANSWERS-Prophesy
Speaking in tongues Interpretation of tongues Gifts of Revelation - ANSWERS-Word of wisdom Word of knowledge Discerning of Spirits What are the ministry gifts that God has given the Church? - ANSWERS-Apostles Prophets Evangelists Shepherds Teachers What does the word "apostle" literally mean? - ANSWERS- Ambassador or sent one What does the greek word for "deacon" literally mean? - ANSWERS- Servant Under what circumstances is an Assemblies of God minister NOT obligated to perform a marriage ceremony? - ANSWERS-Discourage any AG minister performing a marriage ceremony for anyone who has been divorced and whose former spouse is still living, unless the case is included in the exceptional circumstances. The remarrying of such excempted cases could violate the minister's conscience and if this be
matters of personal conscience, the A/G disapproves the practice of pressing these debatable matters of personal conscience upon others (Romans 14:1-4) (Bylaws- Article IX-Section 2-A) Is private ownership of churches, private schools, and other religious institutions permitted or approved? - ANSWERS-No. It disapproves the holding of titles to such properties by the ministers of the AG through private ownership, corporations sole, or closed corporations. In the event a local congregation is not incorporated or set in order by the DC, title should be vested in properly qualified trustees. Where private ownership exists, a properly incorporated body shall be formed and title to the property shall be transferred to the corporation. A disregard to this principle and recommendation shall seriously affect the relationship of the AG members involved in such ownership (pg. 135). (The AG approves the holding of title to all church buildings, schools, or other institutions that are supported by funds solicited for the work of God by properly constituted corporations.) (Bylaws- Article IX- Section 7- C) May a divorced person receive or retain ministerial credentials with the AG if their divorce occurred before their salvation? - ANSWERS- Yes. AG disapproves of Christians getting divorced for any cause except fornication and adultery. Since the NT restricts divorced and remarried believers from the church offices, we recommend the same standards be upheld in our assemblies, except when the divorce occurred prior to conversion or for the scriptural causes of a former spouse's marital unfaithfulness or the abandonment of the believer by the unbeliever (pg. 133). Ecclesiastical Annulment: EP to determine clear evidence of deception, fraud, or other profound impacts preventing valid marriage. (Bylaws- Article VII- Section 2- J)
When is it necessary to receive authorization from district offers regarding the solicitation of funds for projects of broad interest to a district? - ANSWERS-It is considered improper and unethical for ministers or missionaries to solicit funds, by letter or otherwise, for anything or for any reason whatsoever without proper authorization. Leaders in local projects shall have unquestioned freedom in local churches or communities. Projects of general interest to the district must have authorization of the district officers. Projects or institutions of national scope that plan to solicit funds from AG churches must have the authorization of the EP of the AG GC. Promotion of all projects of a missions character must have the authorization of the EP. The obtaining and use of mailing lists for promotional purposes not having proper authorization or which are not in keeping with policies of the AG GC shall be considered improper and unethical, whether it be under the name of a prayer chain beyond a local scope, chain letters, or appeals to the constituency for the support of ventures of strictly local or personal character. All offenders guilty of the practices expressed shall be subject to discipline (pg. 134). (Bylaws- Article IX- Section 7- B) Is divine healing provided for in the sacrifice and suffering of Jesus on the cross? - ANSWERS-Yes. Diving healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the Atonement, and is the privilege of all believers. (SOF #12) AG disapproves of ministers counseling the believer to exclude medicine advice/treatment. They shall not represent the above as lack of faith in God's healing power (pg. 98 and 136). What constitutes membership in the Assemblies of God? - ANSWERS-Membership of the General Council shall consist of all ordained and licensed ministers holding a current fellowship
