The Assemblies of God is a Pentecostal denomination with roots in early 1900s revival movements

The Assemblies of God (AG) is a Protestant church movement that began in 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It grew out of Pentecostal revivals of the early 1900s — religious gatherings where participants believed they experienced direct contact with the Holy Spirit. The denomination emphasizes spiritual gifts, healing, and what members call the "baptism of the Holy Spirit," which they understand as a distinct experience separate from becoming Christian.

Today, the Assemblies of God operates in over 140 countries and has millions of members worldwide. In the United States, it is one of the largest Pentecostal denominations. Local AG churches are independent but connected through a loose organizational structure that provides training, resources, and doctrinal guidance. Each congregation has its own pastor and leadership, though they follow shared beliefs and practices.

If you are exploring different churches or trying to understand what an AG congregation teaches, this guide explains the core beliefs, how services work, and what membership involves.

Key Takeaways

  • The Assemblies of God teaches that the Holy Spirit actively works in believers' lives today through spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues, healing, and prophecy.
  • AG services typically include contemporary music, spontaneous prayer, and preaching focused on Scripture, and they may include prayer for healing or other spiritual experiences.
  • The denomination baptizes believers by full immersion in water and practices communion as a remembrance of Jesus's death and resurrection.
  • Membership requirements vary by local church but generally involve accepting Jesus as savior, being baptized, and agreeing with core AG doctrines.
  • The AG operates a decentralized structure where individual churches are autonomous but affiliated with regional and national organizations for support and accountability.

Core beliefs about the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts

The central focus of Assemblies of God theology is the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. The AG teaches that after a person becomes Christian, they can receive a separate experience called the "baptism of the Holy Spirit," which they believe empowers them for service and spiritual growth. This is distinct from the moment a person first believes in Jesus — it is understood as a second, deeper encounter.

A key part of this belief is the practice of speaking in tongues (also called glossolalia). Members believe this is a spiritual language given by the Holy Spirit, not learned or controlled by the speaker. In AG theology, speaking in tongues is evidence that someone has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, though not all members practice it. The AG also teaches that the Holy Spirit gives other gifts to believers, including healing, prophecy (speaking God's message), discernment, and wisdom. These gifts are understood as active and present in the church today, not just historical.

Divine healing is another important belief. The AG teaches that God can and does heal physical illness through prayer and faith. Many AG churches include prayer for healing as part of their regular services. This does not mean the denomination rejects medical care — most AG members use doctors and hospitals — but rather that healing is seen as something God can provide directly.

What happens during an Assemblies of God service

An AG service typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes and follows a general pattern, though individual churches vary. Services usually begin with contemporary Christian music, often with a full band or worship team. The music is energetic and participatory, with members singing along, raising hands, and sometimes moving in response to the music. This worship time is central to AG practice and is meant to create space for encountering God.

After worship, there is usually a time of prayer. This may be spontaneous — members pray aloud individually rather than in unison — and the pastor or worship leader may invite people to share prayer requests or testimonies (personal stories of God's work in their lives). Some services include a time when members come forward for prayer, which might be for healing, guidance, or other spiritual needs.

The sermon or message is the main teaching portion. AG pastors typically preach from the Bible, often focusing on a specific passage or theme. Preaching style varies by pastor but is usually direct and process-focused, connecting Scripture to daily life. Some services include an altar call — an invitation for people to come forward to make a commitment to Jesus, rededicate their faith, or request prayer.

Many AG services include a time of communion (also called the Lord's Supper), though frequency varies by church. The AG understands communion as a remembrance of Jesus's death and resurrection rather than a sacrament that conveys grace. Most AG churches practice open communion, meaning visitors are often welcome to participate.

Baptism and membership practices

The Assemblies of God practices believer's baptism by full immersion in water. This means baptism is for people who have made a personal decision to follow Jesus, not infants. The AG sees baptism as an outward expression of an inward faith commitment. Baptism is typically performed by a pastor or designated church leader in a baptismal pool, lake, river, or other body of water. The person being baptized is fully submerged under the water and then brought back up, symbolizing death to sin and resurrection to new life.

Membership in an AG church is not automatic. Most congregations require a person to have made a profession of faith in Jesus, been baptized, and agree with the church's core doctrines. Some churches have a membership class or interview process where the pastor or leadership discusses beliefs and expectations. Membership typically grants voting rights in church decisions and may involve commitments to regular attendance and financial support.

The AG also practices church discipline, meaning that if a member's behavior contradicts Christian teaching, the church leadership may address it through conversation, counseling, or in serious cases, removal from membership. This is meant to be corrective rather than punitive, with the goal of restoration.

How the Assemblies of God is organized

The Assemblies of God operates through a structure that balances local church independence with broader organizational connection. Each local AG church is autonomous — it owns its own property, calls its own pastor, and makes decisions about its own ministry. However, churches are affiliated with district councils (regional organizations) and the General Council of the Assemblies of God (the national body in the United States).

District councils provide training for pastors, mediate disputes between churches, maintain ordination standards, and offer resources for ministry. Pastors in AG churches are ordained through their district council after meeting educational and doctrinal requirements. The General Council sets broad doctrinal standards, publishes official statements on theology and practice, and coordinates national and international missions work.

The AG is also part of the larger Pentecostal movement and maintains relationships with other Pentecostal and evangelical churches. However, it maintains distinct identity through its specific doctrinal emphases and organizational structure.

Doctrinal standards and what the AG teaches about salvation

The Assemblies of God has published doctrinal statements that outline its core teachings. These include belief in the Bible as God's authoritative word, the Trinity (God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and the reality of heaven and hell. The AG teaches that salvation comes through accepting Jesus as savior and Lord — a personal decision made by each individual.

The AG emphasizes that salvation is by grace through faith, not earned by good works. However, the denomination also teaches that Christians should live holy lives — meaning lives separated from sin and devoted to God. This emphasis on holiness shapes AG teaching on issues like entertainment, dress, and behavior. Different AG churches interpret these standards differently, so expectations vary from congregation to congregation.

The AG also teaches that Jesus will return to earth, and this belief shapes how members understand current events and the future. The denomination holds to what is called a pre-tribulation rapture view — the belief that Jesus will remove believers from earth before a period of great suffering. However, this is not a test of membership, and AG members hold varying views on end-times theology.

Differences between the Assemblies of God and other churches

The Assemblies of God differs from mainline Protestant denominations (like Methodist, Presbyterian, or Lutheran churches) in its emphasis on the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. Mainline churches typically do not emphasize speaking in tongues or divine healing as central practices. The AG also tends to have more informal, spontaneous worship compared to the structured liturgy of many mainline churches.

The AG differs from the Roman Catholic Church in its understanding of authority and practice. Catholics recognize the Pope and church tradition as authoritative alongside Scripture; the AG recognizes Scripture alone as the final authority. The AG does not practice infant baptism, confession to priests, or veneration of saints — all Catholic practices.

Within the Pentecostal movement itself, the AG is one denomination among many. Other Pentecostal churches include the Church of God in Christ, the Foursquare Church, and the Church of God in Christ in Christ. These denominations share the emphasis on the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts but may differ in organizational structure, worship style, or specific doctrinal emphases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to speak in tongues to be part of an Assemblies of God church?

No. While the AG teaches that speaking in tongues is evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, not all members practice it, and churches do not require it for membership or participation. Some members believe they have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit without speaking in tongues. Individual churches vary in how central this practice is to their worship and teaching.

What is the difference between the Assemblies of God and other Pentecostal churches?

The AG is one Pentecostal denomination among many. All Pentecostal churches emphasize the Holy Spirit's active role and spiritual gifts, but they differ in organizational structure, worship style, and specific doctrinal details. The AG is one of the largest and most established Pentecostal denominations, with a formal organizational structure and published doctrinal standards.

Can I visit an Assemblies of God church if I am not a member?

Yes. AG churches welcome visitors. You can attend a service, participate in worship and singing, and listen to the sermon. Most churches invite visitors to participate in communion, though some reserve it for baptized believers. If you are interested in learning more, you can speak with the pastor or a church member after the service.

Does the Assemblies of God believe in healing without doctors?

The AG teaches that God can heal directly through prayer, but most members use medical care. The denomination does not teach that using doctors shows lack of faith. Prayer for healing and medical treatment are not seen as opposed — many AG members do both.

How do I find an Assemblies of God church near me?

The Assemblies of God maintains a church locator on its official website where you can search by zip code or city. You can also search online for "Assemblies of God near me" or ask local churches for referrals. When you find a church, you can visit their website or call to learn about service times and what to expect.