Baptist vs. Assembly of God

[MoreThanAConqueror8]

Hello

I attend a Baptist church and have also recently been attending an Assembly of God church on Sunday nights. I am curious, what are the specific belief differences between the Assembly of God and Baptist denominations? I know one difference is that the Assemblies of God practices speaking in tongues, and Baptists usually do not. What is the reason behind this difference? I've noticed that the worship in the Assembly of God church tends to be more open and expressive, and people tend to move around a lot more (ex. arm waving and swinging, jumping up and down, rocking back and forth, etc.) vs. my Baptist church. There are also frequent times during the Assembly of God worship service where the members will be talking, almost without pause, kind of like praying in a desperate sort of tone, like a plea. I'm curious if this is a common practice and was wondering if someone could explain this specific practice. Do most Assembly of God churches worship like this or is this church unique?

Thanks

 

[Heinrich]

every church is unique
Worship differ between denominations/ churches/ cultures/ cities / countries ect ect.

I think AOG will focus a little bit more on the Holy Spirit than Baptist churches.
Do some research on where the churches come from (ie. how they got started) and also try to find official sites with doctrinal statements.
That should help you alot with the questions you have.

 

[TheSerenityPrayer]

every church is unique
Worship differ between denominations/ churches/ cultures/ cities / countries ect ect.

I think AOG will focus a little bit more on the Holy Spirit than Baptist churches.
Do some research on where the churches come from (ie. how they got started) and also try to find official sites with doctrinal statements.
That should help you alot with the questions you have.

what he said. I've been to baptist churches as well as AOG churches. I personally prefer AOG. The only way to full understand how these two beliefs are different are to search them out for yourself. Anyone can tell you here are the difference 1. 2. etc.

However, it would benfit you by searching this out for yourself.

 

[GodDreamer]

hey, you can check out AoG's doctrine on their offical website. it's http://ag.org/top/

 

[Koontzy]

I am a fundamental baptist, I grew up National Baptist and was attending a southern and Independants baptist churches while I was in the Marines,... My wifes dad is a baptist pastor, and my wife is a full baptist...

Baptists do not believe in spekaing in tongues or slaying in the spirit... They use this on the verses that basically say that tongues will cease when the perfect comes.... Baptists believe that the bible was the answer to that verse...... they believe the spirit guides us.... There are actually a few good baptist churches that you see alot of loud preachers, and loud members(Mainly Nation Baptist) and most baptist churches that have a assembly of mostly african-americans... I love loud churches.....

but I also attended 5-6 AOG churches in SC and never once saw a alter call for helaing, tongues spoken or slaying the the spirit...

 

[Jesusong]

I attend a Baptist church and have also recently been attending an Assembly of God church on Sunday nights. I am curious, what are the specific belief differences between the Assembly of God and Baptist denominations? I know one difference is that the Assemblies of God practices speaking in tongues, and Baptists usually do not. What is the reason behind this difference? I've noticed that the worship in the Assembly of God church tends to be more open and expressive, and people tend to move around a lot more (ex. arm waving and swinging, jumping up and down, rocking back and forth, etc.) vs. my Baptist church. There are also frequent times during the Assembly of God worship service where the members will be talking, almost without pause, kind of like praying in a desperate sort of tone, like a plea. I'm curious if this is a common practice and was wondering if someone could explain this specific practice. Do most Assembly of God churches worship like this or is this church unique?

What you described is typical in AG churches. But as Heinrich said each church is unique. You will find in Pentecostal/Charismatic churches an openess in expressions of worship. But through these various expressions of worship will be a sense of order; iow; not chaotic. You may witness various manifestations of spiritual gifts as outlined in 1Cor 12-14. These too will be done in an orderly fashion for the edification of the body.

The major difference between beliefs of Pentecostal/Charismatic and Baptists is manifestation of the spiritual gifts. Baptists in general will say the manifestations have ceased after the Apostolic era (although there are some Baptists who are Charismatic and have experienced the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues). Some may hold the position that the manifestation of spiritual gifts are demonic (though I feel these are in a minority), while others will hold their peace due to their uncertainty.

Seeing that you are going to an AG church in the evenings, talk to the pastor there and ask him the same questions you are asking here. In fact, print out this thread and show him what some of the responses are so far and see how he feels about them. He may clarify some issues better than we can. Also, the AG have published some booklets explaining the cardinal doctrines and positions of the Assemblies of God Churches. He should be able to make those available to you.

I hope this helps you.

 

[Mathetes the kerux]

The primary difference between the AG and most Baptist denominations is the Pentecostal doctrine of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit as distinct from salvation with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.

I hold a distinctly pentecostal theology but attend a BGC (Baptist General Conference) church of which I was even on the pastoral staff until recently.

As mentioned earlier (Hey Jesussong I am in Massachusetts now! ) every church will be different BUT they will all hold to a denominational statement. The biggest difference is the doctrine of Spirit Baptism and the doctrine of Initial Physical Evidence (tongues).

 

[lismore]

The biggest difference is the doctrine of Spirit Baptism and the doctrine of Initial Physical Evidence (tongues).

I have also noticed a big difference in the teaching/ practice on healing.

Acts 10:38

38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Pentecostals believe Jesus is the healer, he is the same yesterday, today and forever and that believers can be healed in Jesus name from the sickness and oppression of the devil:

Is 53:4 Surely he carred our sicknesses.

AOG statement of belief:

We believe that deliverance from sickness, by Divine Healing is provided for in the Atonement (Isa. 53:4-5, Matt. 8:16-17, James 5:13-16).
http://www.aog.org.uk/church_interest.asp

Baptists often teach that Jesus makes people sick too, in order to teach them something . In the gospels Jesus did not make anyone sick, he healed all who came to him: The God who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases (psalm 103:3)

 

[Atlantians]

I am a fundamental baptist, I grew up National Baptist and was attending a southern and Independants baptist churches while I was in the Marines,... My wifes dad is a baptist pastor, and my wife is a full baptist...

Baptists do not believe in spekaing in tongues or slaying in the spirit... They use this on the verses that basically say that tongues will cease when the perfect comes.... Baptists believe that the bible was the answer to that verse...... they believe the spirit guides us.... There are actually a few good baptist churches that you see alot of loud preachers, and loud members(Mainly Nation Baptist) and most baptist churches that have a assembly of mostly african-americans... I love loud churches.....

Actually it says that when perfection comes, knowledge as we know it will cease also.
So if tongues has ceased according to that verse, then we shouldn't know that.
You are incorrect about Baptists not believing in tongues. Generally that is the case, but it is not an official doctrine.

 

[DawnS1065]

Hello

I attend a Baptist church and have also recently been attending an Assembly of God church on Sunday nights. I am curious, what are the specific belief differences between the Assembly of God and Baptist denominations? I know one difference is that the Assemblies of God practices speaking in tongues, and Baptists usually do not. What is the reason behind this difference? I've noticed that the worship in the Assembly of God church tends to be more open and expressive, and people tend to move around a lot more (ex. arm waving and swinging, jumping up and down, rocking back and forth, etc.) vs. my Baptist church. There are also frequent times during the Assembly of God worship service where the members will be talking, almost without pause, kind of like praying in a desperate sort of tone, like a plea. I'm curious if this is a common practice and was wondering if someone could explain this specific practice. Do most Assembly of God churches worship like this or is this church unique?

Thanks

My church is Assembly of God and we worship in much the same way. I personally love it. I feel like I am so much closer to God. And when I worship, I don't see anyone else around me, just that amazing connection to the Lord. I have cried out to God during worship, and cryed my eyes out, dropped to my knees, and other times, have felt so much joy and excitement, that I have jumped up and down. I love it! To me, I believe that God loves to see His children having fun lifting Him up. If I could have praise and worship all day long, I would do it. But I do realize that is very different from Baptists. I don't think Baptists believe in speaking in tongues, or being baptized by the Holy Spirit. Nor do I think they subscribe to being slain in the Spirit either. I personally am struggling with some of my church friends belief that I am opening doors for Satan to attack me because I am taking Taekwondo. I am struggling with whether this whole spiritual attack stuff is really true.

hope that helps,

Dawn

 

[DawnS1065]

Hello

I attend a Baptist church and have also recently been attending an Assembly of God church on Sunday nights. I am curious, what are the specific belief differences between the Assembly of God and Baptist denominations? I know one difference is that the Assemblies of God practices speaking in tongues, and Baptists usually do not. What is the reason behind this difference? I've noticed that the worship in the Assembly of God church tends to be more open and expressive, and people tend to move around a lot more (ex. arm waving and swinging, jumping up and down, rocking back and forth, etc.) vs. my Baptist church. There are also frequent times during the Assembly of God worship service where the members will be talking, almost without pause, kind of like praying in a desperate sort of tone, like a plea. I'm curious if this is a common practice and was wondering if someone could explain this specific practice. Do most Assembly of God churches worship like this or is this church unique?

Thanks

My church worships in the same way. I personally love it. I feel a connection to God like I have never felt in any other church. It is much different than Baptists in many ways. AOG churches believe the Holy Spirit is alive and active in our lives and we can be baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues. I have had that happen, and do still pray in tongues. That may seem weird to someone who is Baptist. Just give it some time, and i think that you will know in your heart if you are in the right place. And pray, and listen for God to tell you.
Dawn

 

[seashale76]

(A former AOG and former Southern Baptist here. I hope it's okay to give my two cents?)

While I'm fairly certain there are baptist groups out there that don't hold to this doctrine, most baptists believe in the eternal security of the believer (Once Saved Always Saved) while the AOG holds to a conditional security view (Arminian). Most people don't consider this to be a major point of contention, but others do. This is one of the issues that I still think the AOG has right.

Here are the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God: http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Statement_of_Fundamental_Truths/sft_short.cfm

Here is the Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention: http://www.sbc.net/bfm/

These are concise enough that you can at least compare them.

 

[JasMate]

As far as differences it really depends on the church / pastor. You see I have heard of baptist churches that are way more in touch with the spirit than aog or other so called "spirit filled" churches. It really all comes down to the leadership/congrigation and how everything goes down.