Credentialing Exam Flashcards
Agnosticism
T.H. Huxley used the term “not knowing” to express his opinion that it was impossible to know whether or not God exists.
Amillennialism
The belief that the thousand year reign of Christ found in Revelation chapter 20 is not to be understood literally, but rather that symbolically of Christ reigning in Heaven during the Church Age.
Annual Credential Renewal Process
The process by which all credentialed ministers with the General Council Assemblies of God must renew their credentials by filling out a form/questionnaire which must be completed no later than December 31st of the given year.
Antichrist
A term used five times by the apostle John in the New Testament often refers to the character of a person who opposes the truth of the Gospel. The term also refers to a specific individual who will oppose and wage war against Christ in the end-times.
Apocryphal books
A group of 15 books that were written during the Intertestamental period. These books were not included in the Hebrew Bible and were not considered to be inspired by God.
Apostles-biblical and current roles
Means “sent ones” or “messenger” and refers to the twelve men who were chosen to carry on the work Christ. Today the office of apostle is not needed for the Church to be healthy, however, believers may still exemplify the nature and fulfill certain roles of the New Testament apostle.
Arianism
A teaching of Arius (AD 250-356) concerning the relationship between God and Jesus; stated that Jesus did not always exist but was created by God and therefore is distinct from God.
Articles of Incorporation for a local church
Referring to the requirement of adopting recommended and approved constitution and bylaws for becoming affiliated with the General Council of the Assemblies of God.
Assemblies of God four cardinal doctrines
The four truths that are considered to be the core beliefs because of their application to believers and unbelievers both now and in the future. These four doctrines are salvation, divine healing, baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the second coming of Christ.
Assemblies of God fourfold mission of the church
To be an agency of God for evangelizing the world, to be a corporate body in which man may worship God, to be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son, and to be a people who demonstrate God’s love and compassion for all the world.
Assemblies of God membership
Referring to the Recommended Bylaws for Local Assemblies, Article VI which discusses membership in a local Assembly of God church.
Assemblies of God policies regarding divorce and remarriage of ministers
Found in the General Council Bylaws Article IX, B, Section 5. Reflects commonly held beliefs based on scripture which have been endorsed by the church’s Commission on Doctrinal Purity and the Executive Presbytery of the General Council of the Assemblies of God.
Assemblies of God purposes and distinctives
Referring the nature, prerogatives, principles for fellowship and Statement of Fundamental Truths for the General Council of the Assemblies of God found in the General Council Constitution Articles II-V.
Assemblies of God stance on women in ministry
States that there is no “convincing evidence that the ministry of women is restricted according to some sacred or immutable principle.”
Assemblies of God U.S. Missions
Created because of the responsibility to spread the Gospel on our homeland (United States of America) and has a primary purpose is to promote the establishing of indigenous churches and facilitating the evangelization and discipleship of individuals within the United States.
Assemblies of God World Missions
Created because of the responsibility to spread the Gospel on foreign land and whose primary purpose is to be an agency of the church in fulfilling it’s fourfold mission.
Atheism
The belief held which denies that any god or supernatural deity exists. Atheism is a complete contrast to the Judeo-Christian belief in only one God.
Attributes of God
The special traits, characteristics, or qualities of God that constitute His nature and being. Can refer to the constitutional attributes (spirit, knowable, eternal, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient and wise) and/or the moral attributes of God (faithful, truthful, good, patient, loving, gracious and merciful, holy, righteous and just).
Authority of Scripture
The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.
Autographs-original manuscripts
Refers to the original handwritten manuscripts of the Old and New Testament, which were produced by human authors that were inspired by God. None of these original manuscripts are known to exist today, however, thousands of reliable copies have been discovered which confirms the authenticity of the autographs.
Bible versions
Refers to various Bible translations from their original written language. Depending on the translator, versions may be more or less literal, meaning a word-for-word or thought-for-thought translation.
Call to ministry
God calls people, without regard to race, gender, disability, or national origin; to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, exhorters, administrators, leaders, and helpers; to build up the body of Christ. The call to ministry refers to the urgency received from God by an individual to serve the local church in the listed capacities.
Calvinism
Protestant sect. Emphasized a strong moral code and believed in predestination (the idea that God decided whether or not a person would be saved - pre determined).
Cannon of Scripture
The writings of Sacred Scripture that are approved by the Church as inspired by God
Christology
The branch of theology concerned with the person and attributes and deeds of Christ
Classification of spiritual gifts
There are three groups:
- wisdom and knowledge for teaching and preaching
- faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy and discernment between spirits for ministry
- tongues and interpretation for worship
Deacon
‘Servant” “Helper” An office in the local church. A man or woman who is given the job by a local Christian assembly/church of looking after the practical needs of community - administration finances, food and welfare needs etc.
Discipleship
The diligent and intentional teaching and practices that promote a life long lifestyle of becoming more like Jesus and reproducing Christ’s life in others to become learners and students of Christ, leaving the past and surrendering every aspect of one’s life to the Jesus
Ecclesiology
The study of church doctrine
the branch of theology concerned with the nature and the constitution and the functions of the church
Ecumenism
Promotes cooperation and better understanding among different religious denominations: aimed at universal Christian unity
Elders
Elders Elected out of the congregation and given the responsibility of seeing that preaching and teaching are done
Eschatology
A study of and teaching about the “last things” (death, judgment, heaven, hell, purgatory, the Second Coming of Christ, and the resurrection of the body).
Evangelism
Zealous (enthusiastic) preaching and dissemination (spreading) of the gospel
Illumination
A person reads the bible, the Holy Spirit is pleased to shed light on the truth of God’s word, making it ‘come alive’ to the reader in their heats and minds
Eschatological Error
- restitution of all things
- setting a date for the Lord’s return
- post-trib rapture
- amillenialism
The Great Commission
Matt 28:19 The command given by Jesus to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”
Hermeneutics
Encompassing all forms of communication: written, verbal and nonverbal (similar to exegesis)
Exegesis
Textual criticism: is the investigation into the history and origins of the text (more limited then hermeneutics)
Holy Spirit baptism
An experience distinct from and subsequent o new birth, providing power for lives of service, power to witness
Imminent return of Christ
The date of Christ’s return is unknown, therefore we should be alert and on guard
Immutable
Not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature: unchangeable
Interpretation of tongues
The gift of the Holy Spirit by which the general meaning of something spoken in tongues is reported to the church
Gift of Discernment
Spiritual gift: the ability to distinguish between good and evil spirits
Gift of Prophecy
Spiritual gift: edifies, exhorts, and comforts (I Corinthians 14:3); helps us build up or strengthen; and should lead us to the Word of God. It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to convict of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment to come (John 16:8-11).
is divinely inspired and anointed utterance; a supernatural proclamation in a known language. It is the manifestation of the Spirit of God - not of intellect (I Corinthians 12:7), and it may be possessed and operated by all who have the infilling of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 14:31)
Infallibility of Scripture
The divine source and authority of the Scriptures assures us that the Bible is also infallible; incapable of error or misleading, deceiving or disappointing us
Inspiration of Scripture
‘God-Breathed’ By divine power of the Holy Spirit moved the human authors of the Bible in such a way that it reflects the intentions of God.