Polity: Topics Flashcards
self-described as the founder of the Apostolic Faith Movement
Charles F Parham
(1873-1929)
the first to teach that speaking in tongues provides the initial “Bible evidence” of baptism in the Holy Spirit
Charles F Parham
key people & events in Charles F Parham’s life
born in Iowa
Methodist.
1895 left Methodism.
married Sarah Thistlethwaite.
opened Beth-El healing home in 1898 & started periodical Apostolic Faith.
heard story of Jennie Glassey in 1899 and found evidence for the third experience of sanctification for empowerment (tongues)
Parham’s preaching characteristics
belief in divine healing, radical fire-baptized preaching, and expectancy of the Lord’s return
believed the Lord would raise up an elite band of end-time missionaries entrusted to carry out the Great Commission; they alone would be exempted from the 7 years of tribulation
who opened Bethel Bible school and when?
What was a primary teaching?
Parham in 1900
when seekers are baptized in the Holy Spirit, they would speak in (unlearned) human languages for the purpose of missionary preaching
What did the students of Parham’s school study and learn?
they studied Acts and agreed that believers spoke in tongues when baptized in the Holy Spirit
Who was the first to speak in tongues at Bethel Bible School? When?
Agnes N Ozman
1901
What did Parham author after his Bible School?
A Voice Crying in the Wilderness, the first defense of the Pentecostal movement
After the Bible school, where did Parham eventually find success?
Why?
What movement did this launch?
in El Dorado Springs, MO
He prayed for the healing of Mary A Arthur and her healing in her eyes and elsewhere caused him to be invited to preach. He held meetings with over 800 converts, 1000 healings, and several hundred Spirit-baptized.
This was the apostolic Faith Movement arisen.
Which happened first: the Topeka Revival or the Azusa Street Revival? Who was associated with each?
first, the Topeka Revival (Charles F Parham)
then, the Azusa Street Revival (William J Seymour)
When did AG start?
Where?
1914
Hot Springs, Arkansas
When were the Statement of Fundamental Truths adopted?
Why?
1916
due to Trinitarian-Oneness debate
When was the Foreign Missions Committee organized?
1917
When were the Constitution and bylaws adopted?
1927
What did the Statement of Fundamental Truths do?
assured members and outside observers of the soundness of Assemblies of God doctrine
How many people gathered for the first Council of AG in 1914?
over 300 Pentecostal believers
What was the purpose of the first Council in 1914?
hoped that organizational unity would do a number of things:
- greater unity among churches
- conserve the work at home and abroad
- better system for supporting missionaries
- encourage local congregations to charter with a biblical name
- start a new Bible training school
What did Daniel C O Opperman do?
started short-term schools for workers, 4-5 weeks, Bible studies, prayer, fasting, practical ministry experience
When was the first General Council?
April 1-12, 1914
How many of the 300 at the first General Council were ministers/missionaries?
128
What did the first General Council start with?
4 days of prayer and fellowship
What was approved at the first General Council?
the Preamble and Resolution on Constitution
Where did the name “Assemblies of God” come from and what does it denote?
Hebrews 12:23 KJV
familiar term in the holiness tradition that emphasized Christian unity
What group was elected during the First General Council?
12 member Executive Presbytery to conduct the business of the Council between meetings
first general chairman
EN Bell
first secretary-treasurer
J Roswell Flower
role of women after first General Council
restricted to that of “helpers in the gospel”
When was ordination of women as missionaries and evangelists approved?
As pastors?
1914
2 decades later
What group was established in 1916? Why?
the General Presbytery ; provide a more representative body than the Executive Presbytery to handle the judicial and executive needs of the organization between gatherings of the General Council
comprised of leaders from each district
Where & when did the AG begin?
Hot Springs, AK
April 1914
What was the doctrinal crisis in the second year of AG? What was it’s “” name? What did it lead to?
the biblical understanding of the Trinity
- arose from the strong Jesus-centered piety of the fourfold gospel, or “full gospel”: Jesus Christ as Savior, Healer, Baptizer, and Coming King
- also from some Pentecostals insisting in water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ only
a serious departure from biblical teachings and historic Christian doctrine
“New Issue”
led to a major division in the General Council in 1916
- 25% of the ministers who embraced “Jesus Name” or “oneness” teachings withdrew over the Trinitarian creedal declaration
led to the Statement of Fundamental Truths
- affirmed soundness of doctrine
- affirmed historic Trinitarian doctrine
What controversy arose in 1918? What were the results?
questions over the necessity of tongues as evidence of Spirit baptism
they reaffirmed the doctrine of initial evidence as the “distinctive testimony of the AG”
What are the 3 character traits needed?
humility, hunger, heart (compassion)
