Our Denomination

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”— Acts 1:8

History of the Assemblies of God

1.      The Assemblies of God is the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world, as well as the fastest growing.

2.      The Assemblies of God has roots in the religious revival of the late 1800’s.  Many Christians in the United States and other parts of the world felt the need for more of God’s power.  In response, the Holy Spirit came on large numbers of them as in the book of Acts.  Since this was initially associated with the Jewish holiday of Pentecost, the name “Pentecostal” was given.

3.      The beginning of the modern Pentecostal movement is generally traced to prayer meetings at Bethel Bible College in Topeka, Kansas on January 1, 1901.  Revival spread to Missouri and Texas and then to California.  A three-year revival meeting at Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles attracted believers from across the nation and overseas.  This served as a springboard to send the Pentecostal message around the

4.      The Pentecostal aspects of this revival were not generally welcome in established churches.  Many were asked to leave and they formed their own churches.

5.      By 1914 leaders and laymen realized the need for several things:

a.       Formal recognition of ministers.

b.      Approval and support of missionaries.

c.       Full accounting of funds.

d.      Increasing in doctrinal unity, gospel literature and permanent Bible training schools.

6.      Therefore, they gathered for a “General Council” in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1914.  A cooperative fellowship emerged from that meeting.  It was incorporated with the name “The General Council of the Assemblies of God.”  In 1916, they added the Statement of Fundamental Truths.  It was a simple statement and remains virtually unchanged.  It continues to provide a sound basis for the Fellowship, giving a firm position on vital doctrine.

7.      The Assemblies of God has always emphasized missions and evangelism.

8.      As at end of 2004, the Constituency is numbered at   2,779,095 Adherents  in the United States and  50,000,526  Adherents  overseas with  12,277 AOG Churches  in the United States and  256,209   overseas.8 Presently, in Malaysia, we have a total of  322  AOG Churches all over Peninsular Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak. (By the way, the total numbers of Credential Members stood at 377,949 as at the beginning of 2005)

9.      The denominational organization consists of the General Council  (The United States), District Councils (e.g. the Oklahoma District), Sections and local churches.