Assemblies of God
The Assemblies of God (AG) is the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world tracing its roots to the beginnings of Pentecostalism in 1901. Pentecostalism is a movement within Evangelical Christianity, similar to the Charismatic movement, that places special emphasis on the direct personal experience of God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit as shown in the Biblical account of the Day of Pentecost.
Number of Members: 2.7 million
From the Assemblies of God official website:
Christ the Head
Christ is recognized as the head of the Church. "He is supreme; and His life is the pattern for all ministry and conduct of the church," (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18).
Elected Leadership
The pastor is elected by the local congregation. A board of deacons is elected to assist the pastor and help conduct the business operation of the church (Ephesians 4:11, 12; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).
Sovereignty of Local Assemblies
Within the fellowship of the Assemblies of God there are two classifications of churches—General Council affiliated churches and district affiliated churches. General Council affiliated churches enjoy full autonomy, having developed to the point of where they are self-governing and self-supporting. These fundamental principles have been catalysts for growth in the Fellowship. District affiliated churches are those which have not yet developed to the point where they qualify for full autonomy. All assemblies are required to adhere to the Statement of Fundamental Truths and a biblical pattern of conduct.
| Official Statements on Animals |
Statement 1
“As stated in Genesis 1:27-30, we believe God has given mankind alone complete dominion (authority) over the earth’s resources. These resources include the land, the water, the vegetation, and the earth’s minerals; as well as the animals, fish and fowl. Like the earth, we acknowledge these to be gifts from God to mankind; and as gifts they are to be appreciated and cherished. As Christians we believe dominion requires good stewardship of our temporary home–earth.”
(Assemblies of God document on Environmental Protection which reflects commonly held beliefs based on scripture which have been endorsed by the church's Commission on Doctrinal Purity and the Executive Presbytery.)
Statement 2
Animal Cloning. The cloning of animals presents a difficult dilemma. The Bible recognizes that animals are a source of food for humans. It also gives humans dominion over the animal world—and by implication—over the plant world (Genesis 1:26,28). There is also an instance in Scripture where selective breeding of animals took place (Genesis 30). Some recent research has sought to produce milk through genetic engineering that would be therapeutic and enriched for the benefit of those who drink it. Such research would seem to be acceptable as long as the animals used in the research are not mistreated. Animal life does not have the standing in God’s sight that human life has, but there is no justification in Scripture for needless abuse and mistreatment of animals. (Genetic Alteration and Cloning, 2008)
