Thursday, February 26, 2009

Is the Pre-Tribulational and Pre-Millenial position of the Assemblies of God tenable?

According to the New Bible Dictionary, the great bulk of the biblical references to tribulation are to sufferings endured by the people of God. All the tribulations of the Messianic people stand in this light. The tribulations of the people of Christ are eschatological; i.e. they belong to the last age, the kingdom of the end time (Mt 24:9-14; Rev 1:9; 7:14).

We will now take a look at the definition of the Pre-Tributional and the Pre-Millenial according to the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God. The 13th Fundamental Truth states the Pre–Tribulational is the Blessed Hope which is the resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church. (1 Thes 4:16, 17)

The 14th Fundamental Truth of the Assemblies of God tells us the second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years. (Rev 20:1-6) This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Rom 11:26-27) and the establishment of universal peace. (Micah 4:3-4)

We, as born-again, Spirit-filled, believers in Jesus Christ feel the closeness of the end, just as the Apostle Paul did. However, that is mostly because we long for Him to come as a bride does for the groom. As it is, Christ, in His mercy may not come for a long time yet. We don’t know the day or the hour - but we have the hope of the Rapture when we will be taken up with Christ and will receive our reward, every saved person according to what they deserve.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

2. Is Pentecostal spirituality healthy, vibrant and on the cutting

Is Pentecostal spirituality healthy, vibrant and on the cutting
edge today or is it dissipating? Evaluate, analyze and explain your
conclusion.

I sadly believe Pentecostal spirituality is dissipating today because the majority of the Churches of the Assemblies of God (AOG) Malaysia are not encouraging Christians to desire and exercise the gift of speaking in tongues during their weekly Sunday services. The common excuse we hear from Pastors is they do not want to frighten away the unbelievers from Church. Consequently, there is also a lack of teaching and emphasis on the baptism of the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues for believers. Many Christians today are afraid or ashamed to speak and pray in tongues. They have to be personally encourage to speak in tongues. In conclusion, my personal opinion and observation is Pentecostal spirituality is dissipating from the majority of the Malaysian AOG Churches.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

2. Am I a Pentecostal or Charismatic or Third Wave? A reflection of my

I am a Pentecostal and have been attending the Assemblies of God’s (AOG) Church for the last 15 years ever since I was saved. AOG in Malaysia hold to the doctrine of baptism in the Holy Spirit by initial evidence of speaking in tongues (glossolalia). I was baptized in the Holy Spirit in October 1997 as evidenced by speaking in tongues while attending a Sunday church service.
I believe in the experienced presence of the third person of the trinity that is the Holy Spirit and in the active involvement of the Holy Spirit in everyday life, including signs and wonders, divine healing, prophecy, speaking in tongues and other manifestations of the Spirit’s presence.