I was Baptized Baptist and attend a Baptist church. Currently I am not happy at the church I attend and I am looking for another. I am not unhappy with the doctrine, it is more of a feeling that this is not where we are supposed to be. I dont feel my kids are getting all they need out of it, nor am I. There is another church nearby that has a great program for children, it is AOG. I am wantiing to know what the differences are. Thank you.
2007-09-04 08:40:20 · 6 answers · asked by Question Addict 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A big difference is Baptists do NOT believe in (1) speaking in tongues (2) divine healing (3) that is possible for a person to lose their salvation once they have been "saved". In other words baptists believe in "eternal security".
A o Gs believe and practice speaking in tongues, believe it is very common for God to heal the sick, and that it is possible for a "saved" person to lose their salvation. (AoG's do not believe in the "eternal security of a believer" )
2007-09-04 13:24:06 · answer #1 · answered by JustPeachy !!! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some of it depends on what the AoG pastor is like. Frankly, some of the AoG churches are run by rather nutty people who think they can command the Holy Spirit. Honest -- I used to work for one of the 12 Executive Presbyters of the Assemblies of God and I saw it with my own eyes. They had a real bad spot back in the 1990s and some of the churches are still caught in that web.
Some of the differences also depend on whether or not you are Southern Baptist of American Baptist or whatever.
AoG is generally not as exclusionary as Baptists are, and the theology is equal on many points, but radically different on others. AoG teaches that if you don't speak in tongues, you haven't got evidence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which means you aren't saved. AoG also teaches that you can lose your salvation. Women have more positions of power/leadership in the AoG than in the Southern Baptist Convention. Worship in some Baptist churches is limited to traditional hymns and instruments, whereas AoG often have a live band with drums, guitars, etc.
I would be very, very, VERY cautious of the children's programs in ANY fellowship. We had several different youth pastors at our AoG church, and some were good but others used terrible scare tactics which made kids lie and pretend they were "more" of what the teacher wanted to see than what they really were...these kids would have nightmares about everybody in their family being raptured but them because they knew they weren't being completely honest...and didn't feel comfortable being completely honest. Don't leave your kids' faith formation to others -- be wary and stay in control. There are way too many mind games out there to be played.
2007-09-04 08:54:43 · answer #2 · answered by sparki777 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the main difference seems to be manifestation of spiritual gifts. The AOG has printed a pamphlet defining their core beliefs, that might help. AOG is pentecostal, and they can differ from church to church - maybe consider talking to the local pastor
2007-09-04 08:51:25 · answer #3 · answered by phrog 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to their official website, ag.org. It has an excellent list of topics with fairly brief explinations of their beliefs. I attended an amazing AG church for 6 years, and I still recommend it to people even though I no longer attend it.
2007-09-04 08:47:47 · answer #4 · answered by Sarah B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
baptists have a longer history
AOG more after pentecostalism and charismatic tripe entered the scene about 100 years ago
baptists used to be creedless until recently
now few churches allow you to know for self what a god wants
2007-09-04 08:46:11 · answer #5 · answered by voice_of_reason 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Pentecost movement is preached heavily at an AOG.
It never hurts to attend a service. That's going to be your best 'gut check'.
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2007-09-04 08:51:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋