First Assembly of God Church

About First Assembly of God Church

📖 About this Christian tradition

The Pentecostal movement is one of the fastest-growing Christian currents in the contemporary world, with a strong presence in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Its name comes from Pentecost, the day recorded in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit descended on the first disciples of Jesus; Pentecostals hold that this same experience remains available to believers today and is the living model for the life of the church.

The historical origins of the movement lie in the early twentieth century, in the Bible school at Topeka (Kansas, 1900) and, especially, in the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, begun in 1906 under the preaching of the African-American pastor William J. Seymour. From that small hall on Azusa Street, prayer meetings, healing services and the baptism in the Holy Spirit spread quickly across the United States, Latin America and the rest of the world, giving rise to denominational families such as the Assemblies of God, the Church of God (Cleveland), the Foursquare Church and many indigenous churches.

Pentecostal doctrine rests on the principles of the Reformation—Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide—and emphasizes personal conversion, believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper as an ordinance. Its most distinctive feature is the teaching of the baptism in the Holy Spirit as an experience distinct from conversion, accompanied by the gifts of the Spirit described in 1 Corinthians 12: tongues, prophecy, healing and word of knowledge, among others. A local Pentecostal church is typically a community active in prayer, evangelism and missions.

🕯️ Feast days, calendar and devotions

Pentecostalism does not follow a formal liturgical calendar like other Christian traditions; the heart of its communal life is Sunday worship, where the Word is preached, the congregation sings expressively and prayer is offered for the needs of the community. Pentecost holds a special place as the commemoration of the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church and a reminder of the model described in Acts 2. Christmas and Easter are celebrated with special services that highlight, respectively, the incarnation and the resurrection of Christ.

Beyond these dates, Pentecostal spirituality is nourished by frequent communal practices: prayer vigils—often nightlong—corporate fasts, revival campaigns, healing services and youth meetings. Many churches set aside specific days for intercession for missions, the family or the nation. Worship is generally expressive and participatory, with contemporary songs, modern instruments, raised hands and, in some congregations, dance, clapping and spontaneous testimonies.

⛪ How to prepare for a visit

Sunday services are the main gathering point of a Pentecostal church and usually last between an hour and a half and two hours. There is typically an extended time of praise with a live band, followed by preaching and, at the end, a call to personal prayer. Many congregations also hold weekday meetings—prayer, Bible study or youth gatherings—that can be a good way to get to know the community. It helps to check the schedule on the church facade or its official website.

No special dress is required: comfortable, respectful clothing is welcome in most churches. A first-time visitor can simply sit and participate as far as feels comfortable; no one is required to raise their hands, pray aloud or come to the front. If there is an invitation to receive prayer or to accept Christ, it is an open invitation, not a requirement. Pastors, ushers and members tend to approach kindly to welcome newcomers and answer questions.

❓ Frequently asked questions

✍️ Curated by Thomas Anderson · Last updated: 2025-04-19
Information verified by the EncuentraIglesias editorial team