FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Why stand up to sing?
2. Why clap your hands when you sing?
3. Why lift your hands to worship?
4. Why praise out loud?
5. Why sing in tongues?
6. Why have this type of worship?
7. Why sing choruses and hymns?
1. We stand when we sing because:
"And the Levites,... Of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high." (II Chronicles 20:19)
"After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne... And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." (Revelation 7:9-10)
"O, Clap your hands all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph." (Psalm 47:1)
"Thus I will bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy name." (Psalm 63:4)
"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord." (Psalm 134:2)
"I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting." (I Timothy 2:8)
4. We have audible praise unto God because:
"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me bless His holy name." (Ps. 103:1)
"I will bless the Lord all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Ps. 34:1)
"And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God..." (Acts 4:24)
5. We sing in Tongues and in English because:
"For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the Spirit and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the Spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also." (I Corinthians 14:14-15)
6. We have this type of worship because:
"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the father in Spirit and in Truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth." (John 4:23-24)
"For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have confidence in the flesh." (Philippians 3:3)
7. We sing choruses as well as hymns because:
"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." (Ephesians 5:18-19)
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16)
How is my local church affiliated with the Assemblies of God?
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. Learn More
What distinguishes the Assemblies of God from other Christian groups?
The Assemblies of God is an evangelic protestant fellowship that believes God exists in three persons -- the Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit. The most definitive identification of the Assemblies of God is Pentecostal. Just as it was founded in 1914, the Fellowship remains a full gospel church—one where the fullness of the Holy Spirit is welcomed, nurtured, and taught. This includes speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Other manifestations of the Holy Spirit embraced by the church include: messages in tongues with interpretations, prophecies, word of knowledge, and the complete gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit as indicated in the Bible. Among Pentecostal churches—the Assemblies of God is largest worldwide with over 52 million constituents.
How can I learn more about the Assemblies of God?
Visit www.ag.org for more information about the Assemblies of God including: beliefs, history, ministries and more frequently asked questions.
