Assemblies of God USA

===Position statements===
The Assemblies of God has released statements on various issues not addressed in the Statement of Fundamental Truths.<ref name="agpositionpapers">{{cite web | title= Assemblies of God Position Papers and other statements | publisher= Assemblies of God | url= http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/topic_index.cfm | access-date= October 12, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101025093208/http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/topic_index.cfm | archive-date= 2010-10-25 | url-status= dead }}</ref> These position papers are usually written by the Doctrinal Purity Commission, a standing committee of the General Council, which reviews and responds to issues referred to it by the Executive Presbytery. Position papers are not official positions of the Assemblies of God unless recommended by the Executive Presbytery and approved by the General Council.<ref name="churchidchangep112-113">{{harvnb|Roozen|Nieman|2005|pp=112–113}}</ref> Position statements touch on biblical, theological, and social concerns.

*'''Abstinence from alcohol''': On the consumption of alcohol, the AG calls on its members and adherents to live life-styles of total abstinence (see [[Christianity and alcohol]]).<ref name="abstinence">[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4187_abstinence.pdf "Abstinence"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215111649/http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4187_abstinence.pdf |date=February 15, 2010 }}, official statement of the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God USA, August 6, 1985. Accessed October 12, 2010.</ref>
*'''Apostles and Prophets''': The Assemblies of God does not recognize titles or offices of "[[apostle]]" and "[[prophet]]". It does, however, believe there are those in the church who "exercise the ministry function of apostles and prophets".<ref name="apostleprophets">[http://ag.org/top/beliefs/position_papers/pp_downloads/pp_4195_apostles_prophets.pdf "Apostles and Prophets"] {{Webarchive|url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20140611133042/http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4195_apostles_prophets.pdf |date=2014-06-11 }}, statement of the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God USA, 6 August 2001, pp. 11-12. Accessed 26 January 2011.</ref> Apostolic functions relate to evangelizing previously unreached areas or people groups, while prophetic functions "occur when believers speak under the anointing of the Spirit to strengthen, encourage, or comfort". "Prophecy is a continuing gift of the Holy Spirit that is broadly distributed as the Spirit wills throughout Pentecostal churches".<ref name="personalprophecy">Assemblies of God. [http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/topics/sptlissues_prophets_prophecies.cfm "Prophets and Personal Prophecies"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619013341/http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/topics/sptlissues_prophets_prophecies.cfm |date=2010-06-19 }}. Accessed 26 January 2011.</ref> Predictive prophecy that proves false, or prophecy that "departs from biblical truth" is false prophecy. The AG believes in the four ministry gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor/teachers but notes that there are no biblical instructions for the appointment of apostles and prophets today.
*'''Assisted suicide and abortion''': Viewing all human life as sacred, the Assemblies of God opposes [[assisted suicide]] and [[abortion]] (unless it is medically confirmed that the mother's life is in imminent danger). It believes scripture is silent on the use of [[contraception]] and therefore takes no position on this subject.<ref name="abortion, suicide">[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/PP_Sanctity_of_Human_Life_Abortion_Reproductive_Issues.pdf "Sanctity of Human Life: Abortion and Reproductive Issues"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610220745/http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/PP_Sanctity_of_Human_Life_Abortion_Reproductive_Issues.pdf |date=2012-06-10 }} and [http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/PP_Sanctity_of_Human_Life_Suicide_Euthanasia.pdf "Sanctity of Human Life: Suicide and Euthanasia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611015635/http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/PP_Sanctity_of_Human_Life_Suicide_Euthanasia.pdf |date=2012-06-11 }}, statements of the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God USA, August 2010. Accessed September 4, 2010.</ref>
*'''Creation''': The Assemblies of God believes that the [[Genesis creation narrative|account of creation in the book of Genesis]] "accurately communicates God's creation of the heavens and the earth" and that "the New Testament treats the creation and fall of Adam and Eve as historical events". It acknowledges that Christians will have different views on "the age of the earth, the age of humankind, and the ways in which God went about the creative processes" but urges them to "avoid divisiveness over debatable theories of creation". It also affirms that "God reveals himself both in Scripture and the created order" (see: [[creationism]]).<ref name="creation">[http://ag.org/top/beliefs/position_papers/pp_downloads/PP_The_Doctrine_of_Creation.pdf "The Doctrine of Creation"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917094806/http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/PP_The_Doctrine_of_Creation.pdf |date=2010-09-17 }}, statement of the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God USA, 9–11 August 2010, pp. 3-4. Accessed 26 January 2011.</ref>
*'''Demon Possession''': The Assemblies of God believes it is possible for people to be [[demon possession|demon possessed]] and be delivered by the "power of the Spirit, and the name of Jesus". However, it cautions against overemphasis on [[demonology]] and rejects the belief that Christians can be possessed by evil spirits.<ref name="demonpossessed">[http://ag.org/top/beliefs/position_papers/pp_downloads/pp_4176_possessed.pdf "Can Born-Again Believers Be Demon Possessed?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627043022/http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4176_possessed.pdf |date=2006-06-27 }}, statement of the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God USA, May 1972. Accessed 26 January 2011.</ref>
*'''Ministry to the disabled''': The AG teaches that people with [[disabilities]] are loved by God. They should be treated with dignity and fully included in the life of the Church.<ref name="ministrytodisabled">[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_disabilities.pdf "Ministry to People with Disabilities: A Biblical Perspective"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627042601/http://ag.org/top/beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_disabilities.pdf |date=2006-06-27 }}, statement of the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God USA, August 11, 2000. Accessed September 16, 2010.</ref>
*'''Divorce and remarriage''': Officially, the AG disapproves of Christians divorcing for any cause except "fornication and adultery". Where these circumstances exist or where a Christian has been divorced by an unbeliever (see [[Pauline privilege]]), the AG allows "the question of remarriage to be resolved by the believer in the Light of God's Word". For Christians who were divorced and remarried before their conversion, it is recommended that local AG churches receive them as members.<ref name="divorceremarriage">[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4189_divorce_remarriage.pdf "Divorce and Remarriage"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627042747/http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4189_divorce_remarriage.pdf |date=2006-06-27 }}. A Position Statement of the General Council of the Assemblies of God. August 1973, revised August 2008. Accessed October 12, 2010.</ref> The General Council has offered this guideline for AG churches; however, churches are free to determine their own standards of membership with the result that many local churches will admit divorced and remarried persons as members even if the above conditions are not met (see [[Christian views on divorce]]).<ref name="Crossroads168-169">{{harvnb|Poloma|1989|pp=168–169}}</ref>
*'''Gambling''': The AG opposes [[gambling]], believing that it is a disregard of responsible stewardship, involves a chance of gain at the expense and suffering of others, is inconsistent with the work ethic of scripture, and tends to be habit forming.<ref name="gambling">[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4186_gambling.pdf "A Biblical Perspective on Gambling"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611033159/http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4186_gambling.pdf |date=2012-06-11 }}, official statement of the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God USA, August 10, 1983. Accessed October 12, 2010.</ref>
*'''Homosexuality''': The fellowship takes the position that the biblical ideal of marriage is between one man and one woman and that the Bible condemns all sex outside marriage, whether heterosexual or homosexual. Furthermore, it emphasizes that "believers who struggle with homosexual temptations must be encouraged and strengthened by fellow Christians" and that believers "must hold no malice toward, or fear, of homosexuals" but "reach out in humility and compassion".<ref name="homosexuality">[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4181_homosexuality.pdf "Homosexuality"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123040455/http://www.ag.org/top/beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4181_homosexuality.pdf |date=2011-11-23 }}, statement of the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God USA, August 14, 1979, and revised August 6, 2001. Accessed October 12, 2010.</ref>
*'''Positive Confession''': While the AG affirms that "All the blessings which God has for His people are received through faith" (including salvation, Spirit baptism, "divine preservation", "healing and provision of material needs", and the motivation to witness), it rejects the teaching that faith or "positive confession" "compels God's action". It holds that believers must consider the totality of scripture, consider adequately the will of God, recognize that they can expect suffering in life, and recognize the sovereignty of God. It also stresses the importance of persistent prayer, as opposed to simply confessing or "claiming" the promises of God.<ref name="Postiveconfession">[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4183_confession.pdf "The Believer and Positive Confession"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611015733/http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4183_confession.pdf |date=2012-06-11 }}, official statement of the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God USA, August 19, 1980. Accessed August 18, 2011.</ref>
*'''Women's role in ministry''': The AG affirms the ministry of women in the church and allows them to be ordained and serve in pastoral roles (see: [[ordination of women]]).<ref name="womenrole">[http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/PP_The_Role_of_Women_in_Ministry.pdf "The Role of Women in Ministry as Described in Holy Scripture"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917050226/http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/PP_The_Role_of_Women_in_Ministry.pdf |date=2010-09-17 }}, official statement of the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God USA, August 2010. Accessed September 4, 2010.</ref>