SUMMARY:
*1 Assemblies of God: abbreviated "A/G" for the 'denomination' in the USA and "AoG" in Australia and elsewhere used throughout this issue of CETF
THOSE who regularly read CETF and all who know me, will be aware of my association with Assemblies of God *1 (AoG) throughout my life.
While I have never been denominational in “spirit”, I happily served within the movement for some 40 plus years from being a 14 year old boy preacher in 1952 to my resignation as national General Secretary of Assemblies of God in Australia in 1992, since which time I have continued to preach in some AoG churches, particularly in UK but also in other countries to the present.
I write out of that background so what we publish in this issue of CETF is not done out of pique or as a vendetta as some have wrongly attributed to me. I have no axe to grind and basically no regrets for my part in what has happened. I appeal to you, the reader, to dismiss such considerations as these may prevent you from seeing the seriousness of the present state of the Pentecostal movement in general and the Assemblies of God in particular.
This CETF features ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT.
What has the past 100 years of Pentecostalism contributed to the apostasy that is prophesied in the Bible?
Where is the movement heading? Can we rescue the good from the mess? We need to see “the big picture”.
In October 2002 Kathleen, Jonathan and I visited the headquarters of the Italian Assemblies of God (Instituto Biblico Italiano) en route to UK from Singapore. (
See http:// www.christian-witness.org/archives/cetf2002/plp_tour02. html)
During our very happy stay of three days I had several conversations with general superintendent Rev Francesco Toppi. On one of those occasions I asked, “Fratello Toppi, what do you think we should do about the apostasy that has invaded the Assemblies of God in our countries?”
I recall how he paused, looked down at the table thoughtfully then up at me and responded: “When the Wesleyan Methodists became apostate, a group from within formed the Primitive Methodists.
Assemblies of God must do something similar to rescue the situation”. I am convinced he was right and I am equally sure that it must be a people’s action — a grass roots movement.
The apostasy has been from the top down. Any rescue must be from the fl oor up.
Prior to going to print I invited the A/G-USA General Secretary and Superintendent to comment on what is now published hereunder. The General Secretary George Wood wrote, “The general attitude of leadership in the U.S. Assemblies of God is to not respond to attacks — regardless of their source”. Clearly this is a ploy. Read what Jim Brown radio host has claimed below. All theocrats play “word-games”.
The articles that you read in CETF 36 on this topic were not solicited.
They were spontaneously offered. Something is happening. As you read, please ask yourself:
Where do I stand in this time of spiritual declension?
Can I do anything about it?
Am I content to just watch from the sidelines?
Am I a part of the problem or a part of the solution through my silence or my action?
Whatever He (our Lord) says to you, do it . (John 2:5) Signifi cantly during that ministry tour in 2002 I made my second visit to Mow Cop, situated half in Staffordshire and half in Cheshire, UK, and was greatly challenged by the many things in that small village that remind visitors of the Primitive Methodist revival.
There on 31 May 1807, many thousands of people gathered to protest a desperate need to return to the old paths and to pray. And the Lord who did it in Wesley’s time turned — and did it AGAIN.
Footnotes:
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Appeared in Issue 36 CETF 12.2 NR June 2006
"...contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" -- Jude v3
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-Last revised-
Monday, October 09, 2006
