Church
Praise Assembly
Assemblies of God USA · Newark: a neutral profile of what this congregation describes about its beliefs.
Where to find them
Public details for this congregation.
TraditionAssemblies of God USAAbout →
Sourcing statusTradition default
Beliefs on file934 positions
Statement of faithNot on file
Where they stand
Each position below is labelled by how it was sourced, so you can weigh it for yourself.
VerifiedConfirmed by the church
From their statement of faithEstimated, not verified
Tradition defaultEstimated, not verified
Showing 80 of 934 positions across 18 topics. Expand any topic to see the rest.
God & the Trinity52 positions
- Analogical LanguageAffirmsTradition defaultHuman language about God is analogical: true but never capturing God univocally as it captures creatures.Estimated, not verified
- Apophatic PriorityAffirmsTradition defaultWhat God is in himself is ultimately beyond human comprehension, so negative ("God is not...") statements are more reliable than positive ones.Estimated, not verified
Christ66 positions
- Assumed Fallen Human NatureStrongly rejectsTradition defaultChrist assumed a fully fallen human nature (subject to the effects of the Fall) in order to heal it from within.Estimated, not verified
- Assumed Unfallen Human NatureStrongly affirmsTradition defaultChrist assumed an unfallen, sinless human nature, untouched by original sin/corruption.Estimated, not verified
Sin & the fall46 positions
- Adams Sin Brought Physical DeathStrongly affirmsTradition defaultPhysical death entered the human race as a consequence of Adam's sin; humans were not originally subject to death.Estimated, not verified
- All Sin Deserves Death EquallyStrongly affirmsTradition defaultEvery sin, however small, deserves God's condemnation/death: there is no class of sin that does not by nature merit it.Estimated, not verified
Salvation67 positions
- Active Obedience ImputedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultChrist's lifelong law-keeping (his "active obedience"), not only his death, is imputed to the believer as their positive righteousness.Estimated, not verified
- Assurance Grounded In Christ AloneStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAssurance rests on Christ's finished work and God's promise, not on the believer's own works or sacramental performance.Estimated, not verified
The Holy Spirit71 positions
- All Gifts Continue TodayStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAll the spiritual gifts described in the New Testament, including the miraculous ones, continue and are normative for the church today.Estimated, not verified
- Anointing For Special MinistryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe Spirit grants a special "anointing" empowering particular individuals for ministry beyond the common indwelling.Estimated, not verified
The Church46 positions
- Apostolicity Is Doctrinal Not SuccessionalStrongly affirmsTradition defaultApostolicity consists primarily in fidelity to apostolic DOCTRINE, not in an unbroken chain of ordinations from the apostles.Estimated, not verified
- Baptism Is The Entry Into The ChurchStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBaptism is the rite of entry/incorporation into the visible church.Estimated, not verified
- Bishop Of Rome Has Universal PrimacyStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe bishop of Rome (the pope) holds a divinely instituted primacy of jurisdiction over the whole church.Estimated, not verified
- Charismatic Authority Supersedes OfficeLeans toward affirmingTradition defaultDirect Spirit-anointing/charisma is a higher source of church authority than ordained office or institutional structure.Estimated, not verified
- Church Discipline Should Be PracticedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church should formally practice corrective discipline, up to exclusion, against unrepentant serious sin among members.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is ApostolicStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church is apostolic: it must stand in genuine continuity with the apostles' teaching and mission.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is Body Of ChristStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church is the mystical Body of Christ, organically united to him as its head.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is Catholic UniversalStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church is catholic (universal): the whole company of Christ's people across all times and places, not confined to one nation, culture, or congregation.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is Divinely InstitutedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church is a divine institution founded by Christ, not merely a voluntary human association of like-minded believers.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is HolyStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church is holy (set apart and sanctified by Christ) even though its members remain sinners.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is Mixed BodyRejectsTradition defaultIn this age the visible church is a mixed body containing both genuine believers and the unregenerate (wheat and tares, sheep and goats together until the end).Estimated, not verified
- Church Is OneStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe true church is essentially ONE (a single body) despite outward divisions.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is Provisional Until KingdomAffirmsTradition defaultThe institutional church is a provisional, this-age reality that will give way to the consummated Kingdom, rather than itself being the final goal.Estimated, not verified
- Church Should Be Separate From The StateStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church should be institutionally separate from the civil government: no established or state church.Estimated, not verified
- Church Should Withdraw From Worldly SocietyRejectsTradition defaultThe faithful church should remain a distinct, separated community withdrawn from the institutions and entanglements of worldly society.Estimated, not verified
- Clergy Celibacy RequiredStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThose in the (higher) ordained ministry should be unmarried/celibate.Estimated, not verified
- Congregational Polity Local Church AutonomousAffirmsTradition defaultEach local congregation is self-governing and autonomous under Christ, answerable to no higher ecclesiastical authority.Estimated, not verified
- Connectional Polity Above LocalStrongly affirmsTradition defaultLocal churches are properly bound together under a wider connectional structure (conference, synod, communion) with real authority over them.Estimated, not verified
- Discipline Aims At RestorationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe goal of church discipline is the restoration of the offender, not merely punishment or protecting the church's purity.Estimated, not verified
- Ecumenical Councils Are InfallibleStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe decisions of genuine ecumenical councils are infallible and irreformable for the whole church.Estimated, not verified
- Efficacy Independent Of Ministers WorthinessStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe validity/efficacy of sacraments does not depend on the personal holiness of the minister (against Donatism).Estimated, not verified
- Episcopal Polity Is Divinely RequiredStrongly rejectsTradition defaultGovernment by bishops in apostolic succession is the divinely intended and necessary form of church order (jure divino episcopacy).Estimated, not verified
- Exclusive Organization Is Gods Only ChannelStrongly rejectsTradition defaultGod works and dispenses truth/salvation today through ONE specific visible organization, and being rightly related to it is essential.Estimated, not verified
- Excommunication Has Spiritual ConsequencesStrongly affirmsTradition defaultLawful excommunication actually binds in heaven: it carries real spiritual consequences, not merely social ones.Estimated, not verified
- Formal Membership Should Be RequiredStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church should have a defined, formal membership that one joins by a deliberate covenant or profession.Estimated, not verified
- Israel And Church Remain Distinct PeoplesAffirmsTradition defaultNational/ethnic Israel and the church are two distinct peoples of God with distinct promises; the church has not replaced Israel.Estimated, not verified
- Living Magisterium Authoritatively InterpretsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA living teaching office (magisterium) authoritatively and bindingly interprets Scripture and Tradition for the whole church.Estimated, not verified
- Local Church Fully Is The ChurchStrongly affirmsTradition defaultEach rightly-gathered local church is fully and not merely partially "the church": the whole church is present where the people gather with the Word and sacraments (or, for some, the Eucharist with the bishop).Estimated, not verified
- Membership In Visible Church NecessaryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBelonging to the visible, organized church is normally necessary for the Christian life, not an optional add-on to private faith.Estimated, not verified
- Ministry Is Sacrificing PriesthoodStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe ordained minister functions as a priest who offers a sacrifice (the Eucharist) on behalf of the people.Estimated, not verified
- Mission Is Primarily Evangelism And Disciple MakingStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church's central mission is to proclaim the gospel and make disciples (the Great Commission as its defining task).Estimated, not verified
- No Clergy Laity DistinctionRejectsTradition defaultThere should be no distinct ordained clergy class; all believers minister equally without a separate office of pastor/priest.Estimated, not verified
- No Outward Sacraments Needed For The ChurchStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA true church need not practice outward water-baptism or the Lord's Supper at all; the inward reality suffices.Estimated, not verified
- Ordained Ministry Still Distinct OfficeStrongly affirmsTradition defaultEven granting the priesthood of all believers, an ordained ministry remains a distinct, divinely warranted office, not merely a functional convenience.Estimated, not verified
- Papacy Is Illegitimate CorruptionStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe papacy is a later, illegitimate human development: a corruption rather than Christ's design.Estimated, not verified
- Petrine Office Perpetual In PopesStrongly rejectsTradition defaultChrist's commission to Peter ("upon this rock") established a perpetual office continued in the bishops of Rome.Estimated, not verified
- Pope Is InfallibleStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe pope, under defined conditions (ex cathedra, on faith and morals), teaches infallibly.Estimated, not verified
- Priesthood Of All BelieversStrongly affirmsTradition defaultEvery believer is a priest with direct access to God, with no need for a mediating human priest.Estimated, not verified
- Rightly Administered Sacraments Are A Mark Of The ChurchStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe true church is identified by the right administration of the sacraments (alongside the right preaching of the Word).Estimated, not verified
- Scripture Is Sole Final AuthorityStrongly affirmsTradition defaultScripture is the sole final authority for the church's faith and practice (sola scriptura); all other authorities are subordinate and fallible.Estimated, not verified
- Shunning Of Excommunicated RequiredRejectsTradition defaultMembers must socially shun/avoid those placed under the ban, including in ordinary daily relations.Estimated, not verified
- Theocratic Or Charismatic GovernanceRejectsTradition defaultThe church should be led directly by Spirit-anointed apostles/prophets whose governance carries divine authority over the congregation.Estimated, not verified
- Tradition Is Coequal AuthorityStrongly rejectsTradition defaultSacred Tradition stands alongside Scripture as a co-equal source of binding revelation.Estimated, not verified
- True Church Existed Unbroken Through HistoryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultChrist's true church has existed continuously and visibly in every age since Pentecost, never wholly apostatizing.Estimated, not verified
- Women Excluded From Eldership Teaching MenRejectsTradition defaultThe offices of elder/pastor and the authoritative teaching of men in the gathered church are reserved to qualified men.Estimated, not verified
- Women May Be Ordained Pastors PriestsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultWomen may be ordained to the pastoral/priestly office on the same basis as men.Estimated, not verified
Sacraments & ordinances48 positions
- Age Of Accountability Before BaptismStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBaptism should wait until a person reaches an age of accountability and can repent and believe for themselves.Estimated, not verified
- Anointing For Healing PracticeStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church should anoint the sick with oil and pray over them for healing (per James 5).Estimated, not verified
Worship & liturgy55 positions
- Altar Call InvitationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA public invitation/altar call inviting people to come forward to receive Christ or rededicate is a fitting close to worship.Estimated, not verified
- Amplification And Production EmbracedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultModern stage production (amplified bands, lighting, screens, video) is a fitting medium for worship.Estimated, not verified
Last things46 positions
- A Literal Mark Of The Beast Is ComingAffirmsTradition defaultA literal future "mark of the beast" will be imposed as a condition of economic participation.Estimated, not verified
- Antichrist Is A Future Individual World RulerStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA specific future individual (the antichrist / man of lawlessness / beast) will arise as a world ruler before the end.Estimated, not verified
Scripture50 positions
- Authority Holy Tradition OrthodoxStrongly rejectsTradition defaultScripture is rightly read only within Holy Tradition: the Fathers, councils, liturgy, and consensus of the Church.Estimated, not verified
- Authority Magisterium InterpretsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe authentic interpretation of Scripture is entrusted to the Church's living teaching office (Magisterium), whose judgments bind the faithful.Estimated, not verified
Revelation, creation & science32 positions
- Adam Special Creation From DustStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe first human was specially and directly created by God from the dust, not biologically descended from earlier hominins.Estimated, not verified
- Angels Created BeingsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAngels and other spiritual beings are part of God's created order, made by God.Estimated, not verified
Life & bioethics61 positions
- Abortifacient Contraception WrongAffirmsTradition defaultMethods that can prevent implantation of an already-fertilized embryo (e.g., certain IUDs, emergency contraception) are morally equivalent to early abortion and impermissible.Estimated, not verified
- Abortion Gravely Wrong In PrincipleStrongly affirmsTradition defaultDeliberately ending a pregnancy by killing the unborn is in itself a grave moral wrong.Estimated, not verified
Sexuality & marriage45 positions
- Abortifacient Contraception WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultContraceptive methods that may act after fertilization (potential abortifacients) are morally wrong even if other contraception is permitted.Estimated, not verified
- Annulment Recognizes Invalid MarriageRejectsTradition defaultSome unions that appeared to be marriages were never valid marriages, and the church can rightly declare them null (annulment).Estimated, not verified
Society & politics43 positions
- Active Nonviolent Resistance ObligatoryAffirmsTradition defaultChristians should actively resist injustice through nonviolent means (protest, civil disobedience, noncooperation), not merely abstain from violence.Estimated, not verified
- Capitalism Intrinsically UnjustRejectsTradition defaultCapitalism as a system is intrinsically exploitative and stands under God's judgment; Christian faithfulness requires working to replace it.Estimated, not verified
Angelology Demonology71 positions
- Angelic Fall Caused By PrideStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe angels fell primarily through pride: refusing subjection to God / seeking to exalt themselves.Estimated, not verified
- Angelic Fall Predates Human FallAffirmsTradition defaultThe angelic rebellion occurred before the fall of humanity, and the serpent's temptation issued from an already-fallen angel.Estimated, not verified
Anthropology46 positions
- Body Essential To PersonStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe body is essential to being a complete human person, not an accidental or dispensable container for the soul.Estimated, not verified
- Body GoodStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe material human body is intrinsically good as created by God.Estimated, not verified
Covenant Law Israel29 positions
- Abrahamic Covenant Foundational And OngoingStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe Abrahamic covenant is foundational and its promises remain operative for the people of God today.Estimated, not verified
- Believers No Longer Under Laws CondemnationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBelievers are entirely free from the law's condemning function but remain under its directing function.Estimated, not verified
Mariology Saints60 positions
- All Believers Are SaintsStrongly affirmsTradition default"Saints" in the New Testament sense means all believers, not a special canonized class.Estimated, not verified
- Altar Relics Required Or ProperStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIt is fitting (or required) that altars contain the relics of saints.Estimated, not verified
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