LDS Vs Assembly Of God (Christianity) Essay, Research Paper

We are all children of God, yet so much diversity, change and contention are showing in the Christian religion today. Which church is true? As we look upon the handfuls of choices given before us the choice is in every citizen. Yet, the denomination chosen comes with consequences and verbal abuse from all the other churches that were not chosen. Many denominations feel in order to make their religion more secure, faithful, or right they must put down others to boost themselves up.

The Assembly of God faith is a group of Pentecostal Christians who share the same faith. They believe that basically Jesus is our savoir, Christ is coming again, The Holy Spirit fills Christians with God?s power, and healing is possible through prayer. The church was organized in 1914 and was originally started by a group of Pentecostal revivalists meeting in Hot Springs, Arkansas. In 1916 the basic beliefs were organized and issued. The statement of Fundamental Truths still stands as the guiding statements of all of the Assembly of God churches today.

Worship is a major part in the Assembly of God churches, to show God their appreciation. Some members pray silently while others will cry, scream, or fall to their knees and pray out loud. Each style of worship is different between each individual church that is created by the community and the members who attend. The Assembly of God mainly worships by clapping and raising their hands. Hand clapping usually occurs during songs and choir presentation. By showing spontaneous clapping and lifting up hands to show adoration of God. They believe by doing so they show approval and pleasure to God and his work in the church. By showing raise hands during prayer is normal; for they show it as an outward sign of surrender to God and his will.

The Assembly of God adopted the sixteen basic beliefs also know as the Statement of Fundamental Truths, and The four Cardinal Doctrines. These are some of the few beliefs that are constant throughout all of their churches of the Assembly of God.

16 Fundamental TruthsThe scriptures are inspired

The one True God

The Duty of the Lord Jesus Christ

The Fall of Man

The Salvation of Man

The Ordinances of the Church

The Baptism in the Holy Ghost

The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost

Sanctification

The Church and Its Mission

The Ministry

Divine Healing

The Blessed Hope

The Millennial reign of Christ

The Final Judgment

The New heavens and the New earthThe four Cardinal Doctrines are considered the major tenets of the Fellowship. They believe: Salvation through Jesus Christ Who provided the supreme sacrifice for sin (John 3:3, 16, 17; Romans 10:13; Ephesians 2:8,9), Divine healing for the sick as provided in Christ?s death (James 5:14-16), Baptism in Holy Sprit for empowering believers (acts 1:8, 2:4, 17, 18, 38, 39), The second coming of Christ as He returns for those who have accepted Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52)

Today, Assemblies of God members worship in over 12,000 churches in the U.S. and in 210,435 churches and outstations in 186 nations. 1.1. Ministers and leaders are trained in 1,845 foreign Bible schools, which is more than any other U.S. based denomination. The Assemblies of God has 20 endorsed Bible Colleges, and a seminary in the U.S. The national Headquarters of the Assemblies of God is located in Springfield, Missouri.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (known as LDS or Mormons) is based off of the teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith (1805-1844).(3) Like many other religions the search for a true gospel was important to Joseph. After reading the bible verse in James 1:5 ?If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God? He later acted upon the scripture for clarification on the true church which he should follow and in prayer he was met by two separate beings. One of them spoke to Joseph stating and pointing to the other, ?This is my Beloved Son. Hear Him.?(3) They went on to tell Joseph that he was to choose none of the churches because they all had false teachings. Joseph Smith was later met by another heavenly being, the Angel Moroni, which instructed Joseph of the plates of Gold which were buried in the mountainside. He was later instructed to translate the plates, but at a later time. In 1830 the first Book of Mormon was translated and printed, and soon the followers came.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints teachings are very specific and in constant throughout all of the churches. Each Sunday the lessons taught to the children will be the same lesson taught to all of the children in each church throughout the US. Mormons strongly believe in the Families being together forever, The Word of Wisdom, living prophets, The Book of Mormon, and the 10 articles of Faith1..

Mormons believe that family relationships can last forever, not just for this life. The lord revealed to Joseph Smith the ?same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there [in eternity], only it will be couple with eternal glory? (D&C 120:2). When a couple is married in the temple, their family can be together forever. This is a common goal of Latter-day Saints. The knowledge that a family can be together forever helps strengthen families. It doesn?t only apply to those who have been bound together through temple ordinances, but also those who hope to realize that blessings that are withheld in their future. The Mormons also believe in the three degrees of glory. There are three levels, or degrees, of heaven that we may receive depending upon our faithfulness on earth. These are, from lowest to highest, the Telestial kingdom, the Terrestrial kingdom and the Celestial kingdom. They believe those who things and are worthy to return to the presence of God and Christ become ?heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ? (Romans 8:17) of all that the Father has. They believe that they will return to live with Heavenly Father and with their families in His eternal glory. For those who choose not to follow Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will receive a reward according to what they have done in this life, but they will not enjoy the glory of living in the presence of God.

Mormons see their body as a precious gift from God. In order to keep the mind and bodies healthy and strong they follow a law, the word of wisdom, which was sent to the prophet Joseph Smith in 1833. Every food taken in the body is to be used in moderation and to exclude the use of tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, and illegal drugs. God promised great physical and spiritual blessings to all who follow the Word of Wisdom.

Mormons believe that even today there are living prophets walking on the Earth. The current prophet of the Church is Gorden B. Hinckley, whom they believed is call do God to give Revelation to the church today. Even in History God has chosen prophets such as Noah, Moses, and others to teach the gospel and to direct his Church. (Amos 3:7)

The Book of Mormon is another witness to show that Jesus really did live. It is volume of Holy Scripture comparable to the Bible. It shows records of Gods dealings of the Ancient tribes who were located in the Americans and contains, as does the Bible other ever-lasting truth. The Book of Mormon is a collection of the writings of prophets and record keepers. The reason why the book is named after Mormon was because he was one of the last of the ancient prophets to write in the book.

Just like the Assembly of God church the Mormon Church also has their fundamentals of the truths and beliefs. These are known as the Articles of Faith. In 1842, the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote 13 brief statements summarizing some of the basic doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These articles, do not attempt to summarize all of the basic doctrines of the gospel of the Mormon Church. For example, the Articles of Faith do not mention anything on celestial marriage, salvation for the dead, temple work in all its phases, the resurrection, and degrees of glory in the eternal worlds.

With so much similarity between he Mormon faith and the Pentecostal faith, why must differences always be sough out? Both religions strive to make an individual better and to obtain a greater goal in live, which is returning back to heaven with God. The Pentecostal faith has shown an extreme when it comes to worship and praying. While Mormons are questioned to whether they are true Christens. Both churches worship Jesus Christ, pray, and have church meetings. Jesus is still the center of the faith and the head of both churches. Yet, there is still much contention between the two different denominations of the same religion. When people will start to open their minds and hearts the bigger picture will appear.