Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
Encyclopedia
The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) is a Pentecostal Christian denomination
and the largest evangelical
church in Canada
. It reports 234,385 adherents and 1,077 member congregations throughout Canada. Its headquarters is located in Mississauga, Ontario
.
The PAOC is theologically evangelical and Pentecostal, emphasizing the baptism with the Holy Spirit
with the evidence of speaking in tongues. It is also socially conservative on many issues. It historically has had strong connections with the Assemblies of God in the United States and is one of three Canadian branches of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship. The other two are the Canadian Assemblies of God and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador.
in Los Angeles
, Pentecostalism had reached Canada. By 1910, there were Canadian Pentecostals on both the Pacific
and Atlantic coast
s, with sizable congregations in Toronto, Ontario, and Winnipeg, Manitoba. In the early part of the 20th century, the prairie provinces had the largest percentage of Pentecostals due in part to the large numbers of immigrants from United States
who brought their faith with them. Throughout its history, members of the Pentecostal movement in Canada have had close ties to their American counterpart.
The first attempt to organize Canadian Pentecostals was in 1909 in Eastern Canada, but it failed. Then, in 1918 a decision was made to form the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and then join the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World
(PAOW), an umbrella organization in the US. However, when the PAOC was officially chartered on May 17, 1919, the effort was never made to join the PAOW, and the PAOC remained an independent organization with no formal US ties.
Later in 1919, Pentecostals in Saskatchewan
and Alberta
, who were not part of any broader organization, were invited to join the General Council of the Assemblies of God, the PAOC's American counterpart. In 1920, the decision was made for the PAOC itself to join the Assemblies of God. In doing so, the PAOC had to repudiate the doctrine of Oneness Pentecostalism
it had previously affirmed and adopt the Assemblies of God's Trinitarian position. This brought most of Canada's Pentecostals into the Assemblies of God fold, but it also resulted in the splitting away of the Apostolic Church of Pentecost in 1921.
In 1925, the PAOC asked to be released from the Assemblies of God over differences in missionary vision. This was granted and was an amiable parting. The two groups have worked together informally ever since and as members of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship.
In 1925, the PAOC opened Central Pentecostal College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, which was the first of several Pentecostal institutions dedicated to theological education. As time went on, the PAOC established a stronger financial base allowing for the construction of new buildings. Notably, Central Tabernacle in Edmonton, Alberta, (has been demolished, and moved to their new location, now North Pointe, in the north end of the city) was built in 1972 which accommodations for 1,800 and Winnipeg's Calvary Temple completed a new 2,500 seat church building in 1974.
Also in 2010, the PAOC reported 3,555 total credential holders, 901 of which were women. Senior pastors accounted for 964 of the credential holders, and 43 of these were women. In the same year, 345 missionary personnel were reported.
The Pentecostal Assemblies, as stated in the Fundamental and Essential Truths, believe the Bible
is the "all-sufficient source of faith and practice" and the "complete revelation and very Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit". It subscribes to the doctrine of the Trinity
, believing that God
exists as three persons: the Father
, the Son
who is Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit
. The Pentecostal Assemblies believes that salvation has been provided for all humanity through the atonement of Christ upon the cross
, and this was proven by his resurrection from the dead. Those who have faith
in Christ and repent are born again of the Holy Spirit and receive eternal life. The person who repents and has faith in Christ is justified
, not because of the believer's own merit but solely because the believer has accepted Christ as savior.
The Pentecostal Assemblies teach that the sanctification
of a believer is both instantaneous and progressive. The believer is sanctified as the Holy Spirit teaches the believer through the Word of God
and produces within the believer the character of Christ. Consistent with Pentecostal theology, the denomination teaches that Christians should seek the baptism with the Holy Spirit
, which is an experience distinct from and subsequent to the new birth. With this experience comes a more intimate knowledge of Christ and an empowerment to witness and to grow spiritually. The initial evidence of receiving the baptism with the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues
. Through spiritual gift
s believers can minister effectively by both building up the church and demonstrating the presence of God within the church. The Pentecostal Assemblies believes that divine healing is provided within Christ's atonement, and prayer for the sick and gifts of healing
are encouraged.
The denomination teaches that the universal church is the Body of Christ
and includes as members all who have been born again. Local churches observe two ordinances: the Lord's Supper
and water baptism
by immersion
. The PAOC believes in a dispensationalist and premillennialist eschatology
which includes the pre-Tribulation
rapture
of the church and the Second Coming of Christ.
The Pentecostal Assemblies believe that marriage is a lifelong union between one man and one woman. The marriage vow can only be broken by "marital unfaithfulness involving adultery, homosexuality, or incest". Even in those circumstances, however, the PAOC believes reconciliation is the desired option, and it discourages divorce for all other reasons. It views remarriage as acceptable in the event of a former spouse's death, in cases where the former spouse committed marital unfaithfulness, or if the former spouse has remarried. PAOC members are encouraged to tithe
.
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
and the largest evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
church in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It reports 234,385 adherents and 1,077 member congregations throughout Canada. Its headquarters is located in Mississauga, Ontario
Mississauga, Ontario
Mississauga is a city in Southern Ontario located in the Regional Municipality of Peel, and in the western part of the Greater Toronto Area. With an estimated population of 734,000, it is Canada's sixth-most populous municipality, and has almost doubled in population in each of the last two decades...
.
The PAOC is theologically evangelical and Pentecostal, emphasizing the baptism with the Holy Spirit
Baptism with the Holy Spirit
Baptism with the Holy Spirit in Christian theology is a term describing baptism in or with the Spirit of God...
with the evidence of speaking in tongues. It is also socially conservative on many issues. It historically has had strong connections with the Assemblies of God in the United States and is one of three Canadian branches of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship. The other two are the Canadian Assemblies of God and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Early history (1906-1925)
In 1906, within a few months of the Azusa street revivalAzusa Street Revival
The Azusa Street Revival was a historic Pentecostal revival meeting that took place in Los Angeles, California and is the origin of the Pentecostal movement. It was led by William J. Seymour, an African American preacher. It began with a meeting on April 14, 1906, and continued until roughly 1915...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Pentecostalism had reached Canada. By 1910, there were Canadian Pentecostals on both the Pacific
Pacific Coast
A country's Pacific coast is the part of its coast bordering the Pacific Ocean.-The Americas:Countries on the western side of the Americas have a Pacific coast as their western border.* Geography of Canada* Geography of Chile* Geography of Colombia...
and Atlantic coast
Atlantic Coast
The Atlantic Coast is any coast fronting the Atlantic Ocean. The term differentiates the coasts of countries or continents with coastlines on more than one body of water, such as North America, South America, Africa and Europe.-See also:*Indian Ocean...
s, with sizable congregations in Toronto, Ontario, and Winnipeg, Manitoba. In the early part of the 20th century, the prairie provinces had the largest percentage of Pentecostals due in part to the large numbers of immigrants from United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
who brought their faith with them. Throughout its history, members of the Pentecostal movement in Canada have had close ties to their American counterpart.
The first attempt to organize Canadian Pentecostals was in 1909 in Eastern Canada, but it failed. Then, in 1918 a decision was made to form the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and then join the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World
Pentecostal Assemblies of the World
The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World is a Pentecostal Christian denomination. Founded in 1914, it is one of the oldest Oneness Pentecostal organizations in existence. Headquarters are in Indianapolis, Indiana, and The Christian Outlook is the church's official publication...
(PAOW), an umbrella organization in the US. However, when the PAOC was officially chartered on May 17, 1919, the effort was never made to join the PAOW, and the PAOC remained an independent organization with no formal US ties.
Later in 1919, Pentecostals in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
and Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, who were not part of any broader organization, were invited to join the General Council of the Assemblies of God, the PAOC's American counterpart. In 1920, the decision was made for the PAOC itself to join the Assemblies of God. In doing so, the PAOC had to repudiate the doctrine of Oneness Pentecostalism
Oneness Pentecostalism
Oneness Pentecostalism refers to a grouping of denominations and believers within Pentecostal Christianity, all of whom subscribe to the nontrinitarian theological doctrine of Oneness...
it had previously affirmed and adopt the Assemblies of God's Trinitarian position. This brought most of Canada's Pentecostals into the Assemblies of God fold, but it also resulted in the splitting away of the Apostolic Church of Pentecost in 1921.
In 1925, the PAOC asked to be released from the Assemblies of God over differences in missionary vision. This was granted and was an amiable parting. The two groups have worked together informally ever since and as members of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship.
Growth (1926-1974)
As the movement expanded, the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada began to include members from across Canadian society, and larger congregations resulted. For example, in 1928 Calvary Temple in Winnipeg, Manitoba, bought the First Baptist Church which seated 1,500 people, a very large church by Canadian standards even today.In 1925, the PAOC opened Central Pentecostal College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, which was the first of several Pentecostal institutions dedicated to theological education. As time went on, the PAOC established a stronger financial base allowing for the construction of new buildings. Notably, Central Tabernacle in Edmonton, Alberta, (has been demolished, and moved to their new location, now North Pointe, in the north end of the city) was built in 1972 which accommodations for 1,800 and Winnipeg's Calvary Temple completed a new 2,500 seat church building in 1974.
Recent history (1979-present)
Facing the same challenge of many Canadian churches in the latter years of the 20th century, the PAOC worked hard to continue its growth. In the 1980s, under the leadership of General Superintendent James MacKnight, 102 additional churches were added to the PAOC. According to Stats Canada, Pentecostalism is in decline in Canada with the PAOC and Pentecostalism showing a membership decline of 15% between 1991 and 2001 to almost 369,500.Demographics
In 2009, the PAOC reported a total constituency of 234,385 people, an increase of 0.4 percent from the previous year. In the same year, it reported an average Sunday morning attendance of 154,630. In 2010, there were 1,077 affiliated churches.Also in 2010, the PAOC reported 3,555 total credential holders, 901 of which were women. Senior pastors accounted for 964 of the credential holders, and 43 of these were women. In the same year, 345 missionary personnel were reported.
Beliefs
The central beliefs of the Pentecostal Assemblies are summarized in its Statement of Fundamental and Essential Truths. The statement is consistent with general evangelical and Pentecostal beliefs.The Pentecostal Assemblies, as stated in the Fundamental and Essential Truths, believe the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
is the "all-sufficient source of faith and practice" and the "complete revelation and very Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit". It subscribes to the doctrine of the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
, believing that God
God in Christianity
In Christianity, God is the eternal being that created and preserves the universe. God is believed by most Christians to be immanent , while others believe the plan of redemption show he will be immanent later...
exists as three persons: the Father
God the Father
God the Father is a gendered title given to God in many monotheistic religions, particularly patriarchal, Abrahamic ones. In Judaism, God is called Father because he is the creator, life-giver, law-giver, and protector...
, the Son
God the Son
God the Son is the second person of the Trinity in Christian theology. The doctrine of the Trinity identifies Jesus of Nazareth as God the Son, united in essence but distinct in person with regard to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit...
who is Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit (Christianity)
For the majority of Christians, the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and is Almighty God...
. The Pentecostal Assemblies believes that salvation has been provided for all humanity through the atonement of Christ upon the cross
Christian cross
The Christian cross, seen as a representation of the instrument of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is the best-known religious symbol of Christianity...
, and this was proven by his resurrection from the dead. Those who have faith
Faith in Christianity
Faith, in Christianity, has been most commonly defined by the biblical formulation in the Letter to the Hebrews as "'the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen". Most of the definitions in the history of Christian theology have followed this biblical formulation...
in Christ and repent are born again of the Holy Spirit and receive eternal life. The person who repents and has faith in Christ is justified
Justification (theology)
Rising out of the Protestant Reformation, Justification is the chief article of faith describing God's act of declaring or making a sinner righteous through Christ's atoning sacrifice....
, not because of the believer's own merit but solely because the believer has accepted Christ as savior.
The Pentecostal Assemblies teach that the sanctification
Sanctification
Sanctity is an ancient concept widespread among religions, a property of a thing or person sacred or set apart within the religion, from totem poles through temple vessels to days of the week, to a human believer who achieves this state. Sanctification is the act or process of acquiring sanctity,...
of a believer is both instantaneous and progressive. The believer is sanctified as the Holy Spirit teaches the believer through the Word of God
Rhema
Rhema literally means an "utterance" or "thing said" in Greek. It is a word that signifies the action of utterance.In philosophy, it was used by both Plato and Aristotle to refer to propositions or sentences....
and produces within the believer the character of Christ. Consistent with Pentecostal theology, the denomination teaches that Christians should seek the baptism with the Holy Spirit
Baptism with the Holy Spirit
Baptism with the Holy Spirit in Christian theology is a term describing baptism in or with the Spirit of God...
, which is an experience distinct from and subsequent to the new birth. With this experience comes a more intimate knowledge of Christ and an empowerment to witness and to grow spiritually. The initial evidence of receiving the baptism with the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues
Glossolalia
Glossolalia or speaking in tongues is the fluid vocalizing of speech-like syllables, often as part of religious practice. The significance of glossolalia has varied with time and place, with some considering it a part of a sacred language...
. Through spiritual gift
Spiritual gift
In Christianity, spiritual gifts are endowments given by the Holy Spirit. These are the supernatural graces which individual Christians need to fulfill the mission of the church. They are described in the New Testament, primarily in , , and . also touches on the spiritual gifts...
s believers can minister effectively by both building up the church and demonstrating the presence of God within the church. The Pentecostal Assemblies believes that divine healing is provided within Christ's atonement, and prayer for the sick and gifts of healing
Gifts of healing
In Christian theology, the Gifts of healing are among the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12. As an extraordinary charism, gifts of healing are supernatural enablements given to a believer to minister various kinds of healing and restoration to individuals through the power of the Holy Spirit...
are encouraged.
The denomination teaches that the universal church is the Body of Christ
Body of Christ
In Christian theology, the term Body of Christ has two separate connotations: it may refer to Jesus's statement about the Eucharist at the Last Supper that "This is my body" in , or the explicit usage of the term by the Apostle Paul in to refer to the Christian Church.Although in general usage the...
and includes as members all who have been born again. Local churches observe two ordinances: the Lord's Supper
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
and water baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
by immersion
Immersion baptism
Immersion baptism is a method of baptism that is distinguished from baptism by affusion and by aspersion , sometimes without specifying whether the immersion is total or partial, but very commonly with the indication that the person baptized is immersed completely...
. The PAOC believes in a dispensationalist and premillennialist eschatology
Christian eschatology
Christian eschatology is a major branch of study within Christian theology. Eschatology, from two Greek words meaning last and study , is the study of the end of things, whether the end of an individual life, the end of the age, or the end of the world...
which includes the pre-Tribulation
Tribulation
The Great Tribulation refers to tumultuous events that are described during the "signs of the times", first mentioned by Jesus in the Olivet discourse...
rapture
Rapture
The rapture is a reference to the "being caught up" referred to in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, when the "dead in Christ" and "we who are alive and remain" will be caught up in the clouds to meet "the Lord"....
of the church and the Second Coming of Christ.
The Pentecostal Assemblies believe that marriage is a lifelong union between one man and one woman. The marriage vow can only be broken by "marital unfaithfulness involving adultery, homosexuality, or incest". Even in those circumstances, however, the PAOC believes reconciliation is the desired option, and it discourages divorce for all other reasons. It views remarriage as acceptable in the event of a former spouse's death, in cases where the former spouse committed marital unfaithfulness, or if the former spouse has remarried. PAOC members are encouraged to tithe
Tithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
.
General Superintendents
- George A Chambers (1919-1934)
- James Swanson (1935-1936)
- Daniel N. Buntain (1937-1944)
- Campbell B. Smith (1945-1952)
- Walter E. McAlister (1953-1962)
- Tom Johnstone (1963-1968)
- Robert W. Taitinger (1969-1982)
- James M. MacKnight (1983-1996)
- William D. Morrow (1997-2007)
- David Wells (2008-)
Education
- Canadian Pentecostal Seminary, Langley, British ColumbiaLangley, British Columbia (city)The City of Langley is a municipality in Metro Vancouver. It lies directly east of the City of Surrey, adjacent to Cloverdale, and surrounded on the north, east and south by Township of Langley.-History:...
- Horizon College and Seminary, SaskatoonSaskatoonSaskatoon is a city in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344....
, SaskatchewanSaskatchewanSaskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota.... - Master's College and Seminary, TorontoTorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa.... - Pentecostal Sub-Arctic Leadership Training CollegePentecostal Sub-Arctic Leadership Training CollegeSub-Arctic Leadership Training College is a Bible college affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. The institution's main purpose is to train born-again believers for all types of ministries.-External links:*...
, Fort Smith, Northwest TerritoriesFort Smith, Northwest TerritoriesFort Smith is a town in the South Slave Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. It is located in the southeastern portion of the Northwest Territories, on the Slave River and adjacent to the NWT/Alberta border.-History:Fort Smith's history began because of the Slave River and the vital link... - Quebec Bible Institute, MontrealMontrealMontreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, QuebecQuebecQuebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level.... - Summit Pacific CollegeSummit Pacific CollegeSummit Pacific College is an undergraduate seminary, or Bible college, on a foothill of Sumas Mountain in the Clayburn Village of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada...
, Abbotsford, British ColumbiaAbbotsford, British ColumbiaAbbotsford is a Canadian city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, adjacent to Greater Vancouver. It is the fifth largest municipality in British Columbia, home to 123,864 people . Its Census Metropolitan Area, which includes the District of Mission, is the 23rd largest in Canada,... - Vanguard CollegeVanguard CollegeVanguard College, formerly Northwest Bible College, is a degree-granting institution offering Christian education, located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Their mission is to develop innovative Spirit-filled leaders.-History:...
, EdmontonEdmontonEdmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, AlbertaAlbertaAlberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...