A History of Christian Doctrine #3 - Online Christian Library

A History of Christian Doctrine
water baptism, there was no mention of foot washing and
no mention of a required baptismal formula.
The Statement of Fundamental Truths was revised in
1983. It now consists of sixteen points. Most of the language
remains essentially the same as in 1916, with a
significant exception: the entire section entitled “The
Essentials as to the Godhead” has been deleted. Instead
there is a brief statement that Jesus is “the eternal Son of
God.” Some other significant clarifications are as follows:
(1) The current statement eliminates the term “entire
sanctification.” (2) It further describes speaking in
tongues as “the initial physical evidence of the baptism in
the Holy Ghost” and “the initial physical sign.” (3) It says
the Rapture is “the imminent and blessed hope of the
church,” indicating a pretribulation Rapture. 163
In position papers adopted in the 1970s through 1990s,
the AG defined its position on a number of controversial
issues. 164 The papers affirm the inerrancy of Scripture,
tongues as the initial evidence of the Holy Ghost and as real
languages spoken as the Spirit gives utterance, pastoral
authority, ministry in the body, women in ministry, the pretribulation
Rapture, and divorce and remarriage in the case
of marital unfaithfulness only. One paper prohibits the
licensing of ministers who have divorced and remarried
(regardless of the reason). Other papers refute the doctrines
of unconditional eternal security, annihilation or liberation
of the wicked in eternity, divine healing as automatic
upon faith or as incompatible with medical assistance, and
various doctrines that are prominent in the Charismatic
movement. (See chapter 10.) Finally, with some position
papers the AG opposes abortion, alcoholic beverages, gambling,
homosexuality, and transcendental meditation.
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