Minutes of the General Council of the Assemblies of God in the United States of America, Canada, and Foreign Lands held at Bethel Chapel, St. Louis, MO, October 1-7, 1916
Highlights of the Historic Exit of the Oneness
Brethren from the General Council of the
Tensions were running high October, 1916 General Convention of the AG in St. Louis.
Oneness proponents were making enormous gains throughout the fellowship, and this convention was slated to put the issue to rest.
The following highlights are taken directly from the AG convention minutes.
RESOLUTION ON BAPTISMAL FORMULA.
RESOLVED, That since the words in Matt. 28:19 and; the words in Acts 2:38 were both inspired of God, we hereby disapprove of contending for the one to the exclusion of or as against the other, because confusion and a party spirit are sure to follow such unscriptural conduct. This Council therefore recommends that all our preachers include in their formula used in connection with the act of baptism the word’s used by Jesus in Matt. 28:19.
THE ESSENTIALS AS TO THE GODHEAD
(a) Terms Explained.
The terms “Trinity” and “Persons,” as related to the Godhead, while not found in the Scriptures, yet are words in harmony with Scripture, whereby we may convey to others our Immediate understanding of the doctrine of Christ respecting the Being of God, as distinguished from “gods many, and lords many.” We, .therefore, may speak with propriety of the Lord our God, who is One Lord, as a Trinity or as one Being of three Persons, and still be absolutely Scriptural. (Examples: Matt. 2:6; 8:16, 17 Acts 15:15-18.)
(b) Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead.
Christ taught a distinction of Persons in the Godhead which he expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and that this distinction and relationship, as to its existence, is an eternal fact, but as to its mode it is inscrutable and incomprehensible, because unexplained. (That is, it is not explained as to how there can be three persons in the Godhead.) (Luke 1:35; 1 Cor. 1:24; Matt. 11:25-27; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 John. 1:3, 4.)
