Assyrian Pentecostal Church

Assyrian Pentecostal Church
Classification Protestant
Orientation Pentecostal
Distinct fellowships World Assemblies of God Fellowship
Region Australia, Canada, United States, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria

The Assyrian Pentecostal Church (Syriac: ܥܕܬܐ ܕܐܚܘܢܘ̈ܬܐ ܦܢܛܩܘܣܛܝ̈ܐ ܐܬܘܪ̈ܝܐ‎, ‘Ittā d-Akhonāwāthā Pēnṭēqosṭāyē Ātūrāyē; Persian: کلیسای پنطیکاستی آشوری), began in ethnically Assyrian villages across the Urmia region in northwestern Iran, spreading to the Assyrians living in the adjacent cities, and from there to indigenous Assyrian communities in the Assyrian Homeland, northern Iraq, southeastern Turkey and northeastern Syria.

The indigenous Assyrian people of ancient Assyria and Upper Mesopotamia had adopted Christianity in the 1st century AD, founding the Church of the East in Assyria and Osroene (see also: Assyria, Assyrian people and Assyrian continuity). Those who converted to the Pentecostal Church (as well as the Assyrian Evangelical Church) in the 20th century were initially all members of the Assyrian Church of the East or its later 18th century CE offshoot, the Chaldean Catholic Church, whilst others had been members of the Syriac Orthodox Church or Ancient Church of the East (a 20th-century offshoot of the Assyrian Church). The vast majority of ethnic Assyrians remain adherents of these ancient indigenous Eastern Rite churches to this day.

The current church's doctrine and tradition is a continuation of the spiritual revival movements that took place in Western Iran during the 1930s. In 1940, with great diligence and personal sacrifice a young Assyrian pastor, named Tooma Nasseri[1] began his evangelical ministry throughout Western Iran and built churches and established congregations in villages, towns, and major metropolitan cities in Iran. With the seed of Protestant Christianity planted, the Assyrian Protestant Church's began to emerge throughout greater Iran in the 1950s.[2] Currently, the Assyrian Pentecostal Church has several congregations in California, Illinois, Canada, Australia, Austria, and Iran.[3] The Church is an affiliate with the Assemblies of God.[4] Today, the church may have from 12 to 20 thousand adherents.

Name of the church

The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, or the Jewish Feast of Weeks, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ (Esho Mshexa in Assyrian Neo-Aramaic) as described in the Book of Acts, Chapter 2. Thus, the Church's name originates from the biblical passages contained within the Acts of the Apostles which refers to the day of Pentecost.

Statement of beliefs

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. (II Timothy 3:16)

Our God is one, but manifested in three persons, The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (John 16: 13-15)

Through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world. (Romans 5:12-21)

Through Jesus' death and resurrection, righteousness comes to all who believe. (John 3:3-5)

Baptism in water, by immersion. (Matt 28:16)

The baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire is a gift from God. (Mathew 3:11, Acts 1:8, Acts 2: 1-4)

It is provided in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of every member of the church today. (James 5: 14-15, Mark 16:18, Isaiah 53:4, Matthew 8:17)

His coming is imminent. The dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we that are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. (I Thess 4: 16-17, Acts 1:11)[5]

Current Leaders

Language

The liturgical language spoken by the members, church choir, and the pastors is Assyrian Neo-Aramaic, a language descended from the Mesopotamian Aramaic introduced into the Assyrian Empire during the 8th century BC. Prayers and scripture is read and recited from an Syriac Aramaic Bible.[6]

Observed Holidays

The adherents of the Assyrian Pentecostal Church observe the following holidays:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Echo Institute (1970). Iran Almanac and the Book of Facts. 9. Echo of Iran. ISSN 0075-0476. Retrieved 2015-05-17.
  2. ↑ Spellman, K. (2004). Religion and Nation: Iranian Local and Transnational Networks in Britain. Berghahn Books. p. 199. ISBN 9781571815767. Retrieved 2015-05-17.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2005-01-02. Retrieved 2009-12-30.
  4. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
  5. ↑ "assyrianpentecostalchurch.org". assyrianpentecostalchurch.org. Retrieved 2015-05-17.
  6. ↑ "Aramaic Bible Translation". aramaicbible.org. Archived from the original on 2015-05-31. Retrieved 2015-05-17.
  7. ↑ Christmas, Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 2008-10-06.
    "Christmas," MSN Encarta. Retrieved October 6, 2008. Archived 2009-10-31 at WebCite 2009-10-31.
  8. ↑ "Christmas", The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913.
  9. ↑ This resurrection is commonly said to have occurred "on the third day", including the day of crucifixion.
  10. ↑ 'Easter Day' is the traditional name in English for the principal feast of Easter, used (for instance) by the Book of Common Prayer, but in the 20th century 'Easter Sunday' became widely used, despite this term also referring to the following Sunday.
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