Any "Pentecostal" denomination where only 20% of its new converts get filled with the Holy Ghost and only 25% get baptized is not really pentecostal at all.
Truly the AG is now more of an Evangelical denomination than pentecostal.
If its true, as I'm hearing, that they have preachers in the AG who never received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, then this denomination has slipped farther than I thought.
Unfortunately, I get the sense the same is true in a lot of other Trinitarian pentecostal denominations, especially ones that go by the the mantra: "saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost". The mere fact that they teach the HG as being something optional
after salvation tells me they have many members siting in their pews, being told they're already saved (because they "accepted Jesus"), even if they don't have the HG.
I don't want to sound like I'm gloating at all, because I'm not. This is a sad state of affairs, no doubt. But I know how through the years many in the AG have had some very harsh things to say about apostolics and UPC in particular. ...which brings 2 particular scriptures to mind here:
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal,
The Lord knoweth them that are his (
2 Tim 2:19) and "Let God be true, and every man a liar" (
Rom 3:4) .
At times like this, when I look at the whole landscape of Christendom, and see the doctrinal error that's being taught on such a wide scale, I'm very, very grateful to God for allowing me to be Apostolic. Glory to his name.
(my 2 cents.)