The first church I remember using this was "the Pentecostals of Alexandria"...pastored by Anthony Mangun.
It seemed that it became popular in the Apostolic movement after that...
The church in Alexandria was well established when they started calling themselves by this name...interesting enough is that the "real" name of the curch is First UPC....so "The Pentecostals..." is like thier nickname.
My understanding from the time that this was first used in Alexandria, LA, AM was going through a period where he really wanted to emphasize the "Pentecostal" aspects of worship for his church. I remember he once said something like, "When things are on fire there's no place more on fire than our church in Alexandria... but when things are dead, there's no place that's more dead than our church in Alexandria..."
Of course, just about any pastor could probably say the same thing of his church, wherever it might be. But AM just wanted to stir his church up. Apparently it worked and folks in other places have followed the same approach with varying degrees of success.
I don't know that it's motivated by "arrogance," though acharris has a point about the way it sounds. It's just sloganeering. When done right, it's good. When copied ad nauseum it does start to wear on you.
I kinda see your point, but just don't really see it being a meritable debate.
__________________ You can't reach the world with your talents. People are sick and tired of religious talents. People need a Holy Ghost annointed church with real fruits to reach out and touch their lives. ~ Pastor Burrell Crabtree
In fact I think that the insinuation of "hateful" Pentecostals is coming mostly from the fertile imaginations of bitter, backslidden ex Apostolics who are constantly trying to find a way to justify their actions. ~ strait shooter
My understanding from the time that this was first used in Alexandria, LA, AM was going through a period where he really wanted to emphasize the "Pentecostal" aspects of worship for his church. I remember he once said something like, "When things are on fire there's no place more on fire than our church in Alexandria... but when things are dead, there's no place that's more dead than our church in Alexandria..."
Of course, just about any pastor could probably say the same thing of his church, wherever it might be. But AM just wanted to stir his church up. Apparently it worked and folks in other places have followed the same approach with varying degrees of success.
I don't know that it's motivated by "arrogance," though acharris has a point about the way it sounds. It's just sloganeering. When done right, it good. When copied ad nauseum it does start to wear on you.
Yes, I tend to agree with this... it's not arrogance. acharris, would you honestly feel it was arrogant if one of you churches had done it? Assemblies of God could sound arrogant too (as though no one else was an assembly of God, but we know it isn't meant to be arrogant at all.
__________________ Mrs. LPW
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Maybe you're missing my point. There are many Baptist churches in every big city, so why are so many of these churches calling themselves the "First" ? When I lived in NY, there were a ton of them. Down here in Atlanta, its the same thing -"First Baptist Church"-es all over the place. Makes one wonder: Why does everyone want to be "First"?.
Then again, maybe its just a name, (just as "The Pentecostals of Alexandria" etc, is just a name)...and it doesn't really matter that much. It's no bigger a deal than "Church of God", "The Church of Christ", etc.
__________________ http://endtimeobserver.blogspot.com
Daniel 12:3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever.
Yes, I tend to agree with this... it's not arrogance. acharris, would you honestly feel it was arrogant if one of you churches had done it? Assemblies of God could sound arrogant too (as though no one else was an assembly of God, but we know it isn't meant to be arrogant at all.
The Assemblies of God (or Assembly of God) was coined following the pattern of the "Restorationist" movement of the 19th Century. The Cambellites had their "Church of Christ," the Mormons their "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," there was also the various Church of God and Church of God in Christ.
By the time the Pentecostals got around to organizing most of the "Church of ..." names had been taken, so "Assembly" was used; which is synonymous with "Church" in many usages anyway.
Of course, after 1916, there were a few who would refer to the AoG as the "Assembly of the Gods." But I suppose that's a discussion for a different thread.
When you are looking for a name for something that harbors your dreams, it is only fitting that you want to use care in selecting that name. The "Assemblies" came up in a particular milieu. To understand the naming and such you really have to look at the contemporary organizations as well.
Maybe you're missing my point. There are many Baptist churches in every big city, so why are so many of these churches calling themselves the "First" ? When I lived in NY, there were a ton of them. Down here in Atlanta, its the same thing -"First Baptist Church"-es all over the place. Makes one wonder: Why does everyone want to be "First"?.
Then again, maybe its just a name, (just as "The Pentecostals of Alexandria" etc, is just a name)...and it doesn't really matter that much. It's no bigger a deal than "Church of God", "The Church of Christ", etc.
I think the "First" appellation was applied in a town or village where the literal "first" Baptist church started a daughter work in the same town. The daughter work became known as the "Second Baptist" and so forth.
I used to drive past the "Sixth Church of Christian Science" alot. Where the other five were exactly, I don't know, but somebody's keeping count.
I think the "First" appellation was applied in a town or village where the literal "first" Baptist church started a daughter work in the same town. The daughter work became known as the "Second Baptist" and so forth.
OK... so how is it again, that we have multiple "First Baptist Church"-es in the same town?
__________________ http://endtimeobserver.blogspot.com
Daniel 12:3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever.
OK... so how is it again, that we have multiple "First Baptist Church"-es in the same town?
I just went throught the Yellow Pages for my town (a "metroplex" of over 3 million souls) and did not find any "First Baptist Church" listed for the same city/suburb. The closest was a case of a "First Baptist" in a 'burb across town and another "First Baptist of ..." a development within that suburb.
I think that the idea of "primacy" does appeal to people. I've known otherwise learned Baptist folk declare that their church was "founded" by John the Baptist. Asking about Roger Williams is usually met with blank stares.
Spurgeon famously professed the Baptists to be the direct successors of the Apostles themselves. Catholics have invested a huge effort to support the same claim for themselves. Eastern Orthodox adherents wisely point out that the Apostles were in the East long before they made it to Rome.
Some of you are missing my point. I have no problem with the denominational name of Pentecostal, i.e., the United Pentecostal Church, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, etc. Pentecostal is a great church name.
But, to use the name "The Pentecostals of ....." for a local church to me states:
1. We are the only Pentecostals in town. or
2. We are the only TRUE Pentecostals (as Sis. Alyear alluded to).
There are several Pentecostal local churches of varying Pentecostal denominations or independent Pentecostal congregations in most cities.
IN THE TRUEST SENSE...
"THE PENTECOSTALS OF ALEXANDRIA" for example, would be everyone in Alexandria who has been baptized in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
That is not the same as saying First Pentecostal Church of Alexandria, which clearly identifies that local congregation as being the first established Pentecostal church of that city.
As to there being several First Baptists in a city, that would no doubt be because of the various Baptists denominations...Southern Baptist, Missionary Baptist, Independent Baptist, etc. Each of those denominations could have a First Baptist Church.
But have you ever seen a local church sign that read 'THE BAPTISTS OF ALEXANDRIA." I haven't.
Listen guys, I'm just telling you how it sounds to some people.
Now, let me ask you this...how many United Pentecostal Churches are there in Alexandria?
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