Assyrian Pentecostal Church

The Assyrian Pentecostal Church (Syriac: ܥܕܬܐ ܕܐܚܘܢܘ̈ܬܐ ܦܢܛܩܘܣܛܝ̈ܐ ܐܬܘܪ̈ܝܐ‎, ‘Ittā d-Akhonāwāthā Pēnṭēqosṭāyē Ātūrāyē; Persian: کلیسای پنطیکاستی آشوری‎), is a Reformed Eastern Christian denomination that 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.

Assyrian Pentecostal Church
TypeReformed Eastern Christian
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationPentecostal
Distinct fellowshipsWorld Assemblies of God Fellowship
RegionAustralia, Canada, United States, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria
Members15,000-20,000

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 modern-day ethnic Assyrians remain adherents of these ancient indigenous Eastern Rite churches.

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 churches 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 scriptures:

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16)

  • The God Head:

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

  • Man, His Fall and Redemption:

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

  • The New Birth:

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

  • Water Baptism:

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

  • Baptism in the Holy Ghost:

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

  • Divine Healing:

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)

  • Resurrection of the just and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ:

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
  • Pastor Robert Sawra of Assyrian Pentecostal Church in Turlock
  • Pastor Robert Barcham of Assyrian Pentecostal Church in Urmia
  • Pastor Yonathan Nader of Assyrian Pentecostal Church in Chicago
  • Pastor William Nisan of Assyrian Pentecostal Church in Los Angeles
  • Pastor Isac Warda of Assyrian Pentecostal Church in Sydney
  • Pastor Victor Tamraz of Assyrian Pentecostal Church in Tehran
  • Pastor Johnson Bayati of Assyrian Pentecostal Church in San Jose

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 are read and recited from a Syriac Aramaic Bible.[6]

Observed Holidays

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

  • Christmas: (Eda Surah) also referred to as Christmas Day, is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25 that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.[7][8]
  • New Year's Eve: (Sheetah Khatah)
  • Easter: (Eda Gurah) Assyrian Pentecostals celebrate Jesus Christs resurrection from the dead three days[9] after his crucifixion, and celebrate this resurrection on Easter Day,[10] or Easter Sunday, two days after Good Friday.
  • Pentecost: (Yomit Pantacostayeh) Assyrian Pentecostals commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus as described in the Book of Acts, Chapter 2.
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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.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2009-01-03.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  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 September 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine 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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