Originating in the Azusa Street revival of 1906, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World is the oldest Oneness Pentecostal body.
Originally headquartered at Azusa Street in Los Angeles, California, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World began as a loosely organized fellowship of churches united by the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit. When the association founded in 1906 and formally organized in 1912, it was Trinitarian in its doctrine.
However, as early as 1907, some ministers within the assemblies were preaching non-Trinitarian water baptism in the name of Jesus alone, and by 1913 it had become an issue. Most of the congregations and ministers of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World accepted the Oneness approach to understanding God, and the liturgical change in baptizing in the name of Jesus Only, and some ministers were rebaptizing their congregations in the Name of Jesus.
In 1914, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World experienced its first schism, and many of those who left received ministerial credentials from the Church of God in Christ, eventually forming the Assemblies of God organization.
In 1915, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World reorganized as a Oneness Pentecostal denomination.
In 1918, the church merged with the General Assembly of Apostolic Assemblies, retaining the name Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.
PAW was the only Oneness Pentecostal organization until 1924, when a separation occurred largely along racial lines, with most of the white members forming the Pentecostal Church.
PAW established a Board of Bishops in 1925, when G.T. Haywood was elected Presiding Bishop. Known as an excellent preacher, Haywood had been one of those arguing strongly for the Oneness message. He was succeeded by Bishop Samuel Grimes, who served as Presiding Bishop for thirty-five years.
William Joseph Seymour is acknowledged as the initial founder of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, but others who were involved in the early organization of the church included D.C.O. Opperman, E.W. Doak, Garfield Thomas Haywood, and J.J. Frazee. Of the first ten people who have served as head of the organization from 1925 to 2018, eight were black.
The organizational structure of PAW is divided by state or country, and known as a council, which is headed by a Diocesan Bishop who is appointed by the Board of Bishops. Diocesan Bishops may have as many as three assistants, who are known as Suffragan Bishops, who have authority over a region or a portion of a state.
The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World adhere to basic Pentecostal and Holiness doctrine and practice, with the exception of the denomination's rejection of the Trinitarian understanding of God.
PAW emphasizes the holiness of life, teaching that believers must be fully sanctified in order to participate in salvation.
Baptism in water is practiced, but in the name of Jesus only. The Lord's Supper is also practiced, using wine.
Only the King James Version of the Bible is recognized as the authoritative Word of God.
The church enforces strict dress codes and standards for leisure pursuits.
The church teaches that marriage is between a man and a woman, and does not condone or participate in same-sex marriage.
Currently, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Aenon Bible College, also located in Indianapolis, is affiliated with the denomination, training Pentecostal Assemblies ministers and lay members. The college has affiliate institutes elsewhere in the United States and in Liberia.
The focus of this category is on the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. Websites representing the denomination or any of its regions or districts are appropriate for this category, as are affiliated educational institutions, missions, ministries, publishing companies, organizations, or corporations. Those representing local churches should be submitted to the appropriate Local & Global category, however.
Recommended Resources
Organized in 1940, the school served as a training center for ministers of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, with classes beginning in January of 1941, and is currently offering courses online and through satellite institutes throughout the world, including a national certification program for ushers, deacons, and worship leaders, as well as ministerial and ordination preparation programs. Its admissions policies are outlined here.
https://www.aenononline.org/
Apostolic Bible Student Association Council
The ABSA Council of Indiana is the 4th Episcopal District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, founded by Presiding Bishop G.T. Haywood in 1924. Its regions and Suffragan Bishops are introduced, along with the Diocesan Bishop, Council Chairman, other officers, and auxiliary ministries. A calendar of ABSA and member church events are posted to the site, along with a church directory and various downloadable forms.
http://www.absacouncil.org/
International Christian Education Association of the PAW
Established in 1926 as the National Sunday School Association of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, the organization took its current name in the late 1980s in order to reflect its widening scope. Its history, scope, and mission are set forth, past presidents are acknowledged, and current officers and administrative contacts are posted to the site, along with a calendar of events, regional schedules, and downloadable forms.
http://pawicea.org/
Pentecostal Assemblies of the World
PAW is the oldest Pentecostal Christian body in the world. The official denominational website publishes the denomination’s positions on current issues, introduces its bishops, officers, lay directors, and boards, as well as auxiliary organizations affiliated with PAW, a calendar of conventions and other programs and events, and an online store offering books, bibles, church supplies, and other items.
https://pawinc.org/
Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Canada District Council
The 55th Episcopal District of PAW is headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Directions and a map to its headquarters facilities are set forth, and a directory of member churches are posted, including addresses, contacts, and web addresses. Diocesan, council and auxiliary leadership are identified, and administrative contacts are included. Registration forms and a gallery of photographs are included.
http://www.canadapaw.ca/
Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Dakotas District Council
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, MWDDC is a regional fellowship of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, an Apostolic-Pentecostal organization. Its executive board, auxiliary chairs, general body, and member churches are highlighted, along with a calendar of events, an introduction to the diocesan bishop, directions to the regional headquarters, registration forms, and other documentation.
http://www.mwddc.net/
Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Northern District Council
Made up of churches and affiliated ministries of PAW within the State of Michigan and southern Ontario, Canada. The diocesan website features a church directory, including Northern District churches by region and district, its organizational structure, leadership, and auxiliary organizations. Various forms and registrations may be downloaded from the site, and video of district events are included.
https://www.ndcpaw.org/
Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Texas State Council
The Pentecostal experience came to Houston, then San Antonio, in the early 1900s. Bishop Robert C. Lawson, who later founded the Refuge Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, was sent by Bishop Haywood to San Antonio. A history and profile of the Texas diocese are put forth, along with an introduction to the diocesan bishop, council chairman, and administrative contacts, a calendar of events, and announcements.
http://www.texasstatecouncil.org/
