66-book Protestant canon; Scripture alone the inspired and complete Word of God
The AG affirms the 66-book Protestant canon — 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books — as the complete, inspired, and authoritative Word of God. The deuterocanonical (Apocryphal) books included in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles are not considered canonical Scripture. This position is standard within evangelical Protestantism and reflects the AG's Reformed heritage on the question of canon.
The AG's SFT begins with a strong affirmation of Scripture as the inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God. The canon is considered closed — no new documents may be added to Scripture. This is entirely consistent with the AG's belief in ongoing spiritual gifts: prophetic words, tongues, and knowledge gifts are affirmed as current divine communication, but they are not considered canonical Scripture and must always be tested against the written Word.
AG Bible colleges and seminaries use the 66-book canon as the basis of theological education. The denomination produces its own curriculum (Gospel Publishing House, now My Healthy Church) and Bible study materials that operate exclusively within this canonical framework.
Key Distinctions
- Ot canon:
- 39 books (Protestant canon)
- Deuterocanonical status:
- rejected
- Additional scripture:
- none
- Canon open:
- closed written canon; ongoing prophetic gifts (not new Scripture)
Scripture References
Sources
- Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, §1: The Scriptures Inspired