Resolution on Racism

"Resolution 20. Racism" was adopted by the 43rd General Council in session, August 8-13, 1989, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

WHEREAS, Racism is an issue that continues to confront the church and American society today; and

WHEREAS, Racism continues to confront our brothers and sisters in other countries; and

WHEREAS, The Bible recognizes that all people are created in God's image (Genesis 1:27; 5:1,2); and

WHEREAS, The Bible declares that the barriers that separate us from one another have been broken down through Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26-28, Colossians 3:11); and

WHEREAS, In the Early Church the Holy Spirit confronted divisions along racial lines and brought reconciliation (Acts 6:1-7; 10:1-22); therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Assemblies of God oppose the sin of racism in any form; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we call any and all to repentance who have participated in the sin of racism through personal thought or action, or through church and social structures, or through inactivity in addressing racism as individuals or as a church; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we pray for God to give us the courage to confront the sin of racism where it may be found in our own lives, in our churches, in our society structures, and in our world; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we participate with the work of the Holy Spirit in actively working against racism at home and abroad, and that we seek the reconciliation of man to God and man to man.