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Receiving eternal life does not depend on being baptized in the Holy Spirit; for salvation is by grace through faith alone (Habakkuk 2:4; John 6:28, 29; Galatians 3:6; 5:6; Ephesians 2:8). It is a gift purchased for us by Christ when He was crucified. All we have to do is accept the gift. Just as the repentant thief on the cross next to Jesus was assured of entering paradise that very day we too are assured a place in heaven with the Father if we believe in Jesus Christ. It is most unfortunate that some have said, "Unless you have spoken in tongues you will not go to heaven." This is not true. It is contrary to the Scriptures

That is what I thought..there are some Pentecostal churches that demand that evidence..but I thought it was for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Like the Wesleyans they consider it a second act.

I thought when you said you were "weird " and different...I questioned that because from what I have seen the AOG s might have a "different flavor " to them , but underneath they are the same doctrinally (And i think initially you said that was not true of your church because the pastors took a different position???) They must adhered to the basic tenets . If I remember correctly one of the district leaders visits every year for just that reason

Ask your Pastor if baptism in the Holy Spirit is a requirement for ordination ..

BTW Your church is very much like the one I attended . They were not "pushy" on sermons on the gifts etc. The sermons were quite mainstream teaching. No one was doing the "toronto blessing" thing , or rolling in the aisle:>) Other than a couple of minutes of praise where some folks did sing in tongues or raised their hands during worship or an occasional "prophecy " It was quite an ordinary Protestant service . It had a huge reach into the community (in fact it owns a local christian TV broadcasting company) . I do think that your church and the one I attended could be called fairly conservative (that was why I was surprised that my son rolled out of there a Charismatic at age 16, I never expected it because it was so mainstream )

As a PS I will say that church has moved in a direction that would make me uncomfortable then and now..they have really gotten into the faith movement .