Each chapter in the commentary covers a section of the SOET. Much like a commentary on the Bible, the chapters explain the wording in each sentence of the SOET. In addition, the chapters give some sense of how the doctrine has been considered by Pentecostals historically, the way in which the commentary is aiming to be intentionally Pentecostal, and also different contextual issues that each section is aiming to address. This includes cultural issues and issues that were raised by members of the PAOC during the process of forming the SOET.

The book explains that “the intended audience includes the pastor/teacher, those preparing for ministry, and of course, the many in our congregations who want to know what we believe” (page xvi).

Unlike the SOET itself, the commentary does not represent the official position of the PAOC, in as much as the PAOC General Conference did not vote on the commentary. As the preface states, the commentary is “meant to be suggestive and helpful for teaching and preaching. We make no claim that the explanations of the SOET are necessarily the official ones, nor that the comments contained herein are the only ones to be made” (page xv).

I had the privilege of being one of the contributing authors to and editors of the commentary. Now I look forward to revising the SOET again… maybe 2042….or 2052?

If you haven’t already seen them, you might be interested in some of my personal reflections on the SOET:

• The Changing of the PAOC’s Statement of Faith … Again
• Pentecostals and the Trinity: On the PAOC’s Refreshed Statement of Faith
• Pentecostal(?) Eschatology in the PAOC’s Proposed New Statement of Faith
• 7 Ways the PAOC’s Proposed Statement of Faith Adds Pentecostal Spice
• What about Tongues? Spirit baptism in the PAOC’s Proposed Statement of Faith
• Refreshed! The PAOC’s New Statement of Essential Truths

You can order copies of the commentary by calling the PAOC office at 1-800-779-7262 or emailing orderdesk@paoc.org. Copies are priced at $10 each, and $8 each for orders of 10 or more (plus shipping). See here for more information about the commentary.

Andrew K. Gabriel, Ph.D., is the author of Simply Spirit-Filled: Experiencing God in the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit as well as three academic books, including The Lord is the Spirit. He is a theology professor at Horizon College and Seminary and serves on the Theological Study Commission for the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. You can follow him on Facebook or on Twitter.

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