What Is a Pentecostal Church? | Christianity FAQ (2024)

Many people have heard of Pentecostal churches but don’t know much about their beliefs, values, or how they differ from other Christian traditions. For example, do Pentecostals have the same beliefs about God, the Bible, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as other Christians? Do they have the same personal and social values as other Christians?

A Pentecostal church consists of like-minded Christians who meet together to worship God, learn from the Bible, and develop edifying relationships. “Pentecostal” describes a type of Protestant theology that emphasizes baptism in the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and using miraculous spiritual gifts.

What is a “Pentecostal” denomination? What is the largest Pentecostal denomination? What do Pentecostal churches believe that is the same as other Christians? What do they believe that’s different? What are the similarities and differences between “Pentecostal’ and “Evangelical” Christians? Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and more.

Also, see Do Pentecostals Drink Alcohol? to learn more.

What Is a Pentecostal Church? | Christianity FAQ (1)

What Is “Pentecostal” a Denomination?

Although some churches have the word “Pentecostal” in their name, there isn’t a historic denomination that encompasses allPentecostal believersakin to, for example, Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, or Methodism. However, certain denominations are Pentecostal in their theological convictions.

What is the largest Pentecostal denomination?The Assemblies of God is the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world and one of the largest Protestant denominations. The three largest Pentecostal denominations are:

  • Assemblies of God
  • Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)
  • Church of God in Christ

Are Pentecostals members of other denominations?Christians with Pentecostal convictions are members of different traditions, though it’s more common for them to attend an Assemblies of God or other like-minded Pentecostal churches.

Some traditions have a history of rejecting Pentecostal theology, like manyReformeddenominations. Others have a history of welcoming Pentecostal Christians, like theMethodisttradition and someBaptistchurches. (Also seeDo Pentecostals Believe in the Trinity?)

What Is a Pentecostal Church? | Christianity FAQ (2)

What Do Pentecostal Churches Believe?

Pentecostal churches have the same core convictions that all Protestants hold. Pentecostalism doesn’t exist outside of the Protestant tradition but inside it.

Most Pentecostal traditions, including theAssemblies of God, identify as evangelical Christians and have been accepted by the broader evangelical community for decades.

Pentecostals firmly hold all core tenets of orthodox biblical Christianity, including:

  • God is a Trinity: There is one God; the Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit are each God.
  • God inspired the Bible: God guided the words of biblical authors, which makes Scripture authoritative for articulating doctrine and establishes values and norms for Christian behavior.
  • People are born sinners: Pentecostals affirm that all people are born in sin and separated from God.
  • Christ died for sinners: Christ made atonement for sin by dying on the cross; in his sacrifice, he took the place of sinners and paid the price for their rebellion.
  • Christ will return to Earth: Like all other Christians, Pentecostals believe Christ will fulfill his promise of returning to reward the faithful and judge the unrepentant.

Pentecostals firmly hold to certain secondary doctrines as well, though they are essential to the tradition, that distinguishes them from other Christians:

Baptism in the Holy Spirit: All Christians believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Most non-Pentecostal traditions teach that baptism in the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion.

Pentecostal theology teaches that it occurs at an unspecified time after conversion and that believers should expect and seek baptism.

“All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry.” (Assemblies of God doctrinal statement)

Speaking in tongues:Pentecostal theology teaches that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence that a person has been baptized in the Holy Spirit. (Also see the full articleDo Pentecostals Speak in Tongues?)

Many historic Christian denominations teach that tongues are no longer an operational gift for the church today but were only for use in the first century.

However, Pentecostals believe that the biblical descriptions of speaking in the Bible should be considered normal behavior for all Christians in any era.

“The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance.” (Assemblies of God doctrinal statement)

Miraculous gifts:Many non-Pentecostal Christians believe that certain so-called “miraculous” gifts — like speaking in tongues, words of knowledge, miracles, and healings — were only to establish the church in the first century, not for its ongoing ministry.

According to this line of thinking, the miraculous gifts authenticated the ministry of the Apostles. Pentecostalism teaches that miraculous gifts are for all eras of the church.

Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers. (Assemblies of God doctrinal statement)

Also, see the full article Do Pentecostals Believe Jesus Is God?

What Is a Pentecostal Church? | Christianity FAQ (3)

Pentecostal and Evangelical Christianity Comparison Chart

Most Pentecostals are evangelicals, but not all evangelicals are Pentecostals. Because of the similarities in the terms, the chart below contains overlap, but the differences are easier to see in such a format.

PentecostalismEvangelicalism
OriginHistorians conventionally date the origin of the modern Pentecostal movement to the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, California, in 1906. Many Pentecostals date their origin to the second chapter of Acts in the New Testament.The modern use of the term originated in the 20th century. It’s distinguished from liberalism and fundamentalist movements. Fundamentalism has similar theology to evangelicalism because both movements have a high view of Scripture.
Meaning of the nameThe word “Pentecostal” comes from the word “Pentecost,” which describes the unique and powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the early church, as recorded in Acts 2.The word “evangelical” comes from the Greek word euangelion meaning “gospel” or “good news.” The term describes a gospel-centered or cross-centered worldview.
Branch of ChristianityPentecostalism is Protestant. Many of the ideas it embraces are rooted in the Protestant Reformation, led by Martin Luther of Germany, Ulrich Zwingli of Switzerland, and John Calvin of France.Evangelical is also Protestant and traces its roots to the New Testament via the Protestant Reformation.
Early influencersWilliam J. Seymour (1870-1922), Agnes Ozman (1870-1937), Charles Parham (1873-1939)English preacher Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), American preacher Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899), many others
Significant writing outside the BiblePentecostalism doesn’t have any literature that is unique to its tradition that is of great significance to the establishment and definition of the movement. It generally values the classic literary works of Protestantism.Evangelicalism values the same writing important to Protestantism in general, including the numerous works from a variety of denominations that emphasize a gospel-centered approach to evangelism, missions, biblical interpretation, and more.
OrganizationPentecostalism isn’t a denomination, but a belief system that certain denominations hold.Evangelicalism isn’t a denomination but a movement consisting of numerous denominations and even non-denominational churches. Evangelical churches can have congregational, presbyterian, or episcopalian church government.
What are the largest denominations in the tradition today?The largest Pentecostal denomination is the Assemblies of God. Pentecostal churches tend to be congregational in their church government.Churches in any denomination can be called “evangelical” if they centralize the gospel and emphasize other characteristics of the movement, such as valuing conversions and applying their faith through social causes like caring for the poor, widows, and orphans. The Southern Baptist Convention is the largest conservative denomination in Protestantism today.
DivisionsThe Assemblies of God has many similarities with other Pentecostal denominations, like the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee). Disagreements between Pentecostals often include the doctrine of perfectionism.There is significant diversity within evangelical Christianity. Evangelical churches can have different theologies (though they are mostly Protestant), organizational models, and convictions on social issues.
Theological and Social worldviewPentecostal denominations and churches tend to be conservative theologically and in relation to social issues.Historically, evangelical churches are conservative theologically and socially; in recent years, some self-identifying evangelical churches have drifted from conservative theology and adopted modern social values on a variety of issues.

Also see Pentecostal vs. Holiness Pentecostalism: What’s the Difference?

Assemblies of God’s Doctrinal Statement

The doctrinal statement of the Assemblies of God denomination is a trustworthy representation of the beliefs taught in Pentecostal churches. The denomination’s statement is called “The 16 Fundamental Truths,” which are as follows:

  1. The Scriptures Inspired
  2. The One True God
  3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
  4. The Fall of Man
  5. The Salvation of Man
  6. The Ordinances of the Church
  7. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
  8. The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
  9. Sanctification
  10. The Church and its Mission
  11. The Ministry
  12. Divine Healing
  13. The Blessed Hope
  14. The Millennial Reign of Christ
  15. The Final Judgment
  16. The New Heavens and the New Earth

References:
[1] Source
[2] Source
[3] Source

Daniel Isaiah Joseph

Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.

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What Is a Pentecostal Church? | Christianity FAQ (2024)

FAQs

What Is a Pentecostal Church? | Christianity FAQ? ›

Pentecostalism, charismatic religious movement that gave rise to a number of Protestant churches in the United States in the 20th century and that is unique in its belief that all Christians should seek a post-conversion religious experience called “baptism with the Holy Spirit.” Recalling the Holy Spirit's descent ...

What are the rules of the Pentecostal Church? ›

We don't drink, smoke or participate in anything that would alter our conscience,” Kalli said. Another unique restriction for women is that they are not allowed to cut their hair. In Pentecostalism, they believe that a woman's hair is her glory, and it should never be cut.

What are the main beliefs of the Pentecostals Church? ›

The majority of Pentecostals believe that at the moment a person is born again, the new believer has the presence (indwelling) of the Holy Spirit. While the Spirit dwells in every Christian, Pentecostals believe that all Christians should seek to be filled with him.

How is a Pentecostals church different from Christianity? ›

Pentecostalism is a form of Christianity that emphasises the work of the Holy Spirit and the direct experience of the presence of God by the believer. Pentecostals believe that faith must be powerfully experiential, and not something found merely through ritual or thinking. Pentecostalism is energetic and dynamic.

Do Pentecostals have a dress code? ›

Dress in the Pentecostal Church

Dress is used symbolically by Pentecostal communities, as a way of identifying their members. It acts as a visible boundary between an in-group (Pentecostal) and an out-group (non- Pentecostals) member (Schmidt, 1989; Belk, 1989).

Do Pentecostals allow female pastors? ›

The Pentecostal Mission does not ordain women pastors. Church of God in Christ (COGIC) does not ordain women as elder or bishop.

Are Pentecostals allowed to dance? ›

Dancing Christians express their Christianity and manifest their joy of living the life of faith. As any scholar of Pentecostalism can testify, Pentecostals are expected to dance, and can sometimes spend hours worshipping the Holy Spirit while mobilizing their body, voice, and emotions.

Why do Pentecostals wear dresses? ›

In Pentecostal assemblies modest dress helps to strengthen the bonds of the society and represent a united front against the outside profane world.

Do Pentecostals believe in Jesus only? ›

Only One God:

Oneness Pentecostals declare that the Godhead consists of only one Person and deny the traditional doctrine of the Trinity. They maintain that the only real “person” in the Godhead is Jesus. Thus, they are often referred to as the “Jesus Only” Movement.

What do Pentecostals believe about marriage? ›

More specifically, Pentecostal Christians are advised “therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife…” (Genesis 2:24, KJV). The word cleave is used to mean “be joined.” Living together before marriage is one biblical teaching instructed against for Pentecostals Christians.

What religion is close to Pentecostals? ›

Charismatics are members of non-pentecostal denominations — including Catholic, Orthodox and some Protestant denominations — who hold at least some pentecostal beliefs and engage in at least some spiritual practices associated with pentecostalism, including divine healing, prophecy and speaking in tongues.

Why do Pentecostals speak in tongues? ›

Possession by the Holy Ghost will be manifested by speaking in tongues; a linguistic phenomenon that Pentecostals believe is often an example of a true language, understandable to people familiar with it.

How do Pentecostals worship? ›

For Pentecostals, worship is a full-body, participatory engagement with God. The common hallmarks of Pentecostalism, such as speaking in tongues, spiritual healing, and miraculous signs, manifest God's presence as an embodied, participatory, ecstatic encounter with the Holy Spirit.

Can you drink if you are Pentecostal? ›

Pentecostal Christians advocate for total abstinence from the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. They consider the human body a temple of the Holy Spirit, one which is not to be defiled and should honor God.

Do Pentecostals wear wedding rings? ›

To avoid such problems, United Pentecostal churches set these modesty guidelines for women: No slacks "because they immodestly reveal the feminine contours of upper leg, thigh, and hip" No makeup. No jewelry except wedding ring and wristwatch.

Why do Pentecostals wear denim? ›

For example, full-length denim skirts are commonly worn by women whose religious beliefs prohibit them from wearing trousers, including Orthodox Jews, some Muslims, Mennonites, and Pentecostals, among others.

Can Pentecostal Christians drink alcohol? ›

Pentecostal Christians advocate for total abstinence from the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. They consider the human body a temple of the Holy Spirit, one which is not to be defiled and should honor God.

Why are people leaving the Pentecostals church? ›

The major reason was the rejection of the beliefs and moral values espoused by the churches. Other reasons include bad experiences of churches and religious people, the sense of feeling judged and the lack of opportunity for dialogue within the churches.

References

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