I see it all the time -another “Pentecostal Church” sign in front of a church that I’m pretty sure is quite different from the Pentecostal Church we pastor. It’s no wonder there is so much confusion about what being Pentecostal means.
Not too many years ago in America, it was almost taboo to say you were Pentecostal. Not so today. More and more people boast in the fact that they have some association with Pentecost, as if they have risen above some social barrier.
While it’s great that people are excited about visiting a Pentecostal Church, it’s often difficult for those who are actually trying to find one to attend.
With so many different flavors of Pentecost to choose from, how do you know what to look for? How do you know what’s important? What does Pentecostal even mean for Heaven’s sake???
PENTECOST
The word Pentecost actually means Fifty. It was fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection from the dead that He poured out the Holy Ghost (Spirit of God) on the hundred and twenty disciples who had waited in the upper room in Jerusalem for the promised gift.
When the promise came to them, everyone in the upper room began to speak in unknown tongues (languages) as the Spirit enabled them. This supernatural phenomenon, along with lively worship, is what most people refer to when they think of being Pentecostal. While it is the first thing, it shouldn’t be the only thing.
Speaking in tongues is the initial sign of receiving the Holy Ghost (God’s Spirit), but being Pentecostal is more than speaking in tongues. Many congregations, denominations and religious organizations allow for being filled with the Holy Ghost (evidenced by speaking in tongues), yet never continue on into the fullness of the Pentecostal experience.
WHAT’S IMPORTANT?
There is one core difference that separates one Pentecostal Church from another -whether it is Oneness or Trinitarian. Every other teaching trickles down from this core doctrine.
Oneness Doctrine
The biblically correct teaching that God is one, based on Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:”
God is one. He is a Spirit. He manifested Himself in the form of a man (the son of God/flesh) so that He could become the sinless sacrifice for our sins, and die in our place, allowing us to have access to eternal life.
Trinitarian Doctrine
The erroneous teaching that God is three, based on the Catholic Nicene Creed, adopted at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D.
God is three separate beings, co-equal and co-eternal. This was not what the prophets taught. It was not what Jesus taught. It was not what the Apostles taught. It was not what the early Church taught. It was manufactured 325 years after Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.
Why does it make a difference if a Church is Oneness or Trinitarian?
A Oneness Pentecostal Church will teach Acts 2:38 as the only plan of salvation. Repentance, Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the in filling of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in tongues. A Oneness Church most often promotes some level of holiness and separation from worldliness, as well.
A Trinitarian Pentecostal church (or any trinitarian church, whether they are Pentecostal or not) will allow, and might even seek to be filled with the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in tongues. However, they will not teach that it is essential to salvation.
A trinitarian church will baptize using the titles, “Father, Son and Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost,” but not in the name of Jesus.
Most Trinitarian churches teach that you are saved when you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior, and that anything else you do is good, but not necessary for your salvation.
Can You See The Difference?
As you can hopefully tell, there is a big difference between these two doctrinal beliefs.
-The Oneness of God
-Acts 2:38 as the essential Plan of Salvation
-Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
-The infilling of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in tongues.
-Holiness/Separation from worldliness
These are the key factors you should start with when visiting or looking for a Pentecostal Church to call home.
Blessings,
-Pat
I just noticed I got a hit to my essay “The Salvation Plan” that came from a link to it that I’d left in a comment on another post of yours. Before that I hadn’t been to your site in a long time to check for new posts. This post I’m now commenting on is very interesting, because I just got done watching a video on what sets Apostolic Pentecostals apart from other denominations. II Corinthians 6:17 stuck out in my mind: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not that unclean thing; and I will receive you.” I thought of it again with your mention of holiness and separation from the world. When people see my actions, I want them to know there’s something different about me. Thanks for the new post.
Thanks for reading, Mickey! Yes, I completely agree. When people see me, I want them to notice something different from the world -whether it is my communication, my attire, my actions…a light set on a hill cannot be hid…
I just love your God given ability to explain things where it’s completely understandable. I truly miss your teaching. It was your explanation of Jesus name baptism that spoke to both of hearts to get baptized in His name. I am blessed to have you & your talents in my life. 😍
Thank you for your kind words, Sherri. Teaching God’s Word in a way that causes people to respond, that is my greatest desire.