Please help? What do Pentacostals believe?

Question

Anyone who has through knowledge on this, please respond.

I appreciate your time.

Thank you and God Bless,
Angela
(a Christian)

I have an understanding what they focus on, in their beliefs . .but it just makes me sad to see that us, believers of God, are divided into so many different religions. If we worship the same God, thru Jesus Christ . there is no need to make various religious groups? Everything you all said, pretty much is what I believe, from the Bible, thru God's word, as a Christian. I just asked, because my unbeliving husband said he knew some a couple, wanted to invite me to come to their Pentacostal Church. I do want to go, but something is holding me back. I believe in God, thru Jesus Christ. I believe I am a "born-again" Christian, (spiritual rebirth) thru spiritual baptism, by the Holy Spirit. I fear being lead astray with false religions, because of Jesus Christ's warning about them, in the Bible. I read in the Bible, that some true followers of Christ, would gather to worship God in small groups in their homes, or somewhere safe, other than the churches, but only preach in them.

Note: Most things you all mention I believe, but some things I don't believe (ei, their various religious groups customs, and certain regulations of dress not mentioned by God) . .I just believe what I read in the Bible, as God's word (truth).
I wear long dresses, and am modest in how I dress. (I cover myself up, so not to expose my skin too much) I wear no jewlery, nor do I "dress-up" my hair, but keep it simple and natural. It is hard for me to find a church to go to, because I sense I will not belong (and be persecuted for being a Christian), so I don't go to churches, but worship God in my home. And, with whomever I met with, I speak to them about the Christian faith, and share with them that the way I live, reflects God's way for Christians. Its been working for me, whereas my faith is becoming strong to where I am not fearing anything or anyone, except fearing about disobeying God's will, as written in the Bible.

Answer 1

Wikipedia has a really good article on it. They cover it in more depth than I ever could.
I recommend it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecostal

The major obvious thing is Bible Literalism. After that comes the idea of Baptism in the Spirit where the Holy Ghost supposedly enters your body resulting in incoherent gibberish and falling down and having convulsions like somebody in an epileptic seizure.
They also tend to believe very strongly in Dominionism(religious rule of the country and indeed the whole world for Christs sake) and strongly support their version of the Republican Party.
When you hear about the Religious Right you are mostly hearing about the Pentecostal Churches.
You will also find that faith healing and evangelism are very strong. The are descended from the old time revival tent style religious revivalists. Who were descended from the restoration movement among the Puritans.

Answer 2

Pentecostals are a diverse group. They all trace their spiritual ancestry back to the Pentecostal revival which began in the early twentieth century. Pentecostal doctrines are essentially standard, conservative, Evangelical beliefs with the following distinctions:

1) All Pentecostals believe in the perpetuity of the spiritual gifts. That is, they believe the gifts of the Spirit are for today.

2) Pentecostals believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a distinct and subsequent experience from the new birth, maintaining this baptism is for empowerment for ministry rather than for salvation. Simply put, Pentecostals say one can be saved and still in need of receiving this "second blessing."

3) Pentecostals believe speaking in tongues is the "initial physical evidence" of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This is the major distinguishing characteristic between Charismatics and Pentecostals. Many Charismatics do not hold to "initial evidence."

4) While most Pentecostals are Trinitarians, there are some "Oneness" Pentecostals (such as the United Pentecostal Church) who embrace a modalistic view of God (God is one person who plays three different roles). Oneness Pentecostals also believe that only the name of Jesus must be verbalized when one is baptized or one is not saved. They are also quite legalistic.

5) Nearly all Pentecostals are Arminians. This is because the movement was born out of the Weslyan -- Holiness movement.

6) Some Pentecostal groups see sanctification as the "second work" and the baptism in the Holy Spirit as the "third work." Their view of sanctification is inherited from the Holiness movement's belief that one could have a one-time experience of sanctification that would perfect the recipient, extinguishing sinfulness in the believer. Other Pentecostals (primarily the Assemblies of God due to the early influence of William Durham on the orgainization) see sanctification as primarily a progressive work in which one is brought to maturity over time.

Pentecostals are not dominionists as another poster suggests. Dominionism is found to a small extent within Charismatic circles but it is not found among Pentecostals.

The largest Pentecostal denomination is the Assemblies of God. Their website contains a great deal of information you might find useful (http://ag.org/top/).

Answer 3

They believe in the Bible, and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, in ways of healing, and speaking in tongues. Some tend to be strict in dress, such as no jewelry and long dresses, but some are more modern.

Answer 4

Liberal Christian/Protestant Also sometimes referred to as secular, modern, or humanistic. This is an umbrella term for Protestant denominations, or churches within denominations, that view the Bible as the witness of God rather than the word of God, to be interpreted in its historical context through critical analysis. Examples include some churches within Anglican/Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Unitarian, United Church of Christ. There are more than 2,000 Protestant denominations offering a wide range of beliefs from extremely liberal to mainline to ultra conservative and those that include characteristics on both ends.

Belief in Deity: Trinity of the Father (God), the Son (Christ), and the Holy Spirit that comprises one God Almighty. Many believe God is incorporeal.
Incarnations: Beliefs vary from the literal to the symbolic belief in Jesus Christ as God's incarnation. Some believe we are all sons and daughters of God and that Christ was exemplary, but not God.
Origin of universe and life: The Bible's account is symbolic. God created and controls the processes that account for the universe and life (e.g. evolution), as continually revealed by modern science.
After death: Goodness will somehow be rewarded and evil punished after death, but what is most important is how you show your faith and conduct your life on earth.
Why evil? Most do not believe that humanity inherited original sin from Adam and Eve or that Satan actually exists. Most believe that God is good and made people inherently good, but also with free will and imperfect nature which leads some to immoral behavior.
Salvation: Various beliefs: Some believe all will go to heaven as God is loving and forgiving. Others believe salvation lies in doing good works and no harm to others, regardless of faith. Some believe baptism is important. Some believe the concept of salvation after death is symbolic, or nonexistent.
Undeserving Suffering: Most Liberal Christians do not believe that Satan causes suffering. Some believe suffering is part of God's plan, will, or design even if we don't immediately understand it. Some don't believe in any spiritual reasons for suffering, and most take a humanistic approach to helping those in need.
Contemporary Issues: Most churches teach that abortion is morally wrong, but many ultimately support a woman's right to choose, usually accompanied by policies to provide counseling on alternatives. Many are accepting of homosexuality and gay rights.

Answer 5

They emphasize the gifts of the Holy Spirit e.g. speaking in tongues, dream interpretation, laying of hands, supernatural healing, etc.

They are less conservative when they worship, often singing passionately and dancing.

Answer 6

look up the United Pentacostal Church