#1 How Do Pentecostals Worship?
With an approximated 279-million Pentecostals globally – this growing renewal movement is considered one of the largest Protestant groups.
Pentecostals worship by incorporating the following centralities:
- Speaking in tongues (glossolalia)
- Faith healing
- Baptism
- Personal experience with the Holy Spirit
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The Book of ‘Acts’ in the Bible is very prominent in Pentecostal worship.
In Acts 2:4, it reads:
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Pentecostals worship in a style that utilizes:
- Their whole body
- The holy Spirit
- Song
- Movement
- Group or congregational participation
- Community engagement
- The acknowledgment of ‘signs’
- A manifestation of God’s presence
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Apostolic Pentecostals take a stricter and more legalistically-inclined approach to worship, promoting that all Apostolic Pentecostals reject:
- Alcohol
- Substance
- Tobacco
- Dancing
- Pre-marital fornication
- Watch T.V. or movies
- Wear makeup
- Cut hair
Related Scripture(s):
· “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.” – Acts 2:1-47.
Related Video(s):
- United Pentecostal Church – Worship Service; KMVT; October 8th, 2014.
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#2 How Do Pentecostals Get Married?
Pentecostals (especially Apostolic Pentecostals) hold marriage to a holy and sacred regard.
The qualities and characteristics of a Pentecostal marriage ceremony or courtship may include:
- The male asking permission to ‘be exclusive’ with a female member of the Church (permission being granted from the Minister or priest)
- A marriage ceremony with friends and family
- Speaking in tongues during the ceremony
- Prayer
- Hetro-sexual unions (an exception to this is the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America)
- Presence of the Holy Spirit
Besides this, the ceremony is freely left up to the couple’s discretion. There is no real pattern, as will be seen in the vast array of Christian wedding traditions.
Related Scripture(s):
- “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” – Hebrews 13:4.
Related Video(s):
- How do Pentecostals Get Married; September 30th, 2019.
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#3 How Are Pentecostals Different from Baptists?
Each bonded by a shared Protestant foundation, the major difference between these two faiths is the Pentecost list emphasis on the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.
The similarities and differences between Pentecostals and Baptists are:
| Pentecostals | Baptists | |
| Population | 279-million globally | 40-million globally |
| Originated | Protestant Christianity | Protestant Christianity |
| Emphasis | Holy Spirit | Jesus Christ |
| Speaking in Tongues | Yes – A primary focus | Don’t Use but they believe in. Was banned after Jesus’s death. |
| Communication to God | Direct | Through intermediaries or religious authorities |
Related Scripture(s):
- “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” – Psalm 95:6.
Related Video(s):
- What’s the Difference Between Baptist and Pentecostal Churches? Southern Seminary; September 2nd, 2020.
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#4 How Do Pentecostals Pray?
Pentecostals pray by:
- Speaking in tongues
- Connecting with the Holy Spirit
- Utilizing their full-body – To move, dance, sing, and chant
- Inciting divine healing
- Communally
- In Church or at home
- Closing eyes
- Seeking signs
- Reading scriptures
- Praying through Jesus or saying his name before ‘Amen’
Pentecostals believe they have a direct line to communicate to God and do not require intermediaries (such as a rosary, Saints, Mary, a Minister, etc.)
Related Scripture(s):
- “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24.
- “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.” – Jeremiah 17:14.
Related Video(s):
- How Pentecostals Took over the World; June 14th, 2019.
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#5 How Do Pentecostals Baptize?
Pentecostals baptize by immersion baptism (as was conducted on Jesus in the river).
The ways in which a Pentecostal baptize is executed may include:
- Prayer (citing the Book of Acts)
- Full-body immersion
- Acknowledging the presence of the Holy Spirit
Baptism is seen as a ritual only for believers, and Pentecostals reject infant baptism for this reason (leaving the decision up to the jurisdiction of mature and fully-aware adults).
An applicant must be an active Pentecostal, committed to Jesus Christ for a life-long faith, and willing to repent for their sins. Pentecostals will baptize in the name of Jesus, acknowledging him as a separate entity from God (Pentecostalism being a non-trinitarian faith). A Pentecostal ordained minister or pastor would lead the baptism and prayer.
The overall experience is seen as a deep connection to the Holy Spirit, regarded as physically passing through a person during the sacrament.
Pentecostalist Church, Assemblies of God (Ag.org.sg) writes of baptism: “The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus, they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4).”
Related Scripture(s):
- “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 2:38.
- “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” – Romans 6:4.
Related Video(s):
- Pentecostal Baptism; June 26th, 2016.
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