#1 Why Do Pentecostals Not Believe in the Trinity?
Pentecostals believe in an openness and oneness between the three entities of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
With more than 10-million Pentecostals in the United States (nearly half of which are members of the Church of God), Pentecostals subscribe to a belief that originates as follows:
- Jesus is a Lord and Savior; He is present at the Sacrament of Communion (not symbolically or spiritually, but literally).
- The Holy Spirit is of distinguished importance, present at all Baptisms.
- God is Oneness
- The Doctrine of Trinitarianism holds no scriptural-value; the justification for this being the absence of the term ‘trinity’ from the Bible.
Pentecostals find no biblical evidence for trinitarian theology, rejecting it as a ‘tradition of men.’
A Pentecostal may refer to every facet of God as the same, singular one. They do not see God as being able to be three separate beings, only one that appears in different forms. Oneness Pentecostals believe that sin can only be forgiven after reconciliation with God.
It is important to note the interchangeable nature of God/Lord/Jesus while the Holy Spirit is held to a separate and mighty status.
Related Scripture(s):
- “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” – 2 Corinthians 13:14.
- “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1.
Related Video(s):
- What is the Difference Between Pentecostals and Holiness Churches: “The largest nontrinitarian Christian denominations are The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Oneness Pentecostals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, La Luz del Mundo and the Iglesia ni Cristo, though there are a number of other smaller groups, including Christadelphians, Christian Scientists, Dawn Bible Students, Living.”
–
–
#2 Why Do Pentecostals Wash Feet?
The reasons why Pentecostals wash feet include but are not limited to:
- It’s a gesture of humbleness
- It offers servant-hood
- Jesus washed his disciples’ feet
- It can be akin to a baptism
- The Bible Commands it
It is commanded explicitly (with Pentecostals taking a factual translation of the Bible) in John 13:14:
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.“
In John 13:8:
“Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”’
–
Ultimately it represents:
- Humility
- Brotherhood/Sisterhood
- Love
Related Scripture(s):
- “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” – John 13:1-38.
- “Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,” – Genesis 18:4.
Related Video(s):
- Washing the Disciples Feet and The Last Supper; Stouffville Pentecostal Church; April 9th, 2020.
–
–
#3 Why Do Pentecostals Not Wear Makeup?
Most Pentecostals do not forbid makeup, although they would not appear outwardly flashy or overtly glamorous.
Nonetheless, the strictest group – The Apostolic Pentecostals (only comprising approximately 25-million of the 279-million population of total global Pentecostals) do not allow the following:
- Alcohol
- Dancing
- Haircuts
- Jewelry
- Makeup
- Movies
- No pants for women
- Premarital relations
- Short dresses
- Substance
- Tattoos
- Television
- Tobacco
The reasons for each of these are inter-related:
- To disincline sexual temptation or premarital sex
- To focus on worship, not appearances or entertainment
- To discourage superficiality
- To remain modest
- To follow a legalistic and traditionalist interpretation of the Bible
Related Scripture(s):
- “And you, O desolate one, what do you mean that you dress in scarlet, that you adorn yourself with ornaments of gold, that you enlarge your eyes with paint? In vain you beautify yourself. Your lovers despise you; they seek your life.” – Jeremiah 4:30.
- “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” – 1 Peter 3:3-4.
- “You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.” – Leviticus 19:28.
- “A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God.” – Deuteronomy 22:5.
Related Video(s):
- Dividetheword – Why Do Some Legalist Churches Forbid the Wearing of Jewelry and Makeup? – “If you’ve ever been in a legalistic church, such as UPCI/Pentecostal churches, you’ve no doubt heard two things about wearing Jewelry and Makeup: Jezebel, and 1 Timothy 2:9 which says, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;” That is to say, don’t make yourself ‘flashy’, wearing metal, gold, pearls, gaudy and rich decorations, etc. Ignore all those ostentatious hair dews, purses, and shoes though…those don’t apply. Right? So in reality, the Bible never once condemns wearing makeup, or jewelry, and the two places in the New Testament that could be misconstrued, apply directly to women and wives.”
–
–
#4 Why Do Pentecostals Not Wear Wedding Rings?
Similar to makeup and jewelry, it is predominantly Apostolic Pentecostals that reject the wearing of wedding bands.
Most Pentecostals (the approximately 259-million of them that are not legalistic Apostolics) would have no issue with a married couple adorning wedding rings. Some Pentecostals merely avoid things that appear flashy or distracting to worship, seeing adornments as an opposing image to the Christian spirit.
–
ApostolicMinistries.net writes in regard to the query:
“Now to your question. You asked: (Where in the Holy Scriptures do you get support for the wearing of a wedding band?) And I tell you this: If I did not have scriptures to support the finger ring I would never say that it is OK to wear one. I would just say that it cannot be determined. But that is not the case; in as much as there is scripture to support the wearing of a finger ring and we will look at one or two of them and that is all that it takes for every word to be established. Let us look at the ‘finger ring’ and see what it really is and what does it mean and what does it accomplish when worn by a male or female.
May the Lord Jesus give you understanding regarding this subject and that your life will forever be blessed according to the purpose of God.”
–
Ultimately, even the Apostolic answer is to find scriptural clarity for oneself and determine the right decision for you.
Related Scripture(s)/Resource(s):
· “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” – Isaiah 61:10.
- Apostolic.edu- “I Corinthians 14:37, If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. What was one of the commandments of the Apostle Paul? I Tim. 2:9, That women adorn themselves –not with GOLD. Who among us is spiritual enough to change that commandment? 1 Peter 3:3, Let it not be the outward adorning of — wearing of gold –. Deuteronomy 7:25, — thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is ON THEM, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein; for it is an ABOMINATION to the Lord thy God. Numbers 31:50, “We have therefore brought an oblation for the Lord, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the Lord.”
Related Video(s):
- Why We Don’t Wear Wedding Rings – Worth the Wait – March 15th, 2017. “Scriptures – Genesis 35:1-4 – This passage identifies the jewelry in the hands and ears of Jacob’s household as strange gods with the instruction to remove them as they went into the presence of God. Exodus 33:1-6 – Another reference to jewelry as being ornaments and instruction to remove them. Isaiah 3:16-23, Jeremiah 4:30 – In these passages, we see a direct relationship between extreme external adornment and a heart wandering away from God. Romans 12:1-2 – Familiar verses instructing us to not have our ideas and practices in life conformed to the world.”
–
–
#5 Why Are Pentecostals So Judgmental?
To offer a direct answer from a Pentecostal on this forum query:
“I’m a Pentecostal, and we’ve been taught NOT to judge others. In fact, today we wrote the Sunday school lesson and we spent a large portion advising the youth not to judge others, because we’re not better than anyone else. I’m sorry if a Pentecostal has been judgmental towards you, but that’s not what we believe.”
If a Pentecostal is Judgmental or this reputation precedes them, the reasons may be:
- To obey God’s strict commandments
- To ensure social pressure (judgment) for others to conform/abide by God’s law
- To set boarders and perimeters around acceptable behavior
- To Inspire others to hold higher standards (Christian standards)
Matthew 7:1-29 reads:
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
Related Scripture(s):
· “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” – James 2:13.
· “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” – 2 Corinthians 5:10.
Related Video(s):
- Judgmental Christian – Pentecostal – Legalism Exposed; June 3rd, 2012.
–
–
#6 Why Are Pentecostals So Strict?
Pentecostals are strict, but the most legalistic subsect of Pentecostalism is the Apostolic Pentecostals.
As stated above, The Apostolic Pentecostals (only comprising approximately 25-million of the 279-million population of total global Pentecostals) do not allow the following:
- Alcohol
- Dancing
- Haircuts
- Jewelry
- Makeup
- Movies
- No pants for women
- Premarital relations
- Short dresses
- Substance
- Tattoos
- Television
- Tobacco
They are strict because/the reasons for each of these are inter-related:
- To disincline sexual temptation or premarital sex
- To focus on worship, not appearances or entertainment
- To discourage superficiality
- To remain modest
- To follow a legalistic and traditionalist interpretation of the Bible
–
Most of all, strictness ins encouraged to:
- Honor tradition
- Establish a moral code
- Inspire others to adhere to Christian values
- Gain salvation in the afterlife
Related Scripture(s):
- “Having the appearance of godliness but denying its power. Avoid such people.” – 2 Timothy 3:5.
- “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” – Romans 14:1.
Related Video(s):
- Rules for Pentecostal Women; October 10th, 2017.
–
–
#7 Why Are Pentecostals Called ‘Holy Rollers?’
Pentecostals are referred to as ‘holy rollers’ due to the following reasons:
- Tradition
- It signifies those that were in holy movement, holy rollers
- Used because Pentecostals physically ‘rolled’ and danced, chanted, moved uniquely
- They are overcome during worship
- Meetings area highly physical occasion with bodily contortions and speaking in tongues
- Wesleyan Churches still use it
- Pentecostals were known for being fully-immersed in worship
The term is ultimately:
- Old-fashioned
- Used to refer to Protestants that are excitable
- Potentially offensive
Related Scripture(s):
- “If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in Church and speak to himself and to God.” – 1 Corinthians 14:27-28.
Related Video(s):
–
–
#8 Why Are Pentecostals So Emotional?
An Ex-Pentecostal summarizes a personal perspective:
“Many have noticed that Pentecostals regularly self-destruct. They go on for days – even weeks – as rational people in their normal lives, but inevitably, they will explode, lose their cool, and destroy something in their lives.”
He concludes his argument with:
“I have not met any Pentecostal that does not regularly self-destruct. If they do not, they are probably not practicing Pentecostalism. This is one reason why Pentecostals can be dangerous.”
Although this is only one opinion in a larger subjective matter, the question is commonly posed because of the following reasons and stereotypes – Pentecostals:
- Participate in full-body worship
- Chant, dance, roll, cry, sing, and use glossolalia
- Speak in tongues and claim the holy spirit is with them
- Claim the Holy Spirit compels them
- Feel overcome by a divine power
Conclusively, Pentecostals are emotional for the same reasons that any human (religious or not) becomes emotional – they are passionate, emotionally vulnerable, and overcome.
Related Scripture(s):
- “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelation 21:4
- “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” – Psalm 34:17
- “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2.
Related Video(s):
- Hyper-Emotionalism in the Church; August 15th, 2019.
- Ligonier.org – Emotional Sensationalism in the Modern-day Church; April 15th, 2014.
–
–