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Why Do Pentecostals Do Those Things?

Why Do Pentecostals Do Those Things?

#1 Do Pentecostals Baptize?

Yes, Pentecostals believe in the Christian sacrament of baptisms. Pentecostals only baptize adults and oppose infant baptisms, regarding rebirth as a choice for a sound and mature mind.

The denomination originated in the early 1900s during the Evangelist Revival, leading to Pentecostalism as a way to highlight one’s relationship to the Holy Spirit.

Being that Pentecostals feel a great connection to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit (sometimes referring to them as a higher power than God, intermixed, or one with God), the Holy Spirit is seen as passing through one’s body during a baptism.

A publicized aspect of Pentecostalism is their belief in glossolalia (speaking in tongues), and this is seen as an effect of being baptized through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Rwec.org (Redeemer of the World Evangelical Church) wrote in 2019:

“Baptism connects us to Jesus Christ, this can be seen in Galatians 3:27 that says, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ;” However, much you pray and fast daily yet you are not baptized, you are still a sinner unless you take a step of getting committed to God through baptism.”‘

RWEC.org

Related Scripture(s):

  • “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” – Matthew 28:19. 
  • “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.

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#2 Do Pentecostals Believe in Cremation?

Yes, Pentecostals accept cremation as a funeral procedure and do not reject this if the family wishes it. Often referred to in the Bible, there is scriptural context to burning bodies and ‘returning to dust.’

Genesis 3:19 states: “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Some Christians theorize that if their body is not whole, their soul may become ineligible for resurrection. Resurrection is a large theme and principle within Pentecostalism, so cremation is a matter left up to the discretion of each individual and family.

Funeral Wise

Related Scripture(s):

  • “All the valiant men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there.” – 1 Samuel 31:12.
  • “If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” – 1 Corinthians 13:3.

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#3 Why Don’t Pentecostals Wear Jewelry?

Not all Pentecostals will forbid the adornment of jewelry; however, most (if not all) Apostolic Pentecostals will reject wearing jewelry. Apostolic Pentecostals are seen as the most legalistic, traditional, and strict form of Pentecostalism, but there are liberal forms that would not mind jewelry that is not too flashy.

The reasons why conservative or traditional Pentecostals do not wear jewelry are because:

  • The Bible says not to –  1 Timothy 2:9 reads, “Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire.”
  • Pentecostals hold scripture to a high regard – Taking a literal interpretation of scripture instead of a figurative, abstract, or metaphorical one, Pentecostals tend to follow the Bible word-for-word. If it says, ‘no costly attire or pearls,’ a restrained Pentecostal will follow this.
  • Modesty – The main justification comes down to being non-performative, non-flashy, humble, and modest. By remaining focused on family and worship, one may put God ahead of superficial needs for attention.

Apostolic Pentecostals also cannot:

  • Wear their hair down
  • Cut their hair
  • Wear short dresses
  • Drink alcohol
  • Smoke tobacco
  • Watch T.V. or movies
  • Have tattoos

And more.

Therefore, jewelry is just one facet of this traditionalistic dedication to modesty.

Typically, the only jewelry pieces allowed are:

  1. Wedding band
  2. Watch
Divide the Word Blog

Related Scripture(s):

·         “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear.” – 1 Peter 3:3. 

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#4 Why Don’t Pentecostals Cut Their Hair?

Most Pentecostals do not have any objections to haircuts. The discrepancy comes from the Apostolic Pentecostals, who have many strict standards such as no alcohol, dancing, makeup, or short hair.

Apostolic Christians tend to favor women in female roles, and men in male roles. Because of these gender-confirmative guidelines, they expect women to maintain their long hair (naturally grown without any trims or intervention) while men are expected to keep their hair short and groomed.

A substantial reason why Pentecostals do not cut their hair is related to the above principle of being scripturally-devout. Due to a literal translation of the Bible, Pentecostals follow scripture such as 1 Corinthians 11:15: 

“But if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.”

Pentecostal men do not wear their hair long because of 1 Corinthians 11:14

 “Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair, it is a disgrace for him.”

Pinterest

Related Scripture(s):

  • “For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head.” – 1 Corinthians 11:6. 

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#5 Why Do Pentecostal Women Wear Skirts?

Because women are intended to remain feminine and lady-like, skirts are embraced as the go-to fashion.

The reasons why Pentecostal women wear skirts are:

  • Because the Bible Says So – Exodus 28:42 reads: “You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs.”
  • Because ‘Pants are For Men’ –  Deuteronomy 22:5 says: “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.
  • Because Pants Incite Sexuality and Temptation – Outlining the curves and contours of a woman’s form, pants are seen as too much of temptation for lust or adulterous behavior.

Long-skirts are seen as a means to avoid:

  • Looking too masculine
  • Challenging gender norms
  • Inciting sexuality in a man
  • Appearing too distracting from worship
Learn Religions

Related Scripture(s):

·         “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” – 2 Timothy 3:16 .
·         “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.” – 1 John 2:16.

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#6 Why Do Pentecostals Wear Dresses?

Pentecostal women wear dresses for the same reasons they wear skirts extending below the knee:

  • To follow scripture that commands it (Exodus 28:42, Deuteronomy 22:5)
  • To dress femininely
  • To avoid male garb
  • To restrict sexuality
  • To hide one’s form and shape
  • To limit temptation
  • To reject superficiality
  • To not threaten gender roles
  • To dress formally for worship

Related Scripture(s):

  • “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.

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#7 Why Do Pentecostals Speak in Tongues?

One of the main reasons why Pentecostals speak in tongues is because it is literally translated as a historical and factual occurrence.

Gaining their denomination’s name from scriptures such as Acts 2:1-47, the bible states:

“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.”

Pentecostals speak in tongues because it/they:

  • Is explicitly mentioned in the Bible
  • Pentecostals take a literal translation of the Bible, little room for interpretation
  • Pours out the Holy Spirit
  • Enhances a baptism
  • Is seen as physical evidence of their connection to God
  • Connects them to the Holy Spirit
Veracity

Related Scripture(s):

  • “So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.” – 1 Corinthians 14:39.
  • “For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.”- 1 Corinthians 14:2. 

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#8 Why Don’t Pentecostals Dance?

Many Pentecostals do dance, and you will see this in worship videos, prayers, hymns, choirs, and even baptisms where Pentecostals are seen dancing in merriment and jubilee. Not only this, but the Bible mentions dancing regularly in scripture, generally referring to it in a state of joy.

The stricter form of legalists, Apostolic Pentecostals, tend to reject dance as well as rejecting:

  • Makeup
  • Jewelry
  • Hair cuts
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Alcohol, etc.

Rather than not dancing at all, a Pentecostal would only seek for the dancing to be:

  • Non-sexual
  • Non-tempting
  • Celebratory
  • In respect of God and others

Modesty is seen as the pillar of Pentecostalism, so dancing is typically fine so long as it is conservative.

NYTimes – Praise Dance in Pentecostalism

Related Scripture(s):

  • “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” – Ecclesiastes 3:4.
  • “Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.” – Jeremiah 31:13.
  • “And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod.” – 2 Samuel 6:14.

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