INTRODUCTION

    A. Much of the theology of Pentecostals coincides with the teachings of 
         other Protestant groups.

        1. They believe in the “Trinity,” (the United Pentecostal Church being an
            exception).

        2. They teach the doctrine of “original sin.”

        3. They believe in the virgin birth of Jesus.

        4. They hold that the scriptures are both inspired and infallible.

        5. Premillennialism, future rewards, and punishment.

        6. The Lord’s Supper (most “wash feet” subsequent to its observance)
            and water baptism are viewed as the two ordinances of the church.

    B. Pentecostals differ, however, with many mainline denominations in a
         number of ways.

        1. “Tongue speaking” as initial evidence of baptism in the Spirit.

        2. Miraculous, instantaneous, “divine healing.”

        3. Visions, dreams, etc.
 
        4. All the gifts of the Spirit to be manifested in all ages of the church. 

        5. Many hold that a “spiritual service” (worship activities) is manifested
            by “handclapping,” “jerking,” “shouting,” and “simultaneous prayers.”

        6. Female ministry.

DISCUSSION

  I. PENTECOSTALS BELIEVE THAT HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM IS TO
     BE EXPECTED—EVEN REQUIRED.

    A. They point to the “experience” of Acts, chapter two, as a proof text,
         believing they enjoy the “same experience” as therein described.

    B. This “experience” is often described as a “second work of grace” or
        “entire sanctification.”
    
    C. NOTE:  Inasmuch as this “experience” follows salvation, they may not
                      consistently teach that one is “set apart” when first becoming a
                      Christian.  And if “sanctification” is known only upon receiving
                      a baptism in the Spirit, one cannot “see the Lord” without the
                      “experience” (Hebrews 12:14).

    D. The Nazarene Manual States:  “We believe that entire sanctification is
         an act of God, subsequent to regeneration, by which we are made free 
         from original sin, or depravity, and brought into a state of entire
        devotement to God, and the holy obedience of love made perfect.  It is
        wrought by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and comprehends in one
        experience the cleansing of the heart from sin and the abiding and
        indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for life
        and service.”

    E. NOTE:  A strange follow up (in the same manual) to this declaration is
                      the demand for expulsion of those “sanctified ones” who are
                      guilty of impenitent sin.  Further, while teaching that sanctified
                      persons “cannot sin” the manual provides instructions for the
                      discipline of a “sinning preacher.”

  II. “UNKNOWN TONGUES” (ECSTATIC UTTERANCE) IS SEEN
      BY MOST PENTECOSTALS AS INITIAL EVIDENCE (AND WITH
      MANY THE ONLY REQUIRED EVIDENCE) THAT ONE HAS
      BEEN BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.

    A. Some Pentecostals teach that baptism in the Spirit, either prior or
         subsequent to water baptism, is essential to salvation (some in
         Assemblies of God being an exception).

    B. Pentecostals hold that the “tongues” of Acts, chapter 2, and those of 1
        Corinthians, chapter 14, are not the same phenomenon.

  III. PENTECOSTALS BELIEVE THAT HEALING OF THE BODY IS
        IN THE “ATONEMENT” (Isaiah 53:5b).

    A. Public services, including TV programs, are punctuated with testimonials
         of healings received.

    B. Substantiation of such claims is missing, with the exception of some
        minor illnesses made better via power of suggestion (positive thinking).

    C. Very few have claimed to raise the dead, feed multitudes with a handful
         of food, or restore a severed limb.

    D. Most “miracles of healing” demonstrated (?) by Pentecostals have to do
         with internal, unseen, and unverifiable illnesses, or the casting out of
         demons.
 

  IV. PENTECOSTALS BELIEVE IN A DIRECT OPERATION OF THE
        SPIRIT IN CONVERSION OF THE ALIEN SINNER.

    A. That the Spirit “enlightens,” provides “special insights,” “visions,” etc.

    B. It is believed that God speaks through their General Assembly by direct
        operation of the Holy Spirit.

    C. They feel that their mission programs, auxiliaries, and fund-raising
         methods are inspired by a direct operation of the Spirit.

    D. Example: Oral Robert’s vision of Jesus in the sky, and God’s warning to
         him that he would die if he failed to raise the funds necessary to save his
         financially defunct hospital.

  V. SOME QUOTES FROM PENTECOSTALS UNDERSCORING
       THEIR CURRENT DOCTRINES:

    A. (2002 – Assembly of God website) – “The inward evidence of salvation
         is the direct witness of the Spirit.  The outward evidence is a life of
         righteousness and true holiness.”

    B. (2002 – Church of God in Christ website) – “We believe that baptism in
         the Holy Ghost is an experience subsequent to conversion and
         sanctification and that tongue speaking is the consequence of baptism in
         the Holy Ghost…We believe we are not baptized with the Holy Ghost
         in order to be saved…we therefore believe that a Holy Ghost
         experience is ‘mandatory’ for all men today.”  (?)

    C. (2002 - Under “Doctrines of Church of God in Christ” website) –
         “Adam’s sin…carried a permanent..depraved human nature to all his
         descendants.  This is ‘original sin.’”

  VI. PREMILLENNIALISM.

    A. Pentecostals believe that the second coming of Christ is imminent.

    B. Paperback publication by Edgar Whisenant (1988) entitled, 88 Reasons
        Why the Rapture Could Be in 1988.

    C. That Christ will occupy the old throne of David in Jerusalem for a
         thousand years.

    D. All hold a “second resurrection” with some believing in a “third.”

    E. Eschatological (or end time) seminars are frequently conducted by
        Pentecostal “experts.”

    F. Most such “experts” hold that while we cannot know “the day nor the
        hour” when Christ will come, we may know the year, the month, and
        even the week.

  VII. PENTECOSTALS BELIEVE THAT WOMEN, AS WELL AS
         MEN, ARE CALLED OF GOD TO BECOME “PASTORS.”

    A. The majority of female evangelists appearing on TV are from a
         Pentecostal background.

    B. The Church of God and The Church of God of Prophecy impose
         limitations on female Pastors.

CONCLUSION

    A. Things “peculiar” to Pentecostalism in the past have swiftly infiltrated
         other religious groups, sometimes manifested within Churches of Christ.

    B. Most of the doctrines of Pentecostalism, as we have seen, were derived
         from both Methodism and the Holiness Movements growing up within
         the context of teachings of the Wesleys.

    C. Pentecostals are to be commended for their emphasis upon righteous
         living and the condemnation of elaborate displays in dress, ornaments,
         etc.

    D. Our next lecture will focus upon Pentecostal doctrines and their
         relationship, or lack thereof, to the Bible.