A CHRISTIAN TRADITION AT THE TABLE
Life in the power of the Holy Spirit
A diverse worldwide movement expecting the Holy Spirit to empower witness, form holy lives, and give gifts for the church.
SCRIPTURE · SPIRIT · TESTING
Classical Pentecostal churches usually confess the Bible as the inspired and authoritative rule of faith and practice. The Spirit who gives gifts is the same Spirit who inspired Scripture.
A prophecy, dream, impression, or claimed word should be tested by Scripture, the lordship and character of Jesus, spiritual fruit, mature judgment, and the gathered church. ‘God told me’ begins discernment; it does not end it.
SPIRIT BAPTISM · GIFTS · WITNESS
Many classical Pentecostals teach a distinct empowering baptism in the Holy Spirit after conversion; some identify tongues as its initial outward evidence. Other Pentecostals and many Charismatics understand the experience differently.
Continuationists expect gifts such as prophecy, tongues, interpretation, healing, discernment, faith, and service to remain active. The New Testament requires that gifts build up the church in love and order.
WORSHIP · HEALING · HOLINESS
Worship is often participatory and expectant, with music, testimony, spontaneous prayer, preaching, response, and healing ministry. Emotion may accompany worship but is not proof by itself of the Spirit.
Responsible healing prayer does not blame sufferers, promise an outcome God has not guaranteed, discourage medical care, demand payment, or announce an unverified cure. Spiritual power without Christlike character contradicts the Spirit’s purpose.
FELLOWSHIP · NETWORK · ACCOUNTABILITY
Governance ranges from bishops and denominational councils to cooperative fellowships, congregational elders, and independent networks. No worldwide Pentecostal authority exists.
Rapid adaptability has aided global mission but can leave gaps when a founder controls finances, appointments, prophecy, discipline, and succession. Transparent finances, plural leadership, safeguarding, and independent review are spiritual necessities.
Mainstream Pentecostal bodies confess the Trinity. Oneness Pentecostal theology is a distinct and serious departure from that historic confession, not a minor internal variation.
GIFTS TO DISCOVER
At the Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles in 1906, Black, white, Latino, and other worshippers prayed and sang together under William J. Seymour’s leadership. This gathering became influential in modern Pentecostal history during an era of segregation.
Assemblies of God · William J. SeymourFoursquare founder Aimee Semple McPherson used the arts to create illustrated sermons at Angelus Temple in Los Angeles. The church, which she founded in 1923, also offered services in five languages and encouraged prayer around the clock.
The Foursquare Church · Aimee Semple McPhersonThe charismatic family includes Christians who remain within other church traditions. CHARIS, which serves Catholic Charismatic Renewal, encourages friendships across those boundaries: praying together, respecting one another’s conscience, and serving people who are poor, sick, or lonely.
CHARIS · Christian unityHONEST DIFFERENCES
STAYING AT THE TABLE
READ THE TRADITION IN ITS OWN WORDS
No statement represents every Spirit-filled Christian. These sources come from major Trinitarian Pentecostal bodies, a global fellowship, Vineyard, and Catholic charismatic renewal.
A major classical Pentecostal doctrinal standard.
A Pentecostal episcopal body’s confession.
Christ as Savior, Baptizer, Healer, and Coming King.
Global faith, mission, and cooperation.
A charismatic evangelical account of empowerment.
Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service.