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coco2
Guest
Don’t they believe in the Trinity?
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icamay
Guest
Yes. I can only speak for my experience - keeping in mind that most of my family’s churches were influenced by the organized churches, but were mostly independent apostolic. (It’s a little misleading to have one thread titled “Pentecostals”, as that merely indicates that a fundamental church believes that the speaking of tongues is physical evidence of spiritual baptism. They aren’t one organized church, but a collection of churches.)
I was taught to invoke the name of Christ in every prayer because invoking Christ invoked the entire Godhead. He is the human representative of the Trinity.
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4Squarebaby
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From wiki:
Oneness Pentecostalism derives its distinctive name from its teaching on the Godhead, which is popularly referred to as the Oneness doctrine.[2] This doctrine states that there is one God, a singular spirit who manifests himself in many different ways, including as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.[3] This stands in sharp contrast to the doctrine of three distinct and eternal “persons” posited by Trinitarian theology. Oneness believers baptize in the name of Jesus Christ, commonly referred to as Jesus-name baptism, rather than using the Trinitarian formula.
In most other ways the beliefs and worship of Oneness Pentecostals are similar to those of other Pentecostals. However, they tend to emphasize strict “holiness standards” in dress, grooming and other areas of personal conduct that are not necessarily shared by other Pentecostal groups, at least not to the degree that is generally found in Oneness churches. Furthermore, Oneness soteriology differs significantly from that of most other Pentecostal and Evangelical factions. Whereas most of them require only faith in Jesus for salvation, Oneness Pentecostalism defines salvation as repentance, baptism (in Jesus’ name) and receipt of the Holy Spirit. This reflects their interpretation of the Bible, and has caused friction between Oneness Pentecostalism and other churches. The Oneness emphasis on “standards” has equally led to charges of spiritual legalism by members of other faiths, though Oneness believers ardently deny this allegation. They insist that these guidelines were mandated by the Apostles themselves in Scripture, and are thus incumbent upon all believers.
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vickimonica
Guest
Yes, many of them “rededicate themselves to Christ:” and are Baptised more then once. I never understood this. Do they think it “didn’t take” the first time???
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4Squarebaby
Guest
Its not a matter of “take” or not because most Pentecostals don’t see baptism as necessary for salvation but rather a public expression of faith. Normally done when joining a new community and/or after a public confession of one’s sins. The other cases of re-baptism would be because someone was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and have come to the decision they were wrong at that point of their life and/or their new fellowship requires it.Yes, many of them “rededicate themselves to Christ:” and are Baptised more then once. I never understood this. Do they think it “didn’t take” the first time???
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vickimonica
Guest
Pentecostals DONT SEE BAPTISM AS NECESSARY FOR SALVATION
Acts 2:38 “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 gifts of the Holy Spirit.” Seems clear enough instruction for me…
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Daizies
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When I was a Pentecostal (and even as a Baptist) I was never taught that Baptism was necessary for salvation - it was purely symbolic. That was one of the biggest adjustments for me in becoming Catholic.
I actually attended two different Pentecostal denominations, one was a “oneness” one, and one wasn’t. Both did practice water baptism, and both believed in the necessity of baptism of the Holy Spirit, and that it was evidence of salvation, ie. if you did not receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit you were not saved. However, this is just from my personal experience, and does not represent all Pentecostals, just the two denominations I attended.
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ClamDigger
Guest
My sister was Pentecostal, so I know about this first-hand. Pentecostals baptize by immersion and only in Jesus’ name. They told my sister that her baptism in the Catholic Church had been invalid (though I’m sure they didn’t use those words) because she had been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, which they told her were three gods made up by the Catholic Church, and not in the name of Jesus. I kid you not, they pretty much stated that the form of baptism taught by Christ Himself in Matthew 28.19 was invalid.
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icamay
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They must have been Oneness Pentecostals. They do not find the Trinity to be valid.
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ClamDigger
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Yeah, I think that is what they are called, though I don’t know if that is the label that this specific group of Pentecostals used. There are so many different splinter groups, who can even keep track?
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Izdaari
Guest
Not true of my AG church. We are continuationist, but we don’t place a great deal of emphasis on the charisms. Our members who speak in tongues generally do it as a private prayer language.
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4Squarebaby
Guest
Of the mainstream Trinity beliveing Pentecostal denominations I think the Church Of God In Christ emphasize it the most these days.
And seeing its the AOG by far is the largest denomination taking others and using them for a Pentecostal stand in is sort of like taking Mormons and saying all Christians do what they do.
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Scott_D_1
Guest
This brings up a funny story about my Baptism. The hot water to the fount was not working that evening, and at best it was luke warm from water we carried from the kitchen trying to warm it. The water wasn’t ice cold, but it was around room tempature or below.
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Oldtimer_7
Guest
Scott, this was up around Natural Chimneys. I suppose you could duplicate it in the Roanoke area by taking a dip in Mason’s Cove around March 1,
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