What are Pentecostals?

[Pieman333272]

What are Pentecostals? I know they’re a Protestant Denomination but are they more “normal” like Baptists and Lutherans or “different” in terms of theology like JW’s and LDS? I haven’t heard much about them until recently and realized I don’t know so much about them. And what do they think of things like the Real Presence and other Catholic traditions? Thanks ahead of time.

 

[4Squarebaby]

We are like Charismatic Catholics Trinitarian Christians (for the most part) closer to Baptist, Lutheran or especially Methodist then to Mormons, or Jehovah Witnesses… However Pentecostal is not a denomination but a movement which evolved from the Holiness movement. There are many Pentecostal denominations, the largest being the Assemblies of God.

The wiki page:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecostalism

 

[po18guy]

We are like Charismatic Catholics Trinitarian Christians (for the most part) closer to Baptist, Lutheran or especially Methodist then to Mormons, or Jehovah Witnesses… However Pentecostal is not a denomination but a movement which evolved from the Holiness movement. There are many Pentecostal denominations, the largest being the Assemblies of God.

The wiki page:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecostalism

First and foremost, Trinitarian Pentecostals are true Christians, whereas LDS and JWs are not Christians (no matter how loudly they protest). One caveat here: Oneness Pentecostals are an unfortunate split-off form the Pentecostal movement. They deny the Trinity, believing that God simply manifests Himself in different forms, but does not exist as three persons.

 

[Holly3278]

I am a convert from a Trinitarian Pentecostal church. I was baptized as a Pentecostal very shortly before I began RCIA. In fact, my baptism into Christianity was partly motivated to running away from Catholicism. It’s hard to explain. I will say, though, that my baptism was found to be valid by my priest and Bishop. I had the motivation of getting my sins washed away by being baptized and to follow Christ so my motivation to get baptized was not bad or evil.

That said, Pentecostalism is a Protestant sect of Christianity which focuses on a direct and personal experience with God. Most, if not all, Pentecostals believe in what is known as baptism of the Holy Spirit. They believe that the disciples were baptized in the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. They get this through reading the 2nd chapter of the Book of Acts.

Many Pentecostals believe that their church very closely resembles the early Church which it doesn’t. Pentecostalism isn’t really a liturgical church like the Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, Anglican church, and Lutheran church are.

A Pentecostal church service can run from being traditional which I have no experience with to being more modern and contemporary. The more modern and contemporary Pentecostals often play contemporary Christian music for the service and other contemporary Praise and Worship type music. After this, there is the sermon. And after the sermon is when people typically come up to receive prayer. During this prayer part, sometimes people are “slain in the Spirit”. This is a phenomenon in which the Pentecostal believes that the Holy Spirit overwhelms the person with His presence. Basically what happens is a preacher or other person will be praying over a person and all of a sudden it will be like the person being prayed over just passes out. Usually they fall backward to the floor. Thankfully, they always have someone ready to catch the person falling because this “slain in the Spirit” phenomenon is expected.

Finally, a Pentecostal Christian’s beliefs tend to be very much different from a Catholic Christian’s beliefs. For example, they do not believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist but instead believe that communion is symbolic. They do not believe that baptism washes away our sins but that it is also symbolic. As far as I know, all Pentecostals believe in sola scriptura, sola fide, and sola gratia. Basically that means that they take all of their doctrine from Scripture alone. They also believe in salvation by faith alone (sola fide) through grace alone (sola gratia). A Pentecostal Christian usually will believe in a premillenial “rapture” in which Jesus comes back and takes all the Christians to Heaven but leaves unbelievers behind to suffer through the tribulation. After the tribulation, He comes again and ushers in the “millennium” which they believe to be a thousand year reign of Christ on earth. Many Pentecostals are also Fundamentalist Christians and lean towards a very literalistic interpretation of the Bible. Of course, as is usual with Fundamentalist Christians, they do not interpret Jesus’ teachings on the Eucharist in John 6 literally even though that is the way those teachings are meant to be understood. They believe that speaking in tongues is the sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Some Pentecostals believe that baptism in the Holy Spirit is necessary for salvation. Some Pentecostals believe in faith healing. This is a phenomenon in which they believe that healing miracles can occur through prayer and anointing the sick person. Benny Hinn is a well known “faith healer” who frequently appears on television stations such as TBN.

As for the history of Pentecostalism, it has no founder. The earliest common date given for the beginning of the Pentecostal movement is January 1st, 1901. This was the date that Charles Parham began teaching that speaking in tongues was the Biblical sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. One of the major events in early Pentecostalism is known as the Azusa Street Revival. It began on April 14, 1906 in Los Angeles, California and did not end until about 1915. This revival was lead by William J. Seymour who was an African-American preacher.

 

[po18guy]

Great post, Holly! I had no idea of your background in Pentecostalism.

During this prayer part, sometimes people are “slain in the Spirit”. This is a phenomenon in which the Pentecostal believes that the Holy Spirit overwhelms the person with His presence. Basically what happens is a preacher or other person will be praying over a person and all of a sudden it will be like the person being prayed over just passes out. Usually they fall backward to the floor. Thankfully, they always have someone ready to catch the person falling because this “slain in the Spirit” phenomenon is expected.

Well, wouldn’t you know it, this is exactly how my faith life ‘came to life’. However, it was a charismatic Catholic Priest (our parish Priest at the time) who laid hands on me at the conclusion of a “Life in the Spirit” seminar. And what you say absolutely occurs to those who decide to be open to the Holy Spirit. But, the (non-sacramental) Catholic baptism in the Spirit has only the effect of releasing the gifts that we received at our Baptism. I can most sincerely and wholeheartedly recommend this, as my faith life simply exploded. No looking back. Prayer took on a new dimension. I could tell of minor miracles before our Lord at adoration.

They believe that speaking in tongues is the sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Some Pentecostals believe that baptism in the Holy Spirit is necessary for salvation.

Of course, if they read Saint Paul, they would realize that there are many gifts of the Spirit aside from tongues, given to each believer according to His will. I have never spoken a single syllable in a tongue, nor have I wanted to, as that is not what I received.

Great info, and very useful.

Christ’s peace.

 

[Holly3278]

Great post, Holly! I had no idea of your background in Pentecostalism.

Well, wouldn’t you know it, this is exactly how my faith life ‘came to life’. However, it was a charismatic Catholic Priest (our parish Priest at the time) who laid hands on me at the conclusion of a “Life in the Spirit” seminar. And what you say absolutely occurs to those who decide to be open to the Holy Spirit. But, the (non-sacramental) Catholic baptism in the Spirit has only the effect of releasing the gifts that we received at our Baptism. I can most sincerely and wholeheartedly recommend this, as my faith life simply exploded. No looking back. Prayer took on a new dimension. I could tell of minor miracles before our Lord at adoration.

Of course, if they read Saint Paul, they would realize that there are many gifts of the Spirit aside from tongues, given to each believer according to His will. I have never spoken a single syllable in a tongue, nor have I wanted to, as that is not what I received.

Great info, and very useful.

Christ’s peace.

Thanks Po18Guy! I used to do a lot of research (and still do) on many different Christian denominations, mostly Protestant denominations. I consider this research to be absolutely essential to my ministry of evangelizing Protestants in the hopes that they will come home to the One True Church which is the Catholic Church. Plus, my brother-in-law and sister are both Pentecostal. Also, my mom used to attend a Pentecostal church. And that and my mom was married to a man who was Pentecostal for several years and I was raised in part by both of them. So I do have some experience in the field of Pentecostalism.

That said, I also recommend the experience of “slain in the Spirit”. It is an awesome experience and one that I have had the joy of experiencing. I don’t know if you knew this already but I do consider myself to be a charismatic Catholic.

 

[Being_Brave]

…a little off topic…I attended a Mother’s Day service with my Aunt at her Pentecostal church many years ago, and it **scared the everlivin’ out of me **when the lady sitting next to me jumped up waving her whole body and yelled random sounds, then a guy from the other side of me started crying and ‘translating’. I had no idea what to do, so I just sat there and looked straight forward. My aunt should have warned me, and that was mean of her to set me up like that

 

[Cat_Herder]

A Protestant denomination similar to Baptists who put a special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

They believe that the Holy Spirit directs the worship service and acts through the congregants in a spontaneous matter. Thus the jumping, dancing, “tongues” and “interpretation.” I quote the last two because they may or may not be genuine.

 

[benidict]

What are Pentecostals? I know they’re a Protestant Denomination but are they more “normal” like Baptists and Lutherans or “different” in terms of theology like JW’s and LDS? I haven’t heard much about them until recently and realized I don’t know so much about them. And what do they think of things like the Real Presence and other Catholic traditions? Thanks ahead of time.

they can be a bit hyper, and alot of fun. i love pentacostals. and i love some of their preachers. a good one to listen to is Jimmy Swaggert. not only can he preach, he can really sing! also he preaches a message of the Cross, and has not been tainted by the fads and fashions of the day. personal slip ups on his part aside, i think he is one of the better protestant preachers out their. Peace

 

[Jolly_Jumbuck]

Thanks Po18Guy! I used to do a lot of research (and still do) on many different Christian denominations, mostly Protestant denominations. I consider this research to be absolutely essential to my ministry of evangelizing Protestants in the hopes that they will come home to the One True Church which is the Catholic Church. Plus, my brother-in-law and sister are both Pentecostal. Also, my mom used to attend a Pentecostal church. And that and my mom was married to a man who was Pentecostal for several years and I was raised in part by both of them. So I do have some experience in the field of Pentecostalism.

That said, I also recommend the experience of “slain in the Spirit”. It is an awesome experience and one that I have had the joy of experiencing. I don’t know if you knew this already but I do consider myself to be a charismatic Catholic.

**Has the indwelling Holy Spirit been given as a sign of approval to Roman Catholics or has the Spirit been given so that He can lead you into all truth?

If Catholicism has the truth, then the Holy Spirit is not needed.

Is this correct? **

 

[Jolly_Jumbuck]

…a little off topic…I attended a Mother’s Day service with my Aunt at her Pentecostal church many years ago, and it **scared the everlivin’ out of me **when the lady sitting next to me jumped up waving her whole body and yelled random sounds, then a guy from the other side of me started crying and ‘translating’. I had no idea what to do, so I just sat there and looked straight forward. My aunt should have warned me, and that was mean of her to set me up like that

**Jesus taught us not to be afraid.

Did those horrible Pentecostals abuse you in any way? **

 

[Jolly_Jumbuck]

Pentecostalism is a Protestant sect of Christianity which focuses on a direct and personal experience with God.

**Is it a bad thing to get to know God?

You said that you were a Pentecostal. Did you have a bad experience with God during your time there?
**

 

[Jolly_Jumbuck]

Thanks Po18Guy! I used to do a lot of research (and still do) on many different Christian denominations, mostly Protestant denominations. I consider this research to be absolutely essential to my ministry of evangelizing Protestants in the hopes that they will come home to the One True Church which is the Catholic Church. Plus, my brother-in-law and sister are both Pentecostal. Also, my mom used to attend a Pentecostal church. And that and my mom was married to a man who was Pentecostal for several years and I was raised in part by both of them. So I do have some experience in the field of Pentecostalism.

That said, I also recommend the experience of “slain in the Spirit”. It is an awesome experience and one that I have had the joy of experiencing. I don’t know if you knew this already but I do consider myself to be a charismatic Catholic.

**
Do you think it is essential to know about the evils of Protestantism?

Is it not more effective to preach the word of God to them? **

 

[Cat_Herder]

**
If Catholicism has the truth, then the Holy Spirit is not needed.

Is this correct? **

No. The Spirit is Who guides the Church. The Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion. He does not change.

[BIBLEDRB]Mal 3:6[/BIBLEDRB]

Hence, He would never contradict His teachings; accordingly the Catholic Church has never changed a single doctrine. Every Protestant denomination has.

 

[Cat_Herder]

**
Do you think it is essential to know about the evils of Protestantism?

Is it not more effective to preach the word of God to them? **

Nobody said Protestantism was evil—except for you.

The vast majority of Protestants believe what they do out of ignorance. Ignorance is not evil. Some of the ignorance comes from the fact that there are books of the Bible (the Protestant canon) like Malachi and certain parts of the Epistles to the Corinthians that Protestant clergy generally do not read. It may well be because those books are too Catholic. If the reason those pastors are not reading those books is because they are afraid their congregants will become Catholic, then you can start talking about their intentions.

But not being privy to their thoughts, it is better not to judge.

 

[Cat_Herder]

**Is it a bad thing to get to know God?

You said that you were a Pentecostal. Did you have a bad experience with God during your time there?
**

I’m not Holly but I was raised as a Pentecostal.

It is a good thing to get to know God, of course, but it is a bad thing to be misled by someone about how to get to know God.

It is especially bad when someone is misled as to what is necessary for salvation: I am thinking specifically of those Pentecostal churches that reject biblical Baptism in favor of a “Baptism of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus commanded His disciples, not the Holy Spirit, to baptize. The Disciples do not order the Holy Spirit around; it is the opposite, and it is the Disciples who must do the baptizing per Christ’s command. Therefore it is done with water, see for example Acts 8.

Jesus tells us that Baptism is necessary for salvation, so dispensing with it is dangerous business.

 

[Jolly_Jumbuck]

Nobody said Protestantism was evil—except for you.

The vast majority of Protestants believe what they do out of ignorance. Ignorance is not evil. Some of the ignorance comes from the fact that there are books of the Bible (the Protestant canon) like Malachi and certain parts of the Epistles to the Corinthians that Protestant clergy generally do not read. It may well be because those books are too Catholic. If the reason those pastors are not reading those books is because they are afraid their congregants will become Catholic, then you can start talking about their intentions.

But not being privy to their thoughts, it is better not to judge.

**If Catholicism is of God and Protestantism of satan, then proclaiming satan’s theology must be evil. Protestantism is not a true church according to the pope.

Is this too simplistic? **

 

[Jolly_Jumbuck]

No. The Spirit is Who guides the Church. The Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion. He does not change.

[BIBLEDRB]Mal 3:6[/BIBLEDRB]

Hence, He would never contradict His teachings; accordingly the Catholic Church has never changed a single doctrine. Every Protestant denomination has.

**Tell Galileo that, if this was possible. **

 

[Cat_Herder]

**
Is this too simplistic? **

Yes. Have you read what the Pope has actually said instead of going by hearsay?
Lumen Gentium:

This is the one Church of Christ which in the Creed is professed as one, holy, catholic and apostolic, which our Saviour, after His Resurrection, commissioned Peter to shepherd, and him and the other apostles to extend and direct with authority, which He erected for all ages as “the pillar and mainstay of the truth”. This Church constituted and organized in the world as a society, subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him, although many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside of its visible structure. These elements, as gifts belonging to the Church of Christ, are forces impelling toward catholic unity.

Please read the encyclical (or at least give it a try).

 

[Jolly_Jumbuck]

I’m not Holly but I was raised as a Pentecostal.

It is a good thing to get to know God, of course, but it is a bad thing to be misled by someone about how to get to know God.

It is especially bad when someone is misled as to what is necessary for salvation: I am thinking specifically of those Pentecostal churches that reject biblical Baptism in favor of a “Baptism of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus commanded His disciples, not the Holy Spirit, to baptize. The Disciples do not order the Holy Spirit around; it is the opposite, and it is the Disciples who must do the baptizing per Christ’s command. Therefore it is done with water, see for example Acts 8.

Jesus tells us that Baptism is necessary for salvation, so dispensing with it is dangerous business.

Acts 8:16 **because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
**

**Does this say that you can be baptised in water without receiving the Holy Spirit?

**