“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh” (Acts 2:17).
This verse from the book of Acts is often seen as the beginning of what Pentecostal Christians believe to be a powerful move of God that continues to this day.
Pentecostalism is a branch of Christianity that puts a strong focus on the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts, especially speaking in tongues, healing, and prophecy.
It gets its name from the day of Pentecost, which is described in Acts chapter 2, when the Holy Spirit came down upon the followers of Jesus after His resurrection and return to heaven.
Many people around the world today belong to Pentecostal churches, and their numbers continue to grow because of how personal and active their worship experience is.
The History of Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism started in the early 1900s in the United States, during a time when many people were hungry for a deeper and more powerful experience with God.
One of the first well-known events took place in 1906 during the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, California, where people from many different backgrounds gathered together and experienced what they believed to be the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The revival was led by a preacher named William J. Seymour, and it is often seen as the moment that started the modern Pentecostal movement.
From that small beginning, Pentecostal churches began to spread quickly across the United States and around the world, especially in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia.
What Pentecostals Believe About the Holy Spirit
Pentecostals believe that the Holy Spirit is not only active in the life of every Christian but also wants to fill each believer with power, just like He did in the New Testament.
They teach that after a person is saved, there is another experience called the baptism in the Holy Spirit, which gives spiritual strength and special gifts to help others and to live for God.
One of the most common signs of this experience, according to Pentecostals, is speaking in tongues, which they believe is a heavenly language.
“For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:5).
Worship in Pentecostal Churches
Worship in Pentecostal churches is usually very lively and heartfelt, with singing, clapping, dancing, and times of prayer where people may cry, rejoice, or speak in tongues.
Many Pentecostals believe that the Holy Spirit can speak to them during the service, and they often allow time for people to share what they believe God is saying.
There is a strong sense of joy and passion during worship, and people often feel very close to God.
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).
The Role of the Bible
Like other Christians, Pentecostals believe that the Bible is the word of God and that it shows the way people should live and what they should believe.
They also believe that the stories in the Bible about miracles and spiritual gifts are still happening today and are not just stories from the past.
Many Pentecostals read the Bible every day and often quote it during their preaching and teaching.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
Pentecostal Beliefs About Salvation
Pentecostals believe that a person is saved by faith in Jesus Christ, not by works or religious actions.
They teach that when someone believes in Jesus, they become a new person and are forgiven for all their sins.
After salvation, they encourage people to live a holy life, stay away from sin, and follow the teachings of Jesus in everything they do.
“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Pentecostalism is one of the fastest-growing Christian movements in the world today because of its strong focus on the Holy Spirit, powerful worship, and deep personal faith.
While different churches may have small differences in how they practice their faith, most Pentecostals hold closely to the Bible and believe that God still moves in the same way today as He did in the book of Acts.