Pentecostal Assemblies

Description

The Pentecostal Church began in 1901 at a Bethel Bible College in Topeka, Kansas, when preacher Charles Fox Parham decided to take a new approach to religion. He felt that the Church needed revival through the Holy Spirit. He began instructing his students to pray, fast and read the Scriptures. One of his students was the first to speak in tongues, signifying that she had been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Through evangelism and Parham’s use of faith healing, the number of Pentecostals increased over the years to become one of the largest Protestant denominations in the world.

Pentecostal congregations in Canada are affiliated with one of two international organizations, the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada or the United Pentecostal Church International. The charter of the former is dated 1919. The latter traces its organizational roots to 1916.

Pentecostal theology is derived from earlier British perfectionist and charismatic movements, including the Methodist movement, the Catholic Apostolic movement and Britain’s Keswick Higher Life movement. Pentecostal doctrine was particularly influenced by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who developed the doctrine of the second blessing, or baptism in which the Holy Spirit brings spiritual power and inner cleansing to the recipient. In Pentecostal belief, baptism in the Holy Spirit is evident when a person begins to speak in tongues.

Pentecostals take a fundamental view of the Bible. As humanity’s only God-given authority, it is the source of all doctrine, faith, hope and instruction for the Church. Pentecostals believe that the traditional Trinitarian view of God — as three Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), of one substance and existing eternally — is inadequate. They believe that the one God revealed himself as Jehovah, the Creator of the Old Testament; as both the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, in the New Testament; and as the Holy Spirit, the bringer of spiritual renewal, at Pentecost.

Pentecostals believe that man was created in the likeness and image of God but sinned, and as a result, brought spiritual death upon humanity. Humans can only be saved through the work of Christ. Christ will come again for the final judgment, at which time the souls of the believers will be given eternal life and the souls of nonbelievers will be judged according to their works.

Religious Elements

Scriptural and Doctrinal Sources

• Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

• Statement of Fundamental and Essential Truths (doctrine concerning the Church’s beliefs).

Sacraments

• The Lord’s Supper is considered a symbol and memorial of the suffering of Jesus Christ. All believers should participate in this sacrament until Christ’s return.

• Baptism, usually by immersion, signifies that the believer identifies with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Baptism is by immersion in water. It is administered only to adults who have accepted the faith.

• While not a sacrament in the literal sense, baptism in the Holy Spirit is an important landmark in the life of a Pentecostal. When people have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, they begin to speak in tongues, and this is taken as direct evidence that they have been filled with the Holy Spirit.

Moral Code

• Personal behaviour is based on the Ten Commandments and the teachings of the Bible.

Houses of Worship

• The local church is ordained by God and is a meeting place where God is worshipped, Church ordinances are observed, and the congregation is instructed in Evangelization.

Devotional Practices and Services

• The format of Pentecostal holy services is derived from the Bible, and each element of the service is justified by specific quotes in the Old and New Testaments. In Pentecostal worship, Pentecostals

• Pray aloud together
• Lift hands in praise
• Sing praise with their hearts
• Play musical instruments
• Clap and shout unto God
• Dance before the Lord
• Testify publicly
• Anoint with oil
• Allow the operation of spiritual gifts.

Clergy, Organization and Government

• Pentecostal congregations in Canada are affiliated with one of two international organizations, the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, or the United Pentecostal Church International, headquartered in Hazelwood, Missouri.

• The governance structure of both organizations is, in part, congregational, implying the autonomy of congregations, and in part presbyterian, implying that certain powers are reserved to the corporate structure.

• Congregations own their property, appoint ministers who have met the credential requirements of the central organization, and appoint other local leaders to service and manage their own financial affairs. In the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, in the event of dissolution of a congregation, property becomes vested at the district level.

• Central organizations provide doctrinal guidance and support services, including the operation of theology schools. The central organizations are guided in turn by conferences of elected members at the district and general levels.

Propagation of the Faith

• The Pentecostal Church practises active evangelism, commissioning ministers to actively spread the faith at home and abroad.

• Missions are established in countries around the world.

Major Celebrations and Observances

• Dates on which events are celebrated may vary from year to year according to variations in the liturgical calendar.

Days of Regular Observance

Pentecostal congregations observe standard Christian holidays, with particular regard to the following:

• Every Sunday (day of rest and worship).

• Christmas Day: 25 December.

• Good Friday.

• Easter Sunday.

• Pentecost: 50 days after Easter.

Special Observances

• Other common Christian holidays.

Dress Requirements

• Pentecostals are encouraged to dress modestly.

• Guidelines for female dress include the following:

• Modesty
• Moderation in cost
• Inclination toward godliness (decency)
• Avoidance of outward adornment
• Shamefacedness and sobriety
• Distinction between male and female.

Dietary Requirements

• None.

Medical and Health Requirements

• No stated issues.

Death and Burial

• The Church follows the common funeral and burial practices of Christian denominations.

• Funeral services may be conducted in churches or other appropriate locations and are followed by Christian burial.

• Clergy officiate at funerals and burials.

• The Church does not object to cremation.

Sources of Additional Information

http://www.paoc.org/index.html — official website of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.
PAOC International Office
2450 Milltower Court
Mississauga, ON L5N 5Z6
Phone: (905) 542-7400

http://www.upci.org — official website of United Pentecostal Church International.

United Pentecostal Church International
8855 Dunn Road
Hazelwood, MO 63042
USA
Phone: (314) 837-7300