A History of Christian Doctrine #3 - Online Christian Library

A History of Christian Doctrine
All major Pentecostal groups teach that tithes and
offerings are God’s plan for the church.
Summary of Pentecostal Beliefs
In summary, all three branches of classical
Pentecostalism affirm most of the basic doctrines of conservative
Protestantism, including the existence of one
true God; the creation of the universe by God; the inspiration
and authority of Scripture; the existence of angels,
the devil, and demons; the fall and sinfulness of humanity;
the Incarnation; the Atonement; salvation by grace
through faith in Jesus Christ; water baptism; the Lord’s
Supper; the New Testament church as the people of God;
the priesthood of believers; the rapture of the church; the
second coming of Jesus Christ to earth; the Millennium;
the last judgment; eternal punishment for the unrighteous;
and eternal life for the righteous.
We have already discussed the most significant differences
among Pentecostals, namely, on sanctification,
water baptism, the Godhead, and the experience of the
new birth.
The unique doctrine that Pentecostals hold in common
is the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial
sign of speaking in tongues (speaking miraculously in
languages unknown to the speaker, as the Spirit gives
utterance). They also teach that miracles and gifts of the
Spirit, including healing for the body, are for the church
today.
From the beginning, one of the major tenets of
Pentecostals has been the soon return of Jesus Christ to
earth. In accordance with Joel 2 and Acts 2, they associate
the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit with the latter
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