Pentecostal beliefs: what the Pentecostal tradition teaches
Pentecostals believe the promise of Pentecost is for today: every believer should seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit, witnessed by speaking in tongues, for power to live and witness. They preach salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus, divine healing, and the soon return of Christ.
Worship: Lively, Spirit-led worship with extended singing, spontaneous prayer, testimonies, prayer for the sick and room for spiritual gifts.
Branches in the quiz: Assemblies of God, Church of God in Christ.
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Assemblies of God
Church of God in Christ
These are each tradition's own church directories. We don't review individual congregations.
Read more
- Statement of Fundamental Truths — Assemblies of GodFree online
The Assemblies of God's sixteen core beliefs, each with Bible references.
- What We Believe — Church of God in ChristFree online
The beliefs of the largest Pentecostal church in the United States.
- The Holiness-Pentecostal Tradition — Vinson Synan
A Pentecostal historian tells the story from the Methodist holiness revivals through Azusa Street.
Confessions and statements from Pentecostal churches
Figures and practice companions
William J. Seymour
1870–1922 · Pentecostal
Son of formerly enslaved parents and pastor of the Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles, where the 1906 revival drew people of every race.
Read: The Apostolic Faith (Azusa Street newspaper), digitized by Oral Roberts UniversityFree online
Image credit Aimee Semple McPherson
1890–1944 · Pentecostal (Foursquare)
Canadian-born evangelist and radio pioneer who built Angelus Temple in Los Angeles (1923) and founded the Foursquare Church.
Read: This Is ThatWorth knowing: Her disappearance in 1926, which she said was a kidnapping, led to a widely reported grand-jury inquiry.
C. H. Mason
1866–1961 · Pentecostal (Church of God in Christ)
Holiness preacher who co-founded the Church of God in Christ in the 1890s and, after the Azusa Street revival in 1907, led it as a Pentecostal church until his death.
Practices associated with Pentecostal churches
Washing one another's feet
Read John 13 together. Then, in pairs, wash one another's feet with a basin and towel, slowly and without hurry. It can feel awkward. That is part of it. Jesus, the Lord, knelt to serve His friends, and this small act lets you practise His humility with the people beside you.
Kept as an ordinance by many Anabaptists, set out in the Dordrecht Confession (1632), Article XI, after John 13. Some Holiness and Pentecostal churches keep it too.
Source: Dordrecht Confession of Faith (1632), Art. XI“We also confess a washing of the saints' feet, as the Lord Christ not only instituted, enjoined and commanded it”
Seeking God at the altar
At the end of a service, or in an empty church, go forward and kneel. Bring to God what you need: forgiveness, healing, His Spirit's power. Take your time. Ask someone you trust to pray with you, and leave room for God to meet you there.
The altar call and "tarrying" at the front of the church, carried from Methodist and Holiness camp meetings into the Azusa Street revival of 1906, where people prayed at the altar three times a day.
Source: The Apostolic Faith (Los Angeles, 1906)“People are seeking three times a day at the altar”
Compare Pentecostal teaching by topic
Pentecostal coverage: 23 of 31 questions. Review status and scoring
Assemblies of God · 23 topics available
No official position scored: Which is closest to what you think about how often a church should share the Lord's Supper? Which is closest to what you think happens to believers when they die, before the final resurrection? Which is closest to what you think about the saints in heaven? Which is closest to what you think about Mary, the mother of Jesus? Which kind of service feels most like worship to you? Which music helps you worship most? How much should the church year shape worship? Which is closest to what you think about Christians, war and oaths?
Church of God in Christ · Based on 13 topics
No official position scored: Which is closest to what you think about creeds and confessions (written summaries of what a church believes)? When God puts a sinner right with Himself, which is closest to what you think happens? Which is closest to what you think about whom Christ died to save? Which is closest to what you think about God's choosing and our choice? Which is closest to what you think: can a true believer fall away and be lost? Which is closest to what you think about knowing where you stand with God? Which is closest to how you think the church should be led? Which is closest to what you think about who may be ordained as a pastor or priest? Which is closest to what you think about ordination in an unbroken line from the apostles? Which is closest to what you think about how often a church should share the Lord's Supper? Which is closest to what you think happens to believers when they die, before the final resurrection? Which is closest to what you think about the saints in heaven? Which is closest to what you think about Mary, the mother of Jesus? Which kind of service feels most like worship to you? Which music helps you worship most? How much should the church year shape worship? In worship, what do you most hope for? Which is closest to what you think about Christians, war and oaths?
Read the positions and sources
Scripture and authority
When Christians disagree about what to believe, which is closest to what you think should settle it?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “The Bible alone has the final word. Creeds, councils and teachers are all tested by it.”
Source: Assemblies of God, Statement of Fundamental Truths (ag.org), Truth 1“the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “The Bible alone has the final word. Creeds, councils and teachers are all tested by it.”
Source: Church of God in Christ, What We Believe, The Bible“We hold the Word of God to be the only authority in all matters”
Which is closest to what you think about creeds and confessions (written summaries of what a church believes)?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “A short statement of faith keeps us united, and the Bible itself is what we really stand on.”
Source: Assemblies of God, Statement of Fundamental Truths (ag.org), Preamble (Constitution Art. V)“This Statement of Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “A short statement of faith keeps us united, and the Bible itself is what we really stand on.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Which is closest to how you see the Bible's truthfulness?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “The Bible is without error in everything it affirms, including what it says about history and the world.”
Some hold: “The Bible is fully trustworthy in everything it teaches about God, salvation and how to live.”
Source: AG Position Paper: Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Authority of Scripture (2015), Explanation of Terms“Being without error and completely truthful, the Scriptures are absolutely trustworthy”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “The Bible is fully trustworthy in everything it teaches about God, salvation and how to live.”
Some hold: “The Bible is without error in everything it affirms, including what it says about history and the world.”
Source: COGIC Statement of Faith, Statement of Faith“We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible written Word of God.”
Salvation and grace
When God puts a sinner right with Himself, which is closest to what you think happens?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “God forgives us and counts us righteous for Christ's sake, crediting His righteousness to us. We receive this by faith alone.”
Makes room for: “God brings us into a right relationship with Him, and that new life means following Jesus every day with His people.”
Source: Assemblies of God, Statement of Fundamental Truths (ag.org), Truth 5(a)“being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God, according to the hope of eternal life”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “God forgives us and counts us righteous for Christ's sake, crediting His righteousness to us. We receive this by faith alone.”
Makes room for: “God forgives our sins when we believe, repent and are baptized, and from then on we walk in obedience to Him.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Which is closest to how you think God usually gives people His saving grace?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “When a person hears the gospel and personally trusts Christ. Baptism and the Lord's Supper then show it.”
Source: Assemblies of God, Statement of Fundamental Truths (ag.org), Truth 5(a)“Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “When a person hears the gospel and personally trusts Christ. Baptism and the Lord's Supper then show it.”
Source: Church of God in Christ, What We Believe, Man“man is saved by confessing and forsaking his sins, and believing on the Lord Jesus Christ”
Which is closest to what you think about whom Christ died to save?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “Christ died for every person, so that anyone who turns to Him can be saved.”
Source: AG position paper: The Assurance of Salvation (2017), Sec. I“God Makes Provision of Salvation for Every Person”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “Christ died for every person, so that anyone who turns to Him can be saved.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Which is closest to what you think about God's choosing and our choice?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “God's grace goes before everyone and frees us to respond. God chooses in Christ those He knows will believe.”
Some hold: “God's choosing and our free choice are both true in Scripture, and I don't think we need a system to fit them together.”
Source: AG Position Paper: A Response to Reformed Theology, More Recent Developments“the core difference between Reformed and Arminian thinkers (including the Assemblies of God in the latter) has to do with soteriology”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “God's grace goes before everyone and frees us to respond. God chooses in Christ those He knows will believe.”
Makes room for: “God's choosing and our free choice are both true in Scripture, and I don't think we need a system to fit them together.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Which is closest to what you think: can a true believer fall away and be lost?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “Yes. A believer can turn away from Christ and be lost, but while we live His grace keeps calling us back.”
Source: AG position paper: The Assurance of Salvation (2017)“The believer's salvation may be forfeited or abandoned by willfully turning away from Christ”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “Yes. A believer can turn away from Christ and be lost, but while we live His grace keeps calling us back.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Which is closest to what you think about knowing where you stand with God?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “The Spirit gives an inner witness that I'm God's child, and I keep walking with Him so I don't drift away.”
Source: Assemblies of God, Statement of Fundamental Truths (ag.org), Truth 5(b)“The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “The Spirit gives an inner witness that I'm God's child, and I keep walking with Him so I don't drift away.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Which is closest to what you think about how God makes believers holy?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “Holiness grows over a whole lifetime. Sin remains in us until we die, though it no longer rules us.”
Source: Assemblies of God, Statement of Fundamental Truths (ag.org), Truth 9“by the faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “After conversion God can, in a moment, cleanse the heart from the sin within and fill it with perfect love.”
Some hold: “Holiness grows over a whole lifetime. Sin remains in us until we die, though it no longer rules us.”
Source: Church of God in Christ, What We Believe, The Holy Ghost“the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is an experience subsequent to conversion and sanctification”
The church
Which is closest to how you think the church should be led?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “By each local congregation under Christ, with leaders such as pastors, elders or clerks, free from outside control.”
Some hold: “By bishops or superintendents who oversee a connection of churches and help place their pastors.” or “By elders, pastors and lay elders together, with local churches joined in regional and national assemblies.”
Source: AG Position Paper: Leadership and Governance in the Local Church (2019), The Assemblies of God Historical Model“the congregational model has, for the most part, held a place of prominence in the Assemblies of God”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “By bishops or superintendents who oversee a connection of churches and help place their pastors.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Which is closest to what you think about who may be ordained as a pastor or priest?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “Both men and women may be called by God and ordained as pastors.”
Source: AG Position Paper: Ordination: The Recognition of a Call to Ministry, Ministerial classifications“Ordination is the term used for the highest level of ministerial classification the Assemblies of God recognizes, a classification available to both men and women.”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “Only men may serve as pastors or elders, and women serve in many other vital ministries.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Which is closest to what you think about ordination in an unbroken line from the apostles?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “What matters is that ministers hold to the apostles' teaching and are rightly called and ordained by the church.” or “Each congregation recognizes and calls its own leaders by their gifts. No outside line of ordination is needed.”
Source: AG Position Paper: Ordination: The Recognition of a Call to Ministry, Biblical foundations“Ministry, then, was not the sole prerogative of an apostolic or priestly elite to be passed down from generation to generation by a rite of apostolic succession.”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “What matters is that ministers hold to the apostles' teaching and are rightly called and ordained by the church.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Which is closest to what you think about Christians, war and oaths?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “Christians should work for peace, and each believer may follow conscience about serving in the military.”
Some hold: “Christians may serve in the military for a just cause and may take an oath when the law asks for one.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “Christians should work for peace, and each believer may follow conscience about serving in the military.”
Some hold: “Jesus' followers should not fight in war or use violence, and should give a plain yes or no instead of oaths.”
Makes room for: “Christians may serve in the military for a just cause and may take an oath when the law asks for one.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Which is closest to what you think about who should be baptized?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “Only people old enough to understand the gospel and confess faith in Christ for themselves.”
Source: Assemblies of God, Statement of Fundamental Truths (ag.org), Truth 6(a)“All who repent and believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord are to be baptized.”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “Only people old enough to understand the gospel and confess faith in Christ for themselves.”
Source: Church of God in Christ, What We Believe, Water Baptism“an outward demonstration that one has already had a conversion experience and has accepted Christ as his personal Savior”
Which is closest to what you think happens in baptism?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “It's a public act of obedience that pictures what Christ has already done in the believer.”
Source: Assemblies of God, Statement of Fundamental Truths (ag.org), Truth 6(a)“Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “It's a public act of obedience that pictures what Christ has already done in the believer.”
Source: Church of God in Christ, What We Believe, Water Baptism“we do not believe that water baptism alone is a means of salvation”
Which is closest to what you think about how baptism should be done?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “By immersion only, going fully under the water, as a picture of burial and rising with Christ.”
Source: Assemblies of God, Statement of Fundamental Truths (ag.org), Truth 6(a)“The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures.”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “By immersion only, going fully under the water, as a picture of burial and rising with Christ.”
Source: Church of God in Christ, What We Believe, Water Baptism“we practice immersion as our mode of Baptism”
When the church shares the bread and cup, which is closest to what you think?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “We remember Christ's death, proclaim it and look for His return, with the bread and cup as signs.”
Makes room for: “Christ is truly present by His Spirit, and believers feed on Him by faith, while the bread stays bread.”
Source: Assemblies of God, Statement of Fundamental Truths (ag.org), Truth 6(b)“a memorial of his suffering and death”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “Christ is truly present by His Spirit, and believers feed on Him by faith, while the bread stays bread.” or “We remember Christ's death, proclaim it and look for His return, with the bread and cup as signs.”
Source: Church of God in Christ, What We Believe, Ordinances“The communicant by faith enters into a special spiritual union of his soul with the glorified Christ.”
Which is closest to what you think about how often a church should share the Lord's Supper?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “Regularly, perhaps monthly or quarterly. It's special, but it isn't part of every service.”
Makes room for: “A few times a year, with careful preparation and self-examination in the days before.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “Regularly, perhaps monthly or quarterly. It's special, but it isn't part of every service.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Which is closest to what you think Christ gave His church to keep as lasting rites?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “Two ordinances, baptism and the Lord's Supper, kept in obedience as signs of the gospel.”
Source: Assemblies of God, Statement of Fundamental Truths (ag.org), Truth 6“The Ordinances of the Church”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “Baptism, the Lord's Supper and washing one another's feet, as Jesus told His disciples to do.”
Source: Church of God in Christ, What We Believe, Ordinances“Feet Washing is practiced and recognized as an ordinance in our Church”
The Holy Spirit’s gifts
Which is closest to what you think about gifts like prophecy, tongues and healing today?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “All the gifts in the New Testament are for today, and churches should seek them and make room for them.”
Source: Assemblies of God, Statement of Fundamental Truths (ag.org), Truth 7“the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “All the gifts in the New Testament are for today, and churches should seek them and make room for them.”
Source: Church of God in Christ, What We Believe, Miracles“the works of God, which were performed during the beginnings of Christianity, do and will occur even today”
Which is closest to what you think about being baptized (or filled) with the Holy Spirit?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “It's a gift that follows salvation, and its first outward sign is speaking in other tongues.”
Source: Assemblies of God, Statement of Fundamental Truths (ag.org), Truth 8“witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “It's a gift that follows salvation, and its first outward sign is speaking in other tongues.”
Source: Church of God in Christ, What We Believe, The Holy Ghost“When one receives a baptismal Holy Ghost experience, we believe one will speak with a tongue unknown to oneself”
When Christians pray for the sick, which is closest to what you think?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “Healing is provided for in Christ's death, and believers can pray in faith expecting God to heal.”
Source: Assemblies of God, Statement of Fundamental Truths (ag.org), Truth 12“Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers.”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “Healing is provided for in Christ's death, and believers can pray in faith expecting God to heal.”
Some hold: “Praying for the sick with laying on of hands is part of every believer's ministry, as Jesus did when He announced the kingdom.” or “The church anoints the sick in a sacrament that gives grace for body and soul, and sometimes healing.”
Source: COGIC Statement of Faith, Statement of Faith“We believe that the redemptive work of Christ on the Cross provides healing for the human body in answer to believing prayer.”
Mary and the saints
Which is closest to what you think about the saints in heaven?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “We thank God for the saints and follow their example, but we pray to God alone.” or “Every believer, living or dead, is a saint. We remember faithful Christians without special honor for some.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “We thank God for the saints and follow their example, but we pray to God alone.” or “Every believer, living or dead, is a saint. We remember faithful Christians without special honor for some.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Which is closest to what you think about Mary, the mother of Jesus?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “She was a godly woman God chose to bear Jesus, and an example of faith like other believers.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “She was a godly woman God chose to bear Jesus, and an example of faith like other believers.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Last things
Which is closest to what you think about Christ's return and the thousand years in Revelation 20?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “Christ will take His church to Himself before a time of great trouble, then return to reign on earth for a thousand years.”
Some hold: “After a time of great trouble, Christ will return and reign on earth for a thousand years before the final judgment.”
Source: Assemblies of God, Statement of Fundamental Truths (ag.org), Truth 14“The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years.”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “Christ will take His church to Himself before a time of great trouble, then return to reign on earth for a thousand years.”
Some hold: “After a time of great trouble, Christ will return and reign on earth for a thousand years before the final judgment.”
Makes room for: “Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead, and I don't think we need a timeline.”
Source: COGIC Statement of Faith, Statement of Faith“We believe in the blessed Hope, which is the rapture of the Church of God, which is in Christ, at His return.”
Which is closest to what you think happens to believers when they die, before the final resurrection?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “They go straight to be with Christ, fully forgiven, and wait for the resurrection of the body.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “They go straight to be with Christ, fully forgiven, and wait for the resurrection of the body.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Worship
Which kind of service feels most like worship to you?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “A long time of singing, then preaching, with freedom for spontaneous prayer and response.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “A long time of singing, then preaching, with freedom for spontaneous prayer and response.”
Makes room for: “No set order. We wait together in silence until someone is moved to speak.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Which music helps you worship most?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “A worship band leading contemporary songs.”
Some hold: “Gospel music, with choir, organ and drums, and freedom to respond.”
Makes room for: “Hymns with organ or piano, and a choir.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “Gospel music, with choir, organ and drums, and freedom to respond.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
How much should the church year shape worship?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “A little. We mark Christmas and Easter and plan the rest around preaching series.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “A little. We mark Christmas and Easter and plan the rest around preaching series.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.
In worship, what do you most hope for?
Assemblies of God
Teaches: “Freedom in the Spirit, with raised hands, prayer for one another, and gifts like prophecy.”
Some hold: “Clear preaching of God's Word that teaches and convicts, with heartfelt singing.”
Source: AG Position Paper: Worship and Praise (2026), Summary“As Pentecostals, we embrace vibrant, expressive worship and praise while giving full attention to the Lord and to the moving of His Spirit.”
Church of God in Christ
Teaches: “Freedom in the Spirit, with raised hands, prayer for one another, and gifts like prophecy.”
Makes room for: “Clear preaching of God's Word that teaches and convicts, with heartfelt singing.” or “A close church family sharing life, singing together and caring for one another.”
Not yet checked against the primary text, so the quiz doesn’t score this.