What It Means (And Doesn’t Mean) to Be a Pentecostal Church

The word Pentecostal Church often sparks a range of ideas—some accurate, some based on misconceptions. All too often our views are skewed by outliers on TV or social media or some other fringe expression. Whether you’ve grown up in a Pentecostal church or have only heard about it from a distance, it’s helpful to explore what it truly means and, just as importantly, what it doesn’t mean. This naturally may have some nuance, speaking for ourselves as Divergent Churches in Canberra, Port Macquarie and across the world.

What It Means to Be a Pentecostal Church

1. A Focus on the Holy Spirit Important to all believers but often emphasised by Pentecostals is the belief in the active presence of the Holy Spirit. Remember, Jesus himself, told the Disciples / Apostles to wait in Jerusalem until they were given power from on high (Luke 24:29) " I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 This 'power' from on high (Acts 1:8) however is not just a force but a person, the comforter (John 14:26) Pentecostals believe in the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines." The Holy Spirit empowers of believers for daily life and ministry. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.". Acts 1:8 This means expecting and experiencing God’s guidance, comfort, and power in tangible ways.

2. Belief in the empowering of the Holy Spirit

The mission of Jesus requires a power beyond our own capacity, for this reason he told the disciples, who had already done the miraculous and declared the word to wait in Jerusalem till they had been given power from on high, the promise of the faith.

"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." Acts 2:4

This is NOT salvation but the power of the Spirit is crucial so we might live on mission and see the salvation of others. It was important for Jesus and the disciples, it should be important for us.

3. Passion

Now, we know everyone is different, however when you know you are loved, when you know the grace of God, when you know you are called in to the mission and spiritual battle, it should come as no surprise that a passion arises for God and his kingdom (Matt 6:33) We are not only an intellectual people of confession but a passion people in expression. "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord." Psalm 134:2

Praying out loud, and worshipping through singing with enthusiasm. This isn’t just for show—it reflects deep gratitude and personal encounters with God.

4. Emphasis on God's supernatural ability NOW

We believe that God still performs miracles today, including physical healing, emotional restoration, and supernatural provision. "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven." (James 5:14-15 ). Do we believe every prayer is answered the way we hope, not always in our present, but we do nonetheless believe God will restore all things, whether now or in the ultimate resurrection.

Prayer for healing is a regular part of our gatherings, with faith that God can and does intervene.

5. Mission is not a program, it is our passion.

We believe in Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.". In our family, we have taken this personally, we have sent some of our best and continue to do so. However, this mission does not start with a passport and a plane ticket, it starts with loving our neighbours wherever we may be. Check out Divergent Global

What Being Pentecostal Does NOT Mean

1. It’s Not About Emotionalism for Its Own Sake but we also are wary of intellectualism. We love God so express this. We love God's truth so we diligently study.

While worship can be passionate, it’s not about just stirring emotions. True faith is rooted in biblical truth, not just feelings

John 4:24 says "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."). Worship is a response to God’s presence, it is not a performance or emotional manipulation.

2. Speaking in Tongues is great but Jesus is EVERYTHING

Some people assume that Pentecostals believe everyone must speak in tongues to be saved—this is not true. There are some small cults that believe this. They are cults. Believing in Jesus as risen Lord and Saviour is the place of salvation (Romans 10) "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9 - 13

3. It’s Not a Denomination

Pentecostalism is not a single church or denomination. Rather, it is a movement that spans many denominations and independent churches worldwide, united by a belief in the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. Honestly, most of the time we don't talk about this language often because no Christian, Church nor movement 'owns' the Holy Spirit. God, through his Spirit works powerfully through so many who yield themselves to him. This is written just to add a little more clarity. We are part of a movement of Churches called the Australian Christian Churches for accountability, fellowship and cooperation.

4. Pentecostals Are Not Against other Christians or Churches

Being Pentecostal doesn’t mean rejecting historical Christian teachings or traditions.

Pentecostals embrace the core doctrines of Christianity, including the Trinity, salvation by grace through faith. We believe in the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creeds. Check out our Beliefs and Affiliations

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 ) We answer this in a little bit more detail in WHY DIVERGENT

5. It’s Not About Chaos or self seeking

While Pentecostal services can be expressive, our goal is always to pursue what the Apostle Paul encourages all to do. "Everything must be done so that the church may be built up." 1 Cor 14:26b We seek to operate in the gifts, to preach the word well, to pray for one another, not because we value performance but because we value one another and it is only God who sets the captive free.

Conclusion

Being Pentecostal means embracing the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, engaging in passionate worship, believing in miracles, and sharing the gospel of Jesus boldly and with clarity.

Ultimately, it’s about a life empowered by God, living out faith in a way that reflects His love and truth to the world.