Pentecostalism – A Movement for Today or a Deviation from God's Will?

Heavenly Father, we come before You today seeking clarity, wisdom, and guidance as we delve into the topic of Pentecostalism. We pray that You will help us discern Your truth from man-made interpretations. Open our hearts and minds to Your Word, and help us to stay faithful to the teachings You’ve given us through Scripture. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Good morning, church! Today, we’re going to dive into a topic that’s been making waves in the Christian world for over a century: Pentecostalism. It’s a movement that’s known for its lively worship, speaking in tongues, and a strong emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s gifts. But as much as it’s growing and spreading, we have to ask: Is this movement truly in line with God's Word, or is it a deviation from the teachings of the Bible?

Now, I know Pentecostalism is often talked about with great enthusiasm. Some people love it, and others find themselves scratching their heads. So, let’s unpack it a little bit. We’ll look at its beginnings, its core beliefs, and most importantly—whether it’s truly aligned with God’s will.

The Birth of Pentecostalism – A Movement Born from Revival

Pentecostalism traces its roots back to the early 1900s, particularly to the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, California. This revival is often considered the birthplace of modern Pentecostalism, where a preacher named William J. Seymour preached about being baptized in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.

And let me tell you, the Pentecostal movement took off like a rocket after that. But while it’s undeniably exciting to look at the explosive growth of this movement, we have to ask ourselves: Is all growth good growth? I mean, just because something gets popular doesn’t mean it’s right.

Pentecostalism teaches that speaking in tongues is a sign of the Holy Spirit’s baptism. And we know that tongues is indeed mentioned in Acts 2 during the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit. But here’s the problem: Pentecostals often elevate this experience to the point where it’s seen as essential for salvation or a proof of a "deeper" spiritual walk. That’s where things get dicey.

You see, Jesus never said that speaking in tongues was the proof of salvation. In fact, He said, “By their fruits you will know them.” (Matthew 7:20) A true believer’s life will bear fruit—love, joy, peace, patience—not just speaking in an unknown language. So, while Pentecostalism certainly brought excitement and revival, we have to be careful that it doesn’t overshadow the simple truth of the Gospel.

Speaking in tongues is a known language—a real, comprehensible language that serves a specific purpose: to speak the gospel to those who need to hear it in a language they understand. It’s not meant to be a private, unintelligible experience, but rather a tool for spreading God’s message. The Bible is clear that the gifts of the Spirit are given to edify the church, not to create confusion or division.

The Rise of Women in Leadership – A Good Thing or a Misstep?

One of the most controversial aspects of Pentecostalism is its approach to women in leadership roles. In many Pentecostal churches, women are not only allowed to preach and teach but are also ordained as pastors and missionaries. They argue, based on Joel 2:28, which says, “Your sons and your daughters will prophesy”, that God’s Spirit is available to both men and women. Here’s where things get tricky. Yes, God gives the Holy Spirit to both men and women. But the question is: Does that mean God’s Word permits women to lead congregations as pastors?

Now, I’m sure this will ruffle some feathers, but let’s look at what the Bible says. In 1 Timothy 2:12, Paul is pretty clear when he says,

“I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.” And in 1 Corinthians 14:34, he repeats, “The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.”

I know that’s tough to hear, especially in today’s world, but as believers, we have to wrestle with Scripture, not simply dismiss it because it doesn’t fit with the culture or the times. God’s Word is timeless, and just because the culture says something is okay doesn’t mean God’s Word has changed.

Now, I’m not saying women can’t serve God in powerful ways—they absolutely can! The Bible is full of examples of women serving as leaders in other capacities (Deborah, Esther, Priscilla). But the role of pastor, as defined by Scripture, is reserved for men.

Pentecostalism, in its eagerness to expand and reach new people, has bent these Scriptures to suit its needs. But God doesn’t change His laws for convenience or culture.

Point 3: The Church’s Emphasis on Divine Gifts – Tongues, Healing, and the Spirit

Another feature that sets Pentecostalism apart is its emphasis on divine gifts—especially speaking in tongues and healing. Many Pentecostals claim that speaking in tongues is the sign that someone has received the Holy Spirit. And of course, there’s nothing wrong with desiring more of the Holy Spirit. But here’s the problem: they’ve made tongues a mark of "true" spirituality, and this is not what the Bible teaches.

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul lists the gifts of the Spirit, including speaking in tongues, but he makes a crucial point: “Not all speak in tongues, do they?” (1 Corinthians 12:30). The gift of tongues is one of many spiritual gifts—not the only evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence. First, we should point out that the expression “heavenly language” is nowhere found in Scripture. But the Pentecostal movement tends to focus so heavily on tongues claiming that is can be a language which is not one of the 7000+ languages given to us by God himself. This fallacy can overshadow other more important aspects of the Christian faith, like loving your neighbor, living a holy life, and spreading the Gospel.

And let’s not forget about healing. Many Pentecostals believe in divine healing and claim to see miracles regularly. Now, I’m not denying that God can heal—He absolutely can and does. But God doesn’t heal on demand. He heals according to His will, not ours. The danger here is that Pentecostals sometimes present healing as something that’s automatic, or even as proof of God’s favor. But again, this doesn’t align with the overall message of Scripture.

The Need for Sound Doctrine and Balance

So, where does all of this leave us? We need to stay anchored in the Word of God. It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of supernatural experiences and charismatic movements. But we can’t lose sight of sound doctrine. The Bible tells us that in the last days, many will be deceived by doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1). If we are not grounded in the truth, we could easily be led astray.

Church, we need to hold fast to the true teachings of the Bible, not the latest trends or movements. We need to stay true to God’s design for the church, which includes the roles He’s assigned to men and women and the gifts He’s given for His glory.

Conclusion

So, to wrap up: Pentecostalism may have started with great fervor and excitement, but we have to ask the hard questions. Does it truly align with God’s Word? Are the gifts of the Spirit being used as God intended? And are we staying true to God’s will when we allow women to lead in roles that Scripture does not permit?

I encourage you all today to test everything by the Word of God. Don’t just follow the crowd because it’s exciting or popular. Stand firm in the truth, and hold fast to the Scriptures.

God’s Word is our anchor in these stormy times, and as we continue in this world, let’s make sure we are building our lives on the foundation of truth.

Let us pray.

Father, thank You for Your Word that guides us in truth. Help us to discern what is right and to follow Your will in all things. Strengthen us to remain faithful to Your teachings and to stand firm against any deviation from Your truth. May we always seek Your wisdom and Your guidance in every area of our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.