Dare to Be Lutheran: Pentecostalism

A Matter of Focus

By Zelwyn Heide

Recently, a religious movement called Pentecostalism has been gaining strength. It has been in existence for over a hundred years, and now approximately one hundred fifty million people consider themselves Pentecostal. What started in Topeka, Kansas in 1901 has grown into the third-largest segment of Christianity. Pentecostalism is the fastest growing movement in the world. Church growth experts figure that every year some nineteen million people join the movement, and there is no sign of its slowing down. It is no exaggeration to assume, then, that you have probably met at least one or more persons who say they follow this movement.

Who are these Pentecostals? More importantly, what do they believe that makes them different from us? Here we must follow the exhortation to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1 ESV). Only by a careful study of God’s Word compared to what the spirit of Pentecostalism teaches will we discover the truth.

Pentecostalism can be easily defined by two doctrines: the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. Both are vital in understanding the whole movement.

What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? It is the belief in Pentecostal circles that the Holy Spirit bestows a second Baptism upon a believer. All Pentecostal churches believe that this outpouring of the Holy Spirit is essential, that God wants everyone to have it, and that without it we cannot receive the full Gospel. This Baptism supposedly comes without means (without the Word of God) and only after much effort on the part of the believer.

Speaking in tongues is related to this second Baptism. Speaking in tongues, according to Pentecostal belief, is speaking in unknown languages, especially ones that no one (even the speaker) can understand. These are often thought to be heavenly languages. All Pentecostal churches also believe that speaking in tongues is a necessary sign as proof of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. In other words, if you haven’t spoken in tongues, you haven’t received this second Baptism. If you don’t have this second Baptism, you don’t have the full Gospel. If you don’t have the full Gospel, you aren’t a full Christian. With these most basic beliefs of Pentecostalism in mind, we must compare them with the Word of God, our only rule and norm of faith.While the Bible does speak of a Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Pentecostalism has an incorrect focus. Christ promised the apostles that they would receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:4–5). This outpouring of the Spirit came, however, without any effort on the part of the apostles. They were “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4 ESV).The only thing Christ had commanded them to do was to wait. Pentecostal churches would have us believe we have to wrestle with God until He bestows the Holy Spirit.

However, the work and all gifts of the Holy Spirit must not be looked upon with scorn, because through them, He brings us to faith in Christ Jesus.Their purpose is to glorify Christ, not to be the center of attention. Just as He did with the apostles during Pentecost, He fills us with Himself and gives us all His gifts as we trust in Him. He is the helper and the “Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive” (John 14:17 ESV). “He will glorify [Christ], for he will take what is [His] and declare it to you. All that the Father has is [Christ’s]” (John 16:14–15 ESV).

Instead of focusing on the perfect work of salvation found only in Christ Jesus, Pentecostal teaching focuses upon the work of the Holy Spirit. And yet the true work of the Holy Spirit is to point us to Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Spirit works among us to spread the Gospel of Christ. When they should be focused upon the Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross, they choose instead to focus on spiritual gifts that were intended to point to Christ alone (1 Corinthians 12).

So when members of Pentecostal churches come knocking on your door telling you that you must fervently pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, tell them that the Holy Spirit already dwells within you because you trust in the Word of God, which says that Christ came and died for your sins. He has given you all His gifts that are yours in Christ Jesus. Keep your focus on the cross of Christ.

Zelwyn Heide is a student at Dickinson State University who prays that the focus upon Christ will not be lost. He intends to attend seminary after graduation.You can reach him at lutherische@yahoo.com.