Pentecostalism

==Worship==
[[File:Show de Hillsong.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|right|[[Hillsong Church]], a Pentecostal [[mega church]] in [[Sydney]], Australia, known for its [[contemporary worship music]]]]

Traditional Pentecostal worship has been described as a "gestalt made up of prayer, singing, sermon, the operation of the gifts of the Spirit, altar intercession, offering, announcements, testimonies, musical specials, Scripture reading, and occasionally the Lord's supper".<ref name=Johansson60-61>Calvin M. Johansson in Patterson and Rybarczyk 2007, pp. 60–61.</ref> Russell P. Spittler identified five values that govern Pentecostal [[spirituality]].<ref name=NIDPCMSpirituality>''The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements'', s.v. "Spirituality, Pentecostal and Charismatic".</ref> The first was individual experience, which emphasizes the Holy Spirit's personal work in the life of the believer. Second was [[orality]], a feature that might explain Pentecostalism's success in evangelizing nonliterate cultures. The third was spontaneity; members of Pentecostal congregations are expected to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, sometimes resulting in unpredictable services. The fourth value governing Pentecostal spirituality was "otherworldliness" or [[asceticism]], which was partly informed by Pentecostal eschatology. The final and fifth value was a commitment to biblical authority, and many of the distinctive practices of Pentecostals are derived from a [[Biblical literalism|literal reading of scripture]].<ref name=NIDPCMSpirituality/>

Spontaneity is a characteristic element of Pentecostal worship. This was especially true in the movement's earlier history, when anyone could initiate a song, chorus, or spiritual gift.<ref name=Johansson50-51>Johansson, in Patterson and Rybarczyk 2007, pp. 50–51.</ref> Even as Pentecostalism has become more organized and formal, with more control exerted over services,<ref name=Johansson56-57>Johansson, in Patterson and Rybarczyk 2007, pp. 56–57.</ref> the concept of spontaneity has retained an important place within the movement and continues to inform stereotypical imagery, such as the derogatory "[[holy roller]]". The phrase "Quench not the Spirit", derived from 1 Thessalonians 5:19, is used commonly and captures the thought behind Pentecostal spontaneity.<ref name=foundations330>Duffield and Van Cleave 1983, p. 330.</ref>

Prayer plays an important role in Pentecostal worship. Collective oral prayer, whether glossolalic or in the vernacular or a mix of both, is common. While praying, individuals may lay hands on a person in need of prayer, or they may raise their hands in response to biblical commands ([[1 Timothy]] 2:8). The raising of hands (which itself is a revival of the ancient [[orans]] posture) is an example of some Pentecostal worship practices that have been widely adopted by the larger Christian world.<ref name=Harvey&Goff>Paul Harvey and Philip Goff, ''The Columbia documentary history of religion in America since 1945'' (Columbia University Press, 2005), 347.</ref><ref name=Witham>Larry Witham, ''Who shall lead them?: the future of ministry in America'' ([[Oxford University Press]], Jul 1, 2005), 134.</ref><ref name=Burns>Stephen Burns, ''SCM Studyguide to Liturgy'' (Hymns Ancient & Modern Ltd, 2006), 62.</ref> Pentecostal musical and liturgical practice have also played an influential role in shaping [[contemporary worship]] trends, popularized by the leading producers of Christian music<ref name="OpentheDoors">Evans 2006, p. 87.</ref> from artists such as [[Chris Tomlin]], [[Michael W. Smith]], [[Zach Williams (musician)|Zach Williams]], [[Darlene Zschech]], [[Matt Maher]], [[Phil Wickham]], Grace Larson, [[Don Moen]] and bands such as [[Hillsong Worship]], Bethel Worship, [[Jesus Culture]] and [[Sovereign Grace Churches|Sovereign Grace Music]].

[[File:Zhromko.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|right|Pentecostals worshiping in [[Slovakia]]]]

Several spontaneous practices have become characteristic of Pentecostal worship. Being "[[slain in the Spirit]]" or "falling under the power" is a form of [[prostration]] in which a person falls backwards, as if fainting, while being prayed over.<ref name=manifestations>[http://ag.org/top/beliefs/sptlissues_manifestations.cfm "Modern Day Manifestations of the Spirit"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726123339/http://www.ag.org/top/Beliefs/sptlissues_manifestations.cfm |date=2009-07-26 }}, paper detailing the "common understanding of scriptural teaching" of the Assemblies of God USA. Accessed August 26, 2010.</ref><ref name=AGAEcclesiology123>Shane Jack Clifton, [http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/digitaltheses/public/adt-acuvp78.25092005/02wholex.pdf "An Analysis of the Developing Ecclesiology of the Assemblies of God in Australia"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112031940/http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/digitaltheses/public/adt-acuvp78.25092005/02wholex.pdf |date=2009-11-12 }} [PhD thesis, Australian Catholic University, 2005], p. 205. Accessed August 26, 2010.</ref> It is at times accompanied by glossolalic prayer; at other times, the person is silent.<ref name=NIDPCMSpirituality/> It is believed by Pentecostals to be caused by "an overwhelming experience of the presence of God",<ref name=Crossroads85>Poloma 1989, p. 85.</ref> and Pentecostals sometimes receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit in this posture.<ref name=NIDPCMSpirituality/> Another spontaneous practice is "dancing in the Spirit". This is when a person leaves their seat "spontaneously 'dancing' with eyes closed without bumping into nearby persons or objects". It is explained as the worshipper becoming "so enraptured with God's presence that the Spirit takes control of physical motions as well as the spiritual and emotional being".<ref name=manifestations/> Pentecostals derive biblical precedent for dancing in worship from [[2 Samuel]] 6, where [[David]] danced before the Lord.<ref name=NIDPCMSpirituality/> A similar occurrence is often called "[[running the aisles]]". The "Jericho march" (inspired by [[Book of Joshua]] 6:1–27) is a celebratory practice occurring at times of high enthusiasm. Members of a congregation began to spontaneously leave their seats and walk in the aisles inviting other members as they go. Eventually, a full column forms around the perimeter of the meeting space as worshipers march with singing and loud shouts of praise and jubilation.<ref name=NIDPCMSpirituality/><ref name=Crossroads85-86>Poloma 1989, pp. 85–86.</ref> Another spontaneous manifestation found in some Pentecostal churches is [[holy laughter]], in which worshippers uncontrollably laugh. In some Pentecostal churches, these spontaneous expressions are primarily found in revival services (especially those that occur at [[tent revival]]s and [[camp meeting]]s) or special prayer meetings, being rare or non-existent in the main services.

===Ordinances===
{{Main|Ordinance (Christian)}}

Like other Christian churches, Pentecostals believe that certain rituals or ceremonies were instituted as a pattern and command by Jesus in the New Testament. Pentecostals commonly call these ceremonies [[Ordinance (Christian)|ordinances]]. Many Christians call these [[sacraments]], but this term is not generally used by Pentecostals and certain other Protestants as they do not see ordinances as imparting grace.<ref name=BBC>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/pentecostal_1.shtml|title=Pentecostalism|author=BBC – Religion & Ethics|date=2007-06-20|access-date=2009-02-10|archive-date=2012-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114125759/http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/pentecostal_1.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Instead the term [[sacerdotal]] ordinance is used to denote the distinctive belief that grace is received directly from God by the congregant with the officiant serving only to facilitate rather than acting as a [[Conduit (spiritualism)|conduit]] or [[vicar]].

The ordinance of water [[baptism]] is an outward symbol of an inner conversion that has already taken place. Therefore, most Pentecostal groups practice [[believer's baptism]] by [[immersion baptism|immersion]]. The majority of Pentecostals do not view baptism as essential for salvation, and likewise, most Pentecostals are Trinitarian and use the traditional Trinitarian baptismal formula. However, Oneness Pentecostals view baptism as an essential and necessary part of the salvation experience and, as non-Trinitarians, reject the use of the traditional baptismal formula. For more information on Oneness Pentecostal baptismal beliefs, see the following section on Statistics and denominations.

The ordinance of [[Holy Communion]], or the Lord's Supper, is seen as a direct command given by Jesus at the [[Last Supper]], to be done in remembrance of him. Pentecostal denominations, who traditionally support the [[temperance movement]], reject the use of wine as part of communion, using grape juice instead.<ref name="Sutton2020">{{cite book |last1=Sutton |first1=Geoffrey W. |title=Counseling and Psychotherapy with Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians: Culture & Research {{!}} Assessment & Practice |date=17 September 2020 |publisher=Sunflower |page=53 |language=English}}</ref><ref name=AGAlcohol>{{cite web |title =Abstinence: A Biblical Perspective on Abstinence|website=General Council of the Assemblies of God| year =1985| location =Springfield, MO | page =2| url =http://www.ag.org/top/Beliefs/position_papers/pp_downloads/pp_4187_abstinence.pdf| access-date =2009-03-31| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100215111649/http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4187_abstinence.pdf| archive-date =2010-02-15}}</ref>

Certain Pentecostal denominations observe the [[ordinance (Christianity)|ordinance]] of [[Christian head covering|women's headcovering]] in obedience to {{Bibleverse|1 Corinthians|11:4-13|NRSV}}.<ref name="Brereton2002">{{cite book |last1=Bendroth |first1=Margaret Lamberts |last2=Brereton |first2=Virginia Lieson |title=Women and Twentieth-century Protestantism |date=2002 |publisher=University of Illinois Press |isbn=978-0-252-06998-7 |page=29 |language=en}}</ref>

[[Maundy (foot washing)|Foot washing]] is also held as an ordinance by some Pentecostals.<ref>This view is held by the [[United Pentecostal Church International]] and the [[Church of God in Christ]]. For the UPCI, see under "The Church," in ''Essential Doctrines of the Bible'', copyright 1990, by Word Aflame Press. For the COGIC, see [http://www.cogic.com/doctrine.html The Doctrine of the Church of God in Christ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124083809/http://www.cogic.com/doctrine.html |date=2010-01-24 }}.</ref> It is considered an "ordinance of humility" because Jesus showed humility when washing his disciples' feet in John 13:14–17.<ref name=BBC/> Other Pentecostals do not consider it an ordinance; however, they may still recognize spiritual value in the practice.<ref>For the [[Assemblies of God USA]]'s position on ordinances, see Article 6 of its [[Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths|Statement of Fundamental Truths]] which only lists water baptism and holy communion.</ref>