Pentecostalism is a charismatic movement within evangelical Protestant Christianity that emphasizes a direct personal experience of God through the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Emerging in the early 20th century from the Wesleyan Holiness tradition, it is distinguished by the belief that this post-conversion spiritual baptism is evidenced by speaking in tongues (glossolalia) and the active operation of supernatural spiritual gifts, such as prophecy and divine healing.
Pentecostals adhere to core Christian doctrines, including the inerrancy of the Bible, the necessity of being born again, and salvation through Jesus Christ. Their theology is often summarized by the “four-square gospel”: Jesus saves, baptizes with the Holy Spirit, heals bodily, and is coming again. Worship services are typically expressive and spontaneous, focusing on the Holy Spirit’s power in daily life and ministry, reflecting the patterns found in the Book of Acts.
The movement has grown into a global phenomenon, with hundreds of millions of adherents, particularly in the Global South. It is not a single denomination but a diverse stream encompassing various organizations, including the Assemblies of God and the United Pentecostal Church, the latter of which holds unique Oneness beliefs regarding the Trinity and baptism.
