Ask A Pentecostal: Questions and Answers About Pentecostalism

Convictions and Guidelines

As I stated in the first chapter, there are generally three categories of convictions, guidelines, or rules for people to live by-Biblical, Denominational or Church, and Personal.

Biblical convictions are things God has explicitly stated in the Bible. Some examples would be:

The Great Commission(Matthew 28:19-20): Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Requirements for Bishops(Preachers): (1 Timothy 3:1) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Requirements for Deacons or Elders: (1 Timothy 3: 8) Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Righteous Living: (1 Corinthians 6:9) Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Biblical requirements apply to all. If you call yourself a Christian, then you are responsible to God for obeying His commands, no matter who you are or what your Pastor or denominations allows. If God says that something is wrong, then it is wrong; no ifs and buts about it.

Denominational or Church convictions are things required to be a member of a certain church or denomination. Just like your place of business has certain standards for their employees, most churches or denominations have certain standards for their members.

I am a member of the Church of God. Now, I could still attend a Church of God without being a member and not be required to follow all of their guidelines, but since I am a member, I have agreed to follow these standards so long as my membership stands. I can withdraw my membership at any time I wish.

Some standards of the Church of God are:

Movies and Visual Entertainment "A Christian is not to attend (or watch on television) movies or theatrical performances of a demoralizing nature (Romans 13:14; Philippians 4:8)"

General Entertainment "...a Christian must not be part of any other types of entertainment which appeal to the fleshly nature and/or bring discredit to the Christian testimony (2 Corinthians 6:17; 1 Thessalonian 5:21, 22; 1 John 2:15-17)"

Oaths "A Christian should be trustworthy, dependable, and a person of his word )Matthew 5:37; 1 Peter 2:11, 12). Therefore, the swearing of oaths is contrary to a Christian's trustworthiness and should be avoided (Matthew 5:34-37; James 5:12)."

Sanctity of Marriage "Sexual involvement either before marriage or with someon other than the marriage partner is strictly forbidden in Scripture (1 Corinthians 6:15-18). Understanding the sanctity of marriage, partners should strive to maintain a happy, harmonious, and holy relationship." Homosexual or same sex relationships are not recognized as marriage.