What is it to be a pentecostal?
I think to be a pentecostal is to believe in certain distinctive features of the pentecostal pattern found in the bible as well as to hold on to some of the original pentecostal revival's practices, responsibilities and mission mindset. To be a pentecostal, is to belief in the existence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is always followed by speaking in tongues as the initial evidence. This is important as i believe it follows a biblical pattern that we can observe from the new testament: on three occasions of the Holy Spirit coming on believers recorded in the bible, all three occasions were followed with the speaking of tongues. A pentecostal also believes in the manifestational gifts of the Holy Spirit. But i think they practice this only after the individual experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Also, after experiencing the baptism of the Holy Spirit, one is expected to be filled with an evangelistic zeal, or passion for missions, as well as being empowered to do so.
