We are a Charismatic branch of the Christian Church stemming from a revival period at the turn of the 20th century and take the name “Pentecost” from the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2. We believe that the advent of Pentecost in Acts 2 and the blessing of the church with miraculous gifts is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel 2: 28 – 29.
We believe:
- In a direct personal experience of God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit;
- that Holy Spirit baptism subsequent to initial faith and salvation is a necessary ministry empowering (second blessing) experience and speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of that empowering baptism;
- that all the gifts of the Holy Spirit available to the apostles and the early church continues in today’s church; and,
- that walking in the Spirit is “experiential” and miraculous manifestations follow such as physical healings, prophecy, speaking in tongues, etc.
Raising Our Hands
We worship God with demonstrations of both vocal and physical manifestations as His Holy Spirit lead us. As an example, the raising of our hands signifies our praise and surrender to God, and our awe and reverence of Him. We raise our hands with joy before the Lord and we will clap our hand with joy; sometimes we will even raise applause to God. Our emotions simply reflect our good feeling towards God.
We encourage everyone to worship as they are lead by the Holy Spirit. Regardless of the outward manifestation of our emotions and language, God reads directly the praise, the prayer, the reverence of our hearts.
Communion
We participate in a very special rite called the Lord’s Supper or Communion once a month at Kingsway Assembly. The Lord’s Supper is a symbol, a memorial, and a proclamation of the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:26).
The bread represents the body of Christ and the wine represents the blood of Christ. In Communion, we eat a piece of bread in remembrance of Jesus body which was broken for us and we drink the “fruit of the vine,” to remember that Jesus’ blood was shed for us. Our partaking shows that we share in Jesus Christ, participate with him, commune with him, become united in him and it reminds us of his promised return (Matt. 26:29; Luke 22:18; Mark 14:25; 1 Cor11:26).
Water Baptism
Water Baptism does not save us from our sins. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and by asking Him to come into our life and to cleanse us of our sins. We believe that baptism in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit by complete immersion in water is a next logical step of faith for those who have become children of God(Acts 2:38).
Water baptism is a physical symbol of what happens spiritually. It signifies the believer’s identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Our burial in water is symbolic of our death through Jesus Christ as atonement for our sins so that we may be unified with Him in resurrection which is symbolized by our coming out of the water.
Holy Spirit Baptism
The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the Godhead or the Trinity and possesses the attributes of Deity. Our “Statement of Fundamental and Essential Truths” notes that: “The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience in which the believer yields control of himself to the Holy Spirit. Through this he comes to know Christ in a more intimate way and receives power to witness and grow spiritually. Believers should earnestly seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. The initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth.”
Prophecy
Prophecy is a revelation by God to His people through an anointed person by the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, God choose “prophets” to be His spokesmen to His people. They foretold the future, condemned unrighteous acts, encouraged the people, recommended courses of action to rulers and priests and warned of judgment.
On the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2 in the New Testament, the church was blessed with miraculous gifts, including, the gift of prophecy, and this is broadly seen as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel 2: 28 – 29. Accordingly, the Holy Spirit was poured out on all people…young men and women, old men and women, servants, etc. to the effect that “… your sons and daughters will prophesy; old men will dream dreams, young men will see visions…”
From time to time in our worship service, you may hear someone speak out in English, a word from God to edify, exhort or comfort the people. Occasionally, the word may be given in “tongues” as discussed 0n the previous page and another brother or sister who has received the gift of “interpretation of tongues” will interpret it to the congregation.
Speaking in Tongues
The first people to speak in tongues were the disciples and this occurred on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 2). As you worship with us you may overhear someone speaking, praying or singing in a tongue (a language) which you do not understand. Do not be uncomfortable with this as that person is worshiping and communing with God in a “Heavenly” language or “tongues”. It is not an earthly language acquired through study but a “new” language gifted to that person by God. Jesus tells us that those who believe in Him will “speak in new tongues” (Mark 16:17).
In addition to offering prayers and praise to God in tongues, God may also uses the gifts of tongues to edify the body but only when they are used in conjunction with the gift of interpretation of tongues in an orderly manner (Romans 12: 4 – 8, 1 Corinthians 12: 14 – 26, Ephesians 4: 11 – 16). Through tongues, we receive knowledge, prophecy, instructions or a revelation from God, for the benefit of the body. Tongues are also for the benefit of the individual and they can be a part of private times with God.