What Does Pentecostal Mean?
- Boundless Team
- 17 hours ago
- 7 min read
Pentecostal means a Christian believes the Holy Spirit still empowers believers today like in Acts—guiding, filling, and gifting us to live holy and to witness boldly for Jesus. In the Assemblies of God, we also believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit is available to believers and is often evidenced by speaking in tongues.
Why This Matters for Memphis (and the World)
If you've ever driven past First Assembly Memphis on Walnut Grove in Cordova, or clicked into a Boundless Online Church service, you might have heard the word "Pentecostal" and wondered what it actually means. Is it just about speaking in tongues? Is it charismatic worship? Is it a denomination?
Great questions. And you're not alone in asking them. At FA Memphis, we're part of the Assemblies of God, the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world, and we believe the Pentecostal experience isn't just a dusty theological label. It's a vibrant, life-giving reality that changes how you walk with Jesus, serve your neighbors in the 901, and discover your purpose in God's kingdom.
Let's break it down.
The Origin Story: Acts 2 and the Day of Pentecost
The word "Pentecostal" comes from Pentecost, a Jewish feast that happened 50 days after Passover. But in the Christian story, Pentecost is the day everything changed.
Definition Block: Pentecost
Pentecost (meaning “fiftieth”) is a Jewish feast celebrated 50 days after Passover (Leviticus 23:15–21). In the New Testament, Pentecost became the day God poured out the Holy Spirit on believers (Acts 2:1–4), empowering them to witness to Jesus with boldness and spiritual gifts.
In Acts 2, Jesus's followers were gathered in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit fell on them like a rushing wind and tongues of fire. They started speaking in languages they'd never learned, boldly proclaiming the gospel to people from every nation. Peter stood up and preached one of the most powerful sermons in history, and 3,000 people gave their lives to Jesus that day.
That's the blueprint. That's the heartbeat. Pentecostals believe that what happened in Acts 2 wasn't a one-time event locked in history, it's the normative Christian experience for every believer, in every generation, in every city (yes, even Memphis).
What Makes Someone "Pentecostal"?
Here's a simple way to think about it: A Pentecostal is any Christian who believes the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still in operation today.
That means:
Speaking in tongues (a supernatural prayer language)
Prophecy (hearing from God and speaking His word)
Healing (physical, emotional, and spiritual)
Miracles (the God who parted the Red Sea still shows up)
Discernment, wisdom, and faith (spiritual gifts that empower everyday life)
Pentecostals are sometimes called "continuationists" because we believe these gifts didn't stop when the last apostle died. The Holy Spirit is still moving, still empowering, still transforming lives, right here in Cordova, in the 901, and around the world through ministries like Boundless Online Church.
Spirit-Baptism: The Game-Changer
One of the core Pentecostal beliefs is something called baptism in the Holy Spirit. This is a post-conversion experience, meaning it happens after you're saved, where the Holy Spirit fills you in a powerful, personal way.
Think of it like this: when you accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live in you. But when you're baptized in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit comes to flow through you with power, boldness, and spiritual gifts.
Jesus Himself said in Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
That power isn't just for pastors or missionaries. It's for the single mom in Cordova juggling three jobs. It's for the college student at U of M wrestling with doubt. It's for the business owner downtown who wants their work to matter for the kingdom. The Holy Spirit empowers ordinary people to live extraordinary, Jesus-centered lives.
At FA Memphis, we've seen this happen over and over, people who were stuck, burned out, or spiritually dry encounter the Holy Spirit in a fresh way and their entire trajectory changes.
Key Pentecostal Beliefs (Assemblies of God Style)
Pentecostalism isn't a free-for-all. We have clear biblical guardrails, rooted in the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God. Here's the quick version:
Distinctive | Biblical Basis | Impact |
Bible as final authority | 2 Timothy 3:16–17 | Keeps our faith rooted in Scripture—not trends or hype. |
Salvation by grace through faith in Jesus | Ephesians 2:8–9 | Replaces religious performance with real relationship and forgiveness. |
Baptism in the Holy Spirit (empowerment for witness; often evidenced by tongues) | Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4 | Gives boldness, spiritual power, and a deeper prayer life for everyday believers. |
Gifts of the Spirit for today | 1 Corinthians 12–14 | Helps the Church minister with wisdom, healing, encouragement, and discernment. |
Divine healing | James 5:14–16 | Moves us to pray with faith for physical and emotional healing. |
Sanctification (holy living) | 1 Peter 1:15–16 | Forms Christlike character over time—grace-fueled obedience. |
Jesus is coming back | 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 | Gives hope, urgency, and steady faith when life feels shaky. |
(If you want a fuller breakdown, our beliefs page is a good starting point: Assemblies of God.)
1. The Bible is Our Authority
We believe the Bible is God's inspired, inerrant Word, the final say on doctrine, life, and faith. Everything we believe and practice is rooted in Scripture.
2. Salvation Through Jesus Alone
You can't earn your way to heaven. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). No works, no religious performance, just Jesus.
3. Baptism in the Holy Spirit
This is the Pentecostal distinctive. We believe every believer should seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit, often evidenced by speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, 19:6).
4. The Gifts of the Spirit Are for Today
Prophecy, healing, tongues, interpretation, miracles, discernment, these aren't museum pieces. They're active tools for ministry and spiritual growth (1 Corinthians 12-14).
5. Holy Living (Sanctification)
We're called to live set-apart lives, growing in holiness and Christ-likeness. Not legalism, but love-fueled obedience.
6. Jesus Is Coming Back
We believe in the Second Coming of Christ, the ultimate hope for every believer. One day, Jesus will return, and everything will be made new.
What This Looks Like in Real Life (Memphis Edition)
So what does Pentecostal faith look like on a Tuesday morning in the 901?
It's the small group leader in Cordova who prays for a neighbor's healing, and watches God show up.
It's the worship team at FA Memphis lifting hands and voices, creating space for the Holy Spirit to move.
It's the Boundless Online viewer in another time zone who types a prayer request in the chat and experiences God's presence through their screen.
It's the teenager who receives a prophetic word at youth group that redirects their entire future.
It's the businessman who prays in tongues on his commute and finds supernatural peace in the middle of chaos.
Pentecostal faith is experiential, relational, and transformational. It's not just knowing about God, it's encountering Him, being filled by Him, and walking in His power daily.
Common Myths About Pentecostals (Let's Clear the Air)
Myth #1: "Pentecostals are weird and overly emotional." Truth: We're passionate, yes. But passion isn't emotionalism, it's a response to a real, living God. We believe the Holy Spirit stirs our hearts, and that's a good thing.
Myth #2: "Speaking in tongues is required for salvation." Truth: Nope. Salvation is through faith in Jesus alone. Tongues is a gift, not a requirement for heaven. It's often the initial evidence of Spirit-baptism, but it's not a works-based checklist.
Myth #3: "Pentecostals don't care about theology." Truth: We absolutely care. Assemblies of God churches are deeply rooted in biblical doctrine. We just believe theology should lead to transformation, not just information.
FA Memphis Series: Boundless Online Church Connection
FA Memphis Series: so we can make sure we know that these are being posted to Boundless Online Church (www.boundlessonlinechurch.org) Boundless Online Church is an online outreach ministry of FA Memphis Church, here in Cordova, TN.
Whether you're sitting in our sanctuary at 8650 Walnut Grove Road or streaming a service halfway around the world, the Pentecostal message is the same: God is alive, the Holy Spirit is active, and you were made for more than mediocrity. You were made to experience God, walk in power, and live a life that changes the world, starting right where you are.
Your Next Step: Encounter the Spirit
You don't have to have it all figured out. You don't have to speak in tongues on day one. You don't have to be "spiritual enough."
You just have to be hungry.
If you're curious about what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit, we'd love to walk with you. Whether you're in Memphis or anywhere else in the world, there's a place for you.
Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341.
(Note: This line is for prayer and pastoral support, not emergency services. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911.)
If you're in the Memphis area:
Join us on Sundays for Sunday Classes at 9:30 AM and Worship at 10:30 AM at First Assembly Memphis. You can also explore what we believe here:
https://www.famemphis.net/our-beliefs (includes links to the Assemblies of God and our teaching on the Holy Spirit).
If you're tuning in online:
Jump into a live service at Boundless Online Church (www.boundlessonlinechurch.org). Chat with our team, submit a prayer request, or explore what Spirit-filled faith looks like from wherever you are.
Want to go deeper?
If you're in Memphis or the 901, we would love to welcome you in person:
If you're outside our area or unable to attend locally, join us online:
If you need prayer or someone to talk to, you are not alone. 📞 Call or Text: (901) 213-7341
We are here for you.
The Holy Spirit is moving. The question is: are you ready to say yes?
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