What are the beliefs of Pentecostals?

Firstly, Pentecostals are not a separate religion. Pentecostalism is a form of Christianity. Therefore, Pentecostals are identified firstly Christians, not as Pentecostals. The term "Pentecostal" comes from the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 when the promised Holy Spirit was poured out on the original disciples. The two things that distinguish Pentecostals from other Christians are generally- * The belief that the activity of the Holy Spirit in the believer begins with salvation (the "infilling with the Holy Spirit") but may continue with an experience of empowering ("the baptism in the Spirit") which is evident by a God-given phenomena known as "tongues" ("glossalalia"). The belief that the Holy Spirit can still administer the spiritual gifts of 1 Corinthians 12 today through His people (tongues, interpretation, prophecy, healing, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, discerning of spirits, faith, and miracles). Pentecostals are distinguished from Charismatics over the first of these two points. Charismatics accept the second point but not the first point. Therefore, while there are entire denominations which are identified as "Pentecostal", the largest of these is the Assemblies of God, there are some denominations that have within them congregations which embrace the second point of Pentecostalism are usually identified as being "Charismatic". Pentecostals are generally characterised by vibrant faith, aggressive evangelism, bright worship services, prayer for the sick, the laying on of hands to impart spiritual blessing, the acknowledgment of demonic activity and the occasional need for unbelievers to be "delivered" from demons. Dr. Andrew Corbett www.andrewcorbett.net