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Pentecostal and Nondenominational and Evangelical compared

God and the Bible

Trinity

Pentecostal

We therefore may speak with propriety of the Lord our God who is One Lord, as a trinity or as one Being of three persons, and still be absolutely scriptural.

From Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, truth 2, The One True God (The Adorable Godhead 1) (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs Baptist: How They Differ on the Holy Spirit and Tongues

Nondenominational and Evangelical

We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

From National Association of Evangelicals, Statement of Faith

Authority

Pentecostal

We understand authority to mean that everything the Bible affirms and teaches is true. As God’s disclosed will and purpose, it is determinative for belief and behavior.

From Assemblies of God position paper, Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Authority of Scripture (2015) (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs Catholic: Authority, Sacraments and Tongues

Nondenominational and Evangelical

We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.

From National Association of Evangelicals, Statement of Faith, article 1

Our article: Baptist vs Nondenominational: Baptism, Communion and Who Leads

Revelation today

Pentecostal

The Church needs to recognize and respond to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit through the gift of prophecy given to the Church today.

From Assemblies of God position paper, Modern-Day Prophecy (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs. Presbyterian Beliefs

Nondenominational and Evangelical

God’s revelation in Christ and in Scripture is unchangeable. Through it the Holy Spirit still speaks today.

From Lausanne Covenant, section 2 (evangelical statement, 1974)

Our article: What is a non-denominational church?

Books of the Bible

Pentecostal

The Bible is often referred to by using the singular “Scripture” to embrace the entire canon of sixty-six books.

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper The Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Authority of Scripture, note on terms

Nondenominational and Evangelical

We affirm that the Bible is God’s word written, a divinely inspired, God-breathed collection of writings consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments.

From Lausanne Movement, The Seoul Statement (2024), II. The Bible

How the Bible was written

Pentecostal

The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.

From Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, truth 1, The Scriptures Inspired (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs Catholic: Authority, Sacraments and Tongues

Nondenominational and Evangelical

We affirm the divine inspiration, truthfulness and authority of both Old and New Testament Scriptures in their entirety as the only written word of God, without error in all that it affirms, and the only infallible rule of faith and practice.

From Lausanne Covenant, section 2 (evangelical statement, 1974)

Our article: What Are Evangelical Church Beliefs?

How the Bible was kept

Pentecostal

The Bible is, in fact, the best-attested book of antiquity and we are assured of a reliable text that is indeed trustworthy. Moreover, it demonstrates God’s providential care in the exacting, painstaking work of faithful scribes and scholars through the centuries.

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper The Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Authority of Scripture

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

WE AFFIRM that inspiration, strictly speaking, applies only to the autographic text of Scripture, which in the providence of God can be ascertained from available manuscripts with great accuracy. We further affirm that copies and translations of Scripture are the Word of God to the extent that they faithfully represent the original.

From Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy (1978), Article X

Our article: Preferred Translations: What Bible Do Nondenominational Churches Use?

Bible without error

Pentecostal

Inerrancy is a near synonym to infallibility and has been used more recently to further attest that Scripture as recorded in the original manuscripts, the autographs, is without error.

From Assemblies of God position paper, Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Authority of Scripture (2015) (Wayback copy)

Our article: Protestant vs Pentecostal: Pentecostals Are Protestants Who Expect the Spirit’s Gifts Today

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Being wholly and verbally God-given, Scripture is without error or fault in all its teaching, no less in what it states about God’s acts in creation, about the events of world history, and about its own literary origins under God, than in its witness to God’s saving grace in individual lives.

From Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy (1978), Summary Statement 4

Our article: Baptist vs Nondenominational: Baptism, Communion and Who Leads

Creation

Pentecostal

God did not form Adam from some previously existing creature (1 Corinthians 15:39). Any evolutionary theory, including theistic evolution/evolutionary creationism, that claims all forms of life arose from a common ancestry is thereby ruled out.

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper The Doctrine of Creation (2010, revised 2014)

Nondenominational and Evangelical

WE AFFIRM that Genesis 1-11 is factual, as is the rest of the book. WE DENY that the teachings of Genesis 1-11 are mythical and that scientific hypotheses about earth history or the origin of humanity may be invoked to overthrow what Scripture teaches about creation.

From International Council on Biblical Inerrancy, Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics (1982), Article XXII (text hosted at defendinginerrancy.com)

The Holy Spirit's origin

Pentecostal

Wherefore the Father is the Begetter, the Son is the Begotten, and the Holy Spirit is the one proceeding from the Father and the Son.

From Assemblies of God (USA), Statement of Fundamental Truths 2, The Adorable Godhead (3)

Our article: What Is the Filioque? The Latin Word Added to the Nicene Creed

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

We love the Holy Spirit within the unity of the Trinity, along with God the Father and God the Son. He is the missionary Spirit sent by the missionary Father and the missionary Son, breathing life and power into God’s missionary Church.

From Lausanne Movement, The Cape Town Commitment (2010), Part I, 5 We love God the Holy Spirit

Salvation

Salvation

Pentecostal

Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God, according to the hope of eternal life.

From Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, truth 5, The Salvation of Man (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs Catholic: Authority, Sacraments and Tongues

Nondenominational and Evangelical

The justification of sinners solely by the grace of God through faith in Christ. The ministry of God the Holy Spirit, who leads us to repentance, unites us with Christ through new birth, empowers our discipleship and enables our witness.

From Evangelical Alliance (UK) Basis of Faith

Our article: Baptist vs Nondenominational: Baptism, Communion and Who Leads

Losing salvation

Pentecostal

The General Council of the Assemblies of God disapproves of the unconditional security position which holds that it is impossible for a person once saved to be lost.

From Assemblies of God position paper, Assurance of Salvation (quoting Bylaws, Article IX.B.1) (Wayback copy)

Our article: Baptist vs Assembly of God: Same Gospel, Different Teaching on the Holy Spirit

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

Solely through trusting in Christ alone, we are united with Christ through the Holy Spirit and are counted righteous in Christ before God. Being justified by faith we have peace with God and no longer face condemnation.

From Cape Town Commitment (Lausanne Movement, 2010), Part I, section 1 (C)

Our article: Baptist vs Nondenominational: Baptism, Communion and Who Leads

God's choosing

Pentecostal

The position most typically held in the Assemblies of God is called Arminianism, after Jacobus Arminius (1560–1609).

From Assemblies of God position paper, Reformed Theology (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs. Presbyterian Beliefs

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

We affirm our belief in the one eternal God, Creator and Lord of the world, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who governs all things according to the purpose of his will.

From Lausanne Covenant (1974), 1 The Purpose of God

Who is saved

Pentecostal

The Assemblies of God does not believe that someone will go to hell because they were born in the wrong country or the wrong century.

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper The Final Judgment, section 2

Our article: Do Catholics Believe in Predestination? What Each Church Teaches

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Jesus Christ, being himself the only God-Man, who gave himself as the only ransom for sinners, is the only mediator between God and people. There is no other name by which we must be saved.

From Lausanne Covenant, section 3 (evangelical statement, 1974)

Our article: What Are Evangelical Church Beliefs?

Original sin

Pentecostal

Man was created good and upright; for God said, "Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness." However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God.

From Assemblies of God (USA), Statement of Fundamental Truths 4, The Fall of Man

Our article: Original Sin: What Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants Each Teach

Nondenominational and Evangelical

The dignity of all people, made male and female in God’s image to love, be holy and care for creation, yet corrupted by sin, which incurs divine wrath and judgement.

From Evangelical Alliance (UK), Basis of Faith

Our article: Original Sin: What Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants Each Teach

Human nature

Pentecostal

Every call to repentance in Scripture is an indication that God has given to humankind a free will which can choose right or wrong.

From Assemblies of God (USA), topics page God’s Sovereignty, God’s Providence, and Mankind’s Free Will (archived 2017)

Our article: Original Sin: What Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants Each Teach

Nondenominational and Evangelical

We acknowledge that sin affects the degree to which human beings can fully reflect the image of God. Sin corrupts our inherent human nature and capacities, our relationships with others, and our human vocation in the world.

From Lausanne Movement, The Seoul Statement (2024), IV. The Human Person

Our article: Original Sin: What Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants Each Teach

Holiness in this life

Pentecostal

Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by the faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit.

From Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, truth 9, Sanctification (Wayback copy)

Our article: Assemblies of God vs Pentecostal: The Assemblies of God Is a Pentecostal Church

Nondenominational and Evangelical

However, like seed planted in good soil, the good news does not bring the fullness of transformation or bear the fruit of transformation all at once. Rather, this transformation takes place gradually over the course of a lifetime in which the increase of holiness and love demonstrates the reality of the gospel’s transforming power.

From Lausanne Movement, The Seoul Statement (2024), V. Discipleship: Our Calling to Holiness and Mission

Old Testament law

Pentecostal

The Christian church has historically understood that although the ceremonial provisions of the Old Testament law were no longer in effect after the atoning death of Christ, the New Testament interpretation and restatement of its moral law continues in effect.

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper Homosexuality, Marriage, and Sexual Identity (2014)

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

The office and ministry of priests, prophets and kings, the divinely instituted ritual and sacrificial offerings, and the patterns of redemptive action in Old Testament history, all had typical significance as foreshadowings of Jesus.

From International Council on Biblical Inerrancy, Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics (1982), Exposition: The Centrality of Jesus Christ in the Biblical Message (text hosted at defendinginerrancy.com)

Baptism and Communion

Baptism

Pentecostal

All who repent and believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life.

From Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, truth 6, The Ordinances of the Church (Baptism in Water) (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs. Methodist Beliefs

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Water baptism is the outward sign of what God has already done in the individual's life, and is a testimony to all that the person belongs now to Jesus.

From Gateway Church (a large nondenominational church in Texas), What We Believe: Water Baptism

Our article: Baptist vs Nondenominational: Baptism, Communion and Who Leads

How baptism is done

Nondenominational and Evangelical

We believe that the Lord, Jesus Christ instituted two ordinances for the church: the full-immersion water baptism of believers and the Lord’s Supper

From Calvary Chapel Association (the best-known nondenominational fellowship), Statement of Faith: Ordinances

Our article: What Are Evangelical Church Beliefs?

Receiving the Spirit

Pentecostal

At conversion, the Spirit baptizes into Christ/the body of Christ; in a subsequent and distinct experience, Christ will baptize in the Holy Spirit.

From Assemblies of God position paper, Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs Baptist: How They Differ on the Holy Spirit and Tongues

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.

From National Association of Evangelicals, Statement of Faith, article 5

Our article: Pentecostal vs Charismatic vs Evangelical: How They Differ

Baptism for the dead

Pentecostal

Pentecostal has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord are to be baptized.

From Assemblies of God (USA), Statement of Fundamental Truths 6, Baptism in Water

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

Christian baptism is a sign and seal of God’s grace, a public declaration of our new allegiance to Christ and our new identification with his church.

From Lausanne Movement, The Seoul Statement (2024), III. The Church

Communion

Pentecostal

The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements –bread and the fruit of the vine– is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ

From Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, truth 6, The Ordinances of the Church (Holy Communion) (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs Catholic: Authority, Sacraments and Tongues

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Communion (or the Lord's Supper) is a commemoration of the death of the Lord and is done in remembrance of Him until He comes again.

From Gateway Church (a large nondenominational church in Texas), What We Believe: Communion

Our article: Baptist vs Nondenominational: Baptism, Communion and Who Leads

Who takes Communion

Pentecostal

Paul explained the meaning of the bread and the cup with reference to the Lord’s body and blood (11:24,25) and taught that it was an open proclamation of “the Lord’s death until he comes” (11:26). He called for regular and reverent participation by all believers, after careful self-examination (11:27-32).

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper Worship in the Bible, The Lord’s Supper

Nondenominational and Evangelical

We found no official statement from Nondenominational and Evangelical on who may take Communion.

Our article: Baptist vs Nondenominational: Baptism, Communion and Who Leads

Communion bread and wine

Pentecostal

The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements—bread and the fruit of the vine—is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers “till He come!”

From Assemblies of God (USA), Statement of Fundamental Truths 6, Holy Communion (PDF edition)

Nondenominational and Evangelical

We found no official statement from Nondenominational and Evangelical on the bread and wine of Communion.

Our article: What is a non-denominational church?

Sacraments

Pentecostal

Pentecostal has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures.

From Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, truth 6, The Ordinances of the Church (Baptism in Water) (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs Catholic: Authority, Sacraments and Tongues

Nondenominational and Evangelical

The Lord Jesus summons his church to gather together regularly to worship God the Father through the Son by the Holy Spirit. By these gatherings, he invites us to grow in our intimacy and knowledge of him as the Scriptures are read and proclaimed, and to see, feel and taste his grace, in Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42).

From Lausanne Movement, The Seoul Statement (2024), III. The Church

Church and worship

Leadership

Pentecostal

The General Council of the Assemblies of God is a cooperative fellowship based upon mutual agreements voluntarily entered into by its membership, and shall be known as a fellowship of churches and credentialed ministers.

From Assemblies of God Constitution and Bylaws (2023), Article II, Nature

Our article: Assemblies of God vs Pentecostal: The Assemblies of God Is a Pentecostal Church

Nondenominational and Evangelical

We found no official statement from Nondenominational and Evangelical on how the church is led.

Our article: Lutheran vs. Non-Denominational: A Faith Comparison

Who may be ordained

Pentecostal

Ordination is the term used for the highest level of ministerial classification the Assemblies of God recognizes, a classification available to both men and women.

From Assemblies of God position paper, Ordination: The Recognition of a Call to Ministry (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs Catholic: Authority, Sacraments and Tongues

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

The church, the body of Christ both local and universal, the priesthood of all believers — given life by the Spirit and endowed with the Spirit’s gifts to worship God and proclaim the gospel, promoting justice and love.

From Evangelical Alliance (UK) Basis of Faith

Our article: Lutheran vs. Non-Denominational: A Faith Comparison

Women ministers

Pentecostal

The Assemblies of God recognizes the spiritual gifting of women in all aspects and levels of church ministry as revealed in the Scriptures.

From Assemblies of God position paper, Women in Ministerial Leadership (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs Catholic: Authority, Sacraments and Tongues

Nondenominational and Evangelical

We recognize that there are different views sincerely held by those who seek to be faithful and obedient to Scripture. Some interpret apostolic teaching to imply that women should not teach or preach, or that they may do so but not in sole authority over men. Others interpret the spiritual equality of women, the exercise of the edifying gift of prophecy by women in the New Testament church, and their hosting of churches in their homes, as implying that the spiritual gifts of leading and teaching may be received and exercised in ministry by both women and men.

From Lausanne Movement, The Cape Town Commitment (2010), Part II, IIF.3 Men and women in partnership (lausanne.org)

Confession

Pentecostal

Nowhere does God’s Word tell us to confess our sins to a clergyman or human mediator in order to receive God’s forgiveness. Instead this is to be done from the repentant heart of the sinner directly to the Savior–Jesus Christ.

From Assemblies of God (USA), topics page Confession of Sins (archived 2017)

Our article: Confession: Which Churches Confess to a Priest?

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

True and lasting reconciliation requires acknowledgment of past and present sin, repentance before God, confession to the injured one, and the seeking and receiving of forgiveness.

From Lausanne Movement, The Cape Town Commitment (2010), Part II, IIB.1 The peace that Christ made

Day of worship

Pentecostal

While we are not commanded to observe Sunday as the specific day of rest and worship, the principle of the Sabbath is that one day in seven should be set aside for physical and spiritual renewal.

From Assemblies of God (USA), topics page Observing the Sabbath (archived 2017)

Our article: Which Christians Keep the Sabbath on Saturday?

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

The Scripture tell us to “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.” Our nation historically has observed the Lord’s Day as a day of worship and rest.

From National Association of Evangelicals, Sunday Observance (1970 resolution, archived)

Worship music

Pentecostal

The convictions of certain denominations against musical instruments notwithstanding, the New Testament does not prohibit any kind of musical instrument.

From Assemblies of God position paper, Worship in the Bible (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs. Methodist Beliefs

Nondenominational and Evangelical

We found no official statement from Nondenominational and Evangelical on music in worship.

Our article: What Are Evangelical Church Beliefs?

Icons and images

Pentecostal

No statement from Pentecostal on icons and statues yet.

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

Art in its many forms is an integral part of what we do as humans and can reflect something of the beauty and truth of God. Artists at their best are truth-tellers and so the arts constitute one important way in which we can speak the truth of the gospel.

From Lausanne Movement, The Cape Town Commitment (2010), Part II, IIA.5 Truth and the arts in mission

Speaking in tongues

Pentecostal

The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance.

From Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, truth 8, The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs Baptist: How They Differ on the Holy Spirit and Tongues

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

We believe in the present day ministry of the Holy Spirit in regard to the exercise of all biblical gifts of the Holy Spirit according to the instructions given to us (I Corinthians 12-14)

From Calvary Chapel Association (the best-known nondenominational fellowship), Statement of Faith: the Holy Spirit

Our article: What Are Evangelical Church Beliefs?

Spiritual gifts today

Pentecostal

All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry.

From Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, truth 7, The Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Wayback copy)

Our article: Assemblies of God vs Pentecostal: The Assemblies of God Is a Pentecostal Church

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

We therefore call upon all Christians to pray for such a visitation of the sovereign Spirit of God that all his fruit may appear in all his people and that all his gifts may enrich the body of Christ.

From Lausanne Covenant, section 14 (evangelical statement, 1974)

Our article: What Is A Non-Denominational Church?

Demons and exorcism

Pentecostal

While believers will engage in spiritual warfare and will be oppressed, they cannot be possessed by the demonic forces.

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper Spiritual Warfare and the Believer

Our article: Demons and Exorcism: What Each Church Teaches

Nondenominational and Evangelical

While affirming that being in Christ means the Christian belongs to Christ and that our nature is transformed, just as with sin and our need to deal with sin in our body, mind, emotions, and will, we wonder if the demonic, while no longer able to claim ownership of Christians, may continue to afflict them in body, mind, and emotions, unless dealt with.

From Lausanne Movement, Deliver Us From Evil consultation statement (Nairobi 2000), Areas of Tension

Our article: Demons and Exorcism: What Each Church Teaches

Head coverings

Pentecostal

Pentecostal has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

Modesty, however, is not a single set of rules for every culture and time. It is a pattern of behavior that does not call attention to itself through inappropriate display of one’s body.

From Assemblies of God (USA), topics page Modesty in Physical Appearance (archived 2017)

Nondenominational and Evangelical

No statement from Nondenominational and Evangelical on head coverings yet.

Mary and the saints

Mary

Pentecostal

Pentecostal has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare: His virgin birth

From Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, truth 3, The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs Catholic: Authority, Sacraments and Tongues

Nondenominational and Evangelical

The incarnation of God’s eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ – born of the virgin Mary; truly divine and truly human, yet without sin.

From Evangelical Alliance (UK) Basis of Faith

Our article: Baptist vs Nondenominational: Baptism, Communion and Who Leads

Was Mary sinless

Pentecostal

We found no official statement from Pentecostal on whether Mary was without sin.

Our article: Pentecostal vs Catholic: Authority, Sacraments and Tongues

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Evangelicals confess the sinlessness of Christ but not the sinlessness of Mary. Hebrews 7:26 refers to Jesus as our High Priest. He alone was perfectly holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners.

From Evangelicals and Catholics Together, Do Whatever He Tells You (2009), An Evangelical Word to Catholics: Immaculate Conception (First Things)

Praying to saints

Pentecostal

We found no official statement from Pentecostal on praying to the saints.

Our article: Pentecostal vs Catholic: Authority, Sacraments and Tongues

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

Jesus Christ, being himself the only God-Man, who gave himself as the only ransom for sinners, is the only mediator between God and people.

From Lausanne Covenant (1974), 3 The Uniqueness and Universality of Christ

Death and the end

After death

Pentecostal

Jesus characterized the intermediate state of the wicked after death (hell, Hades) as one of fire (Luke 16:23,24), but this is to be distinguished from the eternal fire. Jesus’ words in Luke 16 show us that the wicked remain conscious and are aware of their state and of what they have missed.

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper Eternal Punishment (1976, archived; since replaced by The Final Judgment)

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

Evangelicals affirm that the Church is the Body of Christ extended throughout time as well as space. The bonds among those who are in Christ are not severed by death, and the struggling Church on earth shares one faith and one hope with the noble company of the apostles, martyrs, and all the saints in glory, including Mary.

From Evangelicals and Catholics Together, Do Whatever He Tells You (2009), An Evangelical Word to Catholics: Invocation of Mary (First Things)

Purgatory

Pentecostal

Pentecostal has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

The Bible offers no possibility of repentance after death nor a lessening of the torment of separation from God (Luke 16:23–26).

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper The Final Judgment

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

Solely through trusting in Christ alone, we are united with Christ through the Holy Spirit and are counted righteous in Christ before God. Being justified by faith we have peace with God and no longer face condemnation.

From Lausanne Movement, The Cape Town Commitment (2010), Part I, 8 We love the gospel of God

Hell

Pentecostal

Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to the everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

From Assemblies of God (USA), Statement of Fundamental Truths 15, The Final Judgment

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Yet those who reject Christ repudiate the joy of salvation and condemn themselves to eternal separation from God.

From Lausanne Covenant (1974), 3 The Uniqueness and Universality of Christ

The rapture

Pentecostal

The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church.

From Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, truth 13, The Blessed Hope (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs. Methodist Beliefs

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

We believe that Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly, in power and glory, to consummate his salvation and his judgment.

From Lausanne Covenant (1974), 15 The Return of Christ

The Tribulation

Pentecostal

Although God’s people may endure severe trials before the Lord comes, the Church will be raptured before the period called the Great Tribulation.

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper The Rapture of the Church (1979)

Our article: What Is the Tribulation? What Different Churches Believe

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

We believe that the interim period between Christ’s ascension and return is to be filled with the mission of the people of God, who have no liberty to stop before the end. We also remember his warning that false Christs and false prophets will arise as precursors of the final Antichrist.

From Lausanne Covenant (1974), 15 The Return of Christ

The thousand years

Pentecostal

The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years.

From Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, truth 14, The Millennial Reign of Christ (Wayback copy)

Our article: Pentecostal vs. Methodist Beliefs

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

We believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, which is His personal, visible return to Earth and the establishment of His millennial kingdom, in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment and eternal blessing of the righteous and endless separation of the wicked

From Calvary Chapel Association (the best-known nondenominational fellowship), Statement of Faith: Christ's Second Coming

Our article: What is a non-denominational church?

Dispensations

Pentecostal

Pentecostal has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

Fundamental Truth 14 also affirms that Jesus’ coming includes a future for Israel. Drawing from Paul’s promise that “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26–27), it notes that the reign of Christ will mean the “salvation of national Israel.”

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper Premillennial Eschatology

Our article: What Is Dispensationalism? Which Churches Hold It or Reject It

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

We believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church where all believers will meet the Lord in the air and be taken out of this world prior to the Tribulation that will come upon the earth

From Calvary Chapel Association (the best-known nondenominational fellowship), Statement of Faith: Christ's Second Coming

Our article: What is a non-denominational church?

Marriage and family

Marriage

Pentecostal

Marriage between one man and one woman for a lifetime is the historic Christian standard based on the full witness of Scripture.

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper Divorce and Remarriage (2024), summary

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Marriage as a lifetime covenantal relationship between one man and one woman is a normative biblical symbol of God’s relationship with his people (Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 3:20, 31:32; Ephesians 5:23, 31–32).

From National Association of Evangelicals, For the Health of the Nation, 3 Strengthening Marriages, Families and Children

Sex outside marriage

Pentecostal

The Assemblies of God believes that sexual acts outside of marriage are prohibited as sinful.

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper Homosexuality, Marriage, and Sexual Identity (2014)

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Disordered sexuality of all kinds, in any practice of sexual intimacy before or outside marriage as biblically defined, is out of line with God’s will and blessing in creation and redemption.

From Lausanne Movement, The Cape Town Commitment (2010), Part II, IIE.2 Walk in love, rejecting the idolatry of disordered sexuality

Divorce

Pentecostal

We positively disapprove of Christians getting divorces for any cause except fornication and adultery (Matthew 19:9) or the abandonment of the believer by the unbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:10–15) or in the case of domestic violence by a spouse to a spouse or child (Matthew 18:6; Ephesians 5:28–33; Colossians 3:19).

From Assemblies of God (USA), Constitution and Bylaws (2023), Bylaws Article IX.B, Section 5b

Our article: Divorce and Remarriage: What Each Church Allows

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

Christians should model healthy marriages in which a man and woman honor their vows to lifelong sacrificial service to each other and loving nurture of any children that God brings into the family.

From National Association of Evangelicals, For the Health of the Nation, 3 Strengthening Marriages, Families and Children

Remarriage

Pentecostal

Where we recognize the right to divorce, we recognize the freedom to remarry. Even when those exceptions do not exist, divorced and remarried Christians belong to the people of God and should be treated as members of the body of Christ.

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper Divorce and Remarriage (2024), summary

Our article: Divorce and Remarriage: What Each Church Allows

Nondenominational and Evangelical

No statement from Nondenominational and Evangelical on remarriage after divorce yet.

Contraception

Pentecostal

The Assemblies of God, finding no clear scriptural mandate, does not take an official stand on the appropriateness of contraception within a heterosexual marriage for purposes of regulating the number of children, determining the time of their birth, or safeguarding the health of the mother.

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper Sanctity of Human Life: Abortion and Reproductive Issues, Contraception

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Where couples are not willing to accept the responsibilities of parenting, they should educate themselves about ethical methods of family planning. The Church is understandably reluctant to recommend contraception for unmarried sexual partners, given that it cannot condone extramarital sex.

From National Association of Evangelicals, Abortion resolution (2010)

Abortion

Pentecostal

The Assemblies of God views the practice of abortion as an evil that has been inflicted upon millions of innocent babies and that will threaten millions more in the years to come.

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper Sanctity of Human Life: Abortion and Reproductive Issues

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Because God created human beings in his image, every human life from conception to death bears the image of God and has inestimable worth (Genesis 1:27).

From National Association of Evangelicals, For the Health of the Nation, 2 Safeguarding the Nature and Sanctity of Human Life

Life and conscience

Blood transfusions

Pentecostal

Pentecostal has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

The use of modern medicine by Christians is legitimate but must never be a substitute for trusting God.

From Assemblies of God (USA), topics page Modern Medicine and the A/G (archived 2017)

Nondenominational and Evangelical

Nondenominational and Evangelical has no teaching on this exact question. The closest is:

God has blessed us with the capacity for scientific inquiry. Christians should support medical research such as biotechnology, neuroscience and nanotechnology that can ease suffering and cure disease as long as it does not undermine human dignity.

From National Association of Evangelicals, For the Health of the Nation, 2 Safeguarding the Nature and Sanctity of Human Life

Alcohol

Pentecostal

From its inception, the Assemblies of God has been unequivocally committed to abstinence from alcoholic beverages, a conviction firmly rooted in what the Bible teaches about the abuse of wine, the consumption of strong drink, and also in its cardinal ethical principle of love for God and others.

From Assemblies of God (USA), position paper Abstinence from Alcohol (2016)

Our article: Can Christians Drink Alcohol? What the Churches Teach

Nondenominational and Evangelical

In keeping with our historic stance, we also called on our churches to take seriously the national problem of alcohol use, educating their members to its dangers and encouraging them to practice abstinence.

From National Association of Evangelicals, Alcohol Abuse (1989 resolution, archived)

Our article: Can Christians Drink Alcohol? What the Churches Teach

War and military service

Pentecostal

As a Movement we affirm our loyalty to the government of the United States in war or peace. We shall continue to insist, as we have historically, on the right of each member to choose whether to declare their position as a combatant, a noncombatant, or a conscientious objector.

From Assemblies of God (USA), Constitution and Bylaws (2023), Bylaws Article XVII, Military Service

Nondenominational and Evangelical

While Christians recognize that God does not call us to bring his kingdom by force, we agree that governments should protect and restore just and peaceful social orders. Believers have long differed on what that should look like in practice — when governments may use force, and whether Christians ought to participate in government-authorized force to defend their homelands, rescue others from attack or liberate other people from oppression.

From National Association of Evangelicals, For the Health of the Nation, 7 Promoting Just Peace and Restraining Violence

Read the full comparison Evangelical vs Pentecostal Church: Pentecostals Are Evangelicals Who Seek Spirit Baptism

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About this comparison

What this shows

23 Christian churches and traditions set side by side on 55 questions, each answer quoted from the church’s own statement of what it teaches, with a link to the page it came from.

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Christian Pure. "Compare Christian Denominations." Updated November 9, 2026. https://christianpure.com/compare-denominations/.

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