In my personal Pentecostal fellowship experience the term “denominal” (or denominational) was/is used to describe what was considered to be the general body of Christio-religious outsiders and partial-gospel practitioners; they are Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Catholic, etc., etc., etc. We referred to these as “denominal” folks, and for them I believe the label (denominal/denomination) is justified, and perceiving no violation, they would agree. For my part however, there is a deprecation implied in the term “denominal”, and I think rightfully so.

Any honest student of the scripture reads of only one church in the Bible, as Paul relates “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,” Eph. 4:4-5. Also, Jude’s admonition, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 1:3. indicates a singular doctrine that would need to be guarded. However, as Paul continued to stress unity (ICor. 1:10-13, 3:1-7, Eph. 4:3) and warn against division (IICo 11:4, 11:13-15, Gal. 1:6-9, 3:1-3), the seeds of division were sown (IITim. 3:5, 4:3-4, Tit. 1:9-14, Jude v:3-4), even in the church’s primitive years. 2000 years later and a “How many Christian denominations are in the world” Google search yields the number to be in the vicinity of 40,000.

The Internet yields this plausible definition; “A Christian denomination is a distinct religious body within Christianity that comprises all church congregations of the same kind, identifiable by traits such as a name, particular history, organization, leadership, theological doctrine, worship style and sometimes a founder. It is a secular and neutral term, generally used to denote any established Christian church. Unlike a cult or sect, a denomination is usually seen as part of the Christian religious mainstream.”

In a previous writing I coined the phrase, “denominal Pentecostalism”. Though to me the meaning is clear, to readers it was/is unclear, only it seemed somewhat provocative to Pentecostal friends, and perhaps even a little uncomplimentary. As religious practices go, Pentecostalism and denominationalism are ideally at the opposite ends of a spectrum. In fact, true “Pentecostalism”, if we want to call it that, shouldn’t even be on that spectrum, but regrettably for many it is.

The Bible’s book of Acts (chapter 2) records the birth of the (one and only) church (Luke: 24:46-49, Acts 1:4-8). Here we read of the initial outpouring of the tongues-verified Holy Ghost and the apostle Peter’s subsequent inaugural message to the gathering onlookers. Referring to his fellow Spirit recipients that day Peter said, “For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour (9am) of the day” Acts 2:15 (not to mention, Jesus’ mom was among them, Acts 1:14). Then making reference to Old Testament prophecies which describe and validate the amazing event unfolding before their eyes, Peter said, “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; (17) And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:…” Acts 2:16-17. Peter concluded his message with an “altar call” of sorts after the convicted crowd asked “…what shall we do“:

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38.

The scriptures record approximately 3000 people took Peter up on his invitation that day (v.41) (that day being the 50th day after the Jewish Passover or the “Day of Pentecost”, as Acts chapter 2 begins, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,…”); that is, believing the truth Peter preached about Jesus, they turned to God repenting of their sin and unbelief. They then would’ve been baptized (submersed in water) invoking the name of “Jesus”; this potent combination (repentance/Jesus’ name baptism) thus expunging all their sin and its accompanying guilt. It would be interesting to know if the mockers were still mocking as those 3000 “were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance”. This all happening on the Day of Pentecost; hence the term “Pentecostal” has come to describe today’s wider body of those who embrace speaking in tongues as an authentic miraculous manifestation of the Spirit of God.

A subset of the Pentecostal movement at-large, Apostolics (the vintage) devoutly embrace tongues as the initial evidence of the Holy Ghost (Isa. 28:11-12+ICor. 14:11+Acts 3:19-20, Acts 2:1-4, 8:14-18, 10:44-46, 19:2-6, ICor. 14:22), and as a form of prayer (ICor. 14:2, 4, 14-15, 18), and as an edifying gift in the church (ICor. 12:10, 28, 14:5, 13, 27, 39), and as being misunderstood and misapplied by the uninitiated (Acts 2:1-13, ICor. 14:11, 16, 23, 37-38). However, Apostolics also rigidly adhere to and consider the vital and defining doctrinal points initially taught by Jesus and then set forth by Peter on the Day of Pentecost and onward, as essential as well. These being repentance (Matt. 3:2, 4:17, 9: 12-13, Mk. 1:15, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38), water baptism in Jesus’ name (Matt. 28:19+Isa. 9:6+Jn. 5:43, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38). Along with the Holy Ghost infilling, these points are repeatedly revisited in conversion events throughout the book of Acts as “…they continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine…” (Acts 2:42).

Therefore, following the biblical pattern, today’s Pentecostals, and more specifically Apostolics embrace an experiential salvation/conversion event. Denouncing this, our denominal friends might comically slander us as “experientialists” (they ever loving to classify -ists and -isms), as their emphasis and error of “alone”-ness, with regard to faith and salvation, leaves them just that, unfortunately. (“Aloneists”?)

Experientially speaking, one’s initial embrace of authentic faith can be a very emotionally moving experience. Likewise, true repentance, with its unburdening of the soul and a first embrace of saving hope and purpose, can also be overwhelming. Also, grace certainly demonstrates that God’s Spirit intermingles with all who sincerely approach Him (Jam. 4:8). However, and not to diminish from one’s sincere approach to God, these pure experiences and any emotional feeling or expression attached to them, should not be mistaken, though they often are, as a complete conversion or as receiving the Holy Ghost. Neither should one assume the Holy Ghost to be resident consequent to a prayer or any type of ceremonial invocation, or even water baptism. No, the Bible is clear as millions can attest; the experience of receiving the Holy Ghost just like they did in the Bible is the same experience available to us today, “Aloneists”, Cessationists, and denominal Christio-religionists notwithstanding.

The experience of the Holy Ghost doesn’t stop with the initial infilling, just the opposite. Recipients of God’s Spirit live, walk, and pray, etc., with the indescribably profound and very real, perceptible, perceivable, palpable (sometimes shockingly so!) on-board miracle of the wonderful Spirit of God. Who knew mild things such as peace and joy could be exciting or amazing or even astounding? In their religiosity, Aloneists across the denominational landscape claim to “experience” the peace, joy, etc. of the Holy Spirit, but as truly Spirit-filled people know, they have NO IDEA! sadly.

Disallowing for a conversion/salvation experience, “Aloneists” (my new term apparently; who’s classifying now? 🙄) unfortunately and to their own deficiency, reduce the salvation of God in Christ to simply being an intellectual exercise, an -ology, a -sophy, a mental ascent. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:..” IITim. 3:5, their claims of a resident Holy Spirit(uality) range from error to self-deception to fraud.

However, proving that it is indeed possible to have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof – to go through the hollow motions and functionality of a church-like operation, but deny entry to its founder, denominal folks/Aloneists continue on. Denominationally there is an organizational structure and locally a “church” all salvation experience free. There’s a steepled building and a full parking lot on Sunday; there are Bibles and a ministry, there’s a men’s group, ladies auxiliary, and Sunday School, and a passed plate. There’s hymnals and spiritless singing, there’s patriotic allegiance and deference to moral rectitude. Ahh yes, Americanized Christio-religion at its finest. As such, Martha maybe could’ve stayed busy, but Mary would’ve been up and outta’ there! (Luke 10:38-42).

With the Bible being generally accepted by the denominal world, criticism here concerning its use is withheld; it is the tragic neglect of the Spirit that is our focus. With the obtaining of God’s truth being the objective, note this scripture, Jn. 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you”. In John 15:26 Jesus said he would send the Comforter, referring to him as the Spirit of truth. In the next chapter (16:13) Jesus says “…when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…“. That is, the obtaining of God’s truth requires the operation of the Spirit of truth, the Holy Ghost. The truth of the scriptures is more than just an ideology or a collection of historical facts or a religio-science book or a manual for salvation, it is the truth of God as enlightened by His Spirit (of Truth).

As a metaphor, a church experience without a Holy Ghost experience is like a restaurant without food (or with food still locked in the freezer), or like a gas station without gas, or like a hospital without health care. Why, you may fairly ask, would anyone go to a restaurant without food? Answer: the social contact. On the list of reasons for assembling as a church, fellowship, friendship, brotherly love – unity could be listed as priority #2, That is, unless your assembling is Holy Ghost experience free, then it would shift to priority #1. Why would anyone go to a gas station that has no gas? Answer: Having pushed your empty vehicle in, you can take a break and stock up on religious flavored sweets, snacks and drinks before pushing your empty vehicle back out onto the road. Why would anyone go to a hospital with no health care? Answer: The placebo effect, the temporary mollifying effects of a professional structure of care, albeit an empty one. As food is to a restaurant and as gas is to a gas station, and medicine is to a hospital, so the Holy Spirit is (or should be) to the Christian’s life, church, and devotional practice. Church attendance and a Christio-religious profession does NOT constitute or reflect biblically defined salvation doctrine; you can have a restaurant, but no nourishment, a gas station, but no fuel, a hospital, but no wellness. If you’re HUNGRY (<<< that’s the key) and you’re given the option of sitting with friends in a nice, air-conditioned restaurant with fine China and silverware, but no food, OR sitting on a curb alone in the hot sun, but with a delicious gourmet dinner, which would you choose? I guess it would depend on how hungry you are.

So, a Christio-religious person or church whose devotional practice continues without the very current and active living presence of the Holy Ghost (“…the Spirit of Jesus Christ” Php. 1:19) indwelling, is a shell with a hardened Christio-religious outer covering but void of His Holy Spirit within. And as our title suggests neglectful or otherwise errant Pentecostals/Apostolics are not immune to this condition, for with the assistance of extra-biblical, but well-meaning man-contrived contributions, Apostolics have created their own extra-biblical, but well-meaning man-contrived (Holy Ghost optional) denominational structure (shell).

If someone that is saved, having formerly been fully immersed in the pollutions of the world, begins to grow lukewarm and carnal, he (and others) may see the weeds of his former lifestyle reemerge; he is exposed. However, the former lifestyle of a once flourishing but now diminishing, born-and-raised lukewarm Pentecostal is in fact Pentecostalism; embedded and camouflaged in his familiar society by his legacy identity and lifestyle, his lukewarmness and non-spirituality is less discernable and therefore less judged. In full compliance with external qualifiers, hiding amongst the structure, he is a denominal Pentecostal. Then, given the right conditions, this profile can proliferate to subvert a whole region or fellowship yielding a condition that I call denominal Pentecostalism, or that Jesus called “…the church of the Laodiceans…”.

Rev 3:14-22 “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (22)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.“

GS