Visiting a United Pentecostal Church Quiz

Answer: nonrevealing tops and skirts that are knee length for women, dress shirts and full length pants for men

United Pentecostal Church's teach that women should wear long skirts and have uncut hair. Except for a very small minority of churches, most United Pentecostal Churches teach that a woman's uncut hair is her glory and covering. No revealing tops or dresses are recommended, because the United Pentecostal Church teaches women should honor their bodies by being covered. For men, modesty is also emphasized.

It is not recommended to wear shorts or tank tops, because likewise, United Pentecostal Churches recommend men cover their body as well. During church services, most men are recommended to wear a dress shirt, dress pants and tie.

It is not necessary to wear a suit unless you are a member of the ministry.

Answer: It is a sign of respect and welcoming an individual as a member of the family of Christ.

People in the United Pentecostal church often refer to each other as "Brother" and "Sister" instead of the titles "Mr." or "Mrs." They treat each other as family because the church is viewed as the family of God. Sometimes even a visitor may be referred to as "Brother" or "Sister" as a sign of respect and welcome.

Answer: sit anywhere you like in the main seating section of the auditorium

In the United Pentecostal Church, platforms are reserved for praise singers, musicians, and leaders in ministry. First time guests are encouraged to sit anywhere they like in the main seating section of pews, although it is preferred they sit as close to the front of the seating section as possible. Altar areas are reserved for prayer at the end of the service, occasionally will be used for worship during the service.

Answer: Yes

It is polite in United Pentecostal Churches to stand during worship service. United Pentecostal Churches encourage people to be as involved in worship as possible. People tend to clap their hands if the song is upbeat, or raise their hands if the song is slow. Sometimes people may even dance or march around the church in worship.

Answer: fill out a prayer card or raise your hand until the minister calls on you

Larger churches often do prayer cards for someone to read requests aloud in church. However smaller churches usually take requests by allowing people in the audience to share their requests aloud by raising their hand until they are called upon, similar to how children may raise their hands in school to ask a question.

Answer: oil

The anointing of oil is based on James 5:14, "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord". Typically in a United Pentecostal Church the pastor and the ministers or elders of the church will gather around an individual, anoint them with oil, and pray for them by laying hands on them.

Answer: respect for God's Word, the Bible

In the United Pentecostal Church it is a tradition to stand for the reading of the Word of God when a preacher gives his message. Throughout the message people are welcome to "amen", clap, or even stand if they agree with the preacher's sermon. It is encouraged for the audience to be involved.

Answer: True

In United Pentecostal churches it is welcomed for people to pray in whatever way they feel comfortable and sincere. In some instances, people may even lay hands on others who are praying as a gesture of support or encouragement. (It is not used to push or knock others down as a sign of healing, as modern media unfortunately has portrayed it.)

The United Pentecostal church teaches that the necessary steps to salvation are not just believing that Jesus is God, but includes repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost according to Acts 2:38 from Peters' message to the Jews, " Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Answer: receiving the Holy Ghost

For a visitor, it can be an overwhelming experience to witness "speaking in tongues", but it is apart of Pentecostal's worship and prayer. This is based off of the book of Acts (specifically Acts chapter 2) in the Bible, where apostles were in-filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in languages as the spirit of God gave the utterance, and is the final step in the salvation plan.

This is often one of the most confused, misunderstood beliefs in the United Pentecostal church. "Speaking in tongues" involves speaking in a language that one has never been taught as God gives the utterance, and is viewed as the necessary step to salvation in apostolic doctrine.

It can be given to any person, regardless of race or culture.

Answer: complete immersion in water

United Pentecostal Churches do not baptize in the titles of "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost". They preach that all these three are One, Jesus Christ. They also baptize by immersion, the complete submerging of a person in water. They believe that a person must be fully covered because baptism is symbolic of burying the old man and becoming new creatures in Christ. Just as a dead man is not considered buried by only sprinkling of dirt, the UPC teaches a person must be fully covered in water.