Authentically Pentecostal: Here’s What We See – A Conversation

by Kevin Brown May 22, 2026, 15:59 PM

“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” (Acts 1:8, NIV).

It is my confidence that we have an excellent theological foundation that is biblical and defensible. Of course, there are some clauses that generate ongoing discussion. But the core beliefs of what it means to be a Canadian Pentecostal in our day are biblically solid. We have a good number of quality people who are writing, teaching and preaching in a theologically solid and stimulating manner … Certainly, we have areas where we need to learn and grow; but overall, the theological moorings are strong.

Questions still flood in: Are we doers of the word as well as hearers? Are we better at “defining” than “doing”? I am motivated to call you, as leaders and members of our family of churches, to consider afresh what we say we believe and see if it is, in fact, how we live and minister.

It is one thing to acknowledge Christ as Saviour and Lord; it is another thing to live passionately from day to day with the conviction that unless our neighbours, family and friends make a personal decision to follow Him, they are destined for separation from God—in this life and in eternity.
It is one thing to have a clear statement regarding Christ as the One who baptizes us in the Holy Spirit; it is another thing, personally and corporately, to live Spirit-empowered lives that influence those around us to follow Jesus.
It is one thing to confess Christ as Healer; it is another thing to exercise faith in Him to intervene in our circumstances and meet our physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs, and to trust Him whether His intervention comes immediately or in ways we would not personally have chosen.
It is one thing to confess that Christ is the soon coming King; it is another thing to have that hope purify us in our daily lives and motivate us to invest our lives in things that will last forever. Forever … think about that.

Good lives and good ministry always flow from good theology. As A.W. Tozer so clearly stated, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

I invite you to ponder … “So what”? What are the applications to your personal context? What does the Spirit speak to you about at this time, at this place in your life?

Our leaders and churches are diverse in their expression and character. However, it is my conviction that at our centre we must be linked to certain core truths and values that allow us to be one in spirit and purpose, even as we live out His mission in diverse and creative ways. The Scriptures are clear that Christ is our Source, our Head, the Lord of His Church—and He is to have preeminence. Let the diversity of our ministry expression continue and grow, but may it always have Christ as its centre:

Christ, our Saviour

Christ, our Baptizer

Christ, our Healer

Christ, our Coming King

—Rev. David Wells
General Superintendent
The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada

Adapted from Authentically Pentecostal: Here’s What We See – A Conversation (The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, 2010, 5).

To order this book, click here: https://donate.paoc.org/products/authentically-pentecostal

See also The PAOC Statement Of Essential Truths – Commentary – https://donate.paoc.org/products/essential-truths