04/24/2026
Unapologetically Pentecostal
To be Unapologetically Pentecostal means to live out your faith with absolute conviction, refusing to compromise or dilute specific spiritual experiences and doctrines—such as speaking in tongues or divine healing—simply because they are often misunderstood or viewed as "fanatical" by mainstream society or other Christian traditions. It is a commitment to a "Spirit-filled" lifestyle that prioritizes direct, personal encounters with God over purely intellectual or traditional forms of worship.
An Unapologetic Identity
The "Full Gospel" Experience: At its heart is the belief that the miracles and spiritual gifts described in the New Testament (the Book of Acts) are fully operational and expected in the church today.
Initial Evidence: Winder Church maintains that speaking in tongues serves as the necessary, initial evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit, aligning with the conviction that this experience mirrors the events of Pentecost. Based on Acts 11:17, the church views this gift as the consistent, scriptural proof of the Spirit's immersion.
Passionate Worship: It involves a rejection of "domesticated" or quiet religion in favor of dynamic, enthusiastic worship, which may include shouting, dancing, and "tarrying" at the altar. A return to the "undignified" worship demonstrated by King David (2 Samuel 6:14-20)
Holiness Standards: For many, being unapologetic includes a visible commitment to "outward holiness" as a testimony of their inward spiritual transformation. This may manifest in many ways as The Holy Spirit works with each individual and should not become an act of cultural assimilation.
Why the "Unapologetic" Label? The term is often used as a response to the movement's history of being labeled as "holy rollers" or being associated with "emotionalism" and "theological ignorance". To be unapologetic is to:
Choose Conviction over Convenience: Standing firm in biblical values even when they seem "too much" or out of step with progressive culture.
Reject Intellectual Elitism: Valuing "full hearts" and "burning spirits" while acknowledging that the movement is sometimes criticized for lacking formal academic structure. We believe this leaves any Holy Spirit baptized believer available to be used by The Holy Spirit, even if the are "ignorant and unlearned"(Acts 4:13)
Assert Exclusivity: Acts 2:38 is a pivotal New Testament verse where Peter instructs a crowd to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, promising they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This verse follows Pentecost and marks the beginning of the early church. The outer man is baptized in water, the spirit man is baptized in fire! We believe many churches miss the fullness of the following work of The Holy Spirit that baptizes the new born spirit that Jesus spoke of in John chapter 3.
