Pentecostal Doctrine Assignment

What we believe
As members of the United Pentecostal Church, we understand the importance of believing
and teaching biblical doctrine. However, knowing right doctrine is not enough; we also need
to be able to articulate to others what we believe and why.

Imagine that you have just met a person who knows nothing about God and has never
been to church. They have just discovered that you are a Christian, and they have some
questions for you.

What is salvation?
Why do I need to be saved?
How do I get saved?
How do I stay saved?
What happens if I’m not saved?

Your task is to write a letter that answers their questions. As you do so, make sure that you
include each of the terms in the Word Bank below, giving a brief explanation of each term
and providing a scripture reference in brackets afterwards to support your argument. You
may use the Student Notes to help you answer these questions; however, you must use
your own wording—copying the wording in the Student Notes does not prove that you
understand the term and will result in a failing grade.

Word Bank
New Birth Sanctification Judgement
Faith Sin

Your letter must:

 be no less than 700 words and no more than 1000 words in length
 answer each of the five questions contained in the speech bubble above
 contain and explain each of the five terms in the word bank
 contain at least one scripture reference per term to support your argument
 be electronically submitted to your proctor in Word format (.doc or .docx).
Note: Handwritten papers will not be accepted. Papers exceeding the maximum word count will
only be marked on the first 1000 words. Your assignment is due on or before your final exam.

The sample assignment on the next page should give you a good idea of what is expected.
As you read it, notice how the questions and the terms in the word bank are both answered
in the letter. It may help to go through and identify where each question/term is addressed.
 Pentecostal Doctrine Assignment

Sample assignment

One of your work colleagues recently read a news article which discussed various types of religious
ceremonies around the world, one of which was a Pentecostal worship service. They know that you
are a Christian, and they have some questions for you.

What is worship? Word bank

Why do you worship? Church
What happens if you don’t worship?
Idol

Your task is to write a letter that answers their questions. As you answer their questions, you must
also include a brief explanation of each of the terms mentioned in the word box and provide
scriptural references to support your argument.

Dear Henry,
I’d love to tell you more about how and why Christians worship! I’ve included some scripture

references, so you can look up the Bible verses for yourself if you’d like to know more. 😊

First, I should probably explain the term “worship.” Some people think that worship just means
singing a song in church or praising someone when they’ve done something amazing, but it is so
much more than that. To worship is to “show reverence and adoration for a deity.” One of the
reasons that Christians go to church is to offer worship to God (Acts 2:46–17). However, the church
isn’t just a building—the church is made up of many individuals who follow Jesus Christ as their
Lord and Saviour (Ephesians 2:19–22). So, worship isn’t just restricted to a church service; it
happens every time a Christian—who is part of the wider church—brings glory to God by
acknowledging God’s goodness, remembering what He has done, or obeying His commandments
(John 15:7–10). I choose to worship God because He is the Creator and He deserves my praise (1
Chronicles 16:24-29).
Have you ever watched the TV show Australian Idol? Basically, the idea is that the final contestants
are eliminated until only one person is left. That person is the “idol,” or the one who deserves the
highest honour and glory. In traditional terms, an idol is an image or representation of a god used as
an object of worship. Well, the Bible tells us that there is only one God, and that He will not give his
glory to anyone else (Isaiah 42:8). However, it also tells us that humanity has a tendency to worship
things other than God (Romans 1:25). You asked what happens if we don’t worship, but that’s not
really a valid question. You see, humanity was created with an innate need to worship; it’s just the
object of our worship that varies. Some worship money, relationships, sports, fame, status, or self;
some worship false deities; while others (like myself) worship Jesus Christ, the one true God as
revealed in the Bible. Jesus warned us that is not possible to serve God and worship other things at
the same time (Matthew 6:24), so you need to make a choice as to what (or who) you are going to
worship. Having said that, if you choose not to worship God in this life, you will still be compelled to
bow down and worship Him in the next (Philippians 2:10–11), since that is why humanity was
created (Revelation 4:11).
I realise that this is probably all very unfamiliar to you, so if you have any other questions, I’d be
more than happy to answer them at work tomorrow.
Blessings,
Sandie
 Pentecostal Doctrine Assignment

Grading Rubric
Grading 1.0 .85 .7 .5 0
rubric
Questions Answers each of Answers each of Answers each of the Answers less than Makes no
(20%) the five questions. the five questions. five questions. five questions. attempt to
answer the
questions.
Word bank Shows an excellent Shows a good Includes the terms in Is unable to Makes no
(20%) understanding of understanding of the word bank, explain the terms attempt to
each of the terms each of the terms although may have in the word bank include the
in the word bank in the word bank trouble explaining in their own words in the
and expertly and can explain them in their own words. word bank.
explains them in them in their own words.
their own words. words.
Accuracy Provides an Provides a good Provides a limited Provides an Provides an
(20%) excellent explanation of the explanation of the explanation of explanation
explanation of the gospel, the gospel, the salvation some Pentecostal that does not
gospel, the salvation process, process, the coming doctrines, match up
salvation process, the coming judgement, and although some with
the coming judgement, and other important wording might be scriptural
judgement, and other important Pentecostal slightly incorrect. teaching.
other important Pentecostal doctrines.
Pentecostal doctrines.
doctrines.
Scriptures Gives at least one Gives at least one Gives a scripture Gives scripture Does not
(20%) scripture reference scripture reference reference for most references that provide any
per term that per term that is terms and/or do not appear to scripture
excellently relevant to the scripture only support the references.
supports the argument. marginally supports argument at all.
argument. the argument.
Overall effort Letter is well Letter is well set Letter adequately Letter is hard to No effort
(20%) written, follows a out and easy to meets the follow and/or appears to
logical pattern, and read/ understand. requirements. does not meet have been
is clearly the assignment made.
understandable. brief.