"Pentecostal" churches

Generally speaking the term "Pentecostal" is a generic term indicating a group of Christians who believe in the baptism with the Holy Spirit as a second definite work of God's grace, and that the initial evidence of that baptism is the receiving of one's prayer language (tongues).

There are many churches that would consider themselves "Pentecostal" who do not use that in their churches' name. Some of these are the Assemblies of God, the Church of God (Cleveland), the Church of God in Christ, as well as a myriad of independent/non-denominational churches. To see if non-denom's are "Pentecostal", I suggest you check out their doctrinal statement of faith.

Here are a few of the "essential" Pentecostal beliefs...

THE BIBLE - We believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God and accept the same as the only infallible guide and rule of our faith and practice. “Sola Scriptura” The Scriptures alone are infallible. Scripture References: Matt. 24:35, Ps. 119:89, 2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Tim. 2:15, 1 Pet. 1:19-21
 
THE GODHEAD - We believe in the eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, sovereign, and immutable triune God; and in the unity of the Godhead where three personalities, equal in every divine perfection and attribute, execute distinct, harmonious offices, in the great work of redemption. This does not mean that there are three “people” called God, but rather a way of saying God eternally exists in three personally distinct ways. Scriptures declare that there is only one God, Who is eternally (past, present, and future) manifested as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Scripture References: 1 John 5:7, 2 Cor. 13:14, John 1:1,2, Rev. 4:2-5 & 5:1-7
 
THE NEW BIRTH - We believe because of man's total inability to save himself, salvation is by God's grace alone, and the believer in justified through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is received through sincere, godly repentance, and whole-hearted acceptance and confession of Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord. Through being born again, we become new creatures in Jesus Christ. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. We are justified; “just as if” we had never sinned. “Sola Gratia” saved by grace alone, and “Sola Fide” justified through faith alone. Scripture References: John 3:3,16; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20: 1 Pet. 2:24, Romans 10:9-10
 
A Christian is not a religious person, or merely a member of a church; a Christian is one who has been forgiven of his or her sin and has an ongoing personal relationship with God. Not only this, a Christian is someone that Jesus Christ lives in, one that has been born again (John 3.3) and lives in the assurance that Jesus paid the price for them to be right with God and go to heaven
 
It’s as easy as A.B.C.: 
A. Acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness .
B. Believe that Jesus died for the forgiveness of your sins on the cross.
C. Confess Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.
 
DAILY CHRISTIAN LIFE - Sanctification - We believe that having been  cleansed by the blood of Christ and quickened by the Spirit, it is God's will that we should be sanctified daily and be made partakers of His holiness, walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, forsaking the very appearance of evil. Scriptural References: Rom. 6:1-5; 8:1,5; 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 7:1, 1 Peter 1:15; 1Thes. 5:22
 
Our sanctification is to walk after the Spirit. It begins at the new birth, and ends when we die. Our daily Christian life is a continual walk with Christ. This walk of faith is expressed through such daily activities as…
 
1. Prayer: Rom.12:12, Eph.6:8, Col.4:2 
2. Bible reading: 2Tim.2:15 
3. Acknowledging our dependency upon Christ, and His finished work on the Cross, for our victory over all sins and things that would hinder our walk with Christ: Matt.16:24, 1Cor.1:18, Gal.6:14
 
WATER BAPTISM - We believe water baptism is by full immersion into water. Moreover, those believers are to be baptized… “By the authority given the church, in the name of Jesus we baptize this our brother/sister, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” Baptism is subsequent to conversion and not a saving ordinance, but an outward sign of an inward work. Baptism is not optional for the believer, but a command of our Lord to be obeyed.
Scripture References: Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; Acts 16:30-33, Acts 8:36-38
 
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a definite experience, not identical with conversion. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Second encounter with God. The first encounter with God is called as 'conversion' or salvation. Just as the indwelling Spirit reproduces the life of Jesus, the outpoured, or baptizing Spirit reproduces the ministry of Jesus. When the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is received, unknown tongues will follow. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is given to endue the believer with power from on high; to give and to equip him for a practical, efficient, spirit-filled, soul-winning ministry and service. Inasmuch as this is the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, every believer has a right to expect His incoming to be after the same manner as recorded by the Word of God in Bible days.
Scripture References: John 14:16; Acts 1:8; 2:4, 38-39; 10:44-48, 19:6
 
The work of the Lord Jesus Christ and the mercy of God bring salvation and the indwelling Spirit, and that does not involve speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues, from all indications in the New Testament, are the consequence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. There was an initial utterance in tongues, bearing witness that the tongue had been sanctified and empowered by God for His use.
 
THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE -We believe that having received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, the believer should experience a continual renewing of the power from on high. The Holy Spirit is as a gentle dove, easily grieved, wounded by coldness, prayerlessness, idle conversation, worldliness, and a judging, critical spirit. It is the will of God that we walk and abide in the Spirit.
Scripture References: Eph. 4:30-32; 5:18; Acts 4:31; 1 Cor. 3:I6-17; Gal. 5:16-25; I John 2:6
 
GIFTS AND FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - We believe that for the edification of the saints and the up building of the church of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit has the following gifts to bestow upon the individual believer: the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, diverse kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues; dividing to every man severally as He will. These gifts should be coveted earnestly by all spiritual believers and exercised in the spirit of love. We believe that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long- suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law. These should be cultivated in the life of every believer.
Scripture References: I Cor. 12:7-11, 31; Gal. 5:22-23; John 15:4, 8
 
PRAISE AND WORSHIP - We believe in the Biblical pattern of public and private worship, and that Scripture teaches us how to worship our God. We believe it is Gods will for every born-again Believer to worship and praise the Lord, and that their worship must be “…in Spirit and in Truth” (Soli Deo Gloria). We believe the expressions of praise and worship recorded in the Bible are the template for which we are to follow.
Scripture References: Psalms 29:2 (worship); Psalms 67:3 (praise); Psalms 47:1 (clapping and shouting); Psalms 134:2 & I Timothy 2:8 (lifting of hands); Psalms 150:3-5 (musical instruments); Psalms 149:3 (dancing); Acts 3:8 (leaping); John 4:23-24 (God is seeking true worshippers).
 
CHURCH RELATIONSHIP -We believe every born-again child of God should identify with the visible church of Jesus Christ, should labor diligently, and should contribute his temporal means toward the spreading of the Gospel here on earth. We believe tithes (ten percent of one's gross income) and offerings should be given into the storehouse of the Lord (which is the local church). We believe Christians are to be faithful in their attendance to church every Lords Day (Sunday), and to any other services that may be held. Scripture References: Neh. 13:10-14; Heb. 10:24-25; Ps. 111:1; Acts 2:47; 16:5; Rom. 12:5; Mal. 3:8-12; 1 Cor. 9:6-7; 1 Cor. 16:2; Matt. 23:23; Rev. 1:10; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2