Chapter 1 General Provisions
Article 1.
1. This Act sets out the State’s relationship with the Pentecostal Church in the Republic of Poland, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Church’, as well as its legal and financial status.
2. In matters relating to the Church which are not covered by this Act, the generally applicable provisions of law shall apply.
3. Any amendments to this Act require the prior opinion of the Presidium of the Supreme Church Council.
Chapter 1 – The Identity of the Church
Article 1.
1. The Pentecostal Church in the Republic of Poland was established by virtue of a resolution adopted by the Founding Synod, which met in Warsaw on 22–23 May 1987, attended by delegates from 82 congregations that were then part of the United Evangelical Church. The Church was legally recognised on 1 February 1988.
2. The Pentecostal Church in the Republic of Poland is the continuation of two strands of the Pentecostal movement: the Union of Determined Christians (since 1910) and the Church of Christians of the Evangelical Faith (since 1929), as well as the United Evangelical Church community (with the Firm Christians joining in 1947 and the Christians of the Evangelical Faith in 1953).
3. The congregations that make up the Pentecostal Church in the Republic of Poland form part of the Universal Church, the Body of which is headed by Jesus Christ, the Lord and Saviour (Eph 1:22–23). Therefore, in fellowship with other Christians, the faithful of the Pentecostal Church profess their faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.
Regulation of the Minister of National Education and the Minister of Health and Social Welfare (Journal of Laws 1997, No. 128, item 832)
of 2 October 1997 on detailed rules for the organisation of church teaching, services and the performance of other religious practices specific to the Pentecostal denomination for children and young people residing in care and educational institutions, in sanatoriums, convalescent homes and hospitals, and those taking part in organised recreational activities. (Journal of Laws No. 128, item 832)
Pursuant to Article 19(5) of the Act of 20 February 1997 on the Relations between the State and the Pentecostal Church in the Republic of Poland (Journal of Laws No. 41, item 254), the following is hereby ordered:
Regulation of the Minister of National Education (Journal of Laws 1992, No. 36, item 155)
of 14 April 1992 on the conditions and arrangements for the provision of religious education in state schools.
Pursuant to Article 12(2) of the Act of 7 September 1991 on the education system (Journal of Laws No. 95, item 425, and of 1992, No. 26, item 113), the following is hereby ordered:
Regulation of the Minister of National Education (Journal of Laws 2017, item 1147)
of 7 June 2017 amending the Regulation on the conditions and procedures for organising religious education in state-funded nurseries and schools.
Pursuant to Article 12(2) of the Act of 7 September 1991 on the education system (Journal of Laws of 2016, item 1943, 1954, 1985 and 2169, and of 2017, items 60 and 949), the following is hereby ordered:
Regulation of the Minister of Justice (Journal of Laws 2003, No. 159, item 1546)
of 2 September 2003 on detailed rules governing the practice of religion and access to religious services in prisons and remand centres.
Pursuant to Article 106(4) of the Act of 6 June 1997 — the Code of Criminal Procedure (Journal of Laws No. 90, item 557, as subsequently amended), the following is hereby ordered:
On the Baptism of Faith and the blessing of children
The Greek word *baptidzo* means ‘to wash, to immerse’ and has entered Christian terminology as a technical term for the act associated with Christian initiation. It appears in the New Testament around a hundred times, including references to Jewish ritual washings, the baptism administered by John the Baptist, and baptism in the Holy Spirit.
On the Lord's Supper
By taking part in the Lord's Supper in its two forms – bread and wine – the Church commemorates the death of Christ. This act is described using the following terms:
- The Lord's Supper (1 Cor 11:20),
- The Breaking of Bread (Matt 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19; Acts 2:42, 46; 20:7; 1 Cor 10:16, 17ab; 11:23, 26–28),
- The Lord’s Table (1 Cor 10:21),
On the so-called intercessory movement
Recently, we have observed the growth of an intercessory movement in Poland, which manifests itself through the organisation of mass conferences. This phenomenon has given rise to a variety of opposing attitudes within the Church. Consequently, there is a need for the Supreme Church Council of the Pentecostal Church in Poland to adopt an official position.
On the Ministry of Women in the Church
We recognise that women, on an equal footing with men, are “heirs of the gracious gift of life” and partners in charismatic ministry within the Church, in accordance with the following passages from the New Testament: “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (1 Pet 3:7).
On marriage, divorce, remarriage and family planning
Marriage is an institution established by God. It is a monogamous and indissoluble union between a man and a woman. (Gen 2:23–24; Matt 19:5–6; Mark 10:6–12; Eph 5:31).
Marriage is considered to have been contracted at the moment the marriage vows are exchanged, in a public ceremony in accordance with the applicable legal and ecclesiastical norms. (Gen 24:67; 29:22–23; Judg 14:10; Ruth 4:11–13; Matt 1:18–21).
On the attitude towards phenomena accompanying a spiritual revival
The members of the Supreme Church Council of the Pentecostal Church in Poland, at their extraordinary meeting, which was attended by several pastors from outside the Council, on 20 June 1995, following fraternal discussion and prayer, agreed on their position regarding the phenomena accompanying the spiritual revival that has recently been observed throughout the world and in our country. The following was stated:
On the attitude towards para-church organisations
In light of the new social and political situation, there is a need to set out our position on the activities of domestic and foreign para-church organisations in our country.
- We affirm, on the basis of the Word of God, that the only institution left on this earth and destined to proclaim the Word of God and to “make disciples” is the Church of Jesus Christ. [Eph 3:10; 1 Tim 3:15; Acts 13:1–3; 22:10].
- The Church of Jesus operates through congregations spread throughout the country, which work together within church organisations.
On the subject of the release service
1. Based on the authority of the Bible, we believe and teach that the Lord Jesus Christ has achieved complete victory over Satan and the demons (Luke 10:18; John 12:31–32; Col 2:14–15; Heb 2:14; 1 John 3:8; Rev 12:7–9). The Son of God has authority and power over all spiritual powers and principalities (Mark 1:24–26; Eph 1:20–23; Phil 2:9–11).
The policy on the protection of children from harm, introduced and implemented in the catechetical centres of the Pentecostal Church in Poland.
