Pentecostal Hermeneutics

Pentecostals begin Bible study by recognizing that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16, KJV). Certainly, narrative portions are included.
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Using the biblical theological approach, the Pentecostal exegete allows the truth and teaching to emerge from the biblical text. He does not read his experience or his bias into the text.
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In doing this work, he recognizes that each biblical writer is understood best on his own terms and in his own times. While each biblical author has his own distinctive perspective, because of the superintending work of the Holy Spirit, that viewpoint is compatible with and complementary to the standpoints of the other biblical writers.
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The exegete gives attention to the genre and the sequence of the passage within its context. He studies the syntactical relationships in the passage. He defines words according to usage by the author within the syntactical, historical, and cultural context of the passage.
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Theological concepts are viewed in relationship to the theology that historically preceded the writing. In other words, the interpreter must examine the influence of any antecedent doctrine on the biblical author’s intent. According to Kaiser, using inductive reasoning, it is possible to draw “timeless principles” from the biblical author’s “truth-intention.” These transcultural, transhistorical, universal truths become the basis for theology.
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Using these hermeneutical principles of induction, Pentecostals can assert that even without propositional statements it is possible to formulate doctrine based on historical precedent especially when the activity is divinely initiated and commanded by God.