The Pentecostal and Baptist traditions are two of the most prominent branches of Protestant Christianity. They have many beliefs and practices in common and have more similarities than differences. Nevertheless, the traditions aren’t the same, and it’s important to understand where they differ and why.
Pentecostalism and the Baptist tradition disagree about when the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs, whether or not speaking in tongues is the initial evidence for it, and the use of miraculous gifts. Nevertheless, both believe in the Trinity, the inspiration of Scripture, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
How do Pentecostal and Baptist origins, early influencers, and worldviews compare? How do their beliefs about the Bible, God, and salvation compare? What are their similarities and differences regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and the miraculous gifts? Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and others.
Also, see Pentecostal vs. Church of God: What’s the Difference? to learn more.
Pentecostals and Baptists Origins, Beliefs, and Practices Compared
| Pentecostals | Baptists | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin and roots | Like other Protestants, including Baptists, Pentecostals trace their origins to the book of Acts through the Protestant Reformation. The modern Pentecostal movement started at the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, California, in 1906. | Born out of the 17th-century Puritan and Anabaptist traditions in England, early Baptists identified as Separatists or Congregationalists and championed individual responsibility in relation to baptism and church membership. |
| Name | The word “Pentecostal” comes from the word Pentecost, which describes the unique and powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the early church, as recorded in Acts 2. Modern-day Pentecostals seek to mimic the experiences of the early church. | The word “Baptist” comes from the practice of “Believer’s Baptism,” which is the conviction that only professing Christians should be baptized, not infants. The Baptist tradition, however, has other values and emphases in addition to Believer’s Baptism. |
| Branch of Christianity | Pentecostalism is a Protestant Christian tradition. Many of the ideas it embraces are rooted in the Protestant Reformation, led by Martin Luther of Germany, Ulrich Zwingli of Switzerland, and John Calvin of France. | The Baptist tradition is also Protestant and therefore shares much in common with Pentecostalism. |
| Denominations | Pentecostalism isn’t a denomination but a belief system that certain denominations hold.* The largest Pentecostal denomination is the Assemblies of God. | The term “Baptist” describes a tradition that includes several denominations (see list below). |
| Central commitments | As a Protestant denomination, Pentecostalism subscribes to the core convictions of the Reformation: salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Pentecostals believe that baptism in the Holy Spirit occurs after conversion and that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of it. | Baptists adhere to the fundamental tenets of Protestantism and emphasize Believer’s Baptism, congregational church government, the autonomy of the local church, and the separation of Church and State. |
| Early influencers | William J. Seymour (1870-1922), Agnes Ozman (1870-1937), Charles Parham (1873-1939) | John Smyth (1570-1612), Roger Williams (1603-1683) |
| Theological and Social worldview | Pentecostal denominations and churches tend to be conservative theologically and in relation to social issues. | Some Baptist denominations are conservative (e.g., The Southern Baptist Convention), and others aren’t (e.g., American Baptist Church) |
*Pentecostalism isn’t a denomination. However, some churches include the word “Pentecostal” in their name to inform people what they believe.
The Assemblies of God is a Pentecostal denomination, as is the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee). There are several other Pentecostal denominations as well.
Non-denominational churches can also be Pentecostal. Likewise, individuals with Pentecostal convictions may also attend churches in other denominations. (Also see Pentecostal vs. Charismatic: What’s the Difference?)
People commonly use the word “Baptist” to refer to a denomination, but technically the term describes a tradition comprised of various denominations.
All Baptist denominations generally share the same convictions regarding the primary doctrines of the Christian faith and the unique emphases of the tradition, like Believer’s Baptism. However, in recent decades, some denominations have embraced liberal and progressive social values.
| Name | Reported Membership |
|---|---|
| Southern Baptist Convention | 16 million |
| National Baptist Convention, USA | 5 million |
| National Missionary Baptist Convention of America | 2.5 million |
| Baptist General Conference of Texas | 2.4 million |
| American Baptist Churches in the USA | 1.2 million |
| Progressive National Baptist Convention | 1 million |
| Cooperative Baptist Fellowship | 1 million |
Also, see Pentecostal vs. Roman Catholic: What’s the Difference? to learn more.
Pentecostal and Baptist Beliefs: Similarities and Differences
| Pentecostalism | Baptist | |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | The Bible alone is authoritative. Like other Protestants, Pentecostals believe that Christ is the head of the church. | The authority of Scripture is a Protestant conviction; tradition isn’t unimportant, its just not the most important. Christ is the head of the church. |
| Christ | Christ is the second person of the Trinity who became a man in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus lived a sinless life, died a sacrificial death for sinners, and was resurrected from the dead. | Baptists also believe in the incarnation, sinlessness, atonement, and resurrection of Christ. |
| Sin | Pentecostals believe in original sin, but as Arminians, they reject the Reformed doctrine of Total Depravity. | Baptists affirm original sin. Some believe in Total Depravity, and some don’t. |
| Grace | As Arminians, Pentecostals believe in prevenient grace, i.e., grace that goes beforehand, which enables a sinner to choose Christ of their own free will. | Baptists may be Arminian or Calvinist. Arminians affirm prevenient grace, while Calvinists don’t. |
| Salvation | All Protestants believe salvation occurs by grace through faith and in Christ alone. As Arminians, Pentecostals affirm Unlimited Atonement. | Baptists may hold to Limited Atonement (Christ’s death was for the elect) or Unlimited Atonement (Christ’s death was for all). |
| Sanctification | Some Pentecostals believe that sanctification can be perfected in this lifetime, though the largest denomination, the Assemblies of God, doesn’t. | Most Baptists believe sanctification isn’t perfected until death and reject the doctrine of perfectionism. |
| Sacraments | Baptism and the Lord’s Supper | Baptism and the Lord’s Supper |
| Baptism | Pentecostals practice “Believer’s Baptism” as opposed to infant baptism. Baptism isn’t required for salvation. | Sometimes referred to as “credobaptism” (credo = “I believe”), baptism is for professing believers who have trusted Christ for salvation. The doctrine is often called “Believer’s Baptism.” |
| The Lord’s Supper | Pentecostals believe the bread and the cup are memorials of Christ’s death. They don’t believe Christ is physically present in the elements in any way. | Baptists believe consuming the bread and cup is a memorial. |
What is the difference between continuationism and cessationism? Continuationists (from the word “continue”) believe all spiritual gifts are operational today.
Cessationists (from the word “cease”) believe that only some spiritual gifts are operational today because the purpose of the so-called “miraculous gifts” was to establish the church and accredit the Apostles, which has been done.
Also, see What Do Pentecostals Believe? to learn more.
| Pentecostalism | Baptists | |
|---|---|---|
| Spiritual gifts | Pentecostals are continuationists, not cessationists. | Baptists can be either, but most are cessationists. |
| Baptism in the Holy Spirit | A central belief for Pentecostals is that baptism in the Holy Spirit occurs sometime after conversion. | Most Baptists, and most other Protestants, believe baptism in the Holy Spirit occurs at the time of conversion. |
| Speaking in tongues | Another central belief for Pentecostals is that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of being baptized in the Holy Spirit. | Continuationist Baptists don’t necessarily believe speaking in tongues is the only initial evidence for baptism in the Holy Spirit. |
| Miraculous gifts | Pentecostals affirm the present-day use of so-called miraculous gifts like healing, words of knowledge, speaking in tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. | Continuationist Baptists agree with Pentecostals about miraculous gifts, but cessationist Baptists don’t. |
Also, see Christian Denominations Comparison Chart to learn more.
Please see the related articles below.
References:
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