Many people know that the terms “Pentecostal” and “charismatic” are associated with certain beliefs, churches, and people in modern Christianity but aren’t sure how they compare. Although the terms have overlapping definitions, there are important differences between them.
Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement generally agree about baptism in the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and the practice of miraculous gifts. The main difference between them is that Pentecostals have their own denominations and churches, while charismatics belong to historic denominations.
When did Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement start? Who founded and influenced each tradition? How do their beliefs about the Bible, God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, baptism in the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and views on miraculous spiritual gifts compare? Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and others.
Also, see Roman Catholic vs. Orthodox vs. Protestant: Comparison to learn more.
Pentecostalism and the Charismatic Movement Compared
The Pentecostal and charismatic movements each trace their history to the Holy Spirit’s work in the book of Acts and the other writings of the New Testament. (Also see Pentecostal vs. New Apostolic Pentecostal: Comparison)
When did modern Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement begin? Most historians trace the modern expression of each tradition to the 20th century.
Historians date the origin of Pentecostalism to the Azusa Street Revival of 1906 in Los Angeles, California. However, the start of the charismatic movement originated in the 1950s.
What’s the primary difference between Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement? The primary difference between the traditions is not theology but where adherents worship.
Pentecostals worship in denominations and churches that are fundamentally committed to Pentecostal doctrine and practice.
Charismatics believe and practice Pentecostal expressions in historic Protestant denominations like Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Baptist churches. (Also see Pentecostal vs. Baptist: What’s the Difference?)
| OVERVIEW | Pentecostalism | The Charismatic Movement |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | Historians conventionally date the origin of the modern Pentecostal movement to the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, California in 1906. | People began reporting the increasing occurrence of Pentecostal expressions in historic denominations in the 1950s in California. |
| Meaning of the 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. | The term “charismatic” comes from the New Testament Greek word charismata, which means “gifts of grace.” The charismatic movement is also known as “Neo Pentecostalism” and “charismatic renewal.” |
| Founder | Pentecostalism doesn’t have a single founder. All of the early influencers (see below) contributed to the establishment of the modern movement. | The charismatic movement doesn’t have one founder like Martin Luther is to Lutheranism or John Wesley is to Methodism. |
| Branch of Christianity | Pentecostalism is Protestant. 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 charismatic movement is Protestant in its beliefs about Scripture, the Atonement of Christ, salvation, the Trinity, original sin, and the Second Coming. |
| Early influencer(s) | William J. Seymour (1870-1922), Agnes Ozman (1870-1937), Charles Parham (1873-1939) | Dennis Bennett (1917-1991), Episcopal priest; David Wilkerson (1931-2011), though he was a member of the Assemblies of God denomination, greatly impacted Christians in the historic denominations. |
| Significant writing outside the Bible | Pentecostalism doesn’t have any literature that is unique to its tradition that is of great significance to the establishment and definition of the movement. It generally values the classic literary works of Protestantism. | Wilkerson’s The Cross and the Switchblade; the works of J. Rodman Williams (1918-2008); the works of Wayne Grudem |
| Organization | Historically, Pentecostalism isn’t a denomination per se but a belief system that certain denominations hold. The largest Pentecostal denomination is the Assemblies of God. | Charismatics belong to historic traditions like Lutheranism, Baptist, Presbyterianism, Methodist, Episcopal, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholicism. |
| Divisions | Disagreements between Pentecostals often include the doctrine of perfectionism. For example, the Assemblies of God disagrees with the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) about perfectionism. | Perfectionism is likewise a point of contention. Some details regarding their unique doctrines are sometimes debated, such as whether speaking in tongues is a foreign language or a spiritual one. |
| Theological and Social worldview | Pentecostal denominations and churches tend to be conservative theologically and concerning social issues. | Charismatics tend to be conservative; however, many mainline Protestant denominations have adopted liberal and progressive viewpoints on a variety of social issues in the last few decades. |
Also, see Pentecostal vs. Church of God: What’s the Difference? to learn more.
| BELIEFS | Pentecostalism | The Charismatic Movement |
|---|---|---|
| God | Orthodox Pentecostals are devout Trinitarians. They believe there is one God and that the Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit are each fully God. | Charismatics are unwavering Trinitarians. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are fully divine. |
| The Bible | Pentecostals believe God inspired the biblical authors. Many conservatives use the term “inerrancy” to describe the nature of the text. | Like other Protestants and Pentecostals, charismatics believe the Bible is the sole authority for establishing doctrine and determining Christian practice. |
| View of the atonement | Pentecostals believe that Jesus is the second person of the Trinity; they hold to “penal-substitutionary atonement,” which means Jesus’ death paid the price for sin, and on the cross, he took the place of sinners. | Charismatics believe the same as Pentecostals regarding the person and work of Jesus Christ. |
| Salvation | Pentecostals are mostly Arminian. The largest Pentecostal denominations, like the Assemblies of God, are Arminian. | Charismatic Christians may be Arminian, Reformed or Calvinist, Lutheran, Baptist, or something else. |
| Sanctification | Some Pentecostals reject the doctrine of perfectionism; others affirm it. | In general, fewer charismatics accept the doctrine of perfectionism because historic denominations reject it. |
| Water Baptism | Pentecostals practice “Believer’s Baptism” as opposed to infant baptism. Baptism isn’t necessary for salvation. | Charismatics may practice Believer’s Baptism or infant baptism. Baptism isn’t necessary for salvation. |
| Communion | Pentecostals believe the bread and the cup are memorials of Christ’s death. They don’t believe Christ is present in the elements in any way. | Charismatics may believe in the memorial views, the spiritual presence view, consubstantiation, or transubstantiation. They tend to hold whatever view their denomination teaches. |
| Eschatology | Pentecostalism is premillennial, meaning it interprets the 1,000-year period described in Revelation 20:1-6 literally. The millennium occurs after the rapture, the seven-year tribulation, and the Second Coming. | Eschatology is a tension for many charismatic Christians. Premillennialism is a crucial doctrine for Pentecostalism, yet charismatic Christians worship in denominations that are firmly committed to other views, especially Amillennialism. |
Also, see Pentecostalism vs. Roman Catholic: What’s the Difference? to learn.
| Pentecostalism | The Charismatic Movement | |
|---|---|---|
| Baptism in the Holy Spirit | A central belief for Pentecostals is that baptism in the Holy Spirit occurs sometime after conversion. | Charismatics generally believe the same, though some debate about whether baptism in the Holy Spirit occurs at the time of conversion or after 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. | Speaking in tongues is an important practice for charismatics. In agreement with Pentecostalism, the charismatic movement believes the point of the gift is empowerment for ministry, overcoming sins, and other markers of sanctification. |
| 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. | Charismatics also affirm the present-day existence of miraculous gifts and that Christians should expect and seek them. |
Also, see Pentecostal vs. Lutheran: What’s the Difference? to learn more.
Please see the related articles below.
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