60-second overview
A family of renewal movements emphasizing the present work and gifts of the Holy Spirit, commonly including Spirit baptism, tongues, healing, and expectation of divine intervention. The later Charismatic Movement shares many of these emphases, but it brought them into churches that did not become Pentecostal denominations.
History and identity
Classical Pentecostalism arose as a distinct movement in the early twentieth century. The later Charismatic Movement began in existing non-Pentecostal churches and carried related practices into Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, mainline Protestant, evangelical, and independent settings. Many Pentecostals can be called charismatic in a broad sense, but the usual historic distinction is helpful: Pentecostalism names distinct church bodies and families, while the Charismatic Movement is a renewal that can exist within other traditions. Most large Pentecostal denominations are Trinitarian and Nicene, but Oneness Pentecostalism rejects the historic doctrine of the Trinity and must be classified separately. Pentecostal bodies also differ on sanctification, evidence of Spirit baptism, church government, and women in ministry.
What the group says about itself
What this group teaches and practices
Continuation of miraculous gifts. Strong experiential and missionary emphasis. Many teach a distinct baptism in the Holy Spirit. Closely connected with the Charismatic Movement, but not another name for it. Trinitarian Pentecostalism and Oneness Pentecostalism differ on the doctrine of God and require separate assessment.
Sources for this summary
Core teachings and practices
- Continuation of miraculous gifts.
- Strong experiential and missionary emphasis.
- Many teach a distinct baptism in the Holy Spirit.
- Closely connected with the Charismatic Movement, but not another name for it.
- Trinitarian Pentecostalism and Oneness Pentecostalism differ on the doctrine of God and require separate assessment.
Variation across churches
High variation within the groupThe broad label includes Trinitarian denominations and non-Nicene Oneness bodies; choose a specific Pentecostal denomination or movement.
What it shares with the Reformed Baptist Base Beliefs
Churches under this label differ in important ways. Check the specific church.
Important differences from the Reformed Baptist Base Beliefs
Pentecostalism is too broad for one result: classical Trinitarian Pentecostal denominations share the historic Christian and evangelical core, while Oneness Pentecostal bodies reject the Nicene Trinity. Reformed Baptist churches vary on cessationism and continuationism, so gifts alone are not scored; choose a specific Pentecostal body.
How it relates to historic Nicene Christianity
Varies within the groupChurches under this label differ in important ways. Check the specific church.
Boundary guideImportant distinctions
- Pentecostalism and the Charismatic Movement have deep historical and theological ties, but they are not interchangeable labels. Classical Pentecostalism usually identifies a distinct church family or denomination; the Charismatic Movement is a later renewal that can exist within non-Pentecostal churches.
- Writers do not always use the vocabulary in exactly the same way. This guide uses Charismatic Movement for the cross-denominational renewal, while still showing its close connection with Pentecostalism.
Related groups with separate profiles
Related groups
Sources
The group’s own sources come first, followed by outside context and the guide’s comparison.
- Assemblies of God (USA) — Statement of Fundamental TruthsVerifiedOfficial doctrine
- Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center — Pentecostal heritage resourcesVerifiedReputable secondary source
- Pew Research Center — Global Christianity: Christian Movements and DenominationsVerifiedReputable secondary source
- Pentecostal World Fellowship — Statement of FaithVerifiedOfficial doctrine
- United Pentecostal Church International — Oneness PentecostalismVerifiedOfficial doctrine
- United Pentecostal Church International — Oneness of God resourcesVerifiedOfficial doctrine