Baptist vs Pentecostal Christianity Compared
Baptists and Pentecostals share much of their foundation, but the main difference is how each tradition teaches about the Holy Spirit. Baptists teach that believers receive the Holy Spirit when they come to faith in Christ, and Baptist worship centers on preaching. Many Pentecostals teach that baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience that follows conversion, and Pentecostals emphasize gifts such as speaking in tongues. Both traditions practice believer's baptism, emphasize the authority of Scripture, recognize Baptism and the Lord's Supper as ordinances, and use a Bible of 66 books.
Neither has a pope. Both are found among Evangelical Christians. At Find A Prayer, we write for readers comparing how these two traditions teach and worship.
The Difference Between Baptist and Pentecostal
The main difference concerns the Holy Spirit. Baptists teach that believers receive the Holy Spirit when they come to faith in Christ. Many Pentecostals teach that baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience that follows conversion, and Pentecostals emphasize its gifts, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy and healing.
The Assemblies of God, one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the United States, teaches that speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit. Pentecostal worship is often expressive, with lively music, spontaneous prayer, testimonies, and prayer for healing. Baptist worship centers on preaching, congregational singing and prayer, and the Lord's Supper is observed at set times in the church year.
Baptist churches are congregational: each local church governs itself, and no bishop rules over it. Pentecostal churches are governed by local congregations or by denominational structures that vary. The Southern Baptist Convention holds that the office of pastor is limited to men, while some other Baptist bodies ordain women.
Many Pentecostal denominations, including the Assemblies of God, ordain women. Both traditions allow clergy to marry, and both recognize Baptism and the Lord's Supper as ordinances. Baptists regard those ordinances as symbols rather than sacraments that convey grace.
What Baptist Churches Teach and Practice
Baptist churches are a Protestant tradition of believer's baptism and self-governing congregations. Baptists trace their origins to the early 17th century among English Separatists, who held that baptism belongs to those who profess faith. Baptists practice baptism by immersion for people who profess faith in Christ, and they do not baptize infants. Baptists emphasize the authority of Scripture and the priesthood of all believers.
The priesthood of all believers is the idea that each believer may come to God. Baptists have historically emphasized religious liberty and the separation of church and state. Their churches are congregational. Each local church governs itself, and no bishop rules over it.
Most Baptists recognize two ordinances, Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and regard them as symbols rather than sacraments that convey grace. Baptist worship centers on preaching, congregational singing and prayer, and the Lord's Supper is observed at set times in the church year. Baptists teach that believers receive the Holy Spirit when they come to faith in Christ. The Southern Baptist Convention was founded in 1845 and is the largest Protestant denomination in the United States.
The American Baptist Churches USA and the National Baptist Convention are other large Baptist bodies in the United States. Baptist clergy may marry. Baptist Bibles contain 66 books. Baptists do not pray to saints or teach Purgatory.
What Pentecostal Churches Teach and Practice
Pentecostalism is a renewal movement within Protestant Christianity. Its name comes from Pentecost, the day in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit came upon the first disciples. Pentecostals emphasize baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy and healing.
The Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, which began in 1906, is widely seen as an event in the rise of Pentecostalism. The Assemblies of God was founded in 1914 and is one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the United States. The Assemblies of God teaches that speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Pentecostals practice believer's baptism, usually by immersion, for people who profess faith. Pentecostal worship is often expressive, with lively music, spontaneous prayer, testimonies, and prayer for healing. Many Pentecostal churches also practice foot washing as an ordinance.
Pentecostal churches have no pope. Pentecostals emphasize Scripture as the final authority, and Pentecostal Bibles contain 66 books. Most Pentecostal denominations, including the Assemblies of God, confess the Trinity and baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Oneness Pentecostals reject the Trinity and baptize in the name of Jesus. Pentecostal denominations differ on whether they use historic creeds such as the Apostles' Creed. Pentecostals share with Evangelicals the emphasis on being born again and on sharing the Gospel.
Authority and the Holy Spirit
Both traditions emphasize the authority of Scripture. Baptists pair that emphasis with the priesthood of all believers, the idea that each believer may come to God. Pentecostals emphasize Scripture as the final authority, and Pentecostal Bibles contain 66 books, the same count as Baptist Bibles. On conversion, Baptists teach that believers receive the Holy Spirit when they come to faith in Christ.
Pentecostals share with Evangelicals the emphasis on being born again and on sharing the Gospel. Many Pentecostals teach that baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience that follows conversion. Both traditions are found among Evangelical Christians. Baptists do not pray to saints and do not teach Purgatory.
Many Pentecostals also do not pray to saints or teach Purgatory. The Holy Spirit teaching is where the two traditions diverge.
Church Structure, Leadership, and the Ordinances
Church structure is one area where the two traditions differ. Baptist churches are congregational. Each local church governs itself, and no bishop rules over it.
Pentecostal churches have no pope and are governed by local congregations or by denominational structures that vary. Pentecostal governance varies by denomination. The Southern Baptist Convention holds that the office of pastor is limited to men, while some other Baptist bodies ordain women.
Many Pentecostal denominations, including the Assemblies of God, ordain women. Baptist clergy may marry, and Pentecostal clergy may marry. Both traditions recognize two ordinances, Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Baptists regard them as symbols rather than sacraments that convey grace, and Baptists observe the Lord's Supper at set times in the church year. Pentecostals practice believer's baptism, usually by immersion, and many Pentecostal churches also practice foot washing as an ordinance. For a reader comparing leadership, the answer on women in pastoral office turns on the denomination in both traditions.
Baptist structure rests on the local church, while Pentecostal structure varies by denomination. A reader who wants to know how a particular church is led can ask its pastor or minister.
Who This Is Not For
Readers who want a ruling on which tradition is true should ask a pastor or minister from each tradition to explain its reasoning. Readers who want the practice of one particular congregation should ask that church's pastor or minister.
Useful questions include whether a church teaches baptism in the Holy Spirit as a distinct experience, how its worship is ordered, and how it is governed. Those questions cover the timing of the Spirit's work, the gifts, the form of worship, the governing structure, and the roles open to women and men.
What Would Change This Recommendation
The choice turns on which priority a reader holds most. A reader who holds that baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience following conversion, and who values speaking in tongues and prophecy as gifts of the Spirit, would weigh the Pentecostal teaching more heavily. A reader who holds that believers receive the Holy Spirit at conversion, and who wants worship centered on preaching, congregational singing and prayer, would weigh the Baptist teaching more heavily.
Worship style is another priority that can tip the balance. Pentecostal worship is often expressive, with lively music, spontaneous prayer, testimonies, and prayer for healing. Church governance is another priority.
Baptist churches govern themselves, with no bishop over them. Pentecostal churches are governed by local congregations or by denominational structures that vary. A reader who wants a particular structure should ask about the denomination.
Pentecostal structures vary. The Southern Baptist Convention limits the office of pastor to men, while some other Baptist bodies ordain women. Many Pentecostal denominations, including the Assemblies of God, ordain women.
Baptist vs Pentecostal: at a glance
| Factor | Baptist | Pentecostal |
|---|---|---|
| Baptism practice | Believer's baptism by immersion for people who profess faith | Believer's baptism, usually by immersion, for people who profess faith |
| Ordinances | Most Baptists recognize two ordinances, Baptism and the Lord's Supper, regarded as symbols rather than sacraments that convey grace | Two ordinances, Baptism and the Lord's Supper |
| Holy Spirit | Believers receive the Holy Spirit when they come to faith in Christ | Many teach baptism in the Holy Spirit as a distinct experience that follows conversion |
| Worship focus | Preaching, congregational singing and prayer, with the Lord's Supper at set times in the church year | Often expressive, with lively music, spontaneous prayer, testimonies, and prayer for healing |
| Church governance | Congregational: each local church governs itself, and no bishop rules over it | Local congregations or denominational structures that vary |
| Women as pastors | The Southern Baptist Convention limits the office of pastor to men; some other Baptist bodies ordain women | Many Pentecostal denominations, including the Assemblies of God, ordain women |
| Clergy marriage | Clergy may marry | Clergy may marry |
| Saints and Purgatory | Do not pray to saints or teach Purgatory | Many do not pray to saints or teach Purgatory |
Verdict: Baptist vs Pentecostal
Choose the Baptist side if you want believers to receive the Holy Spirit at conversion and worship centered on preaching, congregational singing and prayer. Choose the Pentecostal side if you want baptism in the Holy Spirit as a distinct experience, the gifts of the Spirit such as speaking in tongues, and expressive worship.
The answer rests on each tradition's own published teaching, drawn together by our editorial team, and it would change for a reader who weighs the timing of baptism in the Holy Spirit differently. Next, read our Baptist vs Methodist guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Baptist and Pentecostal?
The main difference is how each tradition teaches about the Holy Spirit. Baptists teach that believers receive the Holy Spirit when they come to faith in Christ, and Baptist worship centers on preaching, congregational singing and prayer. Many Pentecostals teach that baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience that follows conversion. Pentecostals emphasize gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophecy and healing, and Pentecostal worship is often expressive, with lively music, spontaneous prayer, and testimonies. Both practice believer's baptism and emphasize Scripture, and neither has a pope.
Do Baptists speak in tongues?
The Assemblies of God teaches that speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit, and Baptist teaching holds that believers receive the Holy Spirit when they come to faith in Christ; practice varies by church. Pentecostals emphasize speaking in tongues as one of the gifts of the Spirit, and the Assemblies of God teaches that it is the initial physical evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit. Many Pentecostals teach that baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience that follows conversion. Pentecostal worship is often expressive, with spontaneous prayer and testimonies.
Do Baptists and Pentecostals baptize the same way?
Yes, both practice believer's baptism for people who profess faith. Baptists practice it by immersion. Pentecostals practice it usually by immersion, for people who profess faith. Baptists do not baptize infants. Both traditions recognize Baptism and the Lord's Supper as ordinances, and Baptists regard those two ordinances as symbols rather than sacraments that convey grace. Many Pentecostal churches also practice foot washing as an ordinance. A pastor or minister can explain a particular church's practice.
Are Pentecostals Baptists?
No. Pentecostalism and the Baptist tradition are separate movements within Protestant Christianity. Baptist churches trace their origins to the early 17th century among English Separatists. Pentecostalism takes its name from Pentecost, the day in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit came upon the first disciples. The Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, which began in 1906, is widely seen as an event in the rise of Pentecostalism. The Southern Baptist Convention was founded in 1845, and the Assemblies of God was founded in 1914.
Which worship style is more expressive, Baptist or Pentecostal?
Pentecostal worship is often expressive, with lively music, spontaneous prayer, testimonies, and prayer for healing. Baptist worship centers on preaching, congregational singing and prayer. Baptists observe the Lord's Supper at set times in the church year. The pastor or minister of a particular church can describe its order of worship.
How are Baptist and Pentecostal churches governed?
Baptist churches are congregational: each local church governs itself and no bishop rules over it. Pentecostal churches are governed by local congregations or by denominational structures that vary, and neither tradition has a pope. The Southern Baptist Convention, the American Baptist Churches USA and the National Baptist Convention are large Baptist bodies in the United States. The Assemblies of God is one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the United States. Pentecostal governance varies by denomination.
Can women be pastors in Baptist and Pentecostal churches?
The answer depends on the denomination in both traditions. In Baptist life, the Southern Baptist Convention holds that the office of pastor is limited to men, while some other Baptist bodies ordain women. In Pentecostalism, many Pentecostal denominations, including the Assemblies of God, ordain women. A reader who wants to know whether a particular church ordains women can ask that church's pastor or minister. The answer follows the denomination.
Are Baptists and Pentecostals both Evangelical?
Yes, both are found among Evangelical Christians. Pentecostals share with Evangelicals the emphasis on being born again and on sharing the Gospel. Both traditions emphasize the authority of Scripture, and both use Bibles of 66 books. Baptists practice believer's baptism, and Pentecostals practice it as well, usually by immersion. The point where the two traditions differ is the Holy Spirit. Baptists teach that believers receive the Spirit at conversion, while many Pentecostals teach a distinct experience of baptism in the Holy Spirit that follows conversion.