Catholic vs Pentecostal Christianity Compared
Catholics hold that authority rests on Scripture, sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium under the pope. Pentecostals hold Scripture as the final authority and emphasize baptism in the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues. The two traditions share several foundations.
Catholics and most Pentecostal denominations confess the Trinity and the deity and resurrection of Jesus. Both hold the Bible as sacred Scripture with 27 books in the New Testament. Catholics and most Pentecostal denominations also baptize with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The Mass is the central act of Catholic worship, while Pentecostal worship is often expressive, with lively music, spontaneous prayer, testimonies, and prayer for healing. At Find A Prayer, we write for readers comparing how worship, doctrine, and daily Christian life differ between these two traditions.
The Difference Between Catholic and Pentecostal Christianity
Catholics hold that authority rests on Scripture, sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium under the pope. Pentecostals hold Scripture as the final authority, and Pentecostal churches have no pope. The Catholic Church is led by the pope, whom Catholics teach is the successor of the apostle Peter.
Pentecostal churches are governed by local congregations or by denominational structures that vary. Catholics teach that salvation is God's gift of grace, received through faith and shown in love and good works. The Catholic Church teaches that the Mass and the sacraments are the ordinary means by which grace is given, and it celebrates seven sacraments.
Most Pentecostal denominations recognize two ordinances, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Pentecostals share with Evangelicals the emphasis on being born again. Pentecostals emphasize baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing.
Many Pentecostals teach that baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience that follows conversion. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal, a movement within the Catholic Church that began in 1967, welcomes gifts of the Holy Spirit such as speaking in tongues and healing. Catholics and most Pentecostal denominations confess the Trinity and the deity and resurrection of Jesus, and both hold that the Bible is sacred Scripture.
What the Catholic Church Teaches and Practices
The Catholic Church is led by the pope, whom Catholics teach is the successor of the apostle Peter. Catholic teaching authority rests on Scripture, sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium together. The Catholic Bible has 73 books, including the deuterocanonical books, alongside the 27 books of the New Testament.
The Mass is the central act of Catholic worship. Catholics attend Mass on Sundays, where Scripture is read and the Eucharist is celebrated. The Catholic Church holds transubstantiation in the Eucharist.
It teaches that the Mass and the sacraments are the ordinary means by which grace is given. Catholics baptize infants and practice confession of sins to a priest. Latin-rite priests are generally celibate, and only men are ordained.
Catholics teach that salvation is God's gift of grace, received through faith and shown in love and good works. Catholics honor Mary and the saints and ask them to pray for believers. Catholics pray the Rosary, and many Catholic churches display statues of Mary and the saints.
Catholics also teach Purgatory. Catholics use the word evangelization for sharing the Gospel, and Pope John Paul II called for a new evangelization, inviting Catholics to share the faith again with fresh energy.
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. The Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles began in 1906, and it is an event in the rise of Pentecostalism.
The Assemblies of God was founded in 1914, and it 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 emphasize the gifts of the Spirit, including speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing.
Pentecostals emphasize Scripture as the final authority, and Pentecostal Bibles contain 66 books. Pentecostal worship is often expressive, with lively music, spontaneous prayer, testimonies, and prayer for healing. Pentecostals share with Evangelicals the emphasis on being born again and on sharing the Gospel.
Many Pentecostals do not pray to saints and do not teach Purgatory. Pentecostal denominations differ on whether they use historic creeds such as the Apostles' Creed.
Church Governance, Ordination, Baptism, and Worship
Church governance is structured differently in the two traditions. The Catholic Church is led by the pope. Pentecostal churches have no pope, and they are governed by local congregations or by denominational structures that vary. Ordination follows different rules.
Latin-rite priests are generally celibate, and only men are ordained. Pentecostal clergy may marry, and many Pentecostal denominations, including the Assemblies of God, ordain women. Catholics baptize infants, while Pentecostals practice believer's baptism, usually by immersion, for people who profess faith. Catholics and most Pentecostal denominations baptize with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Oneness Pentecostals reject the Trinity and baptize in the name of Jesus. The Catholic Church holds transubstantiation in the Eucharist, which is celebrated at Mass. Most Pentecostal denominations recognize two ordinances, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Many Pentecostal churches also practice foot washing as an ordinance.
Catholic worship is built around the Mass, and Pentecostal worship is often expressive, with lively music and testimonies.
Who This Is Not For
A reader who wants a ruling on which tradition is true needs more than a reading of each tradition's teaching. Ask a priest, pastor, or minister from the tradition under consideration. A reader who wants to know how one specific congregation worships should ask that church's leader.
A reader weighing Oneness Pentecostal churches should know that those churches reject the Trinity and baptize in the name of Jesus. That sets them apart from most Pentecostal denominations.
What Would Change This Recommendation
The verdict depends on which priorities a reader brings to the decision. A reader who prioritizes the Mass and the seven sacraments, with grace given through them, will find that the Catholic Church matches those priorities. A reader who prioritizes Scripture as the final authority, expressive worship, and baptism in the Holy Spirit will find that Pentecostal churches match those priorities.
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which began in 1967, welcomes those gifts inside the Catholic Church. A reader for whom ordination is the deciding question should ask a priest or pastor how each tradition applies its rules.
Catholic vs Pentecostal: at a glance
| Factor | Catholic | Pentecostal |
|---|---|---|
| Church structure | Led by the pope, whom Catholics teach is the successor of the apostle Peter | No pope; local congregations or denominational structures that vary |
| Final authority | Scripture, sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium together | Scripture as the final authority |
| Total books in the Bible | 73 books, including the deuterocanonical books | 66 books |
| Sacraments or ordinances | Seven sacraments, including the Eucharist with transubstantiation | Most recognize two ordinances, Baptism and the Lord's Supper |
| Baptism practice | Baptizes infants with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit | Believer's baptism, usually by immersion, for people who profess faith |
| Clergy marriage and ordination | Latin-rite priests generally celibate; only men are ordained | Clergy may marry; many denominations, including the Assemblies of God, ordain women |
| Mary and the saints | Honor Mary and the saints, asking them to pray for believers | Many Pentecostals do not pray to saints |
| Worship | The Mass is the central act of worship, with Scripture read and the Eucharist celebrated on Sundays | Often expressive, with lively music, spontaneous prayer, testimonies, and prayer for healing |
Verdict: Catholic vs Pentecostal
Choose the Catholic Church if you want a church where Catholics teach that authority rests on Scripture, sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium under the pope, and that grace is given through the Mass and the seven sacraments. Choose Pentecostalism if you want Scripture as the final authority, with expressive worship and an emphasis on baptism in the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues.
The verdict rests on each tradition's own published teaching, and it flips for a reader who wants a church whose clergy include women, as in the Assemblies of God. Next, read our Catholic vs Evangelical page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Catholic and Pentecostal?
Catholics hold that authority rests on Scripture, sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium under the pope. They also teach that the Mass and the sacraments are the ordinary means by which grace is given, and the Catholic Church celebrates seven sacraments. Pentecostals hold Scripture as the final authority and emphasize baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing. Pentecostal churches have no pope. Catholics and most Pentecostal denominations confess the Trinity and the deity and resurrection of Jesus, and both hold the Bible as sacred Scripture.
Do Pentecostals and Catholics use the same Bible?
No, the two traditions do not use Bibles with the same number of books. The Catholic Bible has 73 books, including the deuterocanonical books. Pentecostal Bibles contain 66 books. Both traditions hold the Bible as sacred Scripture and recognize the same 27 books of the New Testament. Catholic teaching authority rests on Scripture together with sacred Tradition and the Magisterium. Pentecostals hold Scripture as the final authority.
Do Catholics speak in tongues?
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which began in 1967, is a movement within the Catholic Church that welcomes gifts such as speaking in tongues and healing. A reader who wants to know how a particular Catholic church approaches the gifts of the Spirit should ask its priest.
Do Pentecostals believe in the pope, Purgatory, or praying to saints?
Pentecostal churches have no pope. Many Pentecostals do not pray to saints and do not teach Purgatory. Catholics, by contrast, teach Purgatory, honor Mary and the saints, and ask them to pray for believers. Catholics also pray the Rosary. Pentecostal denominations differ on whether they use historic creeds such as the Apostles' Creed.
Do Catholics and Pentecostals baptize the same way?
Partly. Catholics and most Pentecostal denominations baptize with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They differ on who is baptized. Catholics baptize infants, while Pentecostals practice believer's baptism, usually by immersion, for people who profess faith. Oneness Pentecostals reject the Trinity and baptize in the name of Jesus. Many Pentecostal churches also practice foot washing as an ordinance.
Is Pentecostal a denomination?
No. Pentecostalism is a renewal movement within Protestant Christianity, and it includes many denominations. The Assemblies of God, founded in 1914, is one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the United States. Pentecostal churches are governed by local congregations or by denominational structures that vary. Most Pentecostal denominations confess the Trinity and baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Pentecostal denominations also differ on whether they use historic creeds such as the Apostles' Creed.
What is baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Pentecostals emphasize baptism in the Holy Spirit, and many Pentecostals teach that it is a distinct experience that follows conversion. Pentecostalism takes its name from Pentecost, the day in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit came upon the first disciples. The Assemblies of God teaches that speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit. Pentecostals also emphasize the gifts of the Spirit, including prophecy and healing. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal welcomes gifts of the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues and healing.
Are Pentecostals Christian?
Yes. Pentecostalism is a renewal movement within Protestant Christianity. Catholics and most Pentecostal denominations confess the Trinity and the deity and resurrection of Jesus. Pentecostals share with Evangelicals the emphasis on being born again and on sharing the Gospel. Oneness Pentecostals reject the Trinity, which sets them apart from most Pentecostal denominations. A reader who wants to know how a specific Pentecostal church explains its own teaching should ask its pastor or minister.