Pentecostalism and The Charismatic Movement share much in common to the extent that some people use the terms interchangeably. In The Charismatic Movement vs. Pentecostalism, debate researchers have been trying to establish whether the two movements have different beliefs.
Pentecostalism and The Charismatic movement differ in a few ways. The main difference between the two movements is that the Pentecostal movement comprises many denominations and churches, while The Charismatic Movement is just a movement within the mainstream Christian denominations.
What is the difference between Pentecostalism and The Charismatic Movement? What is the theological comparison between Pentecostalism and The Charismatic Movement? What are the similarities between Pentecostalism and The Charismatic Movement? Which came first between Pentecostalism and The Charismatic Movement? Keep reading to learn more!
What is the difference between Pentecostalism and The Charismatic Movement?
There are a few differences between Pentecostalism and The Charismatic Movement. The table below shows these differences.
| Beliefs, values, and practices | Pentecostalism | The Charismatic Movement |
| Name | The name Pentecostal is derived from the term Pentecost a popular event in Christianity that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and other followers of Jesus. The group was in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks when it happened. | The name Charismatic comes from the Greek word charisma (χάρισμα), which refers to gifts derived from favor or grace. |
| Origin | Pentecostalism began in the early 20th century among radical followers of the Wesleyan Holiness Movement. They were motivated by expectations of the 2nd coming of the Messiah and Christian revivalism. | This movement is said to have emerged in 1960 in Anglicanism. Anglicanism spread to other historical denominations, including Presbyterianism and Lutheranism by 1962, Catholicism in 1967, and the Methodist movement in the 1970s. |
| Early influencers | Early contributors to Pentecostalism are Charles Parham and William J. Seymour. The latter’s three years crusade in California led to the spread of Pentecostalism to the rest of the world. This crusade is called the Azusa Street Revival. | Early contributors to The Charismatic Movement are Charles Parham, William J. Seymour, Dennis J. Bennett, and C. Peter Wagner. |
| Composition | The Pentecostal movement is made up of many denominations and churches. It boats upwards of 700 denominations and churches. | The Charismatic Movement is just a movement within the mainstream Christian denominations. |
| Significant Texts Used in the Movement Outside the Bible | Pentecostals do not have any significant text outside the Bible. | The Charismatic Movement affirms the use of the works of Wayne Grudem and J. Rodman Williams and Wilkerson’s The Cross and the Switchblade. |
| Sanctification | Some Pentecostals affirm the doctrine of perfectionism while others do not; the doctrine articulates that humans can achieve the optimal quality of the mental, physical, spiritual, and material being. | Only a few Charismatics affirm the doctrine of perfectionism. |
| Speaking in tongues | Pentecostals believe that talking in tongues is the initial sign that one has been baptized in the Holy Spirit. | Charismatics disagree with the belief that speaking in tongues is the initial sign that someone has been baptized in the Holy Spirit. They prefer the term being filled with the Holy Spirit because it is present in all believers from the regeneration time. |
| Supernatural Experiences | Pentecostals do not accept all supernatural experiences. | Charismatics accept supernatural experiences such as healing, miracles, prophecy, or the physical manifestation of mind alteration. |
| Mission Work and Evangelization | Pentecostals have placed a high value on mission work and evangelization. | Charismatics do not place much value on mission work and evangelization. They see their movement as a force of renewal and revitalization within their Church traditions. |
| Membership | The Pentecostal movement has about 279 million members across the globe. | The Charismatic movement has about 305 million followers across the globe. |
| View of the Holy Communion | Pentecostals do not affirm that Christ is present in the elements sued during the Holy Communion. | Charismatics affirm that Christ is present in the elements sued during the Holy Communion. They believe that His blood and body are present in the elements. |
What is the theological comparison between Pentecostalism and The Charismatic Movement?
Pentecostal theology distinguishes itself from theologies from other denominations by believing Baptism in the Holy Ghost is the 2nd blessing after salvation. This belief depends on the doctrine of subsequence and the doctrine of separability. The doctrine of separability states that Baptism in the Holy Ghost and regeneration are two separate mighty acts of God. During regeneration, the Holy Spirit removes a non-believer’s old nature and replaces it with new nature. The result of this process is a new birth.
On the other hand, Baptism in the Holy Ghost happens when the Holy Spirit falls upon believers empowering and equipping them for service. Conversely, in The Charismatic Theology, Baptism is the 2nd stage in a two-stage pattern of salvation. It comes after conversion. After Baptism, some believers are endowed with gifts such as healing, speaking, and interpreting tongues.
What are the similarities between Pentecostalism and The Charismatic Movement?
Pentecostalism and The Charismatic Movement have more similarities than differences. The table below shows these similarities.
| Beliefs, values, and practices | Pentecostalism | The Charismatic Movement |
| Nature of God | Pentecostals believe in the doctrine of a Triune God. This is the belief that God exists in three forms; the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. | Members of The Charismatic Movement are also Trinitarians. They firmly believe that God exists in three forms; the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. |
| View of the Bible | Pentecostals believe that the Bible is inspired and the only legit source of authority in the Church. | Members of The Charismatic Movement also believe that the Bible is the final authority in the Church. |
| View of Atonement | Protestants believe in the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement. This is the belief that Jesus was punished on behalf of the sins of the human race. | Charismatics also believe in the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement in reference to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. |
| Baptism and salvation | Pentecostals believe that Baptism is not necessary for salvation. | Charismatics also believe that Baptism is not necessary for salvation. |
| Baptism | Pentecostals believe in the doctrine of Baptism in the Holy Spirit. They believe that Baptism enables one to live an empowered and spirit-filled life. Empowerment is being in the position to use your spiritual gifts, such as divine healing and speaking in tongues. They view Baptism as a conversion rite. | Charismatics also do believe in Baptism in the Holy Spirit. However, there is a debate as to whether Baptism in the Holy Spirit occurs after or at the time of conversion. |
| Holy Communion | Pentecostals believe that the Holy Communion is a continuation of a tradition started by Jesus Christ. Also, it is a memorial of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross on behalf of the entire human race. | Charismatics also believe that the Holy Communion is a memorial of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross on behalf of the entire human race. |
| Second Coming of Jesus | Pentecostals strongly believe that Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead. | Charismatics also believe in the 2nd coming of Christ to judge the living and the dead. |
| Miraculous gifts | Pentecostals affirm that some believers are endowed with miraculous gifts such as healing, interpretation of tongues, speaking in tongues, and words of knowledge. | Charismatics also acknowledge that some people are endowed with miraculous gifts, and all believers should expect and seek them. |
Which came first between Pentecostalism and The Charismatic Movement?
Pentecostalism came before The Charismatic Movement. Pentecostalism began in the early 20th century (1906) among radical followers of the Wesleyan Holiness Movement. They were motivated by expectations of the 2nd coming of the Messiah and Christian revivalism. On the other hand, The Charismatic Movement emerged in 1960 in Anglicanism. It is from Anglicanism that the movement’s ideologies spread to other historical denominations, including Presbyterianism and Lutheranism by 1962, Catholicism in 1967, and the Methodist movement in the 1970s.
References
thegospelcoalition.org. (n.d.). Pentecostal theology. Retrieved December 21, 2022
compellingtruth.org. (n.d.). The charismatic movement – What is it? Retrieved December 21, 2022
GotQuestions.org. (2010, May 01). What is the Charismatic movement? Retrieved December 21, 2022
slife.org. (2022, October 13). Pentecostalism. Retrieved December 21, 2022
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