Author
Home > Sociology > What is the Difference Between Baptist and Pentecostal?

Guilherme Mazui

•4 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Baptist and Pentecostal?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

Baptist and Pentecostal are two different groups within Christianity. While they share certain similarities, they also have distinct differences. Here are some of the key differences between Baptist and Pentecostal churches:

  1. Focus: Baptists primarily focus on Jesus, while Pentecostals emphasize the Holy Spirit.
  2. Salvation: Baptists believe that once a person has accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, they are saved forever, regardless of how they live afterwards. On the other hand, Pentecostals believe that one can lose their salvation if their faith is not maintained.
  3. Baptism: Both groups practice baptism, but Pentecostals believe in a second baptism, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is confirmed through the miraculous gift of speaking in tongues.
  4. Worship Style: Baptists tend to sing hymns and pray quietly, while Pentecostals usually sing contemporary songs and pray loudly, often with musical accompaniment.
  5. Role of Women: Unlike Baptists, Pentecostals allow women to become pastors.
  6. Belief in Tongues and Direct Revelation: While both groups believe in the Holy Spirit, Pentecostals still consider speaking in tongues and direct revelation as relevant, whereas Baptists may not.

Despite these differences, both Baptist and Pentecostal denominations share common beliefs, such as the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus Christ, and the Bible as the inspired Word of God.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Baptist and Pentecostal?
  • Comparative Table: Baptist vs Pentecostal

    • Comparative Table: Baptist vs Pentecostal

    Here is a table comparing the differences between Baptist and Pentecostal beliefs:

    Belief/Practice Baptist Pentecostal
    Trinity Believe in One God in Three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Believe in One God in Three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with some minor differences in interpretation.
    Holy Spirit Believe in the Holy Spirit, but not all receive it. Believe that the Holy Spirit is given to all Christians.
    Baptism Believe in adult baptism by immersion. Believe in baptism, including infant baptism.
    Prayer/Worship Quiet hymns and prayers. Loud prayer and worship, often including speaking in tongues.
    Women in Leadership Generally do not allow women to become pastors. Allow women to become pastors.
    Salvation Believe in "once saved, always saved". Believe that a person should lead a sinless life after being saved.
    End Times Dispensationalist end-of-times framework, including the rapture of true believers before the worst years of the tribulation. Dispensationalist end-of-times framework, including the rapture of true believers before the worst years of the tribulation.

    Both Baptist and Pentecostal denominations believe in the Bible as the Word of God and in the importance of living a moral life of service to others. However, they differ in their views on the Holy Spirit, baptism, prayer and worship, women in leadership, and the connection with God after salvation.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.