The Highway Forums General Discussion ExCharisma AOG and the Pentacostals / Charismatics

John,

Pentecostals and Charismatics differ mostly over whether speaking in tongues necessarily accompanies the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Both groups believe that Holy Spirit baptism is a "second grace" subsequent to conversion, but Pentecostals believe that speaking in tongues always accompanies Holy Spirit baptism, whereas Charismatics do not typically hold this view. Pentecostals, much more than Charismatics, will divide tongues into 2 or 3 categories: 1) Holy Spirit baptism tongues, 2) personal prayer languages, and 3) prophetic tongues which are known human languages.

A couple of other things tend to distinguish Pentecostals from Charismatics. Pentecostals usually have a more "traditional" camp-revival syle of worship, although this is fast disappearing; and they have typically placed much more emphasis on refraining from cultural vices, like smoking, consuming alcohol, dancing, movies, etc. Also, as Robin points out, Pentecostals usually have their own denominations, where Charismatics can be members in just about any denomination (Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, etc.) or else participate in loose associations or are completely independent. The Assemblies of God are officially Pentecostal but there is a lot of influence from Charismatics and probably a good number of A/G churches are more Charismatic than they are Pentecostal. I was raised in the A/G but I'm not aware of any factions as such within the denomination.