[longleaf]

The Pentecostals know lots of different languages without even studying and can speak them fluently. Might come in handy that close to the border, although I've never heard one "slain in the Spanish Spirit."

[parentsgonenuts]

My husband and I are Pentacost and we were also led to the church we attend. The Pentacost religion teaches all the things you mentioned above, as well as speaking in toungues and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I cannot rightly say which is better but I went to a Baptist church my whole life until I married, and now I go the a small church here in town. I love the church and would rather go to it than a big Baptist church. Just thought I'd put in my 2 cents worth!

[RaceBannon]

This is a link to a church that has some great Bible studies, one on the Charismatic movement..

I used to attend there, but dont now and would not reccomend you do either, but the written material they have cannot be beat!

[RaceBannon]

Here, the link is back up. This is the DOCTRINAL STUDIES page, scroll down a paragraph and you will see 3 studies on the Charismatic Doctrines of tongues and such

[nhoward14]

My father was ordained as a Baptist but has been Pentecostal for nearly 20 years, and I was raised Pentecostal.

My understanding of the most basic difference between Pentecostal and Non-Pentecostal churches relates to how the original feasts of the Old Testament are handled. Pentecostals tend to consider more of the Old Testament to remain in effect meaning that things like Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost are still to be observed today. Non-Pentecostals tend to consider those a part of "Mosaic Law" and not necessary under interpretations of the New Testament teachings.

Pentecostals also tend to believe in speaking in tongues, the healing of the sick through anointing with oil and prayer, and that the "layman" in the church is just as able to evangelize as the pastor more often than other religions.

Also, some Pentecostals are called "7th Day Pentecostals" because they believe in observing the Sabbath on the 7th day (Saturday) as the Jews were instructed in the Old Testament.

[Jefferson Adams]

I'd call myself Charismatic, rather than Pentecostal, but for what you're asking the differences aren't much.

We believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in the Bible are for today, as well as for the time of Jesus' disciples. Baptists, generally, believe that the gifts died out with the original apostles - they consider them to be "sign" gifts that were only for the early church.

I started my Christian life in the non-Charismatic (refers to the Greek word "charisma," which means "gifts") church, and then received the gifts myself. Which, if you haven't been around them, isn't as weird as it sounds to a lot of people. I pray and sing in tongues - really just a prayer language that the Lord gave me. I've experienced the Word of Knowledge gift on many occasions, when God supernaturally used my mouth to tell someone something they needed to hear. Again, not nearly as "strange" as it may sound - after all, God said in the Bible that these gifts were to be sought after by His children.

As for the worship, it's my experience that true worship, full-blown my-heart-is-Yours worship to the Living God is generally experienced primarily in Charismatic/Pentecostal churches, although by no means by all of the members. It's ultimately a matter of being truly free with God, and desiring Him above all else. Worship flows from that, and singing worship songs is no longer just music. It becomes a way to touch our Father's heart, and to have Him touch ours.

I hope that helps :)

[TheBattman]

What a question, and by the way - congratulations for re-commiting yourselves to Christ!

Honestly, in my opinion is that the primary things to look for in a church are:

1. Teaches that the Bible is infallible, complete word of God.

2. That teaches that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to salvation and everlasting life in Heaven.

3. That believes that the great commission of the Church is to spread the "Good News" of Jesus Christ.

4. All doctorine is firmly based in the Word of God (Bible - see #1).

As far as the differences are concerned - there are many, althogh most are fairly small and are simply based upon worship style and such.

I have only been associated with the Baptist church (actually Baptist Missionary Association of America) for about a year, previously being an Episcopalian, so my experience is still quite limited. The only direct doctrinal difference that I have experienced (although I am certain there are many more) is in the definition of " speaking in tongues".

I hope that others with some real knowledge post here to help you out, as I fear my post isn't all that helpful.

Good luck, and may God bless your life.

[borntodiefree]

Pentecostals believe that on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit indwelled and overflowed the Christians. There was a manifistation of many of the spiritual gifts which the first Apostles referenced throughout the new testement.

It is not a salvation based issue, but it can be important to you and your families spiritual development. Understanding the Bible is of course one of the most important directions to take in life, but seeking the guidence of the Holy Spirit is the other. Relationship with the Holy Spirit builds your foundation and openness with Jesus and the Father.

By having this relationship you may or may not have the opportunity to operate with the spiritual gifts (which are seperate from the situational spiritual gifts). This is a great area of division in the church (which it shouldn't be), but you should research it further yourself and allow God to reveal His truth to you in His time.

[E=MC²]

Pentecostals tend to dwell in the book of Acts and consider all of its precepts and prophecies as valid today, whereas non-Pentecostals regard the book of Acts as a TRANSITIONAL book between the Old Testament Age of the Law and the New Testament Age of Grace.

[mercy]

Oh man, where do I start. It's so much about semantics, misunderstanding and misapplication of scripture and doctrine. I believe all Christians are Pentecostal in that the Holy Spirit is The Comforter to all of us since the day of Pentecost. Most 'Pentecostal' churches allow all sorts of silliness to be done under the banner of the 'Gifts of the Spirt' even though Paul clearly explains that The Holy Spirit is not a spirit of disorder. Much of what passes for worship in these 'Holy Roller' churches is mass hysteria or just plain exhibitionism.

Conversely non Pentecostal churches are so freaked out by the practices of 'those people' (who all used to be over on the wrong side of the tracks) that they have squelched the Spirit and the Gifts. I KNOW that the gifts operate amoung a close knit community of believers. What the world calls psychic abilities and honest seemingly miraculous healing DO take place. But not like you see it on TV as practiced by big haired televangelists.

I've seen horrible error practiced in Evangelical/Pentecostal churches which has driven many away from the church. I've seen sickening deadness in mainstream denominational churches that have bored many more right out of the church. The church is a very weak entity as it appears on earth. But the true Church of The Messiah is a mighty edifice encompassing billions of souls throughout the Christian age.

[Ahban]

Both are good. Iv'e served God in both. The Pentecostal Church is under great attack. It is filled with some posion off base teachings and nutty personality types. I think this is because it has the potential to be Satan's greatest threat, and my military background teaches me that you always 'check to the threat'.

Combine the access to supernatural power with folks who live their lives right and the World will be changed. The Babtists are doing hte best they can, but are not seeking access to that power in the same way. They will not be as big a threat to Satan if they are only serving God with the best of their natural abilities. Our natural abilities are not as effective as our natural and supernatural abilites together.

If you choose the pentecostal church, concentrate on factual truth and good stable living over 'warm fuzzy' experiences, if you choose Baptist, concentrate on seeking God's supernatural gifts and expecting miracles. In other words, emphazise in your personal walk the things that are under respected in that denomination.

[Textide]

The replies to your post have been very informative. Thanks for asking the question.

[Heartlander]

Great post! Great question! And Great answers!

It is good to seek council from fellow Christians but don’t forget the Great Councilor Himself.

In my humble opinion any church that has a good balance with the Word and the Spirit will be a church that will thrive. All Word and no Spirit will have a tendency to dry up. All Spirit and no Word will have a tendency to burn out.

I pray you find what is right for your family.

[winslow]

I used to attend a Pentecostal church but now attend a Baptist church. I don't necessarily believe in the cessation of Spiritual Gifts but I am not at all convinced that what passes for these gifts in a lot of Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches is the genuine article. I believe much is pschologically enduced phenomena.

Also the teaching at the Baptist church I attend is better, more in-depth. Having said that my new church only sings the old Hyms (which I like very much) and I would like it if they sang some of the newer songs as well.

[bookwurm]

Just a thought. The only problem I have with Pentecostals is their slain the spirit thing. In the Bible, whenever someone came in contact with God or one of his messengers, if they fell, they always fell forward or they prostrated themselves before the Angel of the Lord. There is nothing scriptural about falling over backward (or laughing or barking like dogs either for that matter).

[alnick]

I believe that it's an individual thing, as long as the church teaches the Gospel.

I believe that there is not a church or religion or person in this world who gets it all 100 percent correct in doctrine or interpretation of the Bible, that no matter which church or religion or spiritual leader you choose, all will have flaws since they're made up of humans.

I believe that God will love the worship that His children give to Him, whether it is from the Baptist or Pentacostal or any other Christian church, as long as it comes from the heart.

Visit several churches several times each, and you will know your "home" when you find it.

Good luck. :=)

[DallasDeb]

There is a variety of Pentecostal churches. I would suggest you contact the Christian Research Institute to help you in your efforts.

[Sci Fi Guy]

I know it is not a salvation issue if you are pentecostal or non-pentecostal, but I would like to know more about the differences between the two. Is one actually superior in worship style? Does either one have an advantage over the other? Or does it even matter

The basic difference is that Non-Pentecostals believe that the spiritual gifts present at the begining of the church ended when the Bible was completed. And Pentecostals believe that the gifts are present today. There are those on both sides to try to make it a much bigger issue(i.e. a major cultic hersey vs. the one gift essential to a meaningful Christian life.) If you were thinking of joining a pentecostal church, I would urgue you make sure that they test everything by scripture. Some Pentecostals will have an experience, and then twist scripture to affirm their experience.

Don't let anyone fool you! Worship style is a cultural issue. God cares about our attitude in worship.

It matters because everything about God and our faith matters. But it is a minor issue. And by minor, I mean that Good Christians can disagree about it. The key is to always seek God's will, be open to the Holy Spirit, and test everything by scripture.

I think that there are some questions that you need to ask.

The new church is Non-Pentecostal. How non-Pentecostal? This is a minor doctrine, do they regard it as one. Or do they treat pentecostals as heretics. I went from a pentecostal church to an independent baptist church. The pastor had no trouble with my position, or with working with pentecostal churches.

Can you be honest about you beliefs there?

[Revelation 911]

good question Lasher - Both are quite different. The Baptists are Calvinists, and the Pentecostals sprung from the Holiness movement. - Id go into detail - but they are theologically different for a number of reasons - none of which I will go into, lest I get flamed by the rabid few - but as other posters suggested - there are just a few tenets of doctrine you must look for. Hopefully you have found a home.

I would suggest some texts comparing Calvinism and Arminianism.

[mathurine]

Nice to notice that neither flies airplanes into the skyscrapers perceived as belonging to the other, and both are accepted by the rest of the society in which they flourish without threat from any who really support the flag of the United States of America and the Republic for Which it Stands.