We provide these articles to help you understand the distinctions between denominations including origin, leadership, doctrine, and beliefs. Pentecostalism's success in the developing world is partly due to energetic missionary work by Pentecostal churches and partly due to history, politics, flexibility and empowerment. United Presbyterian Some of them became members of the WCC in the 1960s, and a good number have joined the Latin American Council of Churches after it was formed in 1982. Lutheran Church-Wisconsin Synod Social Brethren The doctrinal statement of the Assemblies of God denomination is a trustworthy representation of the beliefs taught in Pentecostal churches. On January 3, Parham and a dozen other students also spoke in tongues. Its one of the oft-talked about denominations and sometimes draws the most controversy, but Pentecostalism has a long history in Christianity. Brethren, not further specified (if born again) Free Lutheran Also, ChurchFinder.com relies on each church to classify themselves, and does not verify/validate each church's classification. The most common type of vocational minister in Pentecostal churches is the pastor, who preaches to and oversees the spiritual guidance of a local congregation. About this List: We have grouped the top Christian denominations into general categoriesclick a link below to learn more about a specific denomination. Pentecostal Baptist (if black) African Methodist Episcopal Zion There are just under 1 million Pentecostals in the UK, and over 20 million in the USA. Some Pentecostal churches have embraced what is called a "prosperity theology", proclaiming that God wills both the spiritual and physical (including material) well-being of God's people. What is the largest Pentecostal denomination? Restorationist, not further specified (if born again), Conservative Congregational Christian The Holy Spirit will enable the believer to turn away from their old worldly life and live a new Christian life. Nondenominational, not further specified (if non-black and not born again), Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Pentecostal churches do not baptise infants. Pentecostal denominations have been particularly successful in Latin America among largely unchurched and nominal Roman Catholics, particularly those at the bottom of the social and economic hierarchy. This was followed by what became known as the Asuza Street revival, centered on the Apostolic Faith Gospel Mission in Azusa Street, Los Angeles, led by the African-American preacher William Joseph Seymour, who had studied with Parham. the autumn rains in righteousness. Ecumenical Centre Fundamentalist Baptist (if non-black) Protestantism is a major branch of Christianity that emerged during the 16th-century Reformation, while Pentecostalism is a specific movement within Protestantism that originated in the early 20th century. This category has the following 14 subcategories, out of 14 total. United Church of God 1 Route des Morillons Difference Between Protestant and Pentecostal Evangelical is also Protestant and traces its roots to the New Testament via the Protestant Reformation. Catholic Church: History, Tradition & Beliefs Jehovah's Witnesses & Their Beliefs Mormons: The Church of Latter Day Saints & Their Beliefs Baptist Church: History & Beliefs Presbyterians: History & Beliefs Mennonites & Their Beliefs Friends/Quaker not further specified, Home church (if non-black and not born again) However, certain denominations are Pentecostal in their theological convictions. Electronic ministries Other Protestant non-specific (if black), 1615 L St. NW, Suite 800Washington, DC 20036USA Community Church (if not born again) (Also see the full articleDo Pentecostals Speak in Tongues?). Deeper Life Bible Church/Deeper Christian Life Ministry For example, the Apostolic Pentecostal movement differs on the belief of the Trinity than other Pentecostals, saying that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three titles for Jesus. Congregationalist, not further specified (if not born again), Reformed Church in America (Dutch Reformed) As a result, sectarian thinking has dominated much of the movement, which in many cases developed an eschatological position that feared ecumenical contact. Methodist Episcopal Church Advent Christian In Pentecostal churches there is a great deal of active congregational involvement: the worshippers may dance and clap. Wesleyan Methodist Church There are "Classical Pentecostals," who came out of the first revival in the early 1900s; "Charismatics," who arose in the 1960s; and Neo-Charismatics, which is considered the third wave of the growth of Pentecostalism. Consequently Pentecostals are able to see the church as a community of God's people working to create the context for a direct experience of God. These gifts demonstrate the power of God and are used for particular purposes such as healing the sick, and generally helping the believer in their Christian ministry. Pentecostalism is particularly strong in South America, Africa, and Asia. Baptist General Convention of Texas Restorationist, not further specified (if not born again), United Church of Christ Charismatic Presbyterian For the first 60 years of the 20th century, Pentecostalism was largely confined to specifically Pentecostal denominations, but in the 1960s Pentecostal ideas became a source of renewal in other Protestant churches, and this extended to some Roman Catholic churches shortly afterwards. The idea of latter rain comes from this Old Testament text, which precedes Joel's prophecy that God will pour out his Spirit on all people: Be glad, O people of Zion, Pentecostals also believe, like most other evangelicals, that the Bible is true and must be obeyed in decisions of faith. Assembly of Christian Churches Ethnic nondenominational (if non-black and not born again) Baptist Bible Church, including Baptist Bible Fellowship (if non-black) This may be because many of these churches have a minority racial profile, and their members are mostly poor and not in positions of secular power. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. The church believes in the gift of speaking in tongues, both glossolalia (speech in an unknown language) and xenoglossy (speech in a language known but not to speaker). These churches tend to embrace new ways of worship, media usage, and sacralization of the world, which implies the involvement with politics. International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, International Pentecostal Holiness Church, United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI). In most Pentecostal traditions, this involves preaching, teaching, praying for and giving spiritual and practical guidance to a specific congregation. Prayer cloths were particularly popular in the first part of the twentieth century, but they are still used today. All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. Black Baptist Pentecostalism is a fairly modern movement within Christianity that can be traced back to the Holiness movement in the Methodist Church. (The exception is the Oneness movement, which does not accept the Trinity.). Baptist, not further specified (if non-black and not born again) To help you on your journey of finding a church, Church Finder has created this list of Christian Denominations with over 140 Membership of the Oneness churches totals about 17 million around the world. Independent Presbyterian It encourages its members to share their personal testimonies with others, to live their lives with an eye to "holiness", to embrace good works as part of the "Spirit-filled" life, to be open to the sovereign movement of the Holy Spirit through charisms, signs and wonders, and to support the work of the church through regular tithing. and they will prophesy. Modern Pentecostalism began on January 1, 1901, when Agnes Ozman, a student at Charles F. Parham's Bethel Bible School in Topeka, Kansas, spoke in tongues (actually, the story is that she spoke in "Chinese", and did not speak English again for several days). Apostolic Holiness Church The proof of having been baptised in the Spirit is speaking in tongues. The Baptism is the entry experience introducing the believer to the beauty and power of the Spirit-filled life. They have many beliefs and practices in common and have more similarities than differences. Pentecostals vs Roman Catholics: What's the Difference? What Is a Pentecostal Church? - Christianity FAQ Agonoclita Apostolic Brethren Arnoldists Beguines and Beghards Bogomilism Patarines Bosnian Church Brethren of the Free Spirit Catharism Donatism Dulcinians Friends of God Henricans Lollardy Neo-Adamites Paulicianism In 2004 the PWC formally took the name Pentecostal World Fellowship. Ecumenical Pentecostalism offers attractive spiritual certainties in a world where religious truths are under attack, because a direct experience of God is unarguable to those who receive it: "if it happens to you, you know it's true". Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and more. Pentecostal churches have the same core convictions that all Protestants hold. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Independent Methodist (if black) It is a great contrast to the early missionary churches which had come to bring a Western version of Christianity, or to the hierarchical established churches which in some countries were seen as too closely allied to government or to employers. Some Pentecostal churches practise foot-washing as an ordinance of humility in their services. In 1947, Pentecostals representing all but the Oneness groups gathered in Zurich, Switzerland for a Pentecostal world conference. General Association of Regular Baptists One Apostolic church says that biblical literalism is necessary in our fast-paced, highly education, technology-driven word. The Truthand how it is lived out is more applicable now than ever, the churchs doctrine says. They believe in the text of the Bible without questioning it. Another reason is the way so many existing churches have marginalized and rejected the Pentecostals when they attempted to share their testimonies of what God had done in their lives. Congregational Presbyterian Full Gospel (if black) Complete Guide to Christian Denominations: Understanding the History, Beliefs, and Differences by Ron Rhodes. (Assemblies of God doctrinal statement). In 1906 Seymour preached that God would "send a new Pentecost" if people prayed for one, and was rewarded when he and his congregation began speaking in tongues. International Baptist This baptism in the Spirit was said to provide power for living an "apostolic" life and engaging in an "apostolic" ministry that included the charisms of 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. Parham and his followers later moved to Texas and began a spiritual revival in 1905. Compare major beliefs of seven different Christian denominations: Anglican / Episcopal, Assembly of God, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic. Although this practice has been given sensational publicity in the media, it was always extremely rare, restricted to small sects, and largely disapproved of by the larger Pentecostal denominations. Evangelical Congregational However, Pentecostals believe that the biblical descriptions of speaking in the Bible should be considered normal behavior for all Christians in any era. Presbyterian Church of Canada In North America, there is also an interdenominational organization called The Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America (PCCNA). Theological differences between the two groups include the emphasis Pentecostalism places on spiritual gifts, such as . Protestant respondents who gave a vague answer to denominational questions (e.g., I am just a Baptist or I know I am Methodist but dont know which specific Methodist denomination I belong to) were placed into one of the three Protestant traditions based on their race and/or their response to a question that asked if they would describe themselves as a born-again or evangelical Christian. This means that some groups may appear within more than one tradition. According to the New York Times, some four million Americans belong to classical Pentecostalism. Black Methodist The idea of latter rain is found throughout Pentecostalism, but the Latter Rain Movement, founded in 1948, teaches that the second coming of Jesus is due to happen soon and that latter rain is evidence for this. The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance. (Assemblies of God doctrinal statement). Churches in any denomination can be called evangelical if they centralize the gospel and emphasize other characteristics of the movement, such as valuing conversions and applying their faith through social causes like caring for the poor, widows, and orphans. Walter J. Hollenweger, Pentecostalism and Black Power, Theology Today, Oct 1973. "These men are not drunk, as you suppose. This word is sometimes restricted to ecstatic speech in non-existent languages. Other ethnic Pentecostal (if non-black) Methodist, not further specified (if non-black and not born again), Interdenominational (if not born again) rejoice in the LORD your God, and the moon to blood Before visiting a church, make a checklist of the most important things you hope to see or experience. For example, Baptists are found within all three Protestant traditions, Pentecostals belong to either the evangelical or historically black Protestant tradition and Lutherans belong to either the evangelical or mainline tradition. Nondenominational, ambiguous affiliation (if non-black and born again) "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Chapter 1: The Changing Religious Composition of the U.S. Chapter 2: Religious Switching and Intermarriage, Chapter 3: Demographic Profiles of Religious Groups, Chapter 4: The Shifting Religious Identity of Demographic Groups, Detailed Summary of Protestant Denominations by Tradition and Family, Appendix C: Putting Findings From the Religious Landscape Study Into Context, Among U.S. Latinos, Catholicism Continues to Decline but Is Still the Largest Faith, Key Findings From the Global Religious Futures Project, Religious Composition by Country, 2010-2050, How COVID-19 Restrictions Affected Religious Groups Around the World in 2020, Size & Demographic Characteristics of Religious Groups, Religious Characteristics of Demographic Groups, What the data says about Americans views of climate change, Podcasts as a Source of News and Information, AI in Hiring and Evaluating Workers: What Americans Think, Americans confident in Zelenskyy, but have limited familiarity with some other world leaders, How Public Polling Has Changed in the 21st Century. It is the largest non-Catholic Christian presence in Latin America. Pentecostal theology teaches that it occurs at an unspecified time after conversion and that believers should expect and seek baptism. McAlister showed that in the book of Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles baptism was always carried out only in the name of Jesus Christ and not using the Trinitarian formula given in Matthew 28:19. The denominations listed below represent answers given by survey respondents. Whether someone is a life-long follower of Jesus or just curious about Christianity's beliefs, followers, history, and practices, Christianity FAQ aims to offer trustworthy information that is easy to understand. . Pentecostal Church of God [1] Most believe that you must be saved by believing in Jesus as their Savior; to be forgiven for their sins and to be pleasing to God. Explore the various characteristics of different denominations from our list below! Baptist Methodist Presbyterian Orthodox Episcopal Anglican Anglican Church of Canada Episcopal Catholic Catholic Roman Catholic Lutheran Reformed Spirit-Filled Christian Young children are not able to make such a choice because they do not recognise their need for salvation. Pentecostal Baptist (if non-black) In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. Worship services are sometimes elaborate, even including props. Covenant Presbyterian Church The difference between these earlier traditions and the Pentecostal movement was, on the surface, speaking in tongues as a physical sign of baptism in the Spirit. Electronic ministries (if non-black) Baptism in the Spirit was an important feature of all the Holiness churches. Christian Movements and Denominations | Pew Research Center Category:Pentecostal denominations - Wikipedia Frank J Ewart (one of the study group) wrote: In the four records of administering the rite of Christian baptism in the Book of Acts, we have the name Jesus mentioned in every one of them, but the words, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are conspicuous by their absence. There are a number of churches and groups that call themselves Pentecostal. There are Classical Pentecostals, who came out of the first revival in the early 1900s; Charismatics, who arose in the 1960s; and Neo-Charismatics, which is considered the third wave of the growth of Pentecostalism. List of Trinitarian Pentecostal denominations. The . Groups such as the Church of God in Christ, the Church of God (Cleveland, TN), and the International Pentecostal Holiness Church continue to teach the former position, known as "Holiness". ANSWER: This is a difficult question to answer in the abstract, for a few reasons: 1. Mennonite, not further specified Because Pentecostal worship is spontaneous and oral, rather than anchored in a liturgical text, it allows all members of the congregation to play their part without any fear of doing the wrong thing, and enables each one to share their particular experience of God and have it valued by the whole community. Again, because there are so many different sects of Pentecostals, beliefs tend to differ in some ways. Since 1993, they have been represented at the annual meeting of the Secretaries of Christian World Communions. September 03, 2021. Pentecostal churches tend to be congregational in their church government. From a cloth in the ORU Archives, as printed in David E Harrell Jr, Oral Roberts: An American Life, 1985. Nondenominational, not further specified (if black), Church of God in Christ Some groups of Pentecostals strictly adhere to set rules, such as modest dress among women and hair guidelines for men and women. Southern Presbyterian; Presbyterian Church in the United States Other major trinitarian groups that come to mind include the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) Church of God of Prophecy and the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) a historically black pentecostal denomination. Methodist, ambiguous affiliation (if black) Full Gospel Baptist (if black) Some are associations of churches, a loosely organized fellowship of independent churches, or in some cases a descriptive term that the church identifies itself with. By 1916 a new group of churches known as "Oneness" or "Jesus' Name" churches had formed. As you look to find Christian churches near you, Church Finder is here to help on your journey. The Southern Baptist Convention is the largest conservative denomination in Protestantism today. This idea developed from a 1913 sermon by R. E. McAlister (who had founded the first Canadian Pentecostal church). Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. Reformed, not further specified (if not born again), Church of the Brethren Charismatic (if non-black) Pentecostal churches have flat power structures, and allow a very great amount of participation by the laity, both in worship and in the organisation of their institutions. The emphasis given to experience of the divine distinguishes Pentecostals from other Evangelical Christians who would say that the Bible is the only foundation of their faith. Primitive Baptist (if non-black) Restorationist, ambiguous affiliation (if not born again) Baptist, ambiguous affiliation (if black), African Methodist Episcopal The practice is based on this passage of scripture: God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Most non-Pentecostal traditions teach that baptism in the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion. Acts 2 says, When the day of Pentecostcame, they were all togetherin one place. Holiness, not further specified (if non-black), Christian Reformed Church What Is a Non-Denominational Church, and Is It Right for You? When evaluating churches on your "short list", it is best to find out directly from the church (or the senior pastor) more about their beliefs and practices. Many also believe in the practice of foot washing. Vineyard Fellowship Pentecostal or charismatic spirituality in a Catholic or Orthodox domain is deemed compatible with Marian forms of piety, papal leadership, sacramental theology, and continuity with the Great Traditions of the Latin and Eastern churches. Pentecostal denominations established in the 20th century, Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, The Church of God (Charleston, Tennessee), Church of God Ministry of Jesus Christ International, The Church of God, Alexander Jackson Sr. General Overseer, Church of Universal Triumph, Dominion of God, Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Independent Assemblies of God, International, International Assemblies of God Fellowship, International Fellowship of Christian Assemblies, International Pentecostal Church of Christ, International Pentecostal Holiness Church, International Pentecostal Holiness Church (Africa), The Lord's Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement, Mlheim Association of Free Churches and Evangelical Communities, New Testament Christian Churches of America, Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America, Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch), Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ, United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God, Incorporated, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Pentecostal_denominations&oldid=986652818, This page was last edited on 2 November 2020, at 05:10. your old men will dream dreams. A new dialogue has been established with members from the Lutheran World Federation in 2005. Church of God General Conference It is not necessary to wear the cloth unless you feel you should. Pentecostal Holiness Church The table below estimates the size of the largest Protestant denominations and identifies the Protestant tradition to which each belongs. As St Paul put it: Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. It generally values the classic literary works of Protestantism. (In fact it's almost unthinkable that a person could be a passive Pentecostal.). Association of Bridge Churches Many of these groups ultimately embraced an understanding of the Godhead in terms that border on a modal understanding. While each sect of modern Pentecostalism differs on how they approach women in leadership positions, many churches ordain women or even place them in roles to lead congregations. Pentecostal denominations and churches tend to be conservative theologically and in relation to social issues. Neo-Pentecostals and Neo-Charismatics are a variety of recent movements that started in the 1970s, reclaiming little connection with the older Pentecostals. This distinction may be lost on non-specialists and it may be simpler just to say that Pentecostals believe that human beings must have come to salvation in Christ before they can receive the baptism of the Spirit. Living Church of God, Grace Brethren Church Bible Presbyterian Church Worldwide Church of God/Grace Communion International Free Will Baptist Charles Fox Parham (whose student Agnes was the first to speak in tongues) trained women for ministry. Secondly, the Pentecostal acceptance of the value of the body/mind/spirit connections fits well with the non-Christian spiritual background of many developing cultures, and allows Pentecostal churches to incorporate without difficulty the elements of those cultures that are compatible with Christianity. A Pentecostal church consists of like-minded Christians who meet together to worship God, learn from the Bible, and develop edifying relationships. Holiness, not further specified (if black), Home church (if black) Church of God (Seventh-day) 4. A second major schism developed between 1907 and 1916, in discussions over the "apostolic" baptismal formula. Pentecostalism is a form of Christianity that emphasises the work of the Holy Spirit and the direct experience of the presence of God by the believer. Sovereign Grace Traditional Baptist (if black) Whatever the word, it is something that is essential to living a Christian life: Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.