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The Pentecostal family of denominations.

A calm, contextual introduction to Pentecostal Christianity, its history, worship, theological diversity and relationship to wider Protestant traditions.

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Overview

What Pentecostal Christianity emphasizes

Pentecostal churches form a diverse family within Protestant Christianity. Many place particular emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit, including prayer, healing, spiritual gifts and the experience commonly described as speaking in tongues, or glossolalia.

Services may be notably spontaneous, with extended music, prayer and congregational participation. Beliefs differ substantially among churches, so Pentecostalism is better understood as a broad movement than as a single denomination.

Some Pentecostal communities hold socially conservative positions on questions such as abortion and sexual relationships, while others interpret public and ethical issues differently. This page describes recurring patterns without treating any one church as representative of all Pentecostals.

A note on terminology

“Pentecostal” can refer to a denomination, a network of churches, or a style of Christian spirituality found within other traditions. “Charismatic” is often used for related spiritual practices in churches that are not formally Pentecostal.

A modern Christian movement

Pentecostalism developed from nineteenth-century Holiness and revival movements, themselves influenced by Methodism. Early teachers emphasized personal holiness, prayer and a renewed experience of the Holy Spirit.

Late nineteenth centuryHoliness writers and revival preachers developed ideas that later shaped Pentecostal teaching.
1900, TopekaA revival associated with Charles Parham and Agnes Ozman became an important reference point in Pentecostal histories.
1906, Los AngelesMeetings led by William Seymour at the Azusa Street mission helped spread Pentecostal worship across racial and national boundaries.
After 1914Organized denominations expanded, while disagreements over doctrine, governance and race produced new divisions.

From North America, Pentecostal churches and practices spread internationally through missionaries, migrants and independent revival networks. Today the family includes congregational churches, connectional denominations and loosely affiliated ministries.

Three recurring streams

Holiness-oriented

Some churches describe conversion, sanctification and Spirit baptism as distinct stages of Christian life.

Classical Trinitarian

Other churches connect Spirit baptism with Christian faith without requiring a particular sequence, while retaining traditional Trinitarian doctrine.

Oneness Pentecostal

Oneness churches reject the traditional Trinity and describe God as one, interpreting Father, Son and Holy Spirit through distinct manifestations or roles.

Worship and community life

Common practices may include energetic singing, prayer for healing, testimonies, preaching and the laying on of hands. Some churches practice footwashing, and many encourage members to participate actively rather than observe silently.

Rules concerning dress, entertainment and membership in organizations have varied by denomination and have changed over time. Local congregations can differ considerably even when they share a denominational name.

United Pentecostal and other Oneness traditions

Oneness Pentecostal churches, including the United Pentecostal Church International, differ from Trinitarian Pentecostals in their understanding of God and baptism. Many baptize in the name of Jesus Christ and regard glossolalia as a significant sign of spiritual baptism.

These teachings are contested by other Christian communities. A respectful account should distinguish the beliefs of a particular denomination from judgments made by its critics and should avoid assuming that all Pentecostal churches share them.

Further reading

For related material, explore Christian denominations, shared Christian beliefs, Bible interpretation, and comparisons among religions.

Reader guide

Questions about Pentecostalism

Is Pentecostalism a single denomination?

No. It is a broad Christian movement containing many denominations, independent churches and networks with different doctrines and structures.

What does “speaking in tongues” mean?

The phrase usually refers to glossolalia, vocal prayer or speech understood by participants as a spiritual gift. Pentecostal churches disagree about its meaning and whether it is expected of every believer.

How are Pentecostal services different?

Many services give significant space to music, spontaneous prayer, testimonies and congregational participation. The exact style varies widely from one church to another.

Are all Pentecostal churches Trinitarian?

No. Most classical Pentecostal denominations are Trinitarian, while Oneness Pentecostal churches understand God differently and use distinct baptismal teaching.

Did Pentecostalism begin in the twentieth century?

Its organized movement is generally traced to revivals around the beginning of the twentieth century, although its theological roots reach into earlier Holiness and Methodist movements.

Where can I compare Pentecostal beliefs with other traditions?

Use the comparison section, or begin with the wider pages on Christianity and other religions.