Pentecostal and Catholic: What Do They Believe Differently?

Pentecostal Christianity emphasizes something every Christian should take seriously:

The Holy Spirit is not merely a doctrine. He is alive and active in the Church.

Catholic Christianity wholeheartedly agrees.

The historical question is what kind of Church the Holy Spirit has been guiding since Pentecost.

A Note About This Page

This page is an invitation to investigate, not an accusation against Christians who inherited this tradition. Catholic teaching recognizes baptized Christians who believe in Christ as Christians and acknowledges real gifts of Scripture, faith, grace and Christian life outside full Catholic communion.

The question here is narrower:

If we trace this tradition backward through Christian history, what came before it --- and what might that history ask us to reconsider?

Shared Convictions

Catholics and Trinitarian Pentecostals can share belief in:

• the Trinity;
• divinity of Christ;
• authority of Scripture;
• necessity of conversion;
• prayer;
• evangelization;
• gifts of the Holy Spirit;
• God's continuing action in human lives.

Major differences remain.

Questions to Investigate

• What happens in Baptism?
• What is the Eucharist?
• Is speaking in tongues necessary evidence of Spirit baptism?
• What is the relationship between charismatic gifts and sacraments?
• Did Christ establish a visible Apostolic Church?
• Does Apostolic authority continue through bishops?
• What authority interprets Scripture?
• What place do Mary and the saints have in the communion of Christ?

Walk Backward

Modern Pentecostalism emerges prominently in the early twentieth century, with important roots in nineteenth-century Holiness movements and Methodism.

Walk backward:

Pentecostalism → Holiness movements → Methodism → Anglican Christianity → Reformation → medieval Christianity → Fathers → Apostles → Pentecost.

That final destination is especially appropriate.

Return to the First Pentecost

Acts 2 does not end with private spiritual experiences.

Those who receive the word are baptized and enter a visible community devoted to Apostolic teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers.

Ask:

What became of that Apostolic community?

Charisms and Catholicism

Catholicism does not teach that gifts of the Holy Spirit ceased after the Apostles.

It distinguishes charismatic gifts from the sacramental structure Christ entrusted to the Church.

The historical question is whether the early Church saw those as competitors.

Explore the First Centuries →

Begin the LOOK BACKWARD Journey →