Baptist Doesn’t Mean Non-Pentecostal

History & Perspective

Really! It’s true. Baptist doesn’t mean non-Pentecostal. Sure, there may have been a time when those two camps where more sharply divided one from the other, but such is not the case today. Granted, the Baptist sect is not itself Pentecostal. However, that doesn’t mean it is inherently non-Pentecostal. That distinction is important to note, and sadly, often overlooked.

There is valid reason for that omission, considering the historic, and sometimes sharp, contention that has existed between the two — starting first with the Holiness movement, and continuing with the Pentecostal movement. Even then, in the days of violent persecution against Holiness and Pentecostal believers, the contentions were not with Baptists as a whole, nor exclusively. Many Baptists, both churches and individuals, embraced these movements.

A Large Umbrella

That brings up another important, but often overlooked, distinction. The Baptist umbrella is fairly large and rather inclusive. For instance, not all Baptist churches teach eternal security. Some teach the possibility of apostasy, like Freewill Baptists. Not all believe that believers are merely saved sinners, but sinners still. Some advocate holiness and personal sanctification, like the Holiness Baptists. Not all Baptists are cessationists, nor do they all deny Spirit baptism as a distinct post conversion experience, like the Full Gospel Baptists and the Pentecostal Freewill Baptists. Even Southern Baptists are becoming more accepting and permitting of Pentecostal experiences and beliefs, despite traditionally being perceived as anti-Pentecostal. For example, Abba’s House (headed by Ron Phillips) is Southern Baptist and Pentecostal.

The Baptist Faith & Message

No, the SBC does not self identify as Pentecostal. Yes, there is still much division, even opposition, among them over the role and place of spiritual gifts in the church. Nevertheless, that division itself testifies that Baptists are not inherently non-Pentecostal. In fact, the official position of the Southern Baptist Convention regarding spiritual gifts is rather open ended, accommodating both cessationist and non-cessationist views. As stated in their Baptist Faith & Message, the Spirit of God “cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church.”

The same could be said on a number of various issues. Baptists even allow quite a latitude for differences of belief and practice amongst churches in their fellowships and conventions, not to mention their members. Corresponding Baptists can be found for most any stripe of evangelical Christianity at large, including Pentecostal. The truth is much misinformation and misunderstanding exists between the two camps, especially your average Joe and Jane members. My hope is that this blog entry will help facilitate a desire to better understand and respect each others beliefs, as well as greater unity among fellow believers despite our sectarian differences.

No friend, Baptist doesn’t mean non-Pentecostal.