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Pentecostal vs. Non-denominational

A side-by-side comparison of Pentecostal and Non-denominational teaching on 16 questions, from Scripture and salvation to baptism, communion and church government.

Pentecostal

Pentecostalism began in the early 1900s, notably at the Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles. It teaches that the gifts of the Holy Spirit described in Acts and 1 Corinthians, including tongues and healing, are active today. It is among the fastest-growing Christian movements.

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Non-denominational

Non-denominational churches are independent congregations with no formal denominational parent. Most are evangelical, centered on the Bible and personal faith in Christ, but each sets its own doctrine and style, so practice varies more here than in any other group.

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At a glance

Where they differ: .

Varies within one or both: Can a saved person fall away?; Predestination and free will; Church government; Clergy and women in ministry; The Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts.

Where they agree: Authority: Scripture and tradition; Books of the Bible; The Trinity; How a person is saved; Baptism; Communion (the Lord’s Supper); Sacraments or ordinances; Mary and the saints; Death, purgatory and hell; Style of worship; Day of worship.

Side by side

QuestionPentecostalNon-denominational
Authority: Scripture and traditionAgreeThe Bible is the inspired and final authority. Believers also expect the Holy Spirit to guide them personally, always tested against Scripture.The Bible is the final authority, and each congregation interprets it for itself. Most hold to biblical inerrancy in some form.
Books of the BibleAgree66 books.66 books.
The TrinityAgreeMost Pentecostals, including the Assemblies of God, are Trinitarian. A smaller “Oneness” wing rejects the doctrine and teaches that Father, Son and Spirit are modes of one person.Almost always Trinitarian, though statements of faith are set by each church.
How a person is savedAgreeSaved by grace through faith in Christ, usually with an emphasis on new birth and a personal experience of conversion. It is often followed by a distinct experience called baptism in the Holy Spirit.Usually teaches salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, received by a personal decision to trust him. Details are set by each church.
Can a saved person fall away?VariesMost classical Pentecostal bodies, such as the Assemblies of God, hold that a believer can forfeit salvation, though some Pentecostals teach eternal security.Varies by church. Many teach eternal security, and others teach that salvation can be lost.
Predestination and free willVariesGenerally Arminian: Christ died for all, and each person can accept or refuse. A small number of Reformed Pentecostals hold to election.Varies by church. Some are Calvinist and many are Arminian or take no stand.
BaptismAgreeBeliever’s baptism by immersion, as an act of obedience and a public witness. Baptism is distinguished from baptism in the Holy Spirit.Usually believer’s baptism by immersion, as a public witness. A few churches baptize infants or allow other modes.
Communion (the Lord’s Supper)AgreeAn ordinance in memory of Christ’s death. It is often marked with a sense of God’s presence and healing.Usually a memorial ordinance, observed as often as each church chooses.
Sacraments or ordinancesAgreeTwo ordinances, water baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Some Pentecostal groups add foot washing.Two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Church governmentVariesVaries. The Assemblies of God combines congregational and presbyterian features, and the Church of God in Christ has bishops.Each church governs itself, generally under a pastor or a board of elders.
Clergy and women in ministryVariesVaries. The Assemblies of God ordains women, and some other Pentecostal bodies reserve pastoral office for men.Varies by church. Many limit pastors to men and others welcome women in leadership.
Mary and the saintsAgreeMary is honored as the mother of Jesus. Pentecostals do not pray to her or the saints.Mary is honored as the mother of Jesus. Non-denominational churches do not pray to saints.
Death, purgatory and hellAgreeBelievers go directly into Christ’s presence at death. Pentecostals hold to a literal heaven and hell and expect the return of Christ.Believers go to be with Christ at death and unbelievers face judgment. There is no purgatory.
Style of worshipAgreeExpressive and Spirit-led, with lively music, spontaneous prayer, testimony and an openness to prophecy, tongues and healing.Free-form and often contemporary, with a band, a sermon and modern arrangements. Each church sets its own style.
The Holy Spirit and spiritual giftsVariesAll the gifts of the Spirit continue today. Most teach baptism in the Holy Spirit as a separate experience after conversion, and many teach speaking in tongues as the initial sign of it.Varies. Some non-denominational churches are charismatic and others hold that miraculous gifts have ceased.
Day of worshipAgreeSunday.Sunday, with some churches also offering Saturday evening services.
Best known forSpeaking in tongues, healing, lively worship and rapid growth in Latin America, Africa and Asia.Independence, contemporary worship, a focus on personal faith and the Bible, and rapid growth as a share of American churchgoers.

“Agree” means the two traditions take the same broad position, although the wording above may still note finer differences. “Varies” means at least one of the two is itself divided on the question, so no single position can be given. These summaries describe typical teaching, and individual churches may vary. For an authoritative statement, consult each denomination’s own confessions.

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