What are the differences between the Baptist and Pentecostal denominations?
Baptist Churches and Pentecostal Churches have significant differences in theology and interpretation of Scripture which lead to very clear differences in worship and religious experience. Although both traditions place a great deal of emphasis on the "born again experience," (confession and repentance of sin and accepting Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior,) Pentecostals also stress the importance of the Second Blessing, sometimes called the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is a second, often deeply emotional experience that may occur moments or years after the believer accepts salvation by faith. Generally the sign of the Pentecostal experience is speaking in tongues (glossolalia) but other "gifts" such as prophesy, miracles, healing and others may be recognized.Theologically, Baptist doctrine usually holds that the age of miracles closed when the final miracle, the Holy Bible, was complete. According to this tradition, occasional miracles of healing may be granted as answers to the prayer of the faithful, but other miracles and signs such as tongues and prophesy no longer exist in this world. Pentecostals, on the other hand, believe that the age of miracles has no limit; tongues, prophesy, discernment, healing, deliverance (exorcism) and other supernatural gifts continue to flow through the Holy Spirit for the blessing and edification of the faithful and as signs to unbelievers.