We often hear the terms “Pentecostal” and “Charismatic” used interchangeably. Most of the times these terms are employed to describe a particular worship style or expression in a church worship service.  For the purpose of this post, I’d like to restrict the meanings of “Pentecostal” and “Charismatic” to their particular views on the spiritual gift of tongues (speaking in a language not understood by the speaker). While there are 18 spiritual gifts listed in the New Testament, my focus on this one gift of tongues in no way elevates its importance over the other 17. I only focus on it here because of the unfortunately controversial and divisive issue it has become. So, what is the difference between a “Pentecostal” and “Charismatic” view on the gift of tongues?
FOUR GROUPINGS OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS:
There are four listings of spiritual gifts given in the New Testament, not one of them being exhaustive. However, when the four lists are combined (though there is overlap), we come up with 18 gifts. They are: (1) prophecy, (2) service, helping, (3) teaching, (4) encouraging, (5) giving, (6) leadership, (7) showing mercy, (8) apostleship, (9) evangelism, (10) pastor/teacher, (11) the message of wisdom, (12) the message of knowledge, (13) faith, (14) healing, (15) miracles, (16) discernment, (17) tongues, (18) interpretation [for a helpful summary of the gifts, see H. Wayne House’ “Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine“].
The four lists can be found in:
1. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10
2. 1 Corinthians 12:29-30
3. Romans 12:6-8
4. Ephesians 4:11
PENTECOSTAL VS. CHARISMATIC
Contrary to both the Pentecostal and Charismatic views on the gift of tongues, the “Cessationists” are those who believe that the gift of tongues ceased to operate after the completion of the New Testament. However, while Pentecostals and Charismatics are united in their assertion that all the gifts of the Spirit still operate today, they do differ significantly on the role of the gift of tongues.
PENTECOSTAL
The Pentecostal view of tongues is that it is the initial, necessary evidence that one has received the Spirit by means of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, God has made tongues both available to and intentioned for all Christians. Tongues is the first and essential indicator of whether or not a Christian is “Spirit-filled.” The empowerment of the Holy Spirit is seen to be a second event, or second blessing, coming after one’s conversion. The gift of tongues is considered to function in a dual role: (1) a private prayer language which enables people to have a more effective and powerful prayer life, and (2) a public exercise of the gift in order for God to speak to His people (equivalent to prophecy, if interpreted—see 1 Cor 14:4-5).
CHARISMATIC
The Charismatic view of tongues is that while it may be an evidence that one has received the empowerment of the Spirit, it is not the only possible evidence. Rather, the primary evidence is seen in the empowerment of a follower of Jesus to both live out and communicate the Gospel. Contrary to the Pentecostal view, the empowering/infilling by the Holy Spirit is not seen as a one time event (a “second blessing”). Instead, it is an ongoing, daily empowering by God’s Spirit for acts of service and successful Christian living.Â
According to the Charismatic approach, the gift of tongues—so long as it is interpreted—is on a par with the other 17 spiritual gifts. No Christian can demand any one of the 18 spiritual gifts, as it is the Holy Spirit who determines who is given which gifts (1 Cor 12:11). Therefore, to be “Charismatic” simply means that one believes that this gift of tongues, among the other gifts, has not ceased to operate with the completion of the New Testament and that it is a valid gift for some, though not all, Christians today.Â
3 BIBLICAL RULES FOR TONGUES IN THE CHURCH
While there may be valid disagreements over the role of tongues in the church today (its perpetuity, its availability, etc.), I believe we would be amiss if we did not heed three simple guidelines or rules clearly laid down for us in the New Testament, concerning how this gift must operate if it operates in a corporate setting. They are simple (1 Cor 14:27-28). If there is a tongue:
1. “two—or at the most three—should speak”
2. “one at a time”
3. “someone must interpret”
Let this serve as a biblical checklist for you. If even one of the above three criteria are missing from any public display of tongues, the gift is either being abused or it is a counterfeit gift.
A WORD OF WARNING
The debate over the extent of the role of tongues in the Church is a “domestic dispute,” which is to say that the dialogue is between brothers and sisters within God’s one family. We must keep this in mind at all times. This issue has for too long brought division where there should be unity (between Cessationist, Pentecostal, and Charismatic alike). While this matter of the role of tongues is important, it is not an essential matter of orthodox belief.Â
SUGGESTED READING
1 Corinthians 12-14
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Which of the above positions on tongues do you believe to be biblical?
2. Is your view a result of careful biblical study, or of your experience/upbringing?
3. What questions do you still have about the functioning of spiritual gifts?
4. Do you feel that you have identified your own spiritual gifts, as well as how you could use them to buildup/compliment God’s Kingdom?
8 Comments on “Tongues–what’s the difference between “Pentecostal” & “Charismatic?””
Okay, I’ll be the first. I grew up in the Lutheran Church where speaking in tongues was just simply never mentioned as having any applicability to modern times whatsoever. But of course, we also never held up our hands during worship nor said “Amen” during a sermon. The idea of speaking in tongues was just as foreign to me as sacrificing animals. I once had a friend tell me about one of his friends who got involved in a church that convinced her she could speak in tongues. We thought she was lost to something like a cult.
It wasn’t until I started attending adult classes at Timberline Church that the issue of tongues became more than that for me. I learned more about it and was convinced by people in the class that tongues isn’t just practiced by kooky cult members. These people seemed to have it together enough at least.
So, that’s where I stand now, I think. I don’t really see the relevance of tongues in my life, and am certainly not convinced it is any evidence that you are a “true believer.” But, I am past the idea that practicing tongues is crazy. Everyone to their own on this issue, I guess.
This helps a lot to clarify the questions I had about this. For awhile I went to a church that would fit under the category of “cessationalist” but I was never convinced of that view. I could not see how they could dismiss one spiritual gift without dismissing them all. I also don’t think it is the one and only evidence of the holy spirit. What if this never happened to you after you became a christian? Does that mean you don’t have the holy spirit? Does that mean you are not saved? These questions come to my mind when I think about the “pentecostal” view. I have read over those passages several times before, including the account of the apostles recieving the gift of tongues in Acts, and have still come to the same conclusion, which fits very nicely under the “charismatic” view. I just never had a name for it.
I attended the Summit classes at Timberline back in 2001, and I remember Pastor Dary speaking of spiritual gifts. I remember him saying that some churches “force” spiritual giftings to occur in front of everyone, such as falling in the spirit, and then it becomes a “show” and not truly in the spirit. Pastor Brent, what you said above in terms of tongues certainly goes along with that, in that if it is forced or not done in a way that is “spiritually correct,” then it is for show and not truly led by God.
I think all believers sometime in their walk will have they ability to speak in tongues. Will my time occur at the same time as yours? No, not necessarily. And most likely it won’t occur in front of you. I think when it happens, people aren’t quite sure how to take it.
I think people need to be careful, too, when they claim to be able to interpret tongues. I attended a funeral at a Four Square Church where a group of about 5 men all claimed to be able to interpret tongues. I’m not saying they couldn’t…perhaps they could, and this was a tremendous gift. But what if they couldn’t, and they were misleading people in the name of God? It’s a fine line people walk, and if people do possess spiritual gifts, I feel they ought to be humble before the Lord.
I remember learning in Summit, also, that God gives us all different spiritual gifts, and with those gifts we find our place in Ministry. As different parts, we all form the body.
Speaking of Tongues…
What a marvelous moment it is when the Lord’s Spirit breaks loose upon a believer in such a way that they begin to speak in a language unknown to themselves. It must bring a believer to her knees in awe. It must be an experience that lingers in a prominent place in the mind and heart for hours afterward. Surely it must create a sense of wonder and a longing to truly know what precisely was expressed, and why
In such a curious way?
That is what I imagine… because this particular gift of the Spirit is not one that the Lord has selected for me to experience.
I have been in places where hundreds of folks have spoken in tongues all at the same time, and at the request of the leader in charge. Honestly it was more spooky then spiritual. And I have been in the presence of believers who have spoken in tongues and it blessed me in a mysterious way. It was handled with such graciousness, explained so well, that people present who would not have a clue about what had just happened, learned about the mysteries of God. I have been around those who insist that because I do not speak in tongues I do not have the completeness of the Holy Spirit. That use to brother me, being downsized in the eyes of others. I imagine myself getting a “C� or “D� grade in my Christian walk. Not quite measuring up, just like in school when I never seemed to be able to get into the class where all the “smart� kids were.
I’ve asked the Lord to let it pour out on me on several occasions. I have opened my mouth in prayer and song, and I could understand every syllable! – what’s up with
THAT? Did I ask wrong, why them and not me?
As I have walked with the Lord over the past 30 or so years, I have come to some satisfying conclusions as this topic pops back to the surface from time to time.
God has blessed me with wonderful Pastors and dear teachers, friends and family in my life. Some of them speak in tongues and some do not. I am deeply grateful for both. There is no way to measure the impact they have had on me. Regardless of speaking in tongues or not they have each been instrumental in guiding me to walk in upright ways in the Lord. God’s power is manifested magnificently in each of them. Without question the fullness of His Spirit oozes from them all! Those with this influence in my life have never left me with the notion that tongues is an essential ingredient in my walk with the Lord, or that tongues distinguishes God’s blessing upon me being larger or smaller, or His Spirit being more or less complete in me. I am thankful for that.
Paul writes to us in 1Corinthians 12:4-7, that there are a variety of gifts and all of them come with the trademark of the Holy Spirit. That there are a variety of ministries and all of them are also endorsed by the Holy Spirit. That there are many different results that come from the use of these gifts and God is delighted in the different ways people are affected by them.
In verses 8-11 Paul lists many of the gifts, and points out that God distributes them to those He chooses. Seems to me if we all had every gift, we would exhaust ourselves!
I am certain I have tried to accomplish tasks in the name of ministry that I had no business tackling. I’ve become weary and worn. I should have left it to a more gifted person!
Verses 12-27 point out all the delightful variety the Body of Christ has in the collective gifts each individual believer has be blessed with. He points out that one gift does not trump another in its value and need. He encourages us to be delighted with the abundant supply of gifts we all benefit from as Christ’s body interacts together here on earth. He says to take care of each other and honor the contributions we each make because all have great worth in the eyes of our Lord.
And verses 29-30 Paul points out that not every believer has every gift, and he includes the gift of tongues in his list. It says simply to me that we won’t all be given the experience of speaking in unknown words.
I believe in the gift of tongues. I believe In that unknown language that many believers have experienced. I believe it must be handled with care in public places as 1 Corinthians 14 cautions and directs us to. I believe in the gift of tongues that believing friends and respected leaders I have learned from say that come to them in private moments of prayer and praise. I do not believe it is a gift that each of us as Christ Followers will experience.
In closing I must confess, that up until the day I surrendered to Christ 31 years ago, on September 5, 1975, I used my tongue poorly. I was vulgar. My advice to others was culturally correct and shallow. God has changed my tongue in what I can only call a miracle preformed by His Holy Spirit. Some of it He did immediately, and other aspects of it He has developed and will continue to until I go Home to be with Him. Seriously it seems to me we are all given the gift of tongues. Some of us simply speak it in English. It comes when someone is hurting and needs a comforting word or advice that is grounded in God’s principles and precepts. I can’t count the number of times it seems like I had just the right words for someone, or someone had just the right words for me. When I part from those moments and I know that what I said, or what I heard was really amazingly perfect, I know that the Lord has spoken. The tongue was used in a very Spiritual way. And it was in plain English. And It certainly was a gift.
Thank you, Pastor Barb. I, too, have often thought there was something wrong with my spirituality because I lacked the ability to speak in tongues. Will I ever? Maybe. Maybe not. But what I do believe is that we can’t all be eyes, we can’t all be arms. The body of Christ would not be a whole body if we all possessed the same gifts and abilities. It would be quite unbalanced.
I remember when Timberline was at Stuart and Lemay there were instances when a member in the congregation spoke in tongues and someone also interpreted. I believe a spiritual message was given to the church when this occurred.
Before attending Timberline church I had many doubts about MANY things, but I have come to see that with the help of loving people and scripture the blanket that covers my eyes gets pulled back further and further.
Thank you Pastor Brent for helping to uncover what has been a freaky dark mystery to me and turning it into a positive possible actuality.
It makes total sense to me that while speaking in tongues may be an evidence that one has received the Holy Spirit it is NOT the only possible evidence RATHER the primary evidence is seen in the empowerment of a follower of Jesus to both live out and communicate the Gospel. And the best part is the Biblical references given to back this up…
thanks Lord for Brents gift of teaching!
One thing that is so important to keep in mind when seeking to understand the meaning of God pouring out His Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2), can be seen in Jesus’ words which preceded Pentecost. After the resurrection, Jesus commanded his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit from the Father. Luke records this both at the end of his Gospel (Luke 24:49) and in the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:4, 5). The reason this command to wait in Jerusalem was necessary was because Jesus had also told his disciples to leave Jerusalem—to go into the larger Mediterranean world—in order to spread the Gospel. Jesus didn’t want his students remaining where they were, but he also knew that they were unable to accomplish his task for them on their own steam. The whole point of God’s people receiving power by the Holy Spirit’s activities in our lives is in order to be His witnesses. Or as Jesus states it, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit come on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.†Spirit empowerment in the Christian’s life is not for the purpose of rapturous and ecstatic experiences, but for effective evangelism. This mustn’t be missed!