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The relatively modern term Bapticostal is a combination of the words Baptist and Pentecostal. The broad definition of Bapticostal is someone who, in terms of beliefs and practices, stands somewhere between the traditional Baptist doctrinal positions and those of Pentecostals. Many independent, non-denominational churches and church associations loosely identify themselves as Bapticostal. The characterization of a Bapticostal, more specifically, boils down to a person’s or church’s beliefs regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the operation and manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.
Even more particularly, the Bapticostal movement is a group of current-day Baptist churches that are embracing aspects of the charismatic or Pentecostal movement. These churches place great emphasis on the presence and manifestation of the Holy Spirit, such as healing and speaking in tongues. The Bapticostal Church International describes itself as a “Global Movement” that grew out of The River Church—a “Spirit-filled” Baptist church in Perry, Florida. The Bapticostal Church International was founded in 2019 by Bishop Charles W. Willis III and Brother Justin Earl Wagner (https://bapticostal-church-international.webnode.page/about-us/, accessed 2/5/24).
Baptists and Pentecostals have many beliefs in common. Most Baptist and Pentecostal churches are traditionally conservative in theology and interpretation of Scripture. Both are evangelical and believe that salvation is God’s gift of eternal life through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. They believe in the inerrancy and authority of the Bible, the Trinity, the Lord’s Supper, and believer’s baptism. They agree that the Holy Spirit fills, empowers, and regenerates believers at salvation and performs the internal work of sanctification.
However, unlike most Baptists, Pentecostals believe it is possible, even usual, for Christians today to experience the same supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit as the apostles did on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–13; 1 Corinthians 12:4–10, 28). These believers intentionally seek the Holy Spirit’s leading and the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in their personal lives and in corporate worship. They give particular emphasis to speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing.
Many Pentecostals or charismatic Christians believe that a separate baptism in the Holy Spirit must take place after conversion. According to this viewpoint, this Spirit-baptism is typically accompanied by speaking in tongues as evidence of the experience (based on Acts 8:14–17). Pentecostal denominations such as the Assemblies of God and Church of God hold this belief.
Traditional Baptist worship services emphasize Bible teaching and winning souls for Christ. Pentecostal worship services also prioritize these but are usually characterized by more expressive adoration and emotional spontaneity, dancing, shouting, and raising hands in praise. Most charismatic churches believe in allowing freedom for a “move of the Spirit” and for believers to operate in the various gifts of the Holy Spirit.
There is no one-size-fits-all Bapticostal definition. Instead, a Bapticostal defines, understands, and experiences the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the baptism of the Holy Spirit based on some blending of the Baptist and Pentecostal viewpoints. A believer—either a Baptist or a Pentecostal—who chooses not to focus on the differences between the two denominations may call himself a Bapticostal. Likewise, someone with a background in one or the other or both denominations may be labeled a Bapticostal or label himself a Bapticostal.
