What Kind of Pentecostal?
The Three Waves

As I have mentioned elsewhere, a time or two, people often brand me immediately if I use the title "Pentecostal." Too often people simply lump all "Pentecostal-ish" people together under one banner.

And, not only that, but I often hear people tell me what I believe when in fact, I don't believe what they are saying I believe. So, there is some confusion about the term Pentecostal, to say the least.

There are some basic terms that are often misunderstood and misapplied. In the church, there have historically been "Three Pentecostal Waves" (or movements). In this CT, I want to help make some clarifications about the terms Classical Pentecostal, Pentecostal, Charismatic, and Third Wave.

The First Wave: Classical Pentecostals

The first "wave" was Classical Pentecostalism. Classical Pentecostalism began early in the twentieth century and it thought of itself as a revival (or renewal) of the first-century manifestations (gifts) of the Holy Spirit.

Part of their belief system is the idea that people are baptized in the Holy Spirit after conversion as a secondary and subsequent blessing. Those who are Classical Pentecostals believe three primary things about the baptism in the Holy Spirit:

(a) The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a second blessing (or also sometimes called a "second work of grace" or a "subsequent work of grace") that happens sometime after conversion. In some cases, this baptism may happen immediately after salvation--as in the case of the Cornelius household, see Acts 10--so that the first work (salvation) and the second work of the infilling of the Holy Spirit can appear (or are) simultaneous.

(b) The baptism in the Holy Spirit will be initially evidenced by speaking tongues. Speaking in tongues, then, for the Classical Pentecostal, is the initial, physical evidence of this baptism.

(c) The evidence of speaking in tongues is a norm for all Christians. Thus, all Christians who are baptized in the Holy Spirit shall speak in tongues.

However, there have been false and misleading charges for years saying that Classical Pentecostals teach that people must speak in tongues to be saved. This is simply not true. I know of no truly Classical Pentecostal denomination or fellowship that teaches this false idea.

Some attempt to arrive at this conclusion by saying that though Classical Pentecostals do not directly teach that one must speak in tongues to be saved, that is still the outcome of their theology.

These people argue that since Classical Pentecostals teach that speaking in tongues is the evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit, then if you do not speak in tongues you are not filled with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, since a person without the Holy Spirit is not a Christian, the final outcome is that if you do not speak in tongues you are not saved.

However, to arrive at this conclusion is to completely misunderstand Classical Pentecostal theology on the issue of Holy Spirit baptism. Classical Pentecostals teach that all Christians "have" the Holy Spirit at conversion. Thus, one does not have to speak in tongues to have the Holy Spirit and to be "baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ" (1 Cor. 12:13).

The "Second Blessing" is the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues and is not the initiation of the Holy Spirit into a believer's life; it is a spiritual experience subsequent to a person's conversion (salvation) experience.

Please note: The phrase “second work of grace” in this context is not to be confused with the same term used to refer to “entire sanctification.” Entire sanctification is a distinctive teaching of some churches in the Holiness Movement, for example, the Church of the Nazarene. They teach that there is a "second work of grace" through which one can have entire sanctification in this life. Classical Pentecostals do not teach that one can have entire sanctification in this life. Classical Pentecostals teach a progressive work of sanctification which begins when we are save, and does not end until we go to heaven.

An Important Rabbit Trail

Classical Pentecostals are not Oneness Pentecostals.

There are, of course, the Oneness Pentecostals who do in fact teach that unless one is "baptized in the Holy Spirit" with the initial, physical evidence of speaking in other tongues, one is not saved.

However, it is my opinion–and that of many other theologians and apologists–that the Oneness Pentecostals are neither orthodox nor Christians. Their aberrant teachings separate them from true Christianity.

They deny the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity, and they have a gospel of "works salvation"; thus they are not Christians in the biblical sense, and they are certainly not Christian Pentecostals.

In an article in Christianity Today (April 1, 2002), "Jesus Only Isn't Enough," J. Stephen Lang stated:

The National Association of Evangelicals, Pentecostal World Fellowship, and Pentecostal Fellowship of North America rightly find Oneness Pentecostals too far removed from classical orthodoxy to include in their ranks.

Oneness Pentecostals are not Classical or Traditional Pentecostals. And, it is unfair and unscholarly to equate the heterodox Oneness Pentecostals and their teachings with orthodox, Trinitarian, Classical Pentecostals and their teachings.

Some good resources on this topic are: Christianity Without the Cross: A History of Salvation in Oneness Pentecostalism by Thomas A. Fudge (Universal Publishers, 2003); Jesus Only Churches by E. Calvin Beisner (Zondervan Publishing House, 1998), and Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity by Gregory A. Boyd (Baker Book House, 1992).

A First Wave Distinction: simply Pentecostal

Within the "first wave," there is a distinction that should be made and is helpful. This distinction is between the terms Classical Pentecostal and simply Pentecostal. One may be a First Wave Pentecostal without being a First Wave Classical Pentecostal.

A First Wave Pentecostal is to be distinguished from a First Wave Classical Pentecostal in that the Pentecostal, while believing in the continuation of all the gifts, does not agree with Classical Pentecostals that speaking in tongues is the initial, physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit nor that all Christians who are baptized in the Holy Spirit shall speak in tongues.

Yet, the Classical Pentecostal and the Pentecostal both come from the same church background, generally known as the holiness movements.

The Second Wave: Charismatics

The "second wave" is the "Charismatic renewal movement" or Charismatics.

In popular Christian parlance, the term "Charismatic" has come to be nearly synonymous with the term "Pentecostal." While these terms are often, mistakenly, used synonymously, it is important to know the historical differences.

In the 1950s and 1960s, some people in mainline denominations (e.g., Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and Greek Orthodox) started experiencing the supernatural gifts of the Spirit in their midst. These Charismatics accepted the continuation of the gifts of the Spirit, but (like Pentecostals) they rejected the Classical Pentecostal teaching that speaking in tongues was the initial, physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

So, a Charismatic is a person who:

(a) believes in the perpetuity of spiritual gifts but
(b) does not believe that speaking in tongues is the initial, physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and
(c) who comes from (historically speaking) mainline churches/denominations.

So, while the Classical Pentecostals and the Pentecostals have their church history in common, the Charismatics and the Pentecostals have their tongues-as-evidence theology in common.

However, these days, there has been an unfortunate homogenization of these terms: Most people today simply apply the term "Charismatic" to anyone who believes that the gifts of Spirit are for today. More about this below under TV Pentecostals/Charismatics.

The Third Wave

More recently, there has come a new movement called the "Third Wave" or the "Signs and Wonders" movement. The term "Third Wave" was coined by C. Peter Wagner (former professor of Church Growth at Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Mission).

Many evangelicals who do not consider themselves Charismatics, Pentecostals, or Classical Pentecostals yet accept the perpetuity of spiritual gifts have been attracted to this third group. The Third Wave (like the Pentecostals and the Charismatics) do not believe the notion that speaking in tongues is the initial, physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit nor that all Christians who are baptized in the Holy Spirit shall speak in tongues.

A few people identified with the Third Wave are C. Peter Wagner, John Wimber (the founder of the Vineyard Christian Church), Jack Deere (former faculty member of Dallas Theological Seminary teaching Hebrew and books of the Bible in Hebrew), and J. P. Moreland (Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology).

Some Ridiculous Misinformation

It is sad that a quick Internet search of these three "waves" brings up some of the most ridiculous misinformation available. While even those within these three waves will admit that they have had their problems, the same can be said for every denomination and theological camp. So, yes, there have been problematic issues within these "waves," but people should be careful not to over generalize.

For example, the Oneness Pentecostals with their aberrant teachings should not be lumped together with other Pentecostals, and the "Third Wave" does not have its roots in the occult.

It is amazing to me how much damaging propaganda can be disseminated by misinformed, or, even worse, disingenuous people with an agenda.

TV Pentecostals/Charismatics

Next, what are those TV Pentecostals/Charismatics?

In my estimation, so-called Christian television is the biggest culprit of "Pentecostal and Charismatic homogenization" in the minds of people. And, more recently, even those in the Third Wave are being lumped together with this Pentecostal/Charismatic homogenization. It has become so confusing for the average Christian, that they often see the term "Charismatic" as applying to anyone in any of the three "waves."

So, for most people, Classical Pentecostals/Pentecostals/Charismatics/Third Wavers are now all popularly referred to simply as Charismatics.

On TBN, all of the camps mentioned above are often represented. They even have Oneness Pentecostals on their program! More than a few people have pointed out the irony of a TV program called "Trinity Broadcasting Network" having modalistic, Oneness Pentecostals (who deny the doctrine of the Trinity) on their programs.

This "Pentecostal homogenization" by Christian TV is done without so much as a simple clarification. Thus, when the average non-Pentecostal watches Christian TV, he or she may simply think that anything said by any one of the TV preachers is a representation of all Pentecostals/Charismatics. Such is far from the case, however.

In fact, it is impossible to generalize and say that all Christian TV Pentecostals/Charismatics are of one group. Depending on what program is on, you could be viewing a Classical Pentecostal or a Oneness Pentecostal or a Charismatic, or a Third Waver. In some cases, they all appear on the same program.

I do not blame the average non-Pentecostal for being confused about who Pentecostals are, or who Charismatics are, or who Third Wavers are. If my only source of knowledge about these groups came from so-called Christian television, I'd be confused as well.

A Pentellectual

I am often asked what my "label" is. I dislike having to "label myself" because most people who inquire haven't a clue as to the distinctions, and I don't have the time to explain it all to them. If I say that I am a Pentecostal, I don't know if they will immediately presume that I am a First Wave Classical Pentecostal, a First Wave Pentecostal, a Charismatic, a Third Waver, or a TBN-ite.

J. P. Moreland, in his most recent book, Kingdom Triangle, says, "While labels can be misleading and even demeaning, they can be helpful if employed with the right spirit and with allowances for nonrigid application" (p. 180).

But, that is precisely the problem. Too many people who are not Pentecostals or Charismatics or Third Wavers often rigidly apply everything they hear on Christian TV to anyone who calls himself a Pentecostal (or a Charismatic or a Third Waver). Thus, you can understand my reluctance to state without some list of qualifications that I am a Pentecostal.

To seriously answer the question of what my particular label is, I direct your attention to the previous Coffee Talk. There I discussed the term Conservative Evangelical. Taking that CT together with this one, I would label myself as a Conservative Evangelical (First Wave) Pentecostal (not Classical, not Charismatic, not Third Wave).

Pentellectual
My longtime friend and fellow Pentecostal Tyler Ramey coined a phrase that I like: "Pentellectual." By this he meant a Conservative Evangelical (First Wave) Pentecostal, or, as he put it, "A Pentellectual is an intellectual Pentecostal." So, who knows, maybe that phrase will catch on.

Conclusion

As I stated in CT # 76, please be very careful when you use terms to brand people. Also, be wary of over generalizing with regard to the various camps.

Final Exam

In closing, I'll list the terms again and you see how well you do with their definitions. If you don't remember them adequately, you may want to read this CT again:

What two groups are a part of the First Wave?
What group should not be included as part of the First Wave?
Who are in the Second Wave?
Who are in the Third Wave?
What is a Pentellectual?