Pentecostals, Charismatics and the Prosperity Gospel
The purpose of this post is simply to clarify some terms. All too often I see people using all three of these terms as if they were complete synonyms. Some outside the charismatic movement may assume that an Assemblies of God pastor believes in the prosperity gospel. They may but you cannot tell by the Pentecostal label. I am not going to be overly academic here in that I will not get involved in things liked the third wave movement. I will keep to generalities.
A charismatic is one who believes in and practices the charismatic gifts as found in 1 Corinthians 12. This is the widest group. It would include Pentecostals and those who preach the prosperity gospel. It would include other groups such as the Vineyard, as well as charismatics in evangelical and mainline churches and the Roman Catholic Church. There are no defining theological features other than dynamic manifestations of the Holy Spirit.
A Pentecostal is one within the charismatic movement but with more specific theological distinctives. Pentecostals are known for believing in speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of the baptism of the Spirit. Whereas charismatics may believe in the baptism of the Spirit being manifested in a variety ways, according to Pentecostals, without tongues there is no baptism. This is the distinctive. There are differences of opinion on sanctification (complete or gradual) or even the Trinity (Oneness Pentecostals deny the Trinity and believe Jesus is the only God), but they must agree on the baptism of the Spirit with tongues.
The prosperity gospel includes people from both Pentecostal and charismatic backgrounds. However many Pentecostals and charismatics reject the prosperity gospel. The prosperity gospel teaches that God’s will for all Christians is health and wealth. The blessings of God always manifest in financial and physical ways. Faith is something that can be manipulated in order to get what is desired from God.
My point is that people should not think that Kenneth Copeland or Benny Hinn represent the average Pentecostal. Be aware of the differences and do not lump people with a wide range of beliefs into the same pot.
