Baptism in the Holy Spirit

• Both the Baptist and Pentecostal traditions practice water baptism of believing persons through immersion. Only in the Pentecostal churches, however, is "authentic" baptism expected in every case to be followed by a manifestation of spiritual gifts, known as "Baptism in the Holy Spirit." In contrast, most Baptists hold that a baptism can still be considered legitimate even if such manifestations do not occur.
  
  

Speaking in Tongues

• Speaking in tongues ("glossolalia") is considered by Pentecostals to be the definitive sign that baptism in the Holy Spirit has taken place. This is marked by an individual speaking fluidly in speech that is not of any known language, believed by Pentecostals to be that of angels or supernatural beings. Some Baptists also practice glossolalia, for example, during worship services, although it is not explicitly associated with baptism.
  
  

Other Spiritual Gifts

• Pentecostals acknowledge a wide variety of spiritual gifts that may also accompany baptism. Among these are prophecy, healing, and being "slain in the spirit" (falling unconscious.) Most Baptists view these gifts in relation to various church offices or ministries rather than spontaneous outpourings of the Holy Spirit.
  
  

Entire Sanctification

• Pentecostals believe that baptism must be preceded by an act of conversion, the result of which is complete and instantaneous regeneration from a state of sin. In contrast, most Baptists make a distinction between justification, which is immediate forgiveness of sins, and sanctification, which is a gradual process encompassing stages of Christian maturity.