Charismatic Christian church

religion

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July 16, 2026

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Charismatic Christianity emphasizes the direct experience of the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of spiritual gifts, or charismata. These gifts, such as prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues, are seen as empowering believers and animating the church's history.123

Charismatic figures, including prophets, healers, and teachers, have emerged throughout Christian history, often driving reformations and new movements. The concept of charisma, originating from the Greek word for "grace," describes extraordinary personal qualities that inspire devotion and challenge traditional structures. This focus on spiritual empowerment and direct divine experience is central to the charismatic expression of the Christian faith.142

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Christianity
Other Protestant churches
Pentecostal and Charismatic churches, which profess to return to the primitive church and subordinate liturgy to the direct experience of the Holy Spirit, were among the fastest-growing forms of Christianity by the early 21st century. Christian Science (formally the Church of Christ, Scientist) combines Christian teachings with…
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Pentecostal and Charismatic churches, which profess to return to the primitive church and subordinate liturgy to the direct experience of the Holy Spirit, were among the fastest-growing forms of Christianity by the early 21st century. Christian Science (formally the Church of Christ, Scientist) combines Christian teachings with…
Read More

fundamentalism
Christian fundamentalism in the United States
Pat Robertson—identified themselves as “charismatic Evangelicals” (see Evangelical church). Although the charismatics also believed in the inerrancy of the Bible, they stressed the ecstatic experience of the Holy Spirit as manifested by speaking in tongues and faith healing. The charismatics were opposed by more-traditional fundamentalists, such as the
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Pat Robertson—identified themselves as “charismatic Evangelicals” (see Evangelical church). Although the charismatics also believed in the inerrancy of the Bible, they stressed the ecstatic experience of the Holy Spirit as manifested by speaking in tongues and faith healing. The charismatics were opposed by more-traditional fundamentalists, such as the
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