text: what's the difference between these churches? pentecostal, methodist, and baptist.  i like creflo dollar and joyce meyer, do you know of any churches that preach in that fashion? pentecostal~ on the day of pentecost it was the release of the holy spirit into the hearts of the masses who wished to accept. now, paul was quite the preacher. on that day, everyone understood each other for a change. it was god's efficient communication device for a day. paul was trying to get the people in control so he practically did them the way you get done in the military. utilatarian clothing and modesty. deciphering who was male and female. in today's religious arena is has become a circus. women can't cut their hair. they wear god-forsaken dresses no matter where they work (when i was in the oilfields, i had a lady secretary who asked me how i could wear jeans and boots. i just told the truth. i said well i can afford to go out onto the oil leases and bend over in front of the team in a dress!!!). they babble in a supposedly religious tongue that allows them "secret" communication with god, but then a congregate member tells the others what it means and so it's not "secret". alot of women aren't allowed to work and they have their own schools and competions. they are not for marriage "out of the fold".   baptist~ found upon the principals of john the baptist, aide de camp of jesus. john used water baptism in his ministries. i do believe god is okay with not doing that if your area is low on water. but his missions were founded upon large meetings and baptism thereafter. it is based upon the "living water", which is christ. like i said, i think you can skate on that if you are in a drought. also, baptists have factions. the free will baptists expect you to behave and stess the inherent traits of humans with options. if you misbehave, you repent. the first baptist groups are just that. they prefer to think of their church is presented to mankind as the group that seeks their lord just the way john the baptist did. they were first. then the southern baptists. everything is an unforgiveable sin unless there is repentance.   methodist~ an offshoot of the lutheran church. luther got sick of the catholic church. he wanted to marry and drink. so, he founded his own group. the lutheran churches are founded upon the philosophy of giving and taking in marriage, wine allowed, but they do have altar boys and a parson in a robe. they also have water baptism. luther, however, did sin. he was a drunk and a womanizer. but, i am sure he said he was sorry for it and i have no problem with that. anyway, the methodists have altar boys, robes but it is more carefree. you can fall in love with anyone and get married. they bowl, shoot pool and drink if they want and all of this is allowed. the lutherans have synods. the missouri synod is the worst. it's like big brother. they retain the full capability to run you out of town if  they so choose.