Pentecostalism
On Monday the 9th of April 1906, a small group gathered at 214 Bonnie Brae Street in Los Angeles. They prayed for the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. This event marked the beginning of what would become known as the Azusa Street Revival. William J. Seymour, a one-eyed black preacher, led this movement from a former African Methodist Episcopal church building on Azusa Street. The revival lasted three years and attracted thousands of visitors from across the United States and around the world. Charles Parham had taught that speaking in tongues was evidence of baptism with the Holy Spirit. He started Bethel Bible School near Topeka, Kansas in 1900. Students there received the experience on the 1st of January 1901 after a watch night service. Agnes Ozman became the first person to speak in tongues at Parham's school. Parham later moved to Houston where he trained Seymour. The Azusa Street Mission became the birthplace of modern Pentecostalism. Visitors carried their experiences back to their home churches or felt called to mission fields abroad. The racially integrated nature of early worship defied Jim Crow laws of the time. Many denominations like Church of God in Christ remained interracial until the 1920s.
By 1907 American missionaries established work in Liberia and South Africa by 1908. Alfred G. Garr and his wife Lilian traveled to India after being baptized at Azusa. They ministered at Bow Bazar Baptist Church in Calcutta. Garr spoke in Bengali though he did not know the language beforehand. T. B. Barratt returned to Europe by December 1906 and began movements in Sweden Norway Denmark Germany France and England. Alexander Boddy founded British Pentecostalism as vicar of All Saints' in Sunderland. Jonathan Paul created the Mülheim Association as Germany's first Pentecostal denomination. Lewi Pethrus led Swedish Baptists into the movement. Luigi Francescon brought Italian immigrants into Pentecostalism through Durham's ministry. He established congregations in Argentina and Brazil. Giacomo Lombardi held Italy's first services in 1908. Two Swedish missionaries arrived in Belem Brazil in November 1910 forming Assembleias de Deus. John G. Lake founded Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa and Zion Christian Church there. Early missionaries initially believed tongues meant they would never need to learn local languages. When this proved false they adapted strategies for indigenous church development. The movement spread rapidly despite facing criticism from mainstream Christians. Many early converts came from impoverished backgrounds yet gained traction globally.
In 1910 William Durham articulated Finished Work doctrine which located sanctification at salvation moment. This teaching polarized Pentecostals into Holiness and Finished Work factions. By 1914 three hundred ministers gathered in Hot Springs Arkansas creating General Council of Assemblies of God. White ministers distanced themselves from African American leadership under C. H. Mason. They adopted congregational polity while COGIC remained episcopal. In 1913 R. E. McAlister mentioned baptism only in Jesus name during a service. Frank Ewart claimed divine prophecy revealing nontrinitarian conception of God. He taught one personality in Godhead called Jesus Christ. Those baptized Trinitarianly needed rebaptism in Jesus name. Assemblies of God rejected Oneness teaching forcing many churches to withdraw by 1916. Garfield T. Haywood formed Pentecostal Assemblies of the World with interracial identity until 1924. White ministers withdrew forming Pentecostal Church Incorporated later merging into United Pentecostal Church International. Oneness theology viewed Trinity as polytheistic believing God reveals himself in three modes. Trinitarian Pentecostals hold Godhead consists of three distinct persons co-eternal united as substance. The split caused lasting divisions between Holiness and Finished Work branches.
Before 1960 most Spirit-baptized Christians kept experiences private or joined Pentecostal churches afterward. Large numbers chose remain within mainline denominations seeking renewal instead. This pattern became known as Charismatic Movement after initially being called Neo-Pentecostalism. Classical Pentecostals faced identity crisis when charismatics did not embrace traditional teachings like abstinence from alcohol dancing or dress codes. Cultural differences lessened over time since 1960s except among Holiness groups like Apostolic Faith Church maintaining outward holiness standards. The liberalizing influence appeared through disappearance of many taboos. Global renewal movements manifest tensions inherent to Pentecostalism representing character of global Christianity. Leaders of Latter Rain Movement taught restoration of fivefold ministry led by apostles who could impart gifts through laying hands. Stanley Frodsham and Lewi Pethrus endorsed movement citing similarities to early Pentecostalism. Denominations condemned practices as unscriptural due to sectarianism birthed autonomous churches. Postwar Healing Revival developed following among non-Pentecostals too. William Branham Oral Roberts Gordon Lindsay T. L. Osborn led healing ministries baptizing many into Holy Spirit. These influenced charismatic leaders of 1960s and 1970s.
Pentecostals emphasize Bible reliability and transformation through faith in Jesus Christ. They believe salvation comes via death burial resurrection of Jesus forgiving sins reconciling humanity with God. Born again believers receive regeneration justification adoption into family initiating sanctification work. Classical soteriology generally Arminian rather than Calvinist security conditional upon continual faith repentance. Most hold literal heaven hell beliefs former for saved latter for rejected. Baptism with Holy Spirit distinct from water baptism or body membership. It grants power for Christian service spiritual warfare overflow ability follow divine direction exercise gifts edify church. Speaking tongues immediate initial physical evidence receiving experience per most denominations. Some teach any gift suffices evidence beginning living Spirit-filled life. Divine healing belief part quarter full gospel citing biblical reports Jesus ministry atonement whole person restoration consequences Fall Man. Prayer central receiving healing elders anoint sick olive oil symbol Holy Spirit laying hands imitation Jesus practice Acts 19:11-12 handkerchief aprons worn Apostle Paul healings. Eschatology premillennial dispensationalists believing pretribulation rapture popularized John Nelson Darby 1830s Scofield Reference Bible early 20th century United States. Spiritual gifts continuationists operating present time including miraculous sign gifts found Corinthians Romans Ephesians.
Traditional worship described gestalt prayer singing sermon operation gifts altar intercession offering announcements testimonies musical specials Scripture reading occasionally Lord supper. Five values govern Pentecostal spirituality individual experience orality spontaneity otherworldliness commitment biblical authority. Spontaneity especially true earlier history anyone initiate song chorus spiritual gift. Even as movement organized formal control exerted services concept retained important place informing stereotypical holy roller imagery phrase Quench not Spirit derived Thessalonians captures thought behind spontaneity. Collective oral prayer glossolalic vernacular mix common raising hands response biblical commands example widely adopted larger Christian world. Being slain Spirit falling power form prostration person falls backwards prayed over sometimes accompanied glossolalic prayer silent believed caused overwhelming experience presence God receive baptism posture. Dancing Spirit leaves seat spontaneously dancing eyes closed without bumping nearby persons objects explained enraptured God's presence Spirit takes control physical motions emotional being derive precedent Samuel David danced before Lord running aisles Jericho march celebratory practice leaving seats walking perimeter meeting space column forms marching singing loud shouts praise jubilation holy laughter worshippers uncontrollably laugh primarily revival services tent camp meetings special prayer meetings rare main services.
Pentecostalism fastest-growing religious movement worldwide growth primarily due conversion Charismatic Christianity. Pulitzer Center reports 35,000 people become Pentecostal Born again daily according to scholar Keith Smith Georgia State University many scholars claim rapid expansion. Over 279 million classical Pentecostals exist globally especially Global South Third World countries. Originally attracted mostly lower classes new appeal middle classes emerging. Middle-class congregations tend fewer members than working class counterparts. Worldwide Pentecostal Charismatic Christianity numbers exceed 644 million adherents combined. Movement highly decentralized comprising over 700 denominations independent churches affiliated Pentecostal World Fellowship no central authority exists. Statistics show varying frequency speaking tongues: US 49 percent Brazil 50 percent South Africa 41 percent India 54 percent never speak pray tongues per Pew Forum survey ten-country study. Growth continues accelerating particularly Latin America Africa Asia regions shifting demographics from marginalized populations toward broader societal segments while maintaining core theological commitments and spiritual practices rooted in early revival experiences.
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Common questions
When and where did the Azusa Street Revival begin?
The Azusa Street Revival began on Monday the 9th of April 1906 at 214 Bonnie Brae Street in Los Angeles. William J. Seymour led this movement from a former African Methodist Episcopal church building on Azusa Street.
Who started Bethel Bible School and what happened there in 1901?
Charles Parham started Bethel Bible School near Topeka, Kansas in 1900. Students received the experience of speaking in tongues on the 1st of January 1901 after a watch night service with Agnes Ozman becoming the first person to speak in tongues.
How did Pentecostalism spread internationally by 1908?
By 1907 American missionaries established work in Liberia and South Africa while Alfred G. Garr traveled to India in 1908. T. B. Barratt returned to Europe by December 1906 to begin movements in Sweden Norway Denmark Germany France and England.
What theological split occurred within Pentecostalism between 1913 and 1916?
R. E. McAlister mentioned baptism only in Jesus name during a service in 1913 leading to Oneness theology which viewed the Trinity as polytheistic. Assemblies of God rejected this teaching forcing many churches to withdraw by 1916.
When did the Charismatic Movement emerge and how does it differ from Classical Pentecostalism?
Before 1960 most Spirit-baptized Christians kept experiences private or joined Pentecostal churches afterward but large numbers chose remain within mainline denominations seeking renewal instead. This pattern became known as Charismatic Movement after initially being called Neo-Pentecostalism when classical Pentecostals faced identity crisis regarding traditional teachings like abstinence from alcohol dancing or dress codes.