Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism is a movement that likely began in Los Angeles in 1906. Now a worldwide Christian movement, Pentecostalism emphasizes the experience of spirit baptism, evidenced by spiritual healing and ecstatic speaking in “tongues,” or glossolalia. The term “Pentecostalism” derives from “Pentecost,” the Greek name for the Jewish Feast of Weeks, celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover.
There are many references to the Jewish feast in the Bible. Some Jews stay awake the night before Pentecost studying the Torah, signifying their commitment to accept the Torah all over again. During the morning service of Pentecost, the Book of Ruth is read because it too is set at harvest time. Ruth tells of a Gentile woman's acceptance of the Torah, forming a parallel to the acceptance of it by the Israelites at Sinai.
Early Christians believed that Pentecost commemorated the day the Holy Spirit descended in fulfillment of the promise of Jesus. It is written in Acts 2:2–13:
And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devoted men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans: And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own language?” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Pentecostalism arose out of Protestantism in the twentieth century, due to dissension over the rigid manner in which the established churches preached and organized the delivery of their way of interpreting the Bible.
Pentecostalists endorse a more literal interpretation of the Bible than mainstream Christians. Many churches have adopted specific passages as their guiding force. One such passage is found in Mark 16:15–20, where it is reported that those who receive baptism and find salvation will “cast out devils, speak in strange tongues; if they handle snakes or drink deadly poison they will come to no harm; and the sick on whom they lay their hands will recover.” There are some churches that include the handling of deadly snakes and the drinking of poison as part of their worship services.
The new sect didn't think the way of the true Christians was memorizing prayers and creeds and adhering to hard and fast rules within an unwavering structure. The Pentecostalists sought a direct experience of God that would produce a sense of ecstasy, known as the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This baptism was seen as a second blessing.
Speaking in Tongues
It was in 1901 in Topeka, Kansas, during a service at the Kansas Bible College by Charles Fox Parham, that the movement got the first demonstration of a strange happening. A female participant was praying and suddenly began speaking what seemed to be a foreign language. Apparently, she was unable to speak English for three days afterward. This event had a dramatic effect not only on Parham but on the entire congregation. The demonstration was taken as a sign from God and the word quickly spread.
The speaking in tongues, known as glossolalia, was not universally accepted. In fact, it was the reverse for most people. As in the Biblical story in Acts, many people thought the speakers were full of different sorts of spirits; namely, that they were drunk. It wasn't just the fact of speaking in an unintelligible tongue that upset listeners, it was the emotional overtones that went with the delivery. The term “holy rollers” got its name from practitioners who were actually rolling down the aisles of the church in their ecstasy. Adherents believed that speaking in tongues and the actions that accompanied this were a way of communicating directly with God. However, no reliable sources have established that an actual language was or is being uttered during glossolalia.
Women became active members in the Pentecostal movement. One of them, Aimee Semple McPherson, generated a big following from her tabernacle where she produced theatrically dramatic versions of biblical stories from the stage.
Expansion
Pentecostalism is now one of the fastest growing religious movements in the world. In the United States alone, it claims 9 million adherents; world-wide, the figure goes up to 400 million. No wonder it is sometimes referred to as “the third force of Christianity.”
The movement first drew members from among the poor; the promise of equality for all was particularly attractive to the unfortunate. Thus, the movement became associated with the Bible Belt in the Southern states among poor whites and urban blacks. It then became increasingly popular with the middle classes around the country, and once the movement spread to the mainstream of society, members of churches such as the Episcopal, Lutheran, and Presbyterian adopted it, often in addition to their own religion.
The controversy split the movement and led to the formation of new sects within Pentecostalism. Three main movements evolved: Pentecostalism, Fundamentalism, and Evangelicalism. Other sects, particularly throughout the rest of the world, are emerging.
Beliefs, Worship, Writings, and Rites
Pentecostalism has not united into a single denomination in spite of believing in baptism of the spirit and common beliefs in selected doctrines of the Christian faiths. It has strong beliefs in the literal interpretation of the Bible and healing by the spirit.
The history of Pentecostalism shows that many adherents either added it to their original faith or left the original faith entirely. Literature is being gathered from Roman Catholics who have committed to Pentecostalism.
With the growth of Pentecostalism, the charismatic experience as it is called has expanded its presence into many parts of the world to such an extent it is being looked at by some as a new era of the spirit. The Pentecostalists envision the movement sweeping whole countries, cultures, and religions, including Catholicism, with a promise of changing Christianity. They have even coined a new name: Catholic Pentecostals. The Pentecostalist viewpoint is that there is confusion not only in Catholicism but also in Christianity. This opinion is not shared by the Roman Catholic Church or other Christian denominations.
Opponents of the movement say that Pentecostal-style religion is not easily captured in a denominational form because it stresses the impulse of the moment and behavior such as speaking in tongues. Many point out that similar evangelical outpourings that took place in the 1980s ended with the disgrace of people like Jimmy Swaggart and Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.
Pentecostalists describe themselves as believing in exorcism, speaking in tongues, faith healing, and seeking supernatural experiences. As with other developing religions, schisms have occurred, resulting in separate sects with their own variations of the basic belief. Some of the best known sects include:
Church of God in Christ
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel Church of God
Church of God of Prophecy
Pentecostal Holiness Church
Fire-Baptized Holiness Church
Pentecostal Free-Will Baptist Church
The Assemblies of God
The United Pentecostal Church
