Pentecostalism in the 20th
Century
Pentecostal Movement
• Pentecostalism adheres to the inerrancy of scripture
• necessity of accepting Christ as personal lord and savior.
• belief in the baptism with the Holy Spirit as an
experience separate from conversion that enables a
Christian to live a Holy Spirit–filled and empowered life.
• includes the use of spiritual gifts such as speaking in
tongues and divine healing—two other defining
characteristics of Pentecostalism
• Because of their commitment to biblical authority,
spiritual gifts, and the miraculous, Pentecostals tend to
see their movement as reflecting the same kind of
spiritual power and teachings that were found in the
Apostolic Age of the early church.
• For this reason, some Pentecostals also use the term
Apostolic or full gospel to describe their movement.
Pentecostal Movement
• An early dispute centered around challenges to the
doctrine of the Trinity.
• Pentecostal Movement is divided between trinitarian and
non-trinitarian branches.
• Comprising over 700 denominations and a large number
of independent churches
• no central authority governing Pentecostalism;
• many denominations are affiliated with the Pentecostal
World Fellowship.
• There are over 279 million Pentecostals worldwide,
• the movement is growing in many parts of the world,
especially the global South.
The Assemblies of God AG
• The Assemblies of God (AG), officially the
World Assemblies of God Fellowship,
• over 140 autonomous but loosely associated
national groupings of churches
• form the world's largest Pentecostal
denomination.[3]
• With over 300,000 ministers and outstations in
• over 212 countries and territories serving
approximately
• 66.4 million adherents worldwide,[2]
• sixth largest international Christian group of
denominations.[4]
AoG doctrinal position
• classical Pentecostal and an evangelical context.
• The AG is Trinitarian and holds the
• Bible as divinely inspired and the infallible authoritative rule of faith
and conduct.
• Baptism by immersion is practiced
• Communion is also practiced.
• The Assemblies of God also places a strong emphasis on the
fulfillment of the Great Commission and believes that this is the main
calling of the church.[6]
• all Christians are entitled to and should seek the baptism in the Holy
Spirit.
• this experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of
salvation.
• The baptism in the Holy Spirit empowers the believer for Christian
life and service.
• The initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in
tongues "as the Spirit gives utterance". In addition, it also believes in
the present day use of other spiritual gifts and in divine healing.[6]
AoG doctrinal position
• Pastors vary widely about the gift of
tongues
• Some say you cannot be a Christian
without it
• Some say you cannot be on the Board
without it
• Most believe strongly that strong
Christians have this gift
Nazarene Positions
• Pastors also vary widely about beliefs
• In the 1970’s there was almost a split over
tongues in the church, so all Nazarene churches
do not practice tongues publicly
• Official position (NOT in the Manual) states that
tongues is “glossalia” or real languages, and is
not to be used in church
• Verses:
• 1 Cor 14:39, 1 Cor 12: 27-31, 1 Cor 14:11-12,
All of 1 Cor 14
• Is there a “via media?” I believe that there is.
Sola Scriptura? Quadrilateral?
• Verses:
• 1 Cor 14:39, 1 Cor 12: 27-31, 1 Cor 14:11-12, All
of 1 Cor 14
• Is there a “via media?” I believe that there is.
• Tradition says: tongues is not just Christian, and
tongues is divisive – be careful
• Reason says: Tongues is strange, but seems to
be something very good Christians testify to
• Experience: ? What is your experience?