Pentecostalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Pentecostalism - Essay Example Truly, many evangelical and fundamentalist Christians can be very disapproving of Pentecostal doctrine. Regrettably, numerous atheists equate "Christian Privilege" with "fundamentalism" and it is an outcome of customary Methodism. The dualistic principles which most describe Pentecostal churches and distinguish them from other Protestant factions are the conviction in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in addition the follow-onto charismata (The Gifts of the Spirit are like talking in tongues). The conviction in charismata and Gifts of the Holy Spirit is centred on the book of Acts chapter 2 when the Holy Spirit visited the apostles (Maxwell 1998, 319). In the Pentecostal movement, the Holiness groups stressed what they termed as the â€Å"second blessing" bequeathed on those who experienced a jubilant conversion encounter. Some manifestations of this sanctification were via Gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as prophesies and glossalia. Others viewed such deeds, as unorthodoxy and this is point where Pentecostals deviated from the Holiness and Methodist churches (although initially many desired to remain members of their prime churches) (Walsh 2003, 54). Nowadays, strange ways like faith curing, talking in tongues and euphoric experiences are a feature of Pentecostal services. Pentecostalism emphasize upon the significance of individual devout experiences instead of specific principles — certainly, there is less accord amongst Pentecostals with respects to many of Christian canons apart from those of charismata and Baptism of the Spirit. Pentecostal philosophies commenced in the Bethel Bible College established by Parham, Charles F. in Kansas in 1900, are frequently considered as an extension of the theology and teachings encouraged by Parham and other with like mind Protestants of the time. Conferring to Parham's own recounts, on 1st January 1901, the first of his scholars started to display the "Gifts of Spirit" by talking in tongues (Mills 2007, 23). In the subsequent days more and more scholars started to act the same, attracting escalated attention to the college and Parham's philosophies. As an upshot, Parham brought into being what developed to be known as the "Apostolic Faith Movement," a communion of diverse churches which encompassed thousands of followers (Wilkinson 2009, 39). Another primary foundation of Pentecostal principles is the Azusa Street resurgence (1906) steered by William J. Seymour. Seymour was an apprentice of Parham's from another college that Parham had launched in Texas. Large multitudes showed up at Seymour's Azusa Street ministry in Los Angeles, branded by astounding healings and high devout gusto. Newscast reports then pronounce astonishment at the "lamentation’s of the believers" and â€Å"shocking â€Å"frolics of the services at night. Fundamental aspects of services at Pentecostal could be dated even earlier; for instance, a prayer mass in 1831 in London ensued in congregation speaking in tong ues and prophesising (Paul and Susan 1996, 10). Even if Pentecostalism is viewed as a current way of Protestantism, certain in individuals think that Pentecostalism ought to be regarded as separate from customary Protestantism. Protestantism was created as distinction from Catholicism on the foundation that the Bible only ought to be the basis of devout authority, instead of customary customs or the chain of command of church establishments (Mills 2007, 22). Pentecostal churches step beyond this through reliance not merely on the Bible, but furthermore upon personal and direct divine revelations that cannot merely enhancement Bible instructions, but still replace them. It is no wonder that Pentecostals are repeatedly held at close by customary Protest