HOW HAS OUR CHURCH HISTORY HELPED TO FORM AND SHAPE OUR UNIQUE CHARISMATIC THEOLOGY? Pentecostal Distinctives Part 1

Illumination Aims: To consider the emergence of Pentecostalism as a unique period in the Church’s history and development To reflect upon how the events of Pentecostal Church history have helped to shape the theology and beliefs of the Pentecostal Charismatic movement today To practically apply our learning through faith, worship and prayer

Kinds of Christianity today

Key definitions and terms Pentecostalism: Is a renewal movement within Protestant Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism with the Holy Spirit. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek name for the Jewish Feast of Weeks. For Christians, this event commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the second chapter of the Book of Acts.ProtestantChristianityGodbaptism with the Holy SpiritPentecost GreekFeast of WeeksHoly SpiritJesus Christsecond chapterBook of Acts The Charismatic Movement – The Charismatic Movement is the international trend of historically mainstream congregations adopting beliefs and practices similar to Pentecostals. Fundamental to the movement is the use of spiritual gifts. Among Protestants, the movement began around Among Roman Catholics, it originated around Pentecostalsspiritual giftsProtestantsRoman Catholics Charis mata – A biblical New Testament Greek word meaning - ‘GRACE GIFTS’

How did Pentecostalism emerge…? From the belief in a second experience after conversion which grew out of Methodism Methodism The Wesleyan Holiness Movement inspired by John Wesley Sanctification (As defined by the Holiness movement) ‘A second work of Grace after a person is saved, enabling the believer to live free from the tendency to sin’

How did Pentecostal theology first form…? Charles Fox Parham In Topeka Kansas 1901, Parham, a faith and healing evangelist formulated a doctrine which began to form the foundation of Pentecostal beliefs. Three separate works of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer: 1. Salvation (conversion/regeneration) 2. Sanctification 3. Baptism in the Holy Spirit

How did Pentecostalism begin…? William J Seymour a disciple of Charles Fox Parham Where? The Azusa Street Revival 1906 A series of meetings over a three year period in an abandoned building in Los Angeles which caused Pentecostal beliefs/experience to eventually be made known worldwide… How? William Seymour begins preaching and teaching from Acts 2:4 The receiving and empowerment of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues as an experience available to believers today Seymour preached and taught that this should be a subsequent experience after a person has become a Christian Theology and doctrine was formed from the book of Acts for the first time…

How did Pentecostalism develop into the Charismatic Movement? To begin with, most mainstream churches and denominations rejected the Pentecostal movement and many Pentecostals had to meet separately However, eventually around 1960 many Protestants and Catholics began to have experiences of the Spirit in their own churches and remained there teaching on the baptism of the Spirit. This became known as the Charismatic Renewal Many Catholics, Protestants, Baptists, Methodists etc. reported on experiencing the Holy Spirit with on going supernatural experiences, however, this was not just with the evidence of speaking in tongues, the main evidence could also be: Gifts of Healing Prophecy Manifestations of joy and a greater desire for outward/expressive worship and praise The emergence of great boldness, courage and passion even in the face of opposition A stronger urge to evangelise and share the gospel message with others (including forms of social action and justice in the world) Charismatics are therefore known to be Christians from any background tradition who believe in the reality and use of spiritual gifts today and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as a unique experience separate from conversion and regeneration

Where does Charismatic Pentecostal Theology mainly derive from in the Bible? Lukan – Acts Theology Waiting in faith for The Gift of Holy Spirit - Luke 3:22, 4:1, 4:14-19 Jesus models this - Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4 The believers follow Pauline Theology ‘Eagerly desire spiritual gifts’ (1 Cor 12:31) - 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

What does this suggest for us today? Questions in closing… Genesis 26:15-18 Do we need to reopen the wells of our forefathers to recover an inheritance that belongs to us? Ephesians 2:8-10, Acts 1:8 Re-creation in Christ for ‘good works’ of service What are your ‘good works’? Are we doing these works with an empowerment from the Holy Spirit? 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Ephesians 5:18 Are there gifts available to us that we have not yet received? Can you be filled with the Holy Spirit again/afresh?