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The Development of Denominations
Consider these questions and share your thoughts:
- Do you consider the Pentecostal movement's organization (or fragmentation) into formal denominations a common-sense decision, a necessary evil, or a serious mistake? Could (or should) it have been avoided?
- In your opinion, were the doctrinal differences present in the early Pentecostal movement serious enough to necessitate denominational division? If so, which ones? If not, what alternative would you have proposed to maintain unity?
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1 Reply
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I think that the separation into denominations makes sense, though I do tend to consider denominations in general to be less important overall than truthful, Bible-based teachings. The biggest split that I think may have contributed to the separation of Pentecostalism into different denominations is the Oneness-Trinitarian divide. After all, it is one of the deepest divides, if not the deepest divide, even today among Pentecostals. I think this is partly because of how controversial it is, but also just because of how “fundamental” it is to theology… the Oneness/Trinitarian split is not as trivial as something like not agreeing with instruments being played during worship, for example. One of the most fundamental aspects of Christianity as a whole is the belief in the Trinity, so of course not adhering to that belief is going to cause friction.
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