Quizzes
The Modern Pentecostal Movement
The Moving Factors
If Pentecost continued from Acts 2 until now, why do we talk about the Pentecostal Movement of the 20th century?
Even though we have now seen the outpouring of the Holy Spirit throughout history since the Apostles, we still note that there was something about the 20th century that makes it stand out as the “Century of the Holy Spirit.” In the 20th century, there were numerous events and movements known as Pentecostal and/or Charismatic, which have continued into the 21st century.Â
What made the 20th century different than those that preceded it? And how did these events and movements come about?
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Where do you see God at work in all these factors?
There were many factors that gave rise to the Modern Pentecostal Movement. Some of these were historical and cultural — the movements towards racial unity and gender equality around the turn of the century. Some of these were theological — renewed interest in the biblical evidence of the Baptism of the Spirit. Some people even claimed there were natural factors — like the San Fransisco earthquake of 1906. Many of the factors appear to be directly linked, like dominoes — such as Charles Parham’s assignment about speaking in Tongues, which influenced William Seymour’s sermon at Azusa Street. Some factors — like Pope Leo’s prayer “Come, Holy Spirit,” — appear indirectly linked.Â
Whatever way one accounts for these factors, something significant was happening in the decades around the turn of the 20th century, paving the way for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.Â
Test Yourself
Answer
Talk it Through
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1.4 Factors That Gave Rise to the Modern Pentecostal Movement
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I agree with Seymour’s statement. It is far too easy to become focused on the manifestation and not on the reason behind it. Ultimately, it should all point towards Jesus.
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I wonder if Seymour was influenced by Jonathan Edwards telling people years earlier that it is the cause, not the effect, that is important. It makes me curious how much was taught on the gift of tongues during the Azusa street revival, or if it was just quietly tied back to evidence of the baptism of the Spirit. If we don’t talk about it at all or teach what it is, does it become more or less of a stumbling block for those unfamiliar with it?
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The emphasis upon Jesus is paramount for Biblical Pentecostalism. The newspaper in that day reported a babel of tongues and did not declare focus upon the saving name of Jesus. Seymour wanted to correct this misrepresentation of unbelievers and focus attention to believers what was imperative.
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Jesus is the central focus of everything, not tongues, not anything else… when people have a true encounter with Jesus, lives were changed, the manifestation of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is seen, and tongues and other things are just byproducts of being indwelt by the Spirit of Christ. So, yes, I agree with Mr. Seymour when he said, “Don’t tell people about tongues, tell them about Jesus.”
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I do agree with what Seymour said, because we can forget about the giver and be lost with the evidence His gift. Once the focus remains the Giver not the gift.
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