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?
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 definitely agree with William Seymour in encouraging others to seek Jesus first – He is the life giver with or without the gifts/miracles. Seeking Him first – all these things will be added unto us.
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I think William Seymour said this because sometimes people get caught up looking for the sign instead of the one who gives them. I agree with him because it is important that people seek Jesus and allow God to reveal Himself to the person in His timing. Jesus should always be our focus. Once someone has experienced salvation and established their relationship with Jesus, we can share about how to deepen that relationship through Baptism of Water and the Baptism of the Spirit.
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When William Seymour said, "Don't tell people about tongues, tell them about Jesus.", I believe that he was emphasizing the fact that Jesus must be our focus. I agree with this and while tongues are certainly evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit and an important part of our walk with the Lord, they are not what is to be worshiped. If our focus is on signs and wonders and not actually on Jesus, then we are off track. There is certainly a time to tell people about tongues and other manifestations of the Holy Spirit, but we must be careful not to replace Jesus as out focus.
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1. Jesus has to be the center of everything we do. It is so easy for us as Christians to get distracted by gifting, task, or information and miss the person that these things should lead us to in the first place. When we focus only on the gifts of the spirit without tying it back to the person of Jesus, we make it about us and what God can do through us. I think that there is absolutely a time and place to talk about speaking in tongues and to teach on the gifts of the spirit, but only in the context of it pointing people back to Jesus, not the gifting itself.
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