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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Pope Leo’s “come Holy Spirit” may be able to be chocked up as a coincidence, but it does seem incredible. Jesus tells us that he stands at the door and knocks. Though God has the power to burst in wherever and however he wants, he still allows us to give permission and let him in. When we take a posture of openness, inviting him, he is going to come in. I believe that Pope Leo’s invitiation is prophetic posturing and invtiation, a symbol of the greater Church asking the Lord to come in power in that century.
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Preach Jesus first and signs and wonders will follow. Holy Spirit will show up when the Son is glorified
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2. “Come, Holy Spirit.”
Knowing that the Pope not only knows the Holy Spirit but even dedicated the 20th century to the Holy Spirit not only marks the importance of who the Holy Spirit is to many people around the world but in all of its publicity, the invitation for God to enter into many lives was created because of the people not ever hearing about the Holy Spirit before this.
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I 100% agree with William Seymour when he said “Don’t tell people about tongues, tell them about Jesus” because Jesus is simply the reason for spiritual gifts in the first place. They are signs and wonders to lead others to know God. Growing up I didn’t even know about spiritual gifts being given freely to believers until the day I was first baptized in the Spirit. I wanted to dedicate my life to Jesus and all of the sudden at the end of a regular Sunday service I was overwhelmed with feeling the love of God. through my groanings and overwhelming feelings I was experiencing as a 14 year old kid, one of my pastors then proceeded to explain to me the gift of tongues.
Jesus is the reason for spiritual gifts, namely tongues. Personally is someone were to tell me about the gift of tongues in every believer and tried to tell me I wasn’t a full believer if I hadn’t spoken in tongues before, I would think they were crazy and would probably be turned off from that church or maybe even Christianity. No matter how important spiritual gifts are, namely tongues in the ACOP, Jesus saves, not the experience of tongues in baptism of the Holy Spirit. I don’t think this is the case with everyone, but that is my personal experience.
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