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 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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Words are powerful. I believe that when the Pope dedicated the 20th century to the Holy Spirit he was making a Kingdom of Heaven inspired declaration. Is this declaration the only reason for so many Holy Spirit-birthed movements in this era? I don’t think so. I believe this was simply one of many pieces to what the Lord was orchestrating in this time, setting the stage for an outpouring of Holy Spirit.
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@smythc1 that’s right. I believe that God works in patterns and that when God is doing one thing in one part of his church, he is doing the same thing in another part of his church (even if it looks a little different).
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Talking about speaking in other tongues can distracting new believers from Jesus. If we focus on tongues initially, it detracts from the miracle of salvation. We can get wrapped up in conversations about evidence in an already divisive topic, when salvation comes by faith, not evidence. Similar in that we can’t understand the Word of God fully until after we’ve decided to open our hearts to it, trying to understand the Baptism of the Holy Spirit only makes sense to us after we’ve already experienced salvation. Let’s focus on sharing the love of Christ, and after, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
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I assume Seymour said this because it was easily a devisive topic in the early days of the modern pentecostal movement. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit’s primary mission is to point people to him and glorify him, so I believe that the Holy Spirit would be pleased with our focus being on the gift giver rather than on the details of the gifts. I don’t think the intention of this statement was for people not to talk about the gifts, but to make sure the ultimate focus is on Jesus and the Holy Spirit’s purpose (as well as the purpose of his gifts).
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