Pentecostalism Rachel Leadens Pat Ostrom

History  Founders : Charles Parham & William Seymour  Charles Parham Former pastor at a Methodist Episcopal Church. Began the Bethel Bible College in Topeka, Kansas around Had students do research on the “baptism of the spirit.” (A.K.A. Pentecostal Blessing) Every student had returned with the same story, when a person receives “baptism of the spirit” they begin speaking in tongues. This inspired many students to pursue baptism of the spirit and a number of them achieved it with evidence of them speaking in tongues.

History Cont…  William Seymour Responsible for what is know as the Azusa Street Revival. It was here in 1906 that Pentecostalism gained worldwide recognition. After attending Parham’s bible school, Seymour converted a Methodist church into a church named “Apostolic Faith Mission.” It was to have three services a day seven days a week and the goal was for people to achieve baptism of the spirit. Thousands began attending his services.

History Cont…  Although it wasn’t until the 1900’s that Pentecostalism became an official religion, in the mid 1800’s in London England, Edward Erving led his parishioners in prayer that resulted in them speaking in tongues.  Pentecostalism= Pentecost, Greek word for the Jewish festival of weeks, which falls on the fifteenth day of Passover. On this day the Holy Spirit descended on the earliest Christians and they began to speak in tongues. (Acts 2: 1-4)

Important Terms  Tongues- when a person begins speaking in a language that they normally would not know and it is believed to be the Holy Spirit speaking.  Charisma- Greek word for “gift” they believe being charismatic is the Holy Spirit filling one with spiritual power and joy.  Filled with the Holy Spirit- being under the influence of a powerful religious emotion and feeling surges of love and having the desire to express joy.  Slaying in the Spirit- to lightly touch the forehead of someone with the first two fingers of the right hand causing them to fall to the floor as a result of a jolt of the Holy Spirit.

Beliefs/Rituals  A strong belief in the presence of the Holy Spirit.  Worship is very informal and much more emotional than other religions. They worship using their body, heart, mind, and soul.  Designed to bring about the experience of God’s presence and to encourage openness to the presence of the Holy Spirit.  Believe that the first baptism is to save one from sin. Conversion is somebody accepting Jesus Christ on their own free will. The second baptism (BHS) is when somebody accepts the holy spirit, again by their free will.

Liturgy  Only use the Bible, but no specific readings.  The minister will use this as a guide to his sermon.  He then spends most of the time telling stories and using examples of personal experiences.  Ministers don’t have any formal training, it is usually somebody who has received the baptism of the Spirit and has the gift of Charisma.

Facts  One of the fastest growing religions in America.  Over 200 million members throughout the world.  The two churches of, God in Christ & the United Pentecostal Church have approximately 7 million members and is a majority black denominations.  The Assembly of God Church has approximately 3 million members and is predominately white denominations.

The Assembly of God Summit Ave, St.Paul  They originally came together in home Bible studies and prayer meetings which eventually led to the housing of their congregation at the old Plymouth Congregational Church building at Holly and Mackubin streets in 1932 and Ben Hardin was called to be the first pastor.  The first name was Saint Paul Gospel Temple  Some hard times included when One of the early deacons mortgaged his home to help the church through a financial crisis.  And on July 25, 1952 The church burned down but they say the lord helped them to build a lovely new place on Summit at Victoria. The church was then called the Summit Avenue Assembly of God.  building expansions in 1965, 1983 and 1986.

Their buildings previous and new

Assembly of God, Summit Ave.  They have a wide range of members, whether it be singles, families, or couples.  All nationalities but predominately white  People come from all around the Twin City area.  Many members serve in international missions (aprox. 27 members)  There are also many members serving in home missions  Teams are trained to go out introducing others to Jesus.  Reverend Ed Tedeschi leading from (1977-present)

Hymns  umc.org/umhistory/wesley/hymns/umh05 7.stm umc.org/umhistory/wesley/hymns/umh05 7.stm

Questions?????