Assess the Impact of Azusa Street on 20th Century Pentecostalism.
Assess the impact of Azusa Street on 20th Century Pentecostalism.
Pentecostalism can be defined as a movement within Evangelical Christianity that places special emphasis on the direct personal experience of God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, as shown in the biblical account of the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).[1] Robeck believes that the story of Azusa Street mission is really the account of God fulfilling a long-time promise that he would pour out his spirit upon all flesh (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17-18).[2] The mission is seen as a Pentecostal movement that changed the religious landscape and became the most vibrant force for world evangelisation in the 20th century.[3] Certainly, it became the most significant revival of the century in terms of global perspective. In order to truly assess the impact of Azusa Street revival, we will brieflly look at the leadership of some key players, before and during the revival. We will also consider events leading up to the revival, together with some movements that combined to precipitate the first international Pentecostal missions, following the outbreak of Azusa. Close attention will be paid to the revival’s unique features and legacy.
Parham or Seymour
Anderson records that the influences of the Azusa Street movement included a belief in ‘missionary tongues’, a conviction that the Spirit had been poured out in revival power, causing the nations of the world to be reached before the imminent return of Christ.[4] Now then, was Azusa Street the birthplace of Pentecostalism, or it was a catalyst to the movement? This debate about the origins of Pentecostalism rages on everywhere. Walter Hollenweger reminds us that 'it all depends on what we consider to be the essence of Pentecostalism ' in this debate. Either the essence of Pentecostalism lies in a particular doctrine of a particular experience (i.e. speaking in tongues), or else it lies in its oral missionary nature
Pentecostalism can be defined as a movement within Evangelical Christianity that places special emphasis on the direct personal experience of God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, as shown in the biblical account of the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).[1] Robeck believes that the story of Azusa Street mission is really the account of God fulfilling a long-time promise that he would pour out his spirit upon all flesh (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17-18).[2] The mission is seen as a Pentecostal movement that changed the religious landscape and became the most vibrant force for world evangelisation in the 20th century.[3] Certainly, it became the most significant revival of the century in terms of global perspective. In order to truly assess the impact of Azusa Street revival, we will brieflly look at the leadership of some key players, before and during the revival. We will also consider events leading up to the revival, together with some movements that combined to precipitate the first international Pentecostal missions, following the outbreak of Azusa. Close attention will be paid to the revival’s unique features and legacy.
Parham or Seymour
Anderson records that the influences of the Azusa Street movement included a belief in ‘missionary tongues’, a conviction that the Spirit had been poured out in revival power, causing the nations of the world to be reached before the imminent return of Christ.[4] Now then, was Azusa Street the birthplace of Pentecostalism, or it was a catalyst to the movement? This debate about the origins of Pentecostalism rages on everywhere. Walter Hollenweger reminds us that 'it all depends on what we consider to be the essence of Pentecostalism ' in this debate. Either the essence of Pentecostalism lies in a particular doctrine of a particular experience (i.e. speaking in tongues), or else it lies in its oral missionary nature
Bibliography: Books Allen, D., There is a River, (Authentic Media, Milton Keynes, UK, 2004). Anderson, A., Spreading Fires, (SCM Press, London, 2007). Bartleman, F., Azusa Street, (Bridge Publishing, Plainfield, N. J, 1980). Gee, D., Wind & Flame, (Health Press Ltd., Croydon, 1967). Hollwenger, & Co.(eds)., Pentecostals after a Century: Global Perspectives on a Movement in Transition., (Sheffield Press, 1999). McGhee, G. B., ‘Later Rain’ Falling in the East, (1999). Nichol, T. J., The Pentecostals, (Logos International, N. J. USA, 1966). Robeck Jr., C. M., The Azusa Street Mission & Revival, (Thomas Nelson Inc., Nashville, Tennessee, 2006). Synan, V., The Holiness – Pentecostal Movement in the US, (William B. Eerdmans Publishing, Michigan, 1971). Blumhofer, E. L. Revisiting Azusa Street: A Centennial Retrospect, (International Bulletin, Vol. 30 No. 2, April 2006). Johnson, Barrett Annual Statistical Table on Global Mission, (Int. Bulletin of Missionary Research 27:1, 2003). Bible Holy Bible, NIV, International Bible Society (August 1983). [51] Barrett and Johnson, “Annual Statistical Table on Global Mission: 2003,” International Bulletin of Missionary Research 27:1 (2003), p. 25