The Importance of Azusa Street
The Importance of Azusa Street
Azusa Street was the focal point of the early Pentecostal revival which began in 1906. The location was the Apostolic Faith Mission at 312 Azusa Street in Los Angeles, California. No matter what church branch you come from, if you believe in being filled with the Holy Ghost, the Azusa Street Revival is in your roots. It was the start of it all in the 20th century from the people being filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues, to the realization of the oneness of God and baptism in Jesus name. Although its founder William Joseph Seymour did not understand or comprehend Jesus name baptism and was never baptized in Jesus name, it was through this meeting that renewed the study of God’s word that the brethren saw what had been hid for many years. People spent hours in prayer wanting to see God move in a mighty way. The key to this move was prayer and seeking God like never before. People of all races came together in one place and in one accord like on the day of Pentecost.
Just like today, many things played a role in this great revival one of which was the Earthquakes in San Francisco on April 18, 1906. Many people blamed God while others viewed this as judgment from God. In either case, it caused many people to seek God. Bartleman stated in his account that “the question in almost every heart was, “Did God do that?” (Bartleman, 1982, p. 48). Even today we see after a disaster such as 9/11, Katrina, and the super storm Sandy that people tend to turn back to God. For many this does not last because they seek God when they are in need, but when things are all better they turn away again. The atmosphere was right, the timing was right, and the most important thing was the people had their minds right. Many books have been written concerning this revival and the thing found in all of them was that no matter whom you were or where you came from, if you were looking for a touch from God you would find what you
Azusa Street was the focal point of the early Pentecostal revival which began in 1906. The location was the Apostolic Faith Mission at 312 Azusa Street in Los Angeles, California. No matter what church branch you come from, if you believe in being filled with the Holy Ghost, the Azusa Street Revival is in your roots. It was the start of it all in the 20th century from the people being filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues, to the realization of the oneness of God and baptism in Jesus name. Although its founder William Joseph Seymour did not understand or comprehend Jesus name baptism and was never baptized in Jesus name, it was through this meeting that renewed the study of God’s word that the brethren saw what had been hid for many years. People spent hours in prayer wanting to see God move in a mighty way. The key to this move was prayer and seeking God like never before. People of all races came together in one place and in one accord like on the day of Pentecost.
Just like today, many things played a role in this great revival one of which was the Earthquakes in San Francisco on April 18, 1906. Many people blamed God while others viewed this as judgment from God. In either case, it caused many people to seek God. Bartleman stated in his account that “the question in almost every heart was, “Did God do that?” (Bartleman, 1982, p. 48). Even today we see after a disaster such as 9/11, Katrina, and the super storm Sandy that people tend to turn back to God. For many this does not last because they seek God when they are in need, but when things are all better they turn away again. The atmosphere was right, the timing was right, and the most important thing was the people had their minds right. Many books have been written concerning this revival and the thing found in all of them was that no matter whom you were or where you came from, if you were looking for a touch from God you would find what you
References: Bartlman, F. (1982). Azusa Street. . New Kensington, Pa: Whitaker House. Robeck, C.M. (2006).The Azusa Street Mission and Revival: The Birth of the Global Pentecostal Movement. Nashville, Tennessee. Thomas Nelson Publishers Voice, T. (2013). Retrieved 1 26, 2013, from The Voice Magizine : http://www.thevoicemagazine.com/christian-living-christianity/christian-history/312-azusa-street-frank-bartleman-testimony-pentecost-los-angeles.html