IOverview
Pentecostalism is the Protestant family that holds that the gifts of the Holy Spirit described in the New Testament, such as tongues, healing and prophecy, are still active today. The name comes from Pentecost, fifty days after Easter, when Acts describes the disciples being filled with the Spirit and speaking in other languages.
Three layers need to be distinguished. Classical Pentecostalism means the denominations founded in the early 20th century. The charismatic renewal, from the 1960s, carried the same style of worship into existing churches, Anglican, Lutheran and even Catholic. The third layer is the newer independent churches, most numerous in Africa, Brazil and Asia. Surveys combine or separate these layers differently, which is why the figures vary so much.
IIHistory
Pentecostalism grew out of the 19th-century Holiness movement within American Methodism. On 1 January 1901, at Charles Parham's Bible school in Topeka, Kansas, a student named Agnes Ozman is reported to have spoken in tongues. Parham taught that tongues were the initial evidence of baptism in the Spirit.
In 1906 William J. Seymour, an African American preacher who had studied under Parham, led the revival at 312 Azusa Street in Los Angeles. Meetings ran for three years and drew Black, white and immigrant worshippers together, which was rare in America at the time. From there Pentecostal missionaries fanned out to Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.
- 1901Topeka, KansasCharles Parham's Bible school, the theological starting point.
- 1906Azusa Street revivalWilliam J. Seymour leads meetings in Los Angeles, the usual date for the movement's birth.
- 1914Assemblies of GodFounded in Hot Springs, Arkansas, later the largest Pentecostal denomination.
- 1960Charismatic renewalConventionally dated to an Episcopal priest in California speaking publicly about tongues.
IIIBeliefs and Distinctives
At the base most Pentecostals share evangelical convictions: Scripture as authority, salvation through faith in Jesus, personal conversion. Their distinctives lie in the doctrine of the Spirit.
- Baptism in the Spirit: an experience after conversion that empowers the believer to live and witness.
- Initial evidence: many classical denominations, such as the Assemblies of God, teach that tongues are the initial sign of Spirit baptism. Charismatics usually do not require this.
- Spiritual gifts: healing, prophecy and interpretation of tongues remain for the church today.
- Christ's return: expectation of his coming drives evangelism.
No. It is a family of hundreds of denominations and countless independent churches. One stream, Oneness Pentecostalism, does not accept the traditional doctrine of the Trinity, and most other Pentecostal bodies do not accept its view.
IVWorship, Rites and Daily Life
Pentecostal worship is lively: a band, repeated choruses, raised hands, clapping, many people praying aloud at once. There is prayer for the sick with laying on of hands, and a time for people to come forward in response. Preaching tends to call for decision more than to expound.
Most Pentecostal churches baptise believers by immersion and keep communion as a memorial. Personal life stresses prayer, abstinence from alcohol in many places, and witness to others.
VOrganisation and Distribution
There is no common structure. Larger denominations are congregational or mix congregational and presbyterian elements. Many independent churches centre on a founding pastor. The largest international forum is the Pentecostal World Fellowship, which has no authority over members.
According to Pew Research Center, using 2010 data published in 2011, there were about 279 million Pentecostals and 305 million charismatics worldwide, together more than a quarter of all Christians. Brazil, Nigeria and the United States have large Pentecostal populations.
VIIn Vietnam
According to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, the Vietnam Pentecostal Evangelical Church was recognised as a religious organisation in 2019, the most recent Protestant body to be recognised. The decision was presented in Ho Chi Minh City on 23 and 24 October 2019, alongside the church's 30th anniversary, as reported by the Oneway news site in 2019. It was then led by Pastor Duong Thanh Lam, was present in about 40 provinces and ran its own theological school.
According to English Wikipedia, the Assemblies of God began work in South Vietnam in 1970, founded its first church in Vung Tau in 1972 and was recognised by the Saigon government in July 1973. After 1975 its churches stopped meeting openly, and in 1989 its first general council met again. The 1989 date matches the 30th anniversary the Vietnam Pentecostal Evangelical Church marked in 2019.
Another body, the Vietnam Full Gospel Church, is listed by the Government Committee for Religious Affairs as registered in 2018. The name Full Gospel is common in Pentecostal circles, but the library has not found a source confirming its denominational identity.
VIISymbol of the Branch
Dove and flame
Dove and flame
VIIISub-branches
- Assemblies of God
- Church of God (Cleveland)
- Full Gospel churches
- Charismatic renewal in other denominations
IXOther Branches of Protestantism
Pentecostal ChurchesPentecostalismThe youngest and fastest growing family, stressing that gifts of the Holy Spirit such as speaking in tongues, healing and prophecy are active today.
Reformed and Presbyterian ChurchesReformed, PresbyterianStems from Zwingli in Zurich and Calvin in Geneva.
Anglican CommunionAnglicanismSeparated from Rome in England in 1534, keeping bishops and the Book of Common Prayer.
Methodist ChurchesMethodismGrew from John Wesley's movement within 18th-century Anglicanism and became separate after 1791.
Lutheran ChurchesLutherische KircheThe first family, beginning with Martin Luther in 1517, with the Augsburg Confession of 1530 as its basic creed.
BaptistsBaptistsBegins with John Smyth in Amsterdam in 1609.Uses the common symbol of the path
Seventh-day AdventistsSeventh-day Adventist ChurchFormed in 19th-century America from the movement awaiting Christ's return.
Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA)Christian and Missionary AllianceFounded by A.
Anabaptist and Mennonite ChurchesAnabaptism, MennonitesBegan in Zurich on 21 January 1525.XSources
The library cross-checks the sources below. Where they disagree, the page gives both.
?Quick Questions
What is Pentecostalism?
It is the Protestant family that holds that gifts of the Spirit such as tongues, healing and prophecy are still active today. It began in the United States in the early 20th century, usually dated to the Azusa Street revival of 1906.
What is speaking in tongues?
Praying or speaking in a language the speaker has not learned, which Pentecostals believe is given by the Spirit. Many classical denominations see it as the initial sign of Spirit baptism, while charismatics usually do not require it.
When was the Pentecostal church recognised in Vietnam?
In 2019, according to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs. The decision was presented in Ho Chi Minh City on 23 and 24 October 2019.
How do Pentecostals differ from charismatics?
Classical Pentecostals belong to separate denominations founded in the early 20th century. Charismatics share similar worship and beliefs but remain within existing churches such as Anglican, Lutheran or Catholic, a movement dating from the 1960s.