Lecture on the Azusa Street Revival and Pentecostal Movement

Key Figures and Initial Events

• William Seymour: Leader of the initial prayer meeting on April 9, 1906, in Los Angeles.
  • Son of former slaves, a holiness preacher.
  • Initially did not experience speaking in tongues himself.
• April 9, 1906: A small prayer group in Los Angeles experiences the Holy Spirit.
  • Members began speaking in tongues, surprising Seymour.
  • Seymour later received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with physical manifestations.

The Azusa Street Revival

• Location: Moved from a small house to an abandoned church on Azusa Street.
• Duration: Lasted for three years with global influence.
• Impact: Grew from a small gathering to a movement with over 600 million followers today.

Roots and Influences

• 19th Century Roots:
  • Evangelical Revivalism: Emphasis on powerful gospel preaching and emotional encounters.
  • Wesleyan Holiness Movement: Focus on sanctification and a second work of grace.
  • Keswick Higher Life Movement: Emphasized the Spirit's empowerment for Christian service.
  • Premillennial Eschatology: Belief in an imminent outpouring leading to Jesus' second coming.

Other Influential Revivals

• Welsh Revival (1904): Led by Evan Roberts, characterized by emotional expressions and speaking in tongues.
• Charles Parham's Movement (1900):
  • Emphasized speaking in tongues as evidence of the Holy Spirit baptism.
  • Agnes Ozman spoke in tongues believed to be Chinese.

Spread and Impact of the Pentecostal Movement

• Seymour's Legacy:
  • Despite initial rejection, led to a major revival.
  • Azusa Street became a hub for global interest.
• Media Attention: "Weird babble of tongues" headline brought national attention.
• Missionary Movement: Considered a major missionary movement akin to Acts 2.
  • Sent out missionaries globally, often with the belief in "missionary tongues."

Pentecostal Denominations

• Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and Assemblies of God: Largest Pentecostal denominations tracing roots to Azusa.
• Missionary Endeavors: Rapid spread to over 50 nations within a decade, reflecting a strong missionary impulse.

Global Growth

• Assemblies of God Growth:
  • 1939: 300,000 members.
  • 1960: 3 million.
  • 1990: 30 million.
  • 2010: 60 million, predominantly non-Western.
• Pentecostalism Today: Fastest growing Christian movement, significant in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Reflection

• The movement has been described as part of the "Century of the Holy Spirit."
• Encourages current expectations for new outpourings of the Holy Spirit.