Lecture Notes: Origins and Impact of the Pentecostal Movement

Introduction

• Date: April 9, 1906
• Location: Los Angeles, North Bonnie Brae Street
• Small, diverse prayer gathering led by William Seymour
• Members filled with the Holy Spirit, began speaking in tongues
• Movement spread, leading to the Azusa Street Revival

Key Figures

• William Seymour

  • Son of African-American slaves from Louisiana
  • Holiness preacher
  • Influenced by Charles Parham

• Charles Parham

  • Itinerant holiness preacher
  • Connected baptism in the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues

Initial Events

• Prayer meeting led by Seymour on April 9, 1906
• Members began speaking in tongues, Seymour initially did not
• Three days later, Seymour experienced baptism in the Holy Spirit
• Revival spread, leading to large gatherings on Azusa Street

Growth of the Movement

• Thousands visited Azusa Street from the U.S. and around the world
• Revival lasted for three years
• Movement recognized as a major Christian missionary movement

Historical Roots

1. Evangelical Revivalism

   • Influences: Great Awakenings, Protestant and Catholic revivals
   • Emphasis on powerful preaching, emotional encounters with God

2. Wesleyan Holiness Movement

   • Influences: Wesleyan theology, sanctification, second work of grace
   • Focus on personal holiness and baptism in the Holy Spirit

3. Keswick Higher Life Movement

   • Emphasis on Christian service and mission
   • Calvinistic/Reformed tradition

4. 19th Century Eschatological Expectations

   • Belief in imminent return of Jesus
   • Baptism of the Holy Spirit seen as precursor to global missionary work

5. Welsh Revival (1904)

   • Led by Evan Roberts
   • Influential in spreading ideas of Holy Spirit outpouring

Key Historical Events

• Welsh Revival (1904)

  • Led by Evan Roberts
  • Similar emotional and spiritual experiences

• Topeka Prayer Meeting (1900)

  • Led by Charles Parham
  • Agnes Osman spoke in tongues

Azusa Street Revival (1906-1909)

• Hosted in an abandoned African Methodist Episcopal church
• Diverse and open services
• Led by Seymour, featured speaking in tongues, healings, and prophecy

Impact of the Movement

• United States

  • Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and Assemblies of God roots
  • Significant African-American and immigrant influence

• Global Missionary Movement

  • Missionaries sent to 25 nations within first two years
  • Assemblies of God as largest Pentecostal denomination worldwide
  • Rapid growth in global South (Asia, Africa, Latin America)

Sociological and Theological Questions

• How did Pentecostalism spread so rapidly?
• What was unique about its theology and practice?
• Considerations of Acts 2 as a model for missionary work

Conclusion

• Pentecostal movement as a significant event in Christian history
• Encouragement to expect new movements of the Holy Spirit

Prayer and Reflection

• A closing prayer for renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit

This lecture emphasized the historical and theological roots, the significant figures, and the widespread impact of the Pentecostal movement beginning with the Azusa Street Revival. The movement's growth from a small prayer meeting to a global phenomenon demonstrates its profound influence on modern Christianity.