Pentecostal Christianity

Names and abbreviations on this page

WCC — World Council of Churches. A global fellowship of churches supporting Christian unity and cooperation.

Basic concept

Pentecostal Christianity emphasizes the present activity of the Holy Spirit, including spiritual gifts, prayer and testimony. The movement includes many denominations and independent congregations. Its early twentieth-century growth included the Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles under William Seymour. Pentecostalism overlaps with evangelical Christianity, while charismatic renewal also occurs inside older denominations. These overlapping labels describe different dimensions of religious life rather than one chain of command. [1]

Supporting structures

Local congregations, denominational fellowships, Bible colleges and mission networks support Pentecostal practice. The Assemblies of God is one example, with an official statement emphasizing salvation, Spirit baptism, healing and Christ’s return. It cannot stand for every Pentecostal doctrine: churches differ over the Trinity, spiritual gifts and sanctification. When evaluating a claim of institutional support, identify the actual denomination, congregation or ministry involved. [1][2]

Influence and limits

The movement’s American origins and worldwide migration networks connect it to Western religious culture, worship styles and community life. The WCC also describes considerable internal diversity and disputed prosperity teaching in some churches. It would be inaccurate to attribute promises of wealth, one voting pattern or one leadership model to all Pentecostals. An account of spiritual healing is a religious belief, not medical evidence or a substitute for clinical care. [1][2]

Related learning

Evangelical Christianity

Methodist and Wesleyan Christianity

Governance & institutional structure

Influence in Western societies

External Resources