A Sober Look at Pentecostalism
 
 

The purpose here is to present an honest, comprehensive look at Pentecostalism: To clarify what it is, its history, and an examination of it as it is today. Much hurt has been caused by a misunderstanding of it, both by its opponents and adherents. It is hoped that this discussion will help to heal some hurts and avoid others.

The term "Pentecostal" as used herein is an all-inclusive identification of those who have experienced and/or believe in the so-called "baptism in the Holy Spirit."

The History of Pentecostalism

Pentecostalism had its beginning in the upper room, or perhaps the roof, of a house in Jerusalem in approximately 30 or 31 AD, fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus and ten days after His ascension. It was a two-fold experience and unique in all of history.
First, it was the initial infilling of each believer (all 120 of them) with the Holy Spirit. With a few exceptions, this was the first time in recorded history that the Holy Spirit had come to permanently indwell believers.
Second, it was the birth of the church, the unveiling of the "mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God" (Eph 3:9). This "mystery" was the mystical union of male and female, Jew and gentile, bond and free, into the intangible, invisible but very real group referred to variously as the "church", the "body of Christ" and the "Bride of Christ".

From that long-ago day until now, Pentecostalism has been a part of the church. There has never been a time in the church's history when there were not some, albeit a very few at times, who were Pentecostal in experience and belief. For much of that period, particularly during the "dark ages," they were very secretive about their experience.

Most people do not know that such personages as St Francis of Assisi, St Augustine, Luther, Wesley and many others were of this group. It is believed that at least one of the Roman Catholic Popes was Pentecostal. These and many unknown others throughout the period of history from the first century church have kept the flame of Pentecost alive. It is not a new phenomenon.

Wales Awakes

In the late 1800's, in Wales, a great revival took place. It was similar to many that had preceded it with one great exception. It was distinctly Pentecostal in nature, including tongues and all the other "gifts" included in Paul's listing in I Corinthians 12:8-10.

Eureka at Azusa

Nearly coincident with the Wales revival, in 1900, a group of Bible school students in the United States began to study the book of Acts to determine if Pentecost was valid for modern times. Eventually they were all "filled with the Spirit", including the evidence of speaking in unknown tongues. Out of that experience and the influence of the Wales revival, came the Azusa Street mission phenomenon, in 1906, in Los Angeles, California. From that great move of God, the Pentecostal message - referred to most often as the "full gospel" - spread nearly around the world in the next few years. Out of the Azusa Street revival were born such Pentecostal denominations or groups as the Assemblies of God, the Church of God in Christ and others. Certain denominations changed their names, such as Holiness which became Pentecostal Holiness. Twentieth century Pentecostalism is the direct result of this outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

They've turned the world upside down

An interesting sidelight is that the vast majority of new converts in foreign lands (outside the United States), whether as the direct result of a missionary's work or the subsequent work done by national leaders, are Pentecostal in experience and doctrine. It is considered by many to be the reason why the gospel has spread so quickly, especially in lands where Christianity is outlawed.

Charisma-what?

In the 1970's, the Pentecostal message began to take root in mainline denominational churches. Men such as David DuPlessis, a South African Dutch Reformed minister and Willard Cantelon, a Presbyterian minister, were among the forerunners in a movement which adopted the name "Charismatic". Since that time, many, in every denomination including Roman Catholicism, have become "charismatic" by experience. For the better part of 20 years, until the early 1990's, the Charismatic movement gained spectacular ground throughout Christendom.
It Spreads Like "Wildfire". Today, Pentecostals account for a large percentage of Christians in the world.

The Abuses of Pentecostalism

Since 1906, Pentecostalism has suffered from one major, tragic malady. This problem is the cause of so much of the criticism leveled against it today. The opponents of Pentecostalism are not entirely to blame for their sometimes vehement rejection of the message. Only comparatively recently have the Pentecostal movements made serious efforts to correct this critical problem.
The problem is ignorance: Ignorance of the Word of God. So much was made of the pentecostal experience in the early days of modern Pentecost that experience became the guiding rule. Although there were some in the early days (circa 1906-1940) who were educated in the Bible, the majority of adherents to Pentecost were biblically illiterate. This resulted in a myriad of false teachings and abuses.

Blind Leading The Blind?

Even today, many denominations or Pentecostal groups do not require that a pastor have any formal Biblical education. The ability to "preach a good sermon" is often the only criteria. Consequently, many of those in positions of leadership are themselves untaught and unlearned. It is also a sad fact that many pastors of Pentecostal churches have not had a personal "Pentecost".
Great strides were taken by many of the Pentecostal movements in the mid-1900's. Accredited Bible Schools and Seminaries were established and emphasis within the local churches was placed on Bible teaching. However, much of the ignorant influence of the early days still reigns in much of Pentecost today; in the pulpit and in the pew. Many Christians have been scarred forever by their experiences in Pentecostal churches.

The Pentecostal Experience: What is it?

There is sometimes so much misunderstanding of the Pentecostal experience within the Pentecostal movement itself, that it is not surprising Christians of other "brands" do not understand it. Much of what they believe about Pentecost has been determined by what Pentecostals, themselves, have said and done. It is not enough to point the finger at the mainline denominational leaders and say they should know from the Bible what Pentecost is all about when Pentecostals have distorted it in many ways.
The Pentecostal experience - or the "infilling with the Holy Spirit" - is nothing mysterious. It is not some mystical experience by which a believer is elevated to some higher spiritual plane. It does not automatically bring about a greater holiness or sanctification. That it is a definite experience, one that can be circled on the calendar and remembered throughout the lifetime, is without a doubt. Unfortunately, because of tradition and teaching, many of those who have experienced it do not truly understand it.
It is perhaps best described as follows. It is that point in time in a believer's experience when the "old man" or "natural man" is so yielded to the Holy Spirit that He is able to fully move in and through the believer, utilizing the believer's mind and members for His purposes. This is not a one-time, be-all-to-end-all experience. It is intended to be the initial experience of the infilling with the Holy Spirit. It was never intended to be a destination. The New Testament teaches us to be continually experiencing the infilling with the Holy Spirit. The distinctive element of the Pentecostal experience is that it is that moment when the portal has been opened in the will of the believer. This is the jumping off point. From that initial experience it is intended that the believer go on to the fullness of "walking in the Spirit". Additional to this, of course, is that it makes the believer now available for the Holy Spirit to use for the benefit of the body of Christ through the operation of the "gifts" (see 1 Corinthians 12:8-10), and in other particular ways, that require the complete yielding of the human will to the will of the Holy Spirit.

"Yeah, But What About Tongues?"

Many good Christians who do not accept the Pentecostal doctrine will say, "I have as much of the Holy Spirit within me as any so-called Pentecostal. What is the big deal? So I haven't spoken in tongues! So what?"
This is a good question and deserves a conscientious answer. It is very true that when the Holy Spirit comes into the believer at conversion He comes with everything He has. He does not come in parts or stages. With Him it is an all or nothing transaction. From that time forward, the believer indeed enters into spiritual warfare, most often with his own "old" nature. When opponents talk about Pentecost, however, they are most often referring to tongues. Tongues, as we learn from the New Testament, have three purposes. (Some will say "two" but this is technically incorrect.) These purposes are:
Evidence
It is biblical that the physical evidence of the Pentecostal experience is speaking in "other tongues". It is considered by most to be the "initial" evidence of the infilling. (There are, however, documented cases where other "gifts" of the Spirit were evidenced before the individual spoke in tongues. These exceptions validate the rule.)
Prayer
Tongues are a "gift" to the individual believer by which his or her prayer life is made more effective, especially at those times when "how" to pray is in question. It is for the edification of the individual believer. The New Testament teaches that "praying in the Spirit" (e.g. tongues) is always praying according to the will of God.

 

Messages
The "gift" of tongues spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12:8 is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit through the believer for the edification of the body. It is usually a message from God to the congregation, although it can be in the form of a prayer. It must always be accompanied by the manifestation of the "gift" of the "interpretation (not translation) of tongues".

Misunderstandings about Tongues

"The Holy Spirit Made Me Do It!"

The first major misunderstanding about tongues is that they are an uncontrollable emotional reaction. Some refer to them as "ecstatic" experiences. This is neither biblical nor true. Even in those rare cases where it seems as though the speaking in other tongues was without the will or volition of the believer it can be shown that this was not the case.
Speaking in tongues can be legitimately likened to speaking in any foreign language known by the believer, the only difference being that most of the time the believer does not understand what he or she is saying in tongues. From the first experience of speaking in tongues the believer is, at least, bilingual. The "tongue" language is theirs, to use at their discretion. The Holy Spirit does not force anyone to speak in tongues, although it may feel like it at times.
It is true that the believer who has experienced Pentecost can, if he or she so chooses, speak in "tongues" (many call it the "heavenly" language) whenever they choose. It is generally believed by most Pentecostals, however, to be under the control of the believer and should only be used for prayer or, when under the unction of the Holy Spirit in a gathering, for a message. Other uses of tongues, such as public displays (as has happened periodically on TV or radio), is considered by most to be a violation of a trust or ill-considered demonstrativeness.

"It's All Greek To Me - It's Just Greek, That's All!"

Another misunderstanding, based on Acts 2:4-11, is that "tongues" are always a human language - that the speaker just does not know that particular language or dialect. The truth is that tongues can be either a human or heavenly language. Many believers have spoken in a human language - ancient or modern - when filled with the Spirit. Sometimes this language has become that believer's normal "prayer" language; other times it has been a one-time occurrence.
There have been cases where missionaries have not had the opportunity to study the language of a people they come into unexpected contact with only to find themselves speaking and understanding the language, fluently, by the miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit. However, these instances are rare.
In the vast majority of cases, the "tongue" is an unknown language - unknown to anyone except God. (See exceptions). At least some of the believers on the day of Pentecost indeed spoke in "known" tongues (though unknown to them). Nevertheless, it is apparent from the record that the house of Cornelius spoke in "unknown" tongues.

"Tarry!  Tarry!  Hold On!  Let Go!  Tarry!  Tarry!"

There has been, in Pentecostal circles, a traditional belief that has no basis in scripture. It has been taught that one must "tarry" (or "wait") for the infilling with the Holy Spirit. In spite of abundant evidence to the contrary, this tradition still has a foothold in Pentecostal churches. Jesus, indeed, told the disciples to "tarry" in Jerusalem until they were filled but that was not to set a pattern for future experiences. All He was saying was, "wait in Jerusalem until you receive". After the day of Pentecost, we find no one "tarrying" for the infilling. Not the household of Cornelius or the Samaritan saints or the believers in Ephesus. This particular "belief" has been the source of the majority of frustration and discouragement among people in Pentecostal circles, resulting in many "giving up" and leaving, unfilled. The Bible does not teach "tarrying"; it teaches "surrender". The believer may have to spend considerable time in prayer (usually referred to as "seeking") to bring himself or herself to a place of surrender but it can also happen instantaneously upon conversion, as it does many times.