 Who is a Pentecostal?

 What is mean by Pentecostalism?

HISTORY AND DISTINCTIVE TEACHINGS OF THE  Is it a denomination?
PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES (M.Div. II)  Is it a experience?
Prof. Rajeev M. Thomas  Is it a theology?
 Is it a cluster of practice?
History?  Is it a tradition?
 In what way Pentecostals are unique or distinct than others?
 History is the study of Past.
 What are the basic features of Pentecostals?
 History is the cluster of past events.
 How far what is the Scriptural meaning of Pentecostals?
 History is the chronological arrangement / articulation of the past.
 Whether Pentecostalism or Christianity started first?
 Today‟s polities became tomorrow history.
 What is the historical beginning of Pentecostalism?
 History is the written record of the past events.
 What is the unique theology of Pentecostals?
 It is both a process and product.
 Is it Pentecostalism exclusive or inclusive the endeavor?
Process – the study is a process
Product – written record of past. Who is a Pentecostal?
 The study of past denotes the process of History.
 As the result of the study we will get the product.  Pentecostals are born again Christians.
 History is the interpretation of the past.  They are the separated Christians.
 It is the biography of great man. Women.  Pentecostals are the Christians who are worshipping God in truth
 It is a philosophy teaching by examples. and spirit
 It is an unending dialogue between the past and present.  Pentecostals are strongly believed in two baptisms, believer‟s
 The duty of the historian is to bring the past as it is to the present baptism and Faith baptism of Holy Spirit.
generation. Nevertheless, it is a technique job. In fact, we cannot  Pentecostals are the followers of the complete teaching of Jesus and
write the complete history. his disciple / Apostles.
 History without source is only a story. Besides this, chronology and  Pentecostals are the Christian who are having the doctrine of
topology are the 2 eyes of history. separation.
 Geography is the stage where the drama of history is taking place.  Pentecostalism is nothing but the movement of the Holy Spirit.
 They are the Christians who are exercising speaking the tongue /
Introduction: glossolalia.
The name Pentecostals: Pentecostalism some preliminary concern /  They are the Christians who are completely obeying the direction
reflections / basic queries, etc. and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
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  They are the true disciple of Jesus Christ, 2. Numbers 11:29
 They are the hopeful person.
 Pentecostals are the Christians who are anticipating miracles and 3. Isaiah 44:3
wonders with prayers and Holy Spirit. 4. Ezekiel 37:1-14. The prophecy made the bones together and made a life,
 Are the people who are zealous for witness? because of outpouring of Holy Spirit.
 They are the Christians who are trying to duplicating the very life
and customs of disciples. Pentecostal is nothing but the promise of Jesus and John the Baptist:
 They are the Christians who are strongly waiting for the second
For instance, Luke 3:16, John the Baptist promise, John 14:15-18,
coming of Jesus Christ.
Jesus promise about the Holy Spirit
 They are the Christians who are experiencing both gifts and fruits of
the Holy Spirit. Pentecostals are the people who were obeying the guidance of Holy Spirit.
 Pentecostalism is nothing but the historical fulfillment of the OT
prophecies, predominantly the „Joel‟ prophecy. Acts 2:17, Joel 2:28. Definition of Pentecostalism:

1. Joel Prophecy: From the above passage one can decipher the following 1) Steve Durasoff – defined Pentecostalism as follows: “Pentecostals
concerns with regards with the Pentecostalism. are the Christians, who believe in all historical doctrines of
Christianity. What make them Pentecostals Christian? Is their
 It‟s a movement from above to below. earnest desire to recapture the early practices of the 1st follower of
 Pentecostalism can be interpreted as an egalitarian endeavor. It Jesus of Nazareth? They are the Spirit filled Christian who claim it
transcends all kinds of dis parities, such as age, gender, dissipative, is possible to duplicate the dynamic lives of the disciple, to know
classes, color and so on Jesus as a powerful person. In the present through the enablement of
 It‟s an eschatological program connection with salvation. God the Holy Spirit “Bright will of the Spirit.1973, pano-3.
 It gives an anticipation of a new era guided by the Holy Spirit. 2) According to Patrick Johnstone & Jason M. “Pentecostals are those
 It denotes the inclusive and wider scope of the exercises of the affiliated to specially Pentecostals denominations dedicated to a
Spirit. Where as in the OT, such privilege was confined only to Pentecostal theology usually including a post conversion experience
select persons such as prophet, priest, kings, judges etc. but in NT it of the baptism in the spirit.
was for all.
 This text exposes the spiritual gifts – visions, dreams, miracles, Basic features of Pentecostalism:
wonders. Therefore, Pentecostalism is nothing but the exercise of
Pentecostals are the distinguished people both in their faith and
the Spiritual gifts.
practice. They are having the following basic features according to Steve
 Witnessing is an off shoot of the baptism of the Holy Spirit or a by-
Durasoff and others.
product of the Holy Spirit movement. For instance, Acts 1:8.
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  Pentecostals are strongly ambitious to recapture the early practices Denominationally and the doctrinally, they were branched
of apostles. as Pentecostal dogmatically and pragmatically they were the
 They are the spirit filled Christians living too strictly following the Pentecostals. Ex: IPC, Sharon, TPM, A.G., church of God etc.
dynamic words and deeds of the disciples of Jesus Christ. 2. Protestant New Pentecostals: they were the member of the
 They always try to know and make known the name of Jesus Christ. protestant. Ex: Lutheran, CNI, CSI, Methodist, Baptist, etc. But they
 They strongly believe in the baptism of Holy Spirit along with water have the experiences of the Pentecostalism and they are longing for
baptism. it, nevertheless, they continue their membership in their won
 They are always expecting supernatural experiences and hopes. churches, in their words, denominationally they are not Pentecostal
 They are keeping a holy life both in private and in public. they are Protestants. This tendency is increasing. Think what is the
 They are praying / speaking in unknown languages, in fact, they are media in the proliferation or spread of the protestant church?
known as the people of other tongue, otherwise, glossolalia. 3. Catholic Pentecostal: they are just like the protestant Pentecostals.
 They are zealous for mission and evangelism. Catholic protestant is also the member of the Catholic Church but
 They are always ready to witness and share the gospel with others. they have the experience of the Holy Spirit. This movement spread
 Pentecostals challenges the traditional churches. out in 1960. As a result of it, thousands of the RC church members
 Pentecostals evoke criticism from the non-Pentecostals and even had experience the Baptist of the Holy Spirit, with glossolalia or
from the secular people. other tongues. They are loyal to the mother church in the public, but
privately their engaged with spiritual gift. The charismatic
Classification of Pentecostals: - movement emanated from the Roman Catholic Church. It is the
The modern Pentecostal movement can be broadly divided into three: typical example of endue
4. New generation churches: Possible reflection / Interpretation:
1. Classical Pentecostals a) New generation churches are recent Phenomena. It can be
2. Protestant-Neo Pentecostals categorized into two groups: Radical New generation churches
3. Catholic Pentecostals. and Moderate New Generation Churches. They both have the
Besides these, independent and new generation Pentecostals are also Pentecostal experience. The second category is more
evolving. appreciable. In one sense, we can say that the term “New
1. Classical Pentecostals are the Christian who are completely Generation” is the nick name given to the above.
identified as Pentecostal in their action (work), nomenclature. Also
called as typical Pentecostals. They started sprouting in the first two Impact of the Holy Spirit
decades of the 20th century (esp. 1920). They strongly believe and  Marked the beginning of Christian mission
practice the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit. They practice both  Marked the beginning of Conversion
the gift and the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  Marked the beginning of Church growth
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  Marked the beginning of witness 4. A community that demonstrated great power and great grace so that
 Marked the demonstration of the baptism of Holy Spirit. many wonders and signs were done that affected the city (Acts 2:43;
 Marked the sprouting of the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit. 4:16, 33).
 Marked the beginning of revivals.1 5. A community that boldly faced opposition and persecution from
 Marked the beginning of Church and Christianity itself. religious leaders (Acts 4:5-6; 5:17-18, 29-32, 40-41; 6:12; 7:59; 8:1)
 Marked the fulfilment of the Great Commission. 6. A community that shared and were unselfish (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-
 Marked the beginning of water baptism. 35)
 Exposed the demonstration of sign gifts. 7. A community of great prayer (Acts 4:29-31)
8. A community that was of one heart and one mind (Acts 4:32; 5:12).
Therefore, the whole events of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts can be 9. A community whose influence spread to other regions so that people
summed up in the maxim – “the arrival of Holy Spirit” marked the came from other cities to Jerusalem to experience God‟s healing and
beginning of revival: revival leads to mission, mission leads to Church, delivering power (Acts 5:16)
church leads to unity. The book of Acts can be regarded or nick named as 10. A community that experienced angelic visitations bringing
the Genesis of New Testament. This book predominantly due to the Holy deliverance and instructions (Acts 5:19-20; 8:26).
Spirit movement in the book, substantiate this nomenclature. Besides this, it 11. A community that peacefully and with wisdom resolved disputes
gives information about the person and work of the Holy Spirit and its and problems (Acts 6:1-7).
prime role in the mission and the subsequent church formation. 12. A community where people were being raised up full of Holy Spirit,
One can decipher impact of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the life of faith, wisdom and power doing great signs and wonders among the
the Christian community at Jerusalem from the book of Acts. Ashish people (Acts 3:8,10).
Raichur, enumerate such impact as follows: 13. A community whose influence began penetrating the leadership
system of their day so that many priests believed (Acts 6:7).
1. A community that saw many souls being saved and brought into the 14. A community that in 8 years raised up disciples who could carry the
kingdom (Acts 2:41, 47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7) – harvesting the soul (soul fires of revival – the Word and the Spirit – to other places across
winning) Judea, Galilee, Samaria (Acts 9:31) and into Syria (Acts 8: 4-8;
2. A community that continued steadfastly in teaching, fellowship, 11:19-21) and it is estimated that at the persecution in Acts 8:1
sharing and prayer in the temple and house to house (Acts 2:42; about 20 thousand believers from Jerusalem were scattered into
5:42) about 200 towns and villages in Judea, Samaria and Galilee.
3. A community that had great fear or reverence for God as they saw Overnight, the fires of revival spread and multiplied. We have the
what was happening in their midst (Acts 2:43; 5:5, 11). record of Philip who preached in Samaria, Gaza and then throughout
coastal Judea preaching the Gospel from Azotus to Caesarea (Acts
1 8:14). We also have a record of believers from Jerusalem
Revival is the arrival of God. Here the God is the Holy Spirit.
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 establishing a work in Antioch of Syria, 300 km North of Jerusalem Spirit among the Christians. During the medieval time, especially on
(Acts 11:19-21). the eve of the reformation, church not only lost the Holy Spirit but
15. A community that saw God‟s divine intervention affecting people in also the Word of God. The Holy Spirit became denominated as the
high places – the Ethiopian eunuch, Saul of Tarsus (Acts 8:27; 9:1- one person in the Trinity. When we revisit the history of
6). Christianity, we can decipher the historical fact, which prevents the
work of work of Holy Spirit in and out of the Christian churches.
What happened to the Holy Spirit in the post Pentecostal events era? i. Heresies:
Somewhere the momentum was lost. Many believe that the out- The most important heresy which contributed for the elimination of
pouring of Holy Spirit has ceased. I Cor. 13:8ff. Many developed theories: the work of Holy Spirit is Montanism. It is a heresy related to Holy Spirit it
(1) Cessation theory I Cor. 13:8; (2) Partial theory I Cor. 13:10; (3) non- was founded by Montanus. He, himself declared that he was the Paraclete.
cessation theory it doesn‟t cease it continues till now and even after rapture. He even declared that the promise of Jesus about the Holy Spirit was not
One of the important reason for the dismantling of the work of Holy Spirit fulfilled until his time.
is Heresy of Montanus. There are a lot of theories down through the
centuries. ii. Christian Persecution:

1. It is an apostolic endeavour, accordingly, Jesus promised the Holy It directly or indirectly contributed to the decline of the work of the
Spirit to the apostles and they received it on the day of Pentecost. Holy Spirit in the church. Accordingly, the church leaders who are familiar
After the apostolic age, the work of the Holy Spirit got an eclipse. with the work theology of the Holy Spirit became martyrs. As the part of
2. Some of the people interpreted the word of God and proposed a the persecution, scripture was also burnt. The newly arrived disciples or the
cessation theory of Holy Spirit. They are predominantly taking I church leaders didn‟t give much emphasis to the work of Holy Spirit,
Cor. 13:8-10. According to this theory, the works of the Holy Spirit, sometimes even became alien to the scriptural basis and doctrines.
the gift of the Holy Spirit were ceased in the later centuries.
3. Some even interpreted that the word of the Holy Spirit is only a In other times, they were busy with apologetics, writings, refutation
partial and when the Word of God is made fully available perfect the of the heresies, setting the controversies, conducting the ecumenical synods.
Holy Spirit movement got a setback I Cor. 13:8-10. In the middle of the persecution, they did not get ample opportunity to teach
4. Majority of the people, especially the Pentecostals who strongly about the work of Holy Spirit.
believe in the non-cessing work of the Holy Spirit, right from the iii. Rise of Papacy.
day of Pentecost up to the day of “Parousia”. New Testament very
explicitly expresses the work of the Holy Spirit throughout the iv. Intruding of Hellenism.
church period. But the post apostolic period, down through the
centuries up to 19th century marked the dismantling of the Holy
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Evidences of the work of Holy Spirit:

One can prove the work of Holy Spirit from the apostolic time to till obvious that „back to the Bible‟ was the maxim of the reformation. It gave
date, by enumerating the testimonies from the church fathers and revival way to the evangelical or protestant movements and subsequent mission.
leaders of the church. Following are the most important among them.
The emergence of the evangelical theology or the protestant theological
Background of modern Pentecostal movement: developments directly added something to the protestant missionary
movements. One of the significant icons of their theological teachings is the
 Why are we using the adjective „modern‟ to the Pentecostal idea of pre-millennium rule. It offered a new missionary impetus. They also
movement even though it is started in the 1st century? proposed the teachings of second coming, glorious resurrection, future
 What is the theological mooring of the modern Pentecostal restoration of all creations, marriage of the lamb, and so on. They
movement? formulated a theory that all this will accomplish only if they shared the
 Who are the main catalysts for the realization of the modern gospel with all the people but two important problems raised serious
Pentecostal movement? challenges to execute the end time world evangelization:
 Which are the pioneering revival movements and their ground works
towards the manifestation of the modern Pentecostal movement? I. The limitation of time.
 Whether the modern Pentecostal movement is the culmination of the II. The difficulty of learning foreign languages.
previous Pentecostal revival? It was during the time, the gift of foreign languages, happened in some
 Whether the modern Pentecostal movement is the optimum result or of the missionary circles of the evangelicals. Jennie Glassey, who had
the by-product of the modern missionary movement? received an African language through the Holy Spirit in 1895. This
 Whether the modern Pentecostal movement originated in the 20th news spread to all missionary camps; all the revival missionaries including
century or prior to it? Charles Purgam were studying the scripture and tarrying before God for the
 What is the role and contribution of the protestant/ evangelism/ sprouting of the Holy Spirit for availing the gift of the foreign language. It
millennialism with regards to the dawn of the modern Pentecostal envisaged a world-wide mission works as well as a global revival nexus
movement? with the Holy Spirit. It also provided anticipation for a Pentecostal latter
rain concept among the pious protestant circles. In a long and short, the
One can trace out the very background of the modern Pentecostal
quest for the foreign missionary tongue and its anticipation and tarrying
movement roughly from the period of the reformation. In one sense,
finally reached its culmination for the sprouting of the modern Pentecostal
reformation is a kind of religious revival movement targeted for the
movement.
rectification as well as the purification of the Christian church from the
polluted or abused teachings. It is mainly a re-tour to the very scripture. It is

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The progression of the post reformation revivals: Evaluation:

The post reformation period had witnessed the galaxy of revivals.  Modern Pentecostal movement is the culmination of a cluster of
These revivals reached into a pinnacle in the 20th century. One can revivals.
enumerated the most prominent revivals as following:  It is the continuation of the protestant missionary movements.
 The quest for the world evangelism, the second coming, millennial
 The radical reformation or revival and the Anabaptist. In one sense, rule, the Zeno-glossic – all these contributed for the sprouting of modern
the Anabaptist played an important role for the upcoming of the Pentecostal Pentecostal movement, nevertheless, one cannot propose that Pentecostal
experience. They demanded that the baptism is only for believers and not movement is a phenomena. Historically it started in the first century, after
for infants. It opened a new paradigm shift in the protestant circles. They various ups and downs, it continued down through the centuries and
also exposed their divine experience to the wider public that they certified manifested globally in the 20th century. From all these historical trajectories,
the illuminating presence of the Holy Spirit when they meditate the Bible. one can redefine the revival as the arrival of God predominantly under the
 The protestant revivals and its spokes persons like Zwingli of auspicious of the third person in the trinity. All revivals are historically
Switzerland, John Knox of Scotland, George Fox of Quakers and similar manifested from the scripture and enhanced with the Holy Spirit on the
personals and movements testified the miraculous healing and other ground of the deep repentance of the mass. The so-called western hejimony
charismatic gifts. It is significant to note that the revival movements like of the modern Pentecostal movement is a debatable issue. Modern scholars
Quakers, Shakers, Lollards, Camishards, Holiness movements, Divine are questioning this hypothesis. For instance, the revival and the work of the
healing movements also experienced the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Holy Spirit in the Indian sub-continent on or prior to the Azusa street
Spirit during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. In fact, such a revival groups revival challenge this hypothesis. In fact, one can come to logical
prepared a fullness of time for the manifestation of the modern Pentecostal conclusion or concerns that the modern Pentecostal movement is nothing
movements. but the crystallization of quest for the global revival for the baptism of Holy
 The great awakenings in America and Britain are also noteworthy Spirit and all the spiritual blessings promised in the scripture.
with regards to the preparation of the modern Pentecostal movement. The
1st great awakening in North America under Jonathan Edwards and George The significance of Mukti Mission Revival:
Whitefield‟s in 1721-1750, Moravian revival of Germany and Methodist
revival in England under John Wesley. The era of second great awakening Allen Anderson, an expertise in the modern Pentecostal studies has
in England 1780-1801, North America, South America and other part if the enumerated certain cardinal features of the Mukti mission revival:
world. Thus 18th century was a century of revivals as a continuation of the  Mukti mission revival in India that lasted 2 years was a precedent to
waves of reformation commenced in Germany in 16th century. the Azusa Street revival and widespread form of Pentecostalism.

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  Mukti mission revival was characterised not only by repentance,
conviction, confession and the extended prayer meetings, but also included  Evans Roberts was the main catalyst of the wales revival. He is the
powerful demonstrations of the Holy Spirit with healing, prophecy, tongue, main architect, engineer, designer, catalyst of the movement.
interpretations and so on. The evangelist teams of hundreds of woman were  Seth Joshua was the main inspiratory or the motivator of Evan
empowered by the Holy Spirit and sent to witness in the surrounding Roberts and this revival.
villages.  Whale‟s revival produced a holistic far reaching impact not only in
 Women acted as the chief catalyst of this revival. The proponents, church but also in the whole society of Wales.
recipients and the proponents of the Mukti revival were women: Pandita  This revival demonstrated the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit
Rama Bai, Minni Abraham and the 12oo lady inmates. in an amazing way.
 Rama Bai‟s revival and ministry showed the ecumenicity as well as  This revival also contributed the emancipation of the many revivals
the inclusiveness to the other Christian mission organizations in other countries including India. Ex. Khasi revival. Pan-European, Pan-
 It contributed to the sprouting of mass reviva in the Latin- Asian revival.
Americans: Chille. II. Brief Biography of Evan Roberts:
 According to Shaju John, the auther of “Kerala Pentecostu
Charithram” a fascinating history of the Pentecostal churches in Kerala Evan Roberts was born and brought as a mediocre person. He was
also endorsed the Mukti mission revival pioneering indigenous Pentecostal not an aristocrat. He was born on 8th June 1878, as a son of a miner. His
revival in India. denominational background is Calvinist-Methodist church. He was a
 In one sense, it took its ideological basement from the socio- devoted Christian child. He attended every church service without break
religious reform movements of the 19th century pre-dominantly the „Arya and he used to memorize Bible verse. He started his life as a coal-miner, at
Samaj‟ and „Brahma Samaj‟. One can also estimate this revival as the 1st the age of 11 with his parents and continued till the age of 23. He became a
Christian feminist emancipatory movement. In fact, one can also showcase blacksmith apprentice during the age 24-25 in his uncle‟s factory. In 1904,
this revival as a subaltern movement as well as the protest movement he joined a Bible school at the age of 26. The Bible School is “New Castle
against the rigid and vulnerable socio-religious scenario of India. Emlyn Bible College”.

Wales’s revival of 1904: The role of the Evan Roberts Later he left the Bible studies because of his inner quest, zealous for
the realization of the global revival. He spent 13 years of preparation of the
I. Introduction revival tarrying, reading Bible and fasting. In the last years, he increased
 Wales‟s revival 1904-1905 was one of the most powerful revival in the time to 7 hours per day for the prayer and Bible reading. All these
the trajectory of the modern Pentecostal movement. It is the most powerful turned him to be the leader of the Wales revival.
visitation of the Holy Spirit

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 III. Interaction with Seth Joshua: He was also noted for a massive prayer in his life – “Oh send the
 The interaction with Seth Joshua was a turning point in the history Holy Spirit for Jesus Christ‟s sake.” This was the prayer after all his
of Evan Roberts. Seth Joshua was the key personality who changed the life sermons and resulted with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. “The end of
and destiny of Evan Roberts. knowing/ hearing is the start of doing.”
 Seth Joshua was a Presbyterian evangelist and a simple Bible This revival meeting spreaded into different places within and
teacher. He was a travelling missionary. He even visited Evan Roberts Bible outside of the Wales city. Finally it became a mass revival. Following are
College. Evan Roberts was so much attracted to Seth Joshua. the select venues of Evan Robert‟s sermons:
 Evan Roberts attended Seth Joshua‟s 2nd meeting in Blaemeric on
27th Oct. 1904. This was the turning point in his life. After the sermon, Seth 1. Libanus Chapel
Joshua uttered the words “oh Lord! Bend us” on looking the heavens. Evan 2. Moriah Chapel at Pishka
Roberts too came forward and said “Oh Lord! Bend me” suddenly he was 3. Ebanazer Congregation Church and so on.
filled with the Holy Spirit. The whole community was astonished on the V. Impact of the Wales revival:
demonstration of the Holy Spirit. Meanwhile, he was also asked God to
 Wales‟s revival produced a holistic impact on the integral life of the
give him 1 Lakh souls. He also got the confirmation immediately that he
Wales city. In order to understand the changes and innovations subjected by
would get 1 Lakh souls. His heart was burning for souls. With this energy,
the socio-ethical conditions of the Wales city. It was quiet pathetic and
he left the Bible College.
vulnerable. The people pre-dominantly in the mines spent most of the
IV. Starting of revival meetings:
leisure time in gambling, alcoholism, fighting and using bad languages and
Evan Roberts started his mission preaching in his own church in 31st immoral traffics, quarrelling and so on.
Oct. 1904 at Loughor. His first meeting was arranged by his pastor and  It marked the saving of lakhs of people to Christ. The following
friends as an „experimental meeting‟ because he shared his concern with digits substantiate this fact.
them. The demonstration of the Holy Spirit was experienced by everyone A. In the first 5 weeks, 20-30 thousand people were saved.
there and the pastor extended to a week. Gradually Holy Spirit started B. Within two months, 70 thousand people were saved to Christ.
demonstrating and became a mass movement. C. Within 5 years, more than 1 lakh people were saved to Christ.
Evan Roberts‟s message was put into simple 4 points: In fact, the promise given to Evan Roberts was historically fulfilled
1. Confess the un-confessed past sin to receive the spiritual within a short while. It is also significant to note that some of the reports of
blessings. the historians with regards to the durability of the quality of life of this
2. Remove all the doubtful thoughts from your mind. converts in 75 thousands out of 1 lakh converts remained in the church after
3. Complete surrender of your life to the Holy Spirit. 5 years.
4. Public confession of Christ.

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 It escalated the moral standards of the people especially the people at at Topeka, Kansas city in USA was the venue of this revival. Topeka
the mines. It can be digitally portrayed as follows: revival was the continuation of the former small and big revivals.

 Jails and courts were closed down. It laid the historical foundation for the modern Pentecostal movements.
 Policemen, judges, lawyers and similar officers were almost felt This revival re-affirmed the Biblical moorings of the baptism of the Holy
unemployment. Spirit as a post-conversion endeavour.
 The liquor shops were closed down.
 No cases were recorded. II. Brief Biography of Charles Fox Perham:
 Night clubs were closed down. Charles Fox Perham was born on 4th June 1873. From the childhood
 University class rooms were turned into worship places. onwards, he was affected with virus infection and later at the age of 9, he
 Decrease of robbery, murder, rapes, and drunkenness, illegitimate became a rheumatic fever patient. In 1878, his family moved to Kansas city.
births were reduced into less than half. He was very much influenced by his pious mother until her death in 1885.
 This revival witnessed the composition of melodious songs and Meanwhile, he could complete his graduation in South West Kansas
hymns. College. During this course, he discerned the divine call; but he bypassed it
 The hymn “Here is love, vast as the ocean” became the theme song and next year he was affected with his old disease. In fact, he committed his
for the Wales revival. life to gospel work and he got a miraculous healing. Later, he devoted his
 Wales‟s revival spreaded into other parts of the world – Britain, life for Christian ministry. In 1893, he became a pastor of a Methodist
Scandinavia, Germany, North America, Australia, Africa, India church though he was waiting for the Holy Spirit anointing. Later he left the
particularly to Meghalaya – Khasi revival. In one sense, Khasi hills church due to doctrinal disputes and started his independent ministry. he
revival is the by-product of the Wales revival. even started a healing home in Topeka with the nomenclature Bethel
 It produced various missionaries and sent them to various parts of Healing Home. Here he did all the facilities to the in mates who are
the world including India. anticipating for a divine healing such as food, shelter, lodging, etc. he also
 It did some ground works for the later panoramic revival, Azusa started a magazine with the title “Apostolic Faith” to convey his ideas about
Street revival. the divine healing and recapture the Apostolic experience of the Holy Spirit.
Topeka Revival: In 1900 Charles Fox Perham started his journey from Topeka to various
other revival centres. To learn more about the divine healing and the
I. Some basic discourses/ Introduction:
possibilities of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Following are the most
Charles Fox Perham 1873-1929 was the main hero of this revival. important revival preachers.
Agnes Ozman was the heroine of this revival. Bethel Bible College/ School
John Alexander Dowie, A J Gordan, Frank Sanford, and others.

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 He also got a notion about the gift of foreign languages as an IV. Study on the evidences of the Baptism of Holy Spirit:
offshoot of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The next important
Charles Fox Perham got a conviction that speaking in tongue was the
influencing factor of the Parham‟s spiritual life is the holiness movement.
initial evidence of the Holy Spirit through his friends, but he needs more
All these formative factors conceived a great desire for attaining the Holy
clarity and scriptural basis. Hence he engaged in a research in this topic and
Spirit movement as experienced by the Apostles.
threw this question before his students as an assignment. They were given
III. The Starting of Bethel Bible School: the book of Acts chapter 2, as a Biblical basis. Charles Fox Perham went for
a ministry for 3 days, after his arrival, he enquired about the result of the
In 1900, Charles Fox Perham along with his wife and sister-in-law group study. The students unanimously presented the same evidence of the
started a Bible training centre at Topeka and 40 students were enrolled into Holy Spirit though they did an independent study. Hence, Charles Fox
the school who were preparing for the foreign mission. It was basically a Perham was more convinced about the evidences of the Holy Spirit. Since
faith Bible training centre in letter and Spirit. It was a school devoted for then, he and his students are tarrying for this divine experience.
prayer and devotion, for receiving the baptism of Holy Spirit as an end time
sign of the arrival of Jesus‟ second coming and millennium rule. The V. Watch Night Service and Baptism of the Holy Spirit (31st Dec
ultimate purpose of the school is to acquire the knowledge and experience 1900- 1st Jan. 1901)
of the Holy Spirit. Bethel Bible College was started in a cheap rented The year ending watch night service in Bethel Bible School of Perham
building with 40 dollars as a monthly rent. This multi-storey building was was an effect making movement in the modern Pentecostal movement
notoriously known as “Stone‟s Folly” so; it was almost neglected by the around 150 members including 40 Bible students attended this meeting.
people. Due to bank debt of Fox, he took this venue for his Bible College. It About 11pm, sister Agnes Ozman 19 year’s young lady asked her teacher
was a typical Bible School on the following grounds: Parham to pray for her by placing his hands on her head to receive the Holy
Spirit. Though Charles Fox Perham refused to do so, finally he did so
 No proper library – Bible was the only source book or hand
because of her compulsion. Suddenly she was filled with the Holy Spirit
book or text book.
with others tongues glossolalia, concerning this marvellous event, Charles
 No proper hostel facility.
Fox Perham himself narrated this in one of the issues of „Apostolic Faith‟
 No provision for food.
sister Agnes Ozman asked that “my hands might be laid upon her to receive
 No scholarship.
the Holy Spirit. As she hoped to go to the foreign land…” I had scarcely
 No proper syllabi.
repeated three dozen sentences when a glory fell upon her, a hollow seemed
 All the students must meet their basic personal needs by faith.
to surround her head and face; she began to speak in the Chinese language,
Charles Fox Perham announced this requirement for the admissions and was unable to speak in English for three days. When she tried to write
through the magazine „Apostolic Faith‟ but 40 missionary students enrolled in English to tell us of her experience, she wrote in Chinese, copies of
in the school whole heartedly.

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which we still have in newspaper printed at that time. This was endorsed by the Acts and Epistles from pneumatological point of
the secular news coverage‟s in the city. view.

Later, Parham and majority of the students experienced the outpouring

of the Holy Spirit. Many people visited this venue and experienced the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He continued the school till the end of the
1901. Later this building was sold and the school come to an end. Later he
reopened the school at Husten city, later one of the students of the school
became the key leader of the great Pentecostal revival, Azusa street revival.

VI. Evaluation or Significance:

 Topeka revival became the pioneering movement of the modern
Pentecostal movements.
 It popularised the idea of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
 It historically proved that the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit
is speaking in other tongues or glossolalia.
 It produced the catalyst for the Azusa street revival – William J
Seymour.
 Charles Fox Perham generated three fold theological formula
before the wider public as a theological basement of the
Pentecostal churches.
 Speaking in other tongues is the initial evidence of the
baptism of the Holy Spirit.
 Spirit filled believers are the sealed bride of Christ.
 Zeno-glossic tongues are the tool for the end time
revival.
 This revival provided a uniform cluster of concerns to
all the subsequent revivals.
 It also provided a wider quest to study and re-reading of
scripture or hermeneutical paradigm shift in the study of

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