Christianity's Family Tree - Chapter 7 - Pentecostalism (Discussion)

I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. (Joel 2:28)

Key Insights:

1. Pentecostalism takes its name from the Jewish festival of Pentecost; it was at this festival around AD 30 that the Holy Spirit descended on the first Christians, and the church was born.  Pentecostals are known for energetic and passion-filled worship and an emphasis on supernatural experiences of the Holy Spirit.
2. The official beginning of the Pentecostal tradition is usually set as 1901, but its roots reach back another 200 years to the Methodist tradition and the teachings of John Wesley.
3. In the late 1800’s, several groups broke away from the Methodist movement to form their own churches.  They include the Nazarenes and their predecessors, the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana); the Adventists; the Salvation Army; the Wesleyan Church and others.  These traditions are commonly known as the Holiness Tradition.
4. Four major emphases of Pentecostalism:
• The baptism of the Holy Spirit:  after committing your life to Christ, there is a subsequent experience (called a “second work of grace”) at which time the Holy Spirit completely immerses believers, filling them with power.  The evidence of this experience is speaking in an unknown tongue (or in a language one has not previously known).
• a personal relationship with Christ: Pentecostals place a strong emphasis on the emotional dimensions of one’s relationship with Jesus Christ.
• The second coming of Jesus Christ: Pentecostals recall the words of Joel 2:28 and claim it as a direct fulfillment of God’s promise and a sure sign that the Second Coming was about to take place.  This belief has been a hallmark of Pentecostal preaching ever since.
• Modern day miracles and healing: Jesus himself promised we would see miracles happen.  The Book of James assures us that if any are sick and call for the elders of the church and anointed with oil, the prayer of the faithful will raise them up.  There is an expectation with this tradition that God is in the “miracle-working business.”
5. Three things all Christians can learn from Pentecostalism:
• Live daily in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Identify and use our spiritual gifts.
• Reclaim the healing power of the Holy Spirit.

Taking it Home:
• Read Matthew 3:11; Mark 13:9-11; and Luke 11:13. – What do these verses teach us about the Holy Spirit?  Invite the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and speak through you.
• Read John 14:15-21; 25-27. – What does it mean to call the Spirit our “Counselor” or “Advocate”?  Now read John 16:5-15.  What does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will do? Invite the Holy Spirit to do for you what Jesus promises.
• Read Acts 1:1-8. – What will the Holy Spirit do for believers? Now read Acts 2:1-21.  What happened as the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples?  What was the purpose of this gift and how did it work?  How is this different than most modern Pentecostal expressions of tongues?  Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in your life.
• The Holy Spirit give different gifts to each believer to build up the Christian community.  Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-31.  What are the gifts Paul mentions?  What is their purpose?  How does Paul correct the impression that some gifts are more important than others?  Invite the Holy Spirit to help you discover and us the gifts you have been given.
• Read Romans 8:1-17.  What does the Spirit do in and through us?  Paul suggests that it is not the exotic gifts of the Spirit that are the measure of one’s spiritual life but certain fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in us.  Read Galatians 5:16-26, focusing on verses 22-23.  Invite the Holy Spirit to produce this fruit in you.