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Upper Room ExperienceUpper Room Experience

Metro Tabernacle Metro Tabernacle

Presenter: Yee Tham WanPresenter: Yee Tham Wan

66thth July, 2008 July, 2008

PENTECOSTALISM TODAYPENTECOSTALISM TODAY

Years ago: “the last vomit of Satan”Years ago: “the last vomit of Satan” Recently: “3rd Force of Christianity”Recently: “3rd Force of Christianity” NOW: NOW:

• Our experience at the Azusa Street Our experience at the Azusa Street Centenary Centenary

• Est. 600 million Pentecostal-Est. 600 million Pentecostal-Charismatics; 1 in every 10 persons on Charismatics; 1 in every 10 persons on earth today!!earth today!!

But, who are the Pentecostals??But, who are the Pentecostals??

Diversity in Modern “Diversity in Modern “PentecostalismPentecostalism””

Historical DiversityHistorical Diversity• Classical Pentecostals (North American)Classical Pentecostals (North American)• Charismatics & “Renewal” MovementsCharismatics & “Renewal” Movements• Post-denominational (“Apostolic) GroupsPost-denominational (“Apostolic) Groups

Theological DiversityTheological Diversity• Subsequence/Actualization TheologiesSubsequence/Actualization Theologies• ““Four-fold”/”Five-fold”Four-fold”/”Five-fold”• Keswickian & Baptistic / Wesleyan & HolinessKeswickian & Baptistic / Wesleyan & Holiness

Geographical/Cultural DiversityGeographical/Cultural Diversity• Latino PentecostalsLatino Pentecostals• African Indigenous ChurchesAfrican Indigenous Churches• Chinese House ChurchesChinese House Churches• Other Indigenous MovementsOther Indigenous Movements• Korean PentecostalsKorean Pentecostals

Defining PentecostalismDefining Pentecostalism Historically Defined:Historically Defined: as a historical as a historical

movementmovement Theologically Defined:Theologically Defined: as a belief structureas a belief structure Hermeneutically Defined:Hermeneutically Defined: as a Biblical as a Biblical

normnorm Eccelesiastically Defined:Eccelesiastically Defined: as a Christian as a Christian

Church/Sect/DenominationChurch/Sect/Denomination Culturally Defined:Culturally Defined: as a worldviewas a worldview Liturgically Defined:Liturgically Defined: as a worship formas a worship form Vocationally Defined:Vocationally Defined: as a prophetic voiceas a prophetic voice GLOSSOLALIA:GLOSSOLALIA: the distinctive issuethe distinctive issue An Integrative Approach:An Integrative Approach: “world view” & “world view” &

“spirituality“spirituality

Elements of HistoryElements of History

IDEASIDEAS INDIVIDUALSINDIVIDUALS INSTITUTIONSINSTITUTIONS

Philosophies of Church History: Philosophies of Church History: Suggestions from Bill Menzies: Suggestions from Bill Menzies:

4 ways to relate present church with the apostolic church4 ways to relate present church with the apostolic church

Roman Catholic ViewRoman Catholic View Reformed ViewReformed View Restorationist ViewRestorationist View Pentecostal ViewPentecostal View

APOSTOLIC APOSTOLIC CHURCHCHURCH

Roman Catholic ViewRoman Catholic View

Continuity and DevelopmentContinuity and Development

Church Age is the Millenium

TODAY’S TODAY’S CHURCHCHURCH


Reformed ViewReformed View

Discontinuity and DegenerationDiscontinuity and Degeneration

Partial Recovery (16th C Reformation)



Restorationist ViewRestorationist View

E.g. Churches of Christ & MormonsE.g. Churches of Christ & Mormons

Restoration


Apostasy


Pentecostal ViewPentecostal View Continuity despite Degeneration Continuity despite Degeneration

Full Recovery


Continuity

Degeneration

Revivals

Overview of Church HistoryOverview of Church History

30-95 Apostolic Age30-95 Apostolic Age 95-590 Ancient Church (The Fathers)95-590 Ancient Church (The Fathers) 590-1500 Medieval Age590-1500 Medieval Age 1500-1650 Reformation Era1500-1650 Reformation Era 1650-1800 Enlightenment1650-1800 Enlightenment 1800-1990 Modern Church1800-1990 Modern Church 1990- “Post-Modern” Period1990- “Post-Modern” Period

Some Pentecostal AntecedentsSome Pentecostal Antecedents

Montanism – 2Montanism – 2ndnd C C Albigensians (Southern France)Albigensians (Southern France) Waldensians (Northern Italy)Waldensians (Northern Italy) English QuakersEnglish Quakers Irvingites (Catholic Apostolic Church)Irvingites (Catholic Apostolic Church) Fundamentalism Fundamentalism Holiness & “Higher Life” MovementsHoliness & “Higher Life” Movements

There were at least 20 “Pentecostal-type” revivals between the periods of the NT church and the modern church. But, all of them died down after a while . . .

How/Why Revivals Die OutHow/Why Revivals Die Out

Natural Cycle (Institutionalisation)Natural Cycle (Institutionalisation) Heresy & Fanaticism (Humanisation)Heresy & Fanaticism (Humanisation) Put out by Establishment Put out by Establishment Self-fulfilling prophecies through Self-fulfilling prophecies through

isolationisolation ???? ???? Why has the Modern Why has the Modern

Pentecostal-Charismatic Pentecostal-Charismatic Movement lasted so longMovement lasted so long ??? ???

Recent Antecedents to the Modern Recent Antecedents to the Modern Pentecostal/Charismatic MovementPentecostal/Charismatic Movement

(Fundamentalist-Modernist Controversy)(Fundamentalist-Modernist Controversy) Welsh RevivalWelsh Revival Korean (Pyongyang) RevivalKorean (Pyongyang) Revival Indian (Panditha Ramabai) RevivalIndian (Panditha Ramabai) Revival Methodism and Holiness MovementMethodism and Holiness Movement Keswick Convention and “Higher Life” Keswick Convention and “Higher Life”

MovementMovement Irvingites (1830)Irvingites (1830)

The Modern Pentecostal MovementThe Modern Pentecostal Movement

The Topeka, Kansas RevivalThe Topeka, Kansas Revival – The Foundation – The Foundation for Modern Pentecostal Awareness (1901)for Modern Pentecostal Awareness (1901)

The Azusa Street, L.A. RevivalThe Azusa Street, L.A. Revival – The Spread of – The Spread of Pentecostalism (1906)Pentecostalism (1906)

Charismatic Renewal MovementCharismatic Renewal Movement (1960) (1960) Catholic Charismatic MovementCatholic Charismatic Movement (1967) (1967) Recent Pockets of Pentecostal/Charismatic Recent Pockets of Pentecostal/Charismatic

Revivals; e.g. Toronto, Pensacola, etc.Revivals; e.g. Toronto, Pensacola, etc. Globalization of the Modern Globalization of the Modern

Pentecostal/Charismatic MovementPentecostal/Charismatic Movement

Pre-PentecostalsPre-Pentecostals

Panditha Ramabai of India. A Pentecostal outpouring took place in the girls’ home she led.

Evan Roberts, leader of the Welsh Revival

Contemporary scholars are now more inclined to see the possibility of a global Pentecostalism.

Edward Irving, founder of the “Irvingites”

Topeka Picture GalleryTopeka Picture Gallery

Alexander Dowie, founder of Zion Healing City, had been one of those who influenced Charles Parham.

Charles Fox Parham gave doctrinal foundation for

Pentecostalism

Agnes Ozman is remembered as the first person in modern recorded history to speak in tongues.

Azusa Picture GalleryAzusa Picture Gallery

William Seymour, leader of the Azusa Revival

Azusa was a revival that crossed the “color line.”

TerminologyTerminology

Orthodox (Eastern Church)Orthodox (Eastern Church) Catholic (Western Church)Catholic (Western Church) ProtestantsProtestants FundamentalsFundamentals Modernists/LiberalsModernists/Liberals EvangelicalsEvangelicals PentecostalsPentecostals Charismatics Charismatics Pentecostal-Charismatic MovementPentecostal-Charismatic Movement

Figures of Speech to Describe Figures of Speech to Describe Pentecostal HistoryPentecostal History

““Roots”Roots” (e.g. Hollenweger, Synan) (e.g. Hollenweger, Synan)• Wesleyan/Holiness & Keswickian/BaptisticWesleyan/Holiness & Keswickian/Baptistic• Roman CatholicRoman Catholic• Black AfricanBlack African

““Waves”Waves” (e.g. Wagner, Barrat, Pawson) (e.g. Wagner, Barrat, Pawson)• 11stst wave: Classical Pentecostals (1900) wave: Classical Pentecostals (1900)• 22ndnd wave: Charismatic Renewal (1960) wave: Charismatic Renewal (1960)• 33rdrd wave: Evangelicals (1980) wave: Evangelicals (1980)• 44thth wave: Independent mega-churches?? wave: Independent mega-churches??

““Streams”Streams” (e.g. Hocken) (e.g. Hocken)• To culminate with entry of Messianic To culminate with entry of Messianic

ChristianityChristianity

Hollenweger’s RootsHollenweger’s Roots

Early AG HistoryEarly AG History

1914-1927 Formative Stage1914-1927 Formative Stage 1927-1941 Simplistic Growth1927-1941 Simplistic Growth 1941-1953 Analytical Development1941-1953 Analytical Development 1953-1970’s Established Mainstream1953-1970’s Established Mainstream 1970’s-present . . . 1970’s-present . . .

DISTINCTIVES OF DISTINCTIVES OF PENTECOSTAL THEOLOGYPENTECOSTAL THEOLOGY

““Cardinal” DoctrinesCardinal” Doctrines• Four-foldFour-fold• Five-foldFive-fold

Baptism in the Holy Spirit:Baptism in the Holy Spirit:• SeparabilitySeparability• SubsequenceSubsequence• Evidential TonguesEvidential Tongues

Azusa Street: “Five-Fold”Azusa Street: “Five-Fold”

First Work – Justification is that act of God’s free grace by which we receive remission of sins . . . Second Work – Sanctification is the second work of grace and the last work (emphasis mine) of grace. Sanctification is that act of God’s free grace by which He makes us holy . . . Too many have confused the grace of Sanctification with the enduement of Power, or the Baptism of the Holy Ghost; . . . The Holy Spirit Baptism is a gift of power upon the sanctified life . . . Healing – We must believe that God is able to heal.

POSITIVEPOSITIVE

Classical Pentecostals & Charismatics

Episcopalian – Dennis BennetPresbyterian – Rodman

WilliamsBaptist – Howard Ervin

NEGATIVENEGATIVE

Reformed

AugustineCalvinB. B. Warfield

Lutheran

Stolee (still remembers the extremes of left wing of Reformation e.g. Munster)

Dispensationalists

Logical conclusion

MEDIATINGMEDIATING

“Impossible”

“Possible”“Normal”

“Normative”Most evangelicals e.g. Billy Graham

e.g. C&MA“Seek not, forbid not”

Actualization:1. Sacramental(RCC)

2. Evangelicals (accommodate conversion-initiation)

e.g. Arnold Bittlinger (RCC) and Michael Harper (Anglican)

PENTECOSTAL/CHARISMATIC POSITIONSPENTECOSTAL/CHARISMATIC POSITIONS

TRADITIONAL “BIBLICAL” EXPLANATION FOR TRADITIONAL “BIBLICAL” EXPLANATION FOR THE PENTECOSTAL EXPERIENCETHE PENTECOSTAL EXPERIENCE

Need to demonstrate three things: Need to demonstrate three things: subsequence, separability and evidential subsequence, separability and evidential tongues tongues

Based on the 5 recorded Pentecostal Based on the 5 recorded Pentecostal outpourings in Acts:outpourings in Acts:• Acts 2 – Day of PentecostActs 2 – Day of Pentecost• Acts 8 – Samaritan RevivalActs 8 – Samaritan Revival• Acts 9 – Paul’s BaptismActs 9 – Paul’s Baptism• Acts 10 – Cornelius’ HouseholdActs 10 – Cornelius’ Household• Acts 19 – Ephesian EldersActs 19 – Ephesian Elders

Pertinent Questions to askPertinent Questions to ask

What happened?What happened? When and where did it happen?When and where did it happen? Who were those involved?Who were those involved? How did it happen?How did it happen? Why did it happen?Why did it happen? SO WHAT??SO WHAT??

Some Notable FeaturesSome Notable Features

Holy SpiritHoly Spirit• Mentioned in all episodesMentioned in all episodes

Received by believers/disciplesReceived by believers/disciples• From all representative groupsFrom all representative groups

Impressive physical evidenceImpressive physical evidence Prayer and Laying on of handsPrayer and Laying on of hands Welcomed by the ApostlesWelcomed by the Apostles

• No mention of any opposition to the No mention of any opposition to the practice/experiencepractice/experience

Example of a Classical Pentecostal Example of a Classical Pentecostal Doctrinal StatementDoctrinal Statement

This "Statement of Fundamental Truths" contains This "Statement of Fundamental Truths" contains the 16 doctrines of the Assemblies of God. These the 16 doctrines of the Assemblies of God. These are non-negotiable tenets of faith that all are non-negotiable tenets of faith that all Assemblies of God churches adhere to. Assemblies of God churches adhere to. Four of Four of these, Salvation, the Baptism in the Holy these, Salvation, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, and the Second Spirit, Divine Healing, and the Second Coming of Christ are considered Cardinal Coming of Christ are considered Cardinal DoctrinesDoctrines which are essential to the church's which are essential to the church's core mission of reaching the world for Christ.core mission of reaching the world for Christ.

Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental TruthAssemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truthss

16 Fundamental Truths16 Fundamental Truths1. The Scriptures Inspired 2. The One True God 3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ 4. The Fall of Man 5.The Salvation of Man 6. The Ordinances of the Church 7.The Baptism in the Holy Ghost 8. The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost

– Speaking in tongues9. Sanctification 10.The Church and Its Mission 11.The Ministry 12.Divine Healing 13.The Blessed Hope 14.The Millennial Reign of Christ 15.The Final Judgment 16.The New Heavens and the New Earth

Pentecostal “Distinctive”Pentecostal “Distinctive” Word and Witness Word and Witness listed in the August 1912 issue eight benefits listed in the August 1912 issue eight benefits of tongues, indicating the high premium early Pentecostals place of tongues, indicating the high premium early Pentecostals place

on the instrumentality of tongues in their spirituality: on the instrumentality of tongues in their spirituality:

Tongues are a sign of faithTongues are a sign of faith Tongues are a sign “that the gift of the Holy Spirit has Tongues are a sign “that the gift of the Holy Spirit has

been poured out upon the speaker”been poured out upon the speaker” Tongues “bears witness to Jesus that he is at the right Tongues “bears witness to Jesus that he is at the right

hand of God the Father.hand of God the Father. Tongues “is a benefit to the believer in talking to God”Tongues “is a benefit to the believer in talking to God” Tongues “is good . . . because the speaker ‘edifieth Tongues “is good . . . because the speaker ‘edifieth

himself’”himself’” Tongues will edify the church if it is accompanied by Tongues will edify the church if it is accompanied by

interpretationinterpretation Tongues help our spirit worship and pray to GodTongues help our spirit worship and pray to God Tongues “are one of God’s signs whereby he miraculously Tongues “are one of God’s signs whereby he miraculously

speaks to unbelievers.” speaks to unbelievers.”

Same Same Word & WitnessWord & Witness article . . . article . . .

““Yet, we never sought tongues nor Yet, we never sought tongues nor fought tongues, and never tell others fought tongues, and never tell others to seek tongues, as some falsely to seek tongues, as some falsely claim we do. claim we do. Seek Jesus Christ to Seek Jesus Christ to baptize you with the Spiritbaptize you with the Spirit, and , and the result will be that you will be the result will be that you will be ‘filled with the Holy Ghost and begin ‘filled with the Holy Ghost and begin to speak with tongues,’ for God is no to speak with tongues,’ for God is no respecter of persons.’” respecter of persons.’”

““Spirituality” vs. “Being Spiritual”Spirituality” vs. “Being Spiritual”

““Spirituality”Spirituality” is relatively a new term to is relatively a new term to many Pentecostal believers who have all many Pentecostal believers who have all the while been more preoccupied with the the while been more preoccupied with the whole concept of “being spiritual.” whole concept of “being spiritual.”

““Being spiritual”Being spiritual” involves involves actionsactions like like fasting, praying, speaking in tongues, fasting, praying, speaking in tongues, operating the gifts of the spirit, raising operating the gifts of the spirit, raising hands while singing or praying and hands while singing or praying and emotional attitudes like joy, sorrow, emotional attitudes like joy, sorrow, confidence, being comforted etc. confidence, being comforted etc.

Definitions of SpiritualityDefinitions of Spirituality Spittler: “a cluster of acts and sentiments that are Spittler: “a cluster of acts and sentiments that are

informed by the beliefs and values that informed by the beliefs and values that characterize a specific religious community.” characterize a specific religious community.”

Albrecht: “the lived experience which actualizes a Albrecht: “the lived experience which actualizes a fundamental dimension of the human being, the fundamental dimension of the human being, the spiritual dimension, that is the whole of one’s spiritual dimension, that is the whole of one’s spiritual or religious experience, one’s beliefs, spiritual or religious experience, one’s beliefs, convictions, and patterns of thought, one’s convictions, and patterns of thought, one’s emotions and behavior in respect to what is emotions and behavior in respect to what is ultimate, or God.”ultimate, or God.”

Robeck: “the giving of ourselves to God through Robeck: “the giving of ourselves to God through both our beliefs and emotional attitudes, which both our beliefs and emotional attitudes, which ultimately influences our actions and values.”ultimately influences our actions and values.”

WHY DO WE BEHAVE AS SUCH?WHY DO WE BEHAVE AS SUCH?

The utmost importance of individual The utmost importance of individual experience experience

The importance of the spoken (orality)The importance of the spoken (orality) The high esteem placed on spontaneityThe high esteem placed on spontaneity An other-worldly tendency in which the An other-worldly tendency in which the

eternal, the “up there” in heaven is more eternal, the “up there” in heaven is more real than the presentreal than the present

The authority of the Bible as the basis of The authority of the Bible as the basis of what we should experience. what we should experience.

Russell Spittler: “Spirituality, Pentecostal & Russell Spittler: “Spirituality, Pentecostal & Charismatic”Charismatic”

Richard Foster’s Richard Foster’s Celebration of DisciplineCelebration of Discipline

Three spiritual disciplines: Three spiritual disciplines: 1) the inward disciplines including 1) the inward disciplines including

meditation, prayer, fasting and study (pp. meditation, prayer, fasting and study (pp. 13-66); 13-66);

2) the outward disciplines including 2) the outward disciplines including simplicity, solitude, submission and simplicity, solitude, submission and service (pp. 69-122); and service (pp. 69-122); and

3) the corporate disciplines include 3) the corporate disciplines include confession, worship, guidance and confession, worship, guidance and celebration (pp. 125-171)celebration (pp. 125-171)

““Crisis” & “Ascetic” SpiritualityCrisis” & “Ascetic” Spirituality

““Pentecostal”Pentecostal”

Crisis spiritualityCrisis spirituality focus on crisis focus on crisis

experiencesexperiences

Gal 3:2-3, 5Gal 3:2-3, 5e.g. Revivals, Baptism in e.g. Revivals, Baptism in

the Holy Spiritthe Holy Spirit

““Evangelical”Evangelical”

Ascetic spiritualityAscetic spirituality focus on focus on

regimented regimented disciplinesdisciplines

1Cor 9:24-271Cor 9:24-27e.g. Quiet Time, Fastinge.g. Quiet Time, Fasting

We need to have both . . .

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