Pentecostalism

Introduction
The origins of Pentecostalism
Growth of Pentecostalism into the 21st century

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

Pastor Julian D'Oyley prays with Esther Applewhite while standing together in the River Thames during a baptism, both wearing black shirts, with trees in the background.

At a Glance

Pentecostalism summary

Quizzes

Holy week. Easter. Valladolid. Procession of Nazarenos carry a cross during the Semana Santa (Holy week before Easter) in Valladolid, Spain. Good Friday

Christianity Quiz

Related Questions

How did Latino participants in the Azusa Street revival help spread Pentecostalism to Mexico?
How did Pentecostal beliefs from Baptist backgrounds differ from Holiness Pentecostal beliefs?
How did Pentecostal worship differ from formal Protestant worship in the early 20th century?
How did Pentecostalism begin in the United States?
How did Pentecostalism spread from the United States to Europe?
How did R.E. McAlister contribute to the Jesus Only movement?
How did Spanish-speaking Pentecostal churches develop in Mexico and the southwestern United States?
How did disagreements about sanctification divide early Pentecostals?
How did racial segregation affect the Pentecostal movement in the United States?
How did the Azusa Street revival bring together Black, white, and Latino worshipers?
How did the Holiness movement influence the origins of Pentecostalism?
How did the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America promote racial reconciliation?
How do Oneness Pentecostal beliefs differ from Trinitarian Pentecostal beliefs?
How do Pentecostals understand prophecy and healing?
How does baptism with the Holy Spirit differ from water baptism in Pentecostal belief?
How does the Book of Acts influence Pentecostal beliefs and worship?
What happened at Bethel Bible College in Topeka, Kansas, in 1901?
What happened during the Azusa Street revival of 1906?
What is the difference between glossolalia and xenoglossy in Pentecostal worship?
What was the Jesus Only movement within Pentecostalism?
Which Pentecostal denomination has the largest worldwide membership?
Which regions of the United States became early centers of Pentecostalism?
Which spiritual gifts do Pentecostals believe may be given by the Holy Spirit?
Who was Charles Fox Parham, and how did he influence early Pentecostalism?
Who was William J. Seymour, and what was his role in the Azusa Street revival?
Why are Pentecostal membership statistics difficult to measure?
Why did Pentecostalism become popular in Latin America?
Why did many Pentecostals leave established Protestant churches to form new congregations?
Why did many early Pentecostals expect the End Times to be near?
Why did some Christians seek more emotional forms of worship in the late 1800s?
Why do Oneness Pentecostal churches baptize in the name of Jesus?
Why do Pentecostals connect their movement with the first Christian Pentecost?
Why has Pentecostalism often appealed to poor communities in Latin America and Africa?
Why is speaking in tongues important in many Pentecostal churches?
Why was the Azusa Street revival important to the worldwide spread of Pentecostalism?
Why was the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World significant as an interracial denomination?
Why was the Pentecostal Fellowship of North America replaced in 1994?
How was Zoroastrianism founded?
What are the major beliefs of Zoroastrianism?
Who was the first person to outline the seven deadly sins?
What famous works incorporate the seven deadly sins?
What is Epiphany?
What does the name Epiphany mean?
When is Christmas celebrated?
How is Christmas celebrated?
How did December 25 become Christmas?
Does Christmas have pagan roots?

Philosophy & Religion Religious Beliefs

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External Websites

Boston University - Pentecostalism and Global Politics: Three Questionable Approaches
The West Virginia Encycliopedia - e-WV - Pentecostalism
ABC listen - Sydney Mornings - How much do you know about Pentecostalism?
Pew Research Center - Pentecostalism
St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology - Pentecostal Theology
Hartford Institute for Religion Research - Encyclopedia of Religion and Social Science - Pentecostalism
Harvard Divinity School - Religion and Public Life - Pentecostalism in Nigeria

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

Pentecostalism - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
Pentecostals - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Pentecostalism

Written by

J. Gordon Melton

Distinguished Professor of American Religious History, Institute for Studies in Religion, Baylor University; Director, Institute for the Study of American Religion, Woodway, Texas. Author of La Chiesa...

J. Gordon Melton

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

History

Pentecostalism, charismatic religious movement that gave rise to a number of Protestant churches in the United States in the 20th century and that is unique in its belief that all Christians should seek a post-conversion religious experience called “baptism with the Holy Spirit.” Recalling the Holy Spirit’s descent upon the first Christians in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, or Shabuoth (Acts of the Apostles 2–4), this experience appears to have been common in the...

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