Calvary Bible College

History of Pentecostal Movement

Abhisek Dey
B.D-II; R/no.-03 Concerned Lecturer:
Date of Presentation: 13th February,2023. Sir. C.
Malsawmzela
Topic: Modern Charismatic movement in Protestant Christianity
Introduction
The term charismatic derives from the Greek word χάρισμα charisma ("gift", itself
derived from χάρις, "grace" or "favor"). The 17th century form charism specifically refers to
divine gifts. Middle English also adopted the word as karisme to refer to gifts of healing and
teaching.1 Charismatic Christianity is an overarching grouping of connected beliefs and
practices, and is not itself strictly defined within specific practices. Denominations within the
grouping share a spirituality characterized by a worldview where miracles, signs and wonders,
and other supernatural occurrences are expected to be present in the lives of believers. This
includes the presence of spiritual gifts, such as prophecy and healing.2 Here in this paper, we will
be dealing with the charismatic view and faith within the various Protestant Christian
denominations.
1. Charismatic movement
Charismatic Christianity (also known as Spirit-filled Christianity by its supporters) is a
form of Christianity that emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and modern-
day miracles as an everyday part of a believer's life. 3 Practitioners are often called Charismatic
Christians or Renewalists.
Charismatics are also members of non-Pentecostal denominations — including
Catholic, Orthodox and some Protestant denominations — who hold at least some Pentecostal
beliefs and engage in at least some spiritual practices associated with Pentecostalism, including
divine healing, prophecy and speaking in tongues. While similar in many respects, some sub-
groups do differ in important ways. The Charismatic movement has sometimes been related to
the New Age revival in the United States from the 1960s and 1970s. The charismatic movement,
sometimes known as the charismatic renewal, began among Protestants in the U.S. in 1960. The
charismatic movement also finds expression in independent congregations that have formed their
own networks of affiliated churches, similar to denominations. 4 Before 1955 the religious did not
embrace Pentecostal doctrines. If a church member or clergyman openly expressed such views,
they would (either voluntarily or involuntarily) separate from their existing denomination.
However, by the 1960s many of the characteristic teachings were gaining acceptance among
1
"charisma | Origin and meaning of charisma by Online Etymology Dictionary". www.etymonline.com.
accessed 6 Feb,2023.
2
Stanley M. Burgess and Eduard M. van der Mass, eds., The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal
and Charismatic Movements, Rev. ed. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2003), 93.
3
Wolfgang Vondey, Pentecostal Theology: Living the Full Gospel, 1st ed. (London and New York: T&T
Clark, 2017), pg. 107–130.
4
Allan Anderson, An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity (Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 2004), pg. 144-151.

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Christians within Protestant denominations.5 The charismatic movement represented a reversal
of this previous pattern as those influenced by Pentecostal spirituality chose to remain in their
original denominations.6 The popularization and broader acceptance of charismatic teachings as
well as ideas are linked to the Healing Revival that occurred from 1946 to 1958. The revivalists
of the time, including William Branham, Oral Roberts, and A. A. Allen, held large
interdenominational meetings which emphasized the gifts of the spirit. This global revival led to
greater awareness and acceptance of Pentecostal teachings and practices.7
The beginning of the charismatic movement is usually dated to Sunday, April 3, 1960,
when Dennis J. Bennett, rector of St Mark's Episcopal Church in Van Nuys, California recounted
his Pentecostal experience to his parish, doing it again on the next two Sundays, including Easter
(April 17), during which many of his congregation shared his experience, causing him to be
forced to resign.8 The resulting controversy and press coverage spread an awareness of the
emerging charismatic movement. The movement grew to embrace other churches, where clergy
began receiving and publicly announcing their Pentecostal experiences. These clergy began
holding meetings for seekers and healing services which included praying over and anointing of
the sick. The charismatic movement reached Lutherans and Presbyterians in 1962.9
The charismatic movement led to the founding of many covenant communities, such
as Sword of the Spirit and Word of God, that are a force of ecumenism in that they have
members from many major Christian denominations, such as Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans,
Reformed and Methodists, who live and pray together. Despite the fact that Pentecostals
currently tend to share more in common with evangelicals, the charismatic movement was not
initially influential among evangelical churches. C. Peter Wagner traces the spread of the
charismatic movement within evangelicalism to around 1985. He termed this movement
the Third Wave of the Holy Spirit.10
2. Within some Protestant Denominations
2.1. Eastern Orthodoxy
The charismatic movement has not exerted the same influence on the Eastern
Orthodox Church that it has on other Christian denominations. Although some Eastern Orthodox
priests have advanced Charismatic practice in their congregations, the movement is seen as
incompatible with Orthodoxy by writers within the church. For instance, an article published in
the Journal "Orthodox Tradition" says "There is nothing Orthodox about the charismatic
movement. It is incompatible with Orthodoxy, in that it justifies itself only by perverting the
message of the Fathers, suggesting that the Church of Christ needs renewal, and indulging in the
theological imagery of, Pentecostal cultism."11

5
Reid et al. Dictionary of Christianity in America. (USA: InterVarsity Press, 1990), pg. 241–242.
6
William W. Menzies, Robert P Menzies, Spirit and Power: Foundations of Pentecostal Experience,
(Michigan: Zondervan, 2000), pg. 117-143.
7
Michael Moriarty, The New Charismatics (Michigan: Zondervan, 1992). pp. 40–51.
8
Bill J. Leonard, Jill Y. Crainshaw, Encyclopedia of Religious Controversies in the United States,
Volume 1, (USA: Intervarsity Press, 2013), pg. 165.
9
Leo Joseph Suenens, Ecumenism and Charismatic Renewal: Theological and Pastoral Orientations.
(Servant Books, 1978), pg. 21.
10
William W. Menzies, Robert P Menzies, Spirit and Power: Foundations of Pentecostal Experience,
(Michigan: Zondervan, 2000), pg. 117-143.
11
The Charismatic Movement and Orthodoxy (orthodoxinfo.com) "The Charismatic Movement and
Orthodoxy". Orthodox Tradition. 1 (4&5): 29–32. accessed on 9th Feb,2023.

2
2.2. Charismatic Adventist
Charismatic Adventists are a segment of Adventism, specifically the Seventh-day
Adventist Church, as well as some other Adventist denominations, such as the Adventist Church
of Promise and the International Missionary Society of Seventh-Day Adventist Church Reform
Movement, that is closely related to "Progressive Adventism", a liberal movement within the
church. The official 28 Fundamental Beliefs of Adventists affirms that spiritual gifts do continue
into the present. Adventists more often limit it to the ability to speak unlearned human
languages, or "xenoglossy"; and have generally rejected the form of tongues practiced by many
charismatic and Pentecostal Christians, described as ecstatic speech or a personal prayer
language. Adventist churches with charismatic leanings are very rare and controversial within
the denomination, and rejected on the whole.12
2.3. Methodist
Methodists became involved in the charismatic movement in the 1970s. When the
Methodist movement was initiated, many individuals in London, Oxford and Bristol reported
supernatural healings, visions, dreams, spiritual impressions, power in evangelizing, [and]
extraordinary bestowments of wisdom. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, firmly
maintained that the Spiritual gifts are a natural consequence of genuine holiness and dwelling of
God's Spirit in a man. As such, Methodist Churches hold to the theological position
of continuationism. With its history of promoting holiness and experiential faith, many
Methodist congregations now engage in charismatic worship since the arrival of the charismatic
movement to Methodism, though other Methodist connexons and their congregations eschew it.13
2.4. Baptist
In addition to traditional Baptist doctrine, the fellowship also believes in
Pentecostal-Charismatic doctrines such as speaking in tongues, laying on of hands, divine
healing, and prophecy. Likewise, the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship places special
emphasis on practicing holiness, or Christian sanctification14
2.5. Non-Denominational
The movement led to the creation of independent evangelical charismatic churches
more in tune with the revival of the Holy Spirit. These churches are often non-
denominational. Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California was one of the first evangelical
charismatic churches, founded in 1965. In the United Kingdom, Jesus Army, founded in 1969, is
an example of the impact outside of the United States. Many other congregations were
established in the rest of the world.15

Conclusion
12
Reinder Bruinsma, The Body of Christ: An Adventist Understanding of the Church (Hagerstown,
Maryland: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2009), pg. 80-81.
13
, Edith Waldvogel Blumhofer, Russell P. Spittler; Grant A Wacker. Pentecostal Currents in American
Protestantism. (Illinois: University of Illinois Press,1999), pg. 171.
14
web.archive.org/web/20200711222148/, https://www.fullgospelbaptist.org/about/, accessed on 9th
Feb,2023
15
Bill J. Leonard, Jill Y. Crainshaw, Encyclopedia of Religious Controversies in the United States,
Volume 1, (USA: Intervarsity press 2013), pg. 165.

3
 From our study on the topic of Charismatic faith among the various Protestant
Christians, we come to know that they still believe in the Karisme with a blend of their own
church doctrines and teachings. As the early charismatics who believed that every Christian was
as inspired as the apostles or the Scriptures. The focus on the Spirit as the key to church life is
now mirrored by some. In the context of modern churches, it is difficult to trace of how firmly
does it embrace the theology of Divine Gifts. Some emphasize as a whole of it, whereas some
focus on particular gifts. As the Scripture says in 1 Corinthians 12:6 “And there are diversities of
activities, but it is the same God who works in all”.

Bibliography
Anderson, Allan, An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004.
Blumhofer, Edith Waldvogel; Russell P. Spittler, Grant A. Wacker. Pentecostal Currents in
American Protestantism. Illinois: University of Illinois Press.1999.
Bruinsma, Reinder, The Body of Christ: An Adventist Understanding of the Church. Hagerstown,
Maryland: Review and Herald Publishing Association. 2009.
Burgess, Stanley M. and Eduard M. van der Mass, eds., The New International Dictionary of
Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, Rev. ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan,
2003.
Leonard, Bill J., Jill Y. Crainshaw, Encyclopedia of Religious Controversies in the United
States, Volume 1. USA: Intervarsity press, 2013.
Menzies, William W., Robert P Menzies, Spirit and Power: Foundations of Pentecostal
Experience, Michigan: Zondervan, 2000.
Moriarty, Michael. The New Charismatics. Michigan: Zondervan, 1992.
Reid et al. Dictionary of Christianity in America. USA: InterVarsity Press, 1990.
Suenens, Leo Joseph, Ecumenism and Charismatic Renewal: Theological and Pastoral
Orientations. Servant Books, 1978.
Vondey, Wolfgang, Pentecostal Theology: Living the Full Gospel, 1st ed. London and New
York: T&T Clark, 2017.
Webliography
"charisma | Origin and meaning of charisma by Online Etymology Dictionary".
www.etymonline.com. accessed 6 Feb,2023.
The Charismatic Movement and Orthodoxy (orthodoxinfo.com) "The Charismatic
Movement and Orthodoxy". Orthodox Tradition. 1 (4&5): 29–32. accessed on 9th Feb,2023.
web.archive.org/web/20200711222148/,https://www.fullgospelbaptist.org/about/,
accessed on 9th Feb,2023.