And many currents. Each new branch is a disagreement with existing rules. A person, trying to understand incomprehensible situations, seeks outside help and support. Some find, others remain alone. In the article you will find out who Pentecostals are. Is this a cult or not? Why are they considered the most controversial and scandalous?

How did Pentecostals originate?

The name of the movement comes from the holiday of Trinity, which falls on the fiftieth day after Easter. The Holy Scripture says that the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles so that they would walk around the world and preach the Gospel. The Holy Spirit gave them gifts: great wisdom, extensive knowledge, the ability to heal and prophecy, and a penchant for languages.

In 1901, Charles Fox, reading the book The Acts of the Apostles, came to the conclusion that Christians had lost their characteristic spiritual state. He opened a Bible school, and the students noticed a strange feature. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was invariably accompanied by speaking in tongues and sometimes healed the sick.

The World Pentecostal Fellowship dates back to our time. It includes 59 church unions. The most significant associations are located in the United States and Latin America. There was a time of persecution, and the Pentecostals had to join the Baptists. But now it is a separate denomination, with its own rules and groups.

Pentecostals agree with some teachings and introduce certain points into their rules. For example, Montanists. The similarity lies in the denial of the practice of worship. Instead of services with prayers, meetings are held, an ascetic lifestyle is preached, and the gift of prophecy is developed.

Pentecostals do not affiliate with the Orthodox Church because they have significant differences. One of the main contradictions is the worship of icons. God's commandment says: "Do not make yourself an idol."

Pentecostals do not recognize prayers (appeals to the saints), because the phrase “pray to God for us,” in their opinion, is meaningless. This is an appeal to a stranger, and God hears and sees everything that happens to us.

Pentecostals are convinced that any wish must always be fulfilled. Sometimes our ideas are contradictory, and God does not always give everything he intends. A completely understandable phenomenon. A person does not understand the true purpose and comes up with the wrong ways.

Pentecostals believe that a miracle is a daily addition to life. Orthodox Christians are opponents of reusable miracles. This develops pride and vanity. Only by finding sins and getting rid of them does a change in human behavior occur.

Pentecostals preach the theory of prosperity. Acquiring wealth is a necessary part of the true Christian life. It turns out that Christianity is a comfortable pleasure. But what about the trials of Christ and his apostles?

Pentecostals actively encourage donations. The money brought in is controlled by the counting commission. None of the parishioners knows about the specific amount of the amount contributed. Reports are made to the fiscal authorities.

Water baptism among Pentecostals is formal, and the rite of “baptism in the Holy Spirit” is the basis of the cult and teaching. Prayers are said with raised hands, which leads to fatigue, convulsions and cramps.

Pentecostals are considered a sect (revelations of a former parishioner)

Praying takes place on your knees. Everyone's eyes are closed and strange uncontrolled movements are observed. Repeated sounds create an impression of unreality and sublimity. The prayer is read for a long time.

The warmth that comes during the meeting removes the heaviness in the soul. The meeting leaders praise the newcomers for their perseverance and endurance. Those, imagining themselves to be a strong and powerful person, begin to search for sinfulness in loved ones.

It seems that the gift of prediction begins, and the remarks turn to judgment. Friends gradually leave, and the world of communication narrows. Here it is important not to lose yourself in order to have an acceptable limit.

Laughter and falling bodies are often heard in joint meetings. Group dancing helps you relax. Sometimes programs that include singing and choreography resemble an entertainment show. They simply attract people who are not inclined to think.

It is difficult in modern times to find like-minded people who have the ability to be open, honest and fair. Such human character traits manifest themselves in close and long-term communication. How to find your calling in an age of chaos and corruption? It is probably necessary to notice talented people who are in love with the idea.

God gave us freedom, and interpretation occurs differently for all believers. It is often argued that Pentecostals are a sect. Or not? Difference does not mean rejection. Everyone chooses what is missing. When you comprehend something new, you are probably able to identify reality and fantasy. Therefore, for a wise and quick-witted inhabitant of planet Earth, magical powers and the influence of an ordinary sect are not scary.

Pentecostalism (English: Pentecostalism) are evangelical Christians, followers of Pentecostalism, one of the directions of Protestantism. On the territory of Russia, in order to distinguish themselves from the Evangelical Christians (Prokhanovites), according to the teachings of those closer to Baptism, they preferred to be called Christians of the Evangelical Faith - HVE or Christians of the Evangelical Faith - HEV, at the moment this name is an integral part of the name of the denominations of this direction in the CIS.

General information

Pentecostalism is one of the late Protestant movements of Christianity that arose at the beginning of the 20th century in the USA. Its ideological origins lie in the religious and philosophical movement of revivalism (English revival - “revival, awakening”), which arose in the 18th century among followers of a number of Protestant churches in the USA, England and other countries, and in the “Holiness Movement” that developed within its framework. Holiness Movement).

Pentecostals attach special importance to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, understanding it as a special spiritual experience, often accompanied by various emotions, at the moment of which the power of the Holy Spirit descends on the reborn believer. Pentecostals consider this experience identical to that experienced by the apostles on the fiftieth day after the resurrection of Christ. And since this day is called the day of Pentecost, hence the name “Pentecostals”.

Pentecostals believe that the power a believer receives through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is manifested outwardly by speaking in tongues (cf. Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, 19:6). A specific understanding of the phenomenon of “speaking in other tongues” (glossolalia) is a distinctive feature of Pentecostals. Pentecostals believe that there is a gift of speaking in other tongues, which is manifested in spontaneous speaking in foreign tongues during evangelism, as well as the gift of prophecy, but there is also prayer with the Holy Spirit, which is speaking in the tongues of “angels” (cf. Rom. 8:26, Eph. 6:18).

Christians of Pentecostal denominations believe that the Holy Spirit also gives the gifts of words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, interpretation of tongues, according to the Bible.

Among Pentecostals, the sacraments of water baptism and the Lord's Supper (communion, or breaking of bread) have a special place. The following rites are also recognized: marriage, blessing of children, prayer for the healing of the sick, ordination, and sometimes washing of feet (during communion).

Throughout its existence, an important aspect of Pentecostal theology has been the “teaching of piety,” calling followers to a righteous life based on the Holy Scriptures: abstinence from alcohol, smoking, drugs, gambling, morality in matters of family and marriage, and hard work.

Traditional conservative Pentecostals do not use weapons against people. Some Pentecostals adhere to the doctrine of “non-resistance to evil” and do not take up arms under any circumstances (as they believe, like Christ and the apostles, who died a martyr’s death without using any forceful methods of defense). During the years of persecution in the USSR in the 20th century, many of these Pentecostals were convicted for refusing to take the oath and take up arms (they did not refuse military service).

Recent years have seen the growth of Pentecostal churches around the world, especially in Asia and Africa.

Background

The Pentecostal movement appeared on the territory of Tsarist Russia in the early years of the 20th century. It appeared as a result of the merger of several earlier movements, but quickly acquired quite characteristic and independent features. Pentecostals themselves have many printed and handwritten documents, and history also suggests that Pentecostal manifestations of the type found in the Acts of the Apostles have occurred continually throughout history.

Charles Finney

The next stage in the prehistory of the movement is associated with the name of the famous 19th century preacher Charles Grandison Finney. He became a believer at the age of 21 and became known as a preacher of repentance and revival. He preached for 50 years in the USA, England and Scotland and converted thousands of souls to Christ. He argued that a person must experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He had this experience, and for the first time, he truly used this term (“baptism in the Holy Spirit”). Here's how he describes it:

“Clearly and distinctly, surrounded by a wonderful radiance, the image of Jesus Christ clearly appeared before my soul, so that I think that we met face to face. He did not say a word, but looked at me with such a look that I fell to the dust before Him, as if broken, I sank to His feet and cried like a child. How long, bowing, I stood in adoration I don’t know, but as soon as I decided to take a chair near the fireplace and sit down, the Spirit of God poured out on me and pierced me all over; filled spirit, soul and body, although I had never heard of D.’s baptism with the Saint, much less expected it, and did not pray for anything like that.”

Dwight Moody (Moody)

Another person who played a very important role was Dwight L. Moody. Lived in the second half of the 19th century. At the age of 38 he began his first evangelistic campaign. In 71, he began to pray to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and a few days later experienced the desired state.

All I can say is that God revealed himself to me, and I experienced such great pleasure in His love that I began to beg Him to stay longer in His hand.

He founded the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago and appointed as its director a man named R. A. Torrey, who gave great attention to this subject in his sermons and preached constantly on it. After Moody's preaching, communities were created where people prophesied, spoke in other tongues, performed healings and other miracles, although he did not emphasize this.

Holiness Movement and Keswick Movement

The Keswick "Higher Life" movement, which became widespread thanks to several American preachers of the "saints movement" (H. W. Smith and W. E. Boardman). In speaking of the “second blessing,” they shifted the emphasis from Wesley's “purity of heart” to “empowerment for service,” and they also talked a lot about divine healing as one of the most needed gifts of the church.

The Keswick way of thinking is characterized by the division of believers into “carnal” and “spiritual”, as is done in the Bible with comments by S. Scofield (Scofield Reference Bible). The “carnal” or average Christian does not abide in the power of the Spirit and therefore, living according to the flesh, continually fails in following God’s commandments and living a moral life. Some proponents of the Keswick movement portray the carnal believer as "somewhat Christian." The "spiritual" or normal Christian nevertheless lives in the power of the Spirit, constantly gaining victory. Authoritative Keswick sources claim that they become “spiritual Christians” when, after conversion, the decisive moment of unconditional surrender comes, when believers completely surrender to the power of Christ.

Story

Charles Fox Parham

The immediate beginning of the Pentecostal movement is associated with Charles Parham. He was a priest and, reading Acts, came to the conclusion that Christians had a secret that they had lost. Parham understood perfectly well that one could not find a solution, and it was also impossible for any single person to solve this problem [which?] either. He decided to organize a Bible school, where he should become the director and its student, so that in such a composition he would seek this good. In Topeka, Kansas, he bought the Stone's Folly house and wrote an invitation; and 40 students responded.

In December, Parham had to leave for a conference and gave the students an assignment. Upon his return, he discovered that the school's students, independently reading the book of Acts, came to the same conclusion: in the five cases described in Acts when baptism was first received, speaking in tongues was recorded:

1. On the day of Pentecost

2. In Samaria

3. In Damascus

4. In Caesarea

5. In Ephesus

Parham suggested praying to receive such a baptism from God with the sign of tongues. The next day they prayed all morning in the congregation until noon, and all day there was an atmosphere of anticipation in the mansion. At 7 pm on New Year's Eve 1901, student Agnes Ozman remembered that in some cases described in Acts, hands were laid on those wishing to be baptized.

The date January 1, 1901, thus became one of the dates that Pentecostals consider as one of the key dates in the history of the emergence of their movement. They point to this day as the first, since the days of the early church, when the baptism of the Holy Spirit was demanded and when speaking in tongues was expected as the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. On the night of January 1, 1901, a world-famous service took place at the Bible School in Topeka, Kansas. At this service, school student Angessa Ozman, who believed in her missionary calling and wanted to receive spiritual strength, approached teacher Charles Parham and asked to lay hands on her so that she could receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the sign of tongues. Parham hesitated, telling her that he himself did not speak in tongues. Ozman insisted, and he had no choice but to lay his hands on her head in humility. He later described this incident as follows: “I had barely uttered three dozen sentences when the glory descended on her, a radiance seemed to surround her head and face, and she began to speak in Chinese and could not speak English for three days.”

Waking up on Azusa Street

In 1903, Parham moved to Eldorado Spenes, and a turning point occurred in his ministry. Word spread about him as a selfless person. According to Pentecostals, when he began to preach and pray for the sick, many of them were actually healed. For example, at one of the meetings, a woman named Mary Arthur, who had lost her sight as a result of two operations, began to see after Parham’s prayer.

Five years later, in Houston, Kansas, Parham announced the opening of a second school. William Seymour, an ordained black minister, came to this school. In early 1906, Seymour travels to Los Angeles, where he meets preacher Frank Bartelman, who managed to prepare the way for the coming revival. On April 9, 1906, during one of Seymour’s sermons, those listening began to experience a state called “baptism in the Holy Spirit.” Seymour opens the Apostolic Faith Mission at 312 Azusa Street. This place became the center of the Pentecostal movement for a certain time. The Azusa Street Revival lasted 3 years (1000 days).

The Norwegian clergyman of the Episcopal Methodist Church, Thomas Ball Barat, having become acquainted with Pentecostal teachings in the United States, was baptized in the Holy Spirit. He brought the message of Pentecostalism to Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltic states. Pentecostalism encountered the strongest resistance in Germany. What happened at the meetings of Pentecostal preachers was perceived as the work of Satan, and in response, members of a number of evangelical churches in 1910 drew up the “Berlin Declaration”, which stated that the Pentecostal movement had its origin not in God, but in the devil. It was equated with the occult. Germany was closed to the Pentecostal movement for a long time.

In the 1930s, David Du Plessis (known among like-minded people as "Mr. Pentecost") met with one famous Pentecostal preacher, Smith Wigglesworth, who told him that a powerful revival associated with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit would soon visit the traditional churches, and he would participate in it. In 1948, while Du Plessis was preparing for a Pentecostal conference, his car was hit by a train. He ended up in the hospital, where, according to him, he heard the voice of God: “The time that I spoke about has come. I want you to go to other traditional churches.”

This was the first step towards the emergence of the charismatic movement.

Oneness Pentecostals

Among Christians of various denominations, there are often followers of the doctrine of the uniqueness of God (In short: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit - there are not three different persons, but one God who appeared in the flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:20, 1 - Timothy 3:16)). In the history of Pentecostalism in Russia, there are also believers who agree with this teaching, the so-called “Smorodinians” (from the surname of the community leader, Smorodin). Other names: “Evangelical Christians in the spirit of the apostles”, “Oneness”.

Pentecostal movement in Russia

History of the movement

The first news of the baptism in the Holy Spirit (in the understanding of Pentecostals) penetrated into Russia through Finland and the Baltic states, which were then part of the Russian Empire. The first Pentecostal preachers there were Thomas Baratt (Norway) and Levi Petrus (Sweden). Thomas Baratt, preached in St. Petersburg in 1911. This was the very first wave coming from the north. However, many people associated with this movement, after meeting with Andrew Urshan, a representative of the so-called. "Only Jesus" teachings adopted the Unitarian concept (they did not believe in the Trinity). All people who were baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit they rebaptized “in the Name of the Lord Jesus.” They are known as Oneness, or Evangelical Christians in the Apostolic Spirit.

Further impulse came from the west through the Bible School in Danzig (Germany, Poland). Gustav Schmidt, Arthur Bergholz, Oskar Eske preached in western Ukraine. Schmidt churches still exist there (their peculiarity is that they do not have the ritual of “washing the feet”). This school belongs to the Assembly of God - one of the largest Pentecostal organizations in the world.

The main direction of Pentecostalism in Russia before the collapse of the USSR was associated in origin with the activities of Ivan Voronaev and Vasily Koltovich. Voronaev was born in Russia, but after joining the Baptist Church he was forced to go abroad due to persecution by the Russian Orthodox Church. In the USA, he experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit and in 1919 founded the first Russian Pentecostal church in New York. In 1920 he came to Bulgaria, where in a short time (together with Zaplishny) he founded about 18 communities. In 1924, the Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith already numbered 350 communities and 80 thousand members. On the territory of the USSR, the community of Odessa, where Voronaev began active activities, included approx. 1000 members. In 1929, new legislation on religious associations was adopted, many believers were arrested, and the communities went illegal and continued to meet secretly until the formation of the All-Russian Community of Ethnic Christians and the beginning of registration of autonomous communities.

Current situation

The largest Pentecostal associations in the world - The United Pentecostal Church, The Church of God and The Assemblies of God are located in the USA and Latin America. Currently, 59 Pentecostal denominations and church unions are members of the World Pentecostal Fellowship.

Currently, there are three main associations operating in Russia:

• Russian Church of Christians of the Evangelical Faith (RCCFE)
• United Church of Christians of the Evangelical Faith (UCEC)
• Russian United Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith (ROSHVE)

These three associations have the same historical roots. The division of a single society began in 1944 on the basis of the forced registration of communities and associations together with the All-Union Council of Evangelical Christian Baptists. Communities that did not agree to the new registration conditions continued their activities underground and were therefore subject to persecution (see, in particular, the article Siberian Seven).

There are serious discrepancies in the theological doctrines and practical understanding of Christianity among traditional Pentecostals and charismatics; some of the disagreements are reflected in the articles liberalism in Christianity and conservatism in Christianity.

In 1995, part of the communities led by S.V. Ryakhovsky separated from the OCCHE and the Russian United Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith was created, which became one of the main associations of charismatic churches in Russia.

There is also a Union of Independent Pentecostal Churches and separate independent congregations.

Charismatic Pentecostals are very active in the social sphere. For example, according to an article on the Russian Archipelago website, the Nizhny Novgorod local Church “Loza,” which belongs to the charismatic “branch” of Pentecostalism, provides assistance to orphanages, boarding schools, helps the hematology fund, and conducts children’s camps for everyone.

Restorationism

Among Pentecostals, the sacraments of water baptism and the Lord's Supper (communion or breaking of bread) have a special place. The following rites are also recognized: marriage, blessing of children, prayer for the healing of the sick, laying on of hands, and sometimes washing of feet (during communion).

Throughout its existence, the basis of Pentecostal theology has been the “teaching of piety,” based on the Holy Scriptures, calling followers to a righteous life: abstinence from alcohol, smoking, drugs, gambling, morality in matters of marriage, and hard work.

Traditional conservative Pentecostals do not use weapons against people, except in cases of self-defense in a desperate situation. Some Pentecostals adhere to the doctrine of “non-resistance to evil” and do not take up arms under any circumstances (as they believe, like Christ and the apostles, who died a martyr’s death without using any forceful methods of defense). During the years of persecution in the USSR in the 20th century, many of these Pentecostals were convicted for refusing to take the oath and take up arms (they did not refuse to serve in the army).

Recent years have seen the growth of Pentecostal churches around the world, especially in Asia and Africa.

Background

The Pentecostal movement appeared on the territory of Tsarist Russia in the early years of the 20th century. It appeared as a result of the merger of several earlier movements, but quickly acquired quite characteristic and independent features. Pentecostals themselves have many printed and handwritten documents, and history also suggests that Pentecostal manifestations of the type found in the Acts of the Apostles have occurred continually throughout history.

John Wesley

The beginning of the process that culminated in the emergence of Pentecostalism should be considered the activities of the outstanding 18th century preacher John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church. More precisely, his teaching about inner illumination, spiritual light that comes as a special action of the Holy Spirit.

Charles Finney

The next stage in the prehistory of the Pentecostal movement is associated with the name of the famous 19th century preacher Charles Grandison Finney. He believed at the age of 21 and became known as a preacher of repentance and revival. He preached for 50 years in the USA, England and Scotland and converted thousands of souls to Christ. He argued that a person must experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He had this experience and for the first time truly used this term (“baptism in the Holy Spirit”). Here's how he describes it:

“Clearly and distinctly, surrounded by a wonderful radiance, the image of Jesus Christ clearly appeared before my soul, so that I think that we met face to face. He did not say a word, but looked at me with such a look that I fell to the dust before Him, as if broken, I sank to His feet and cried like a child. How long, bowing, I stood in adoration I don’t know, but as soon as I decided to take a chair near the fireplace and sit down, the Spirit of God poured out on me and pierced me all over; filled spirit, soul and body, although I had never heard of D.’s baptism with the Saint, much less expected it, and did not pray for anything like that.”

Dwight Moody (Moody)

Another person who played a very important role was Dwight L. Moody. Lived in the second half of the 19th century. At the age of 38 he began his first evangelistic campaign. In 71, he began to pray to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and a few days later experienced the desired state.

He founded the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago and appointed as its director a man named R. A. Torrey, who gave great attention to this subject in his sermons and preached constantly on it. After Moody's preaching, communities were created where people prophesied, spoke in other tongues, performed healings and other miracles, although he did not emphasize this.

Holiness Movement and Keswick Movement

Waking up on Azusa Street

In 1903, Parham moved to Eldorado Spenes, and a turning point occurred in his ministry. Word spread about him as a selfless person. According to Pentecostals, when he began to preach and pray for the sick, many of them were actually healed. For example, at one of the meetings, a woman named Mary Arthur, who had lost her sight as a result of two operations, began to see after Parham’s prayer.

Oneness Pentecostals

Among Christians of various denominations, there are often followers of the doctrine of the uniqueness of God (In short: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit - there are not three different persons, but one God who appeared in the flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:20, 1 - Timothy 3:16)). In the history of Pentecostalism in Russia, there are also believers who agree with this teaching, the so-called “Smorodinians” (from the surname of the community leader, Smorodin). Other names: “Evangelical Christians in the spirit of the apostles”, “Oneness”.

Pentecostal movement in Russia

History of the movement

Current situation

The largest Pentecostal associations in the world are the United Pentecostal Church. The United Pentecostal Church), "Church of God" (eng. The Church of God) and the Assemblies of God The Assemblies of God) are located in the USA and Latin America

Currently, there are three main associations operating in Russia:

• Russian Church of Christians of the Evangelical Faith (RCFEC)
• United Church of Christians of the Evangelical Faith (UCFEC)
• (ROSHVE)

These three associations have the same historical roots. The division of a single society began in 1944 on the basis of the forced (by the state authorities) registration of communities and associations with the All-Union Council of Evangelical Christian Baptists (Baptists). Communities that did not agree to the new registration conditions continued their activities underground and were therefore subject to persecution.

There are serious discrepancies in the theological doctrines and practical understanding of Christianity among traditional Pentecostals and charismatics; some of the disagreements are reflected in the articles liberalism in Christianity and conservatism in Christianity.

In 1995, part of the communities led by S.V. Ryakhovsky separated from the OCCHE and the Russian United Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith was created, which became one of the main associations of charismatic churches in Russia.

There is also a Union of Independent Pentecostal Churches and separate independent congregations.

Charismatic Pentecostals are very active in the social sphere. For example, according to an article on the Russian Archipelago website, the Nizhny Novgorod local Church “Loza,” which belongs to the charismatic “branch” of Pentecostalism, provides assistance to orphanages, boarding schools, helps the hematology fund, and conducts children’s camps for everyone. .

see also

• Russian United Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith

Notes

Literature

• Lunkin, R. Pentecostals in Russia: dangers and achievements of “new Christianity”. - In: Religion and Society. Essays on the religious life of modern Russia. Rep. ed. and comp. S. B. Filatov. M.; St. Petersburg, 2001, p. 336-360.
• Lunkin, Roman. PENTECOSTALS IN RUSSIA. 90 years ago, the first Pentecostal churches opened on the territory of modern Russia.
• Lunkin, R. Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement. - In: Modern religious life in Russia. Experience of systematic description. Rep. ed. M. Burdo, S. B. Filatov. T. II. M., Keston Institute - Logos, 2003, 241-387.
• Lunkin, R. Traditional Pentecostals in Russia. - East-West Church & Ministry Report (The Global Center, Samford University), Vol. 12, Summer 2004, No. 3, p. 4-7.
• Löfstedt, T. From Sect to Denomination: The Russian Church of Evangelical Christians. - In: Global Pentecostalism: Encounters with Other Religious Traditions. Ed. by David Westerlund. London, I. B. Tauris, 2009 (Library of Modern Religion Series), 157-178.

Links

• Pentecostal movement in the USSR - V.I. Franchuk “Russia asked the Lord for rain.”
• Conservative Pentecostals of Russia - one of the few sites of registered conservative Pentecostals
• Modern Pentecostals in Russia, the evolution of Pentecostalism. Pentecostal Church in Ivanovo
• Bishop Georgiy Babiy: “God has given Ukraine the opportunity to create a prosperous society” - conversation with a religious scholar

Pentecostals

A movement in Protestantism that arose in the USA in 1901. Pentecostals believe that the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” is necessary, which is expressed in gifts received by the believer. The main gift is speaking in “other” tongues.

Not all believers want to be content with just faith. They want to feel the presence of God in this world, they want constant confirmation of his attention and care. After all, the Holy Scriptures almost all consist of stories about how God spoke to people and helped them. Jesus personally honored many people with him. They saw his miracles, his resurrection.

Why has nothing like this been happening in the world for so long? Maybe because we have forgotten some rules, we behave differently from the inhabitants of Palestine in the 1st century AD. e.? People called Pentecostals are looking for an answer to this question. Moreover, they believe that the problem has already been solved.

The modern Pentecostal movement gives a very precise date for its founding: seven o’clock in the evening on the eve of 1901. This happened in a group of “seekers of apostolic Christianity” and convinced that true Christians are accompanied by the gift of speaking in tongues.

In 1900, a young Methodist minister, Charles Parham (1873–1929), decided that his religious life needed some change. As he read the book of Acts and the Epistles of the Apostle Paul, he compared the weakness of his own ministry with the strength reflected in these books. Where are his converts? Where are his miracles? His healing? Undoubtedly, he told himself, the Christians of the first century possessed some “secret” of power that both he and his church had now lost.

Parham did not discover anything original. He essentially borrowed, only slightly modifying, one of the movements of the Iowa Holiness Association. One of the leaders of the Association was B. Irwin, who announced that he had experienced the third work of the Holy Spirit, which he called “the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire.”

In 1899, Parham, having visited Irwin’s meeting, fell under his influence and subsequently said that he saw a radiance above the head of his idol.

In October 1900, Parham announced to his small following that a deeper and more thorough study of the Bible (which was quite in the spirit of many Protestant denominations of that time) was necessary to obtain the signs of primitive Christianity. To this end, he opens a Bible school in the city of Topeka, which at first consisted of only 30 teachers and students. In these classes, students were led to the conviction that the idea of ​​finding some other, new relationship with the Holy Spirit permeates the entire New Testament, starting with the first chapters of the Gospel.

As you know, at first the Jews believed that John the Baptist was the Messiah they were waiting for. But John said to them: “He who is mightier than I is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It was these words that the school teachers emphasized. In the last days of His ministry, Christ taught a lot about the Holy Spirit, who would be the Comforter of the disciples, supporting them in sorrow, guiding them to the truth. The Holy Spirit will take the place of Christ after His glorious Ascension. Particular attention was paid to what the Savior said before the Ascension: “Wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard from Me, for John baptized with water, and a few days after this you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4-5) .

While studying the issue of baptism, the school's students came to the conclusion that in the five cases described in Acts, baptism was accompanied by glossolalia, that is, speaking in a “different tongue.” First of all, the “researchers” paid attention to the episode described in the “Acts of the Apostles.” It describes how on the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, and they spoke in other tongues, which was perceived as a sign of the need to bring the light of teaching to different peoples. Before this, Pentecostals believed and still believe that the apostles were only purified and prepared “empty vessels.” Now the third and most revered person of the Trinity by Parham's followers - the Holy Spirit - filled them like sacred Oil.

After this, for many evenings they prayed for the sending of the Spirit, but to no avail. And then at about seven o'clock in the evening - it was New Year's Eve (1901) - a young student named Agnes I. Ozmen suddenly said: “Isn’t it true that many of the baptisms described in Acts were accompanied not only by prayer, but also a certain action: did the person offering the prayer lay hands on the person wishing to be baptized?” After which Parham laid hands on the girl, and immediately she spoke in “other” tongues.

Over the next three days, there were numerous “baptisms of the Holy Spirit” in the city of Topeka, each accompanied by speaking in “tongues.” On the third of January, Parham himself received baptism and spoke with twelve other close associates.

The baptism of the Spirit continued to be preached on the streets and in hotels.

The teaching of the founder of Pentecostalism firmly includes the theory that faith is manifested, first of all, in the descent on a Christian of “spiritual gifts,” “signs,” and grace (“charisma”). These gifts include, of course, not only the peculiar “polyglotism” that Pentecostals greatly value, but also the ability to work miracles and heal people. Charles Parham himself received this ability.

In 1903, he arrived in the resort town of Colorado Springs (Colorado), famous for the fact that the waters of the Colorado River help cure many ailments. Undoubtedly, Parham was helped by this general atmosphere of expectation of healing. The preacher invited the sick to his prayer meetings, and many supposedly received relief after this. The rumor that a man had appeared, endowed with extraordinary healing powers, spread throughout the country. Newspapers of the time amplified the news of healings and “powerful in spirit” religious meetings now held by Parham in Galena, Missouri. Here, according to newspaper reports, he healed more than 1,000 people and converted more than 800.

One of the successors of Parham’s work was the black clergyman V. Seymour, who ordained him. In a small church in Los Angeles, the black Baptists he taught in 1906 experienced the obvious presence of the Holy Spirit, spoke in other languages, shook, and made loud speeches. This made a certain impression, especially since stories about the amazing preacher from California were published in newspapers by reporters who were greedy for everything original.

The next wave of Protestant awakening lasted three years. People who experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit came here from all over the country, many of them later became the founders of Pentecostal churches not only in the USA, but also in Scandinavia, England, India, and Chile. This was the beginning of the modern Pentecostal movement.

Literally from the very first years of the emergence of Pentecostalism, the movement began to fragment in the United States into more or less large groups, independent of each other, preaching different forms of communication with the Holy Spirit (but, as a rule, with something else - theft and other ecstatic things). The idea of ​​returning to the spirit of the apostolic church by organizing noisy gatherings became widespread, although everyone understood it differently.

Many of these organizations are now affiliated with various Pentecostal associations and unions. The largest of them is the Assemblies of God association.

It was started by several Pentecostal churches: the Pentecostal Church of God in America, the Pentecostal Holy Church, the Calvary Pentecostal Church, united in the General Council. Subsequently, several more organizations joined them, and in 1914, the Assemblies of God association was founded at the All-American Conference in Hot Springs (South Dakota). Currently, the center of this association is located in Springfield (Missouri), and it unites over two million people. The Assemblies of God are led by a General Council that meets biennially and is presided over by a General Superintendent.

The Assembly of God has 18 periodicals, several colleges and Bible schools, and its missionary activities cover 98 countries. Especially for work in Russia and Eastern Europe in the 20s, the Russian and Eastern European Mission was created in Chicago, which financed and supported the activities of the famous propagandist of Pentecostalism in the USSR I. E. Voronaev.

Another major Pentecostal association is the Church of God, which began as a religious circle formed in 1884 in Ohio, whose members came to the idea of ​​the need to “continue the Reformation.” To achieve this goal, a Christian Union was founded in 1886, which in 1902 received the name Holiness Church.

Five years later, it was renamed the Church of God, based in Cleveland, Tennessee. Its most prominent organizer is A.D. Tomplinson, who in 1908 created the General Administration of the Church of God in the city of Cleveland. Soon Tomplinson, under the influence of a preacher who came from Azusa Street (W. Seymour's church was located there), experienced glossolalia. In 1910, the Declaration of Faith compiled by Tomplinson and R. Sperling was published. Its doctrine is extremely saturated with the ideology of Pentecostalism with its seeking of miracles, healings, and prophecies. Over the decades, the organization has been plagued by numerous schisms, leading to the emergence of separate but related churches.

The Church of God is currently headquartered in Cleveland, Tennessee, and has overseas missions in 54 countries. It has a large college and several preaching schools in the United States. It is headed by the General Assembly, which meets every two years, the recommendations of which are prepared by the General Council of Elders. The Church publishes eight periodicals. Its missionary activities are carried out in 72 countries. The total number of believers reaches 400 thousand people.

In addition to the above-mentioned churches and associations in the United States, there is the Pentecostal Association, the Pentecostal World Assembly, the Pentecostal Holiness Church and others.

The features that divide churches are usually minor. Thus, members of the Pentecostal Church who were baptized by fire are prohibited from carrying weapons. Only adults are baptized. It is prohibited to drink not only alcoholic beverages, but also Coca-Cola, wearing gold jewelry, ties, and certain hairstyles.

There are so-called “Oneness” or “Unitarians” who deny the Trinity and baptize only in the name of “God Jesus Christ.” But most Pentecostals revere the Trinity, although their main character is the Holy Spirit.

There are many Pentecostal churches in the world that especially emphasize their national or racial identity: Spanish, black, etc.

The total number of Pentecostals around the world is growing steadily. If in 1969 there were 30 million of them (including 4 million in the USA), then by 1994 there were already more than 50 million of them.

In their sermons, sectarians place a special emphasis on the presence of the Holy Spirit in the world, and their main dogma is the doctrine of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which must be accompanied by speaking in “other tongues.”

During the service, first of all, “driving” occurs - the community leader introduces the audience into a state of tension. Then his sermon begins to be interrupted by spontaneous shouts, and the singing of hymns occurs, usually with rhythmic choruses, accompanied by clapping of palms to the beat. This is followed by a loud prayer for the descent of the Holy Spirit; a state of trance arises in the hall, accompanied by shouts of “pseudo-verbal structures.”

Here are some examples of glossolalia:

“Amina, supiter, amana... regedigida, treg, regedigida, regedigida... supiter, supiter, aramo... sopo, murmur, karifa...”

It is interesting that despite the fact that speaking other languages ​​is supposedly a “gift”, in Pentecostal churches there are widespread “instructions” on how to prepare oneself for it, what exercises to do for the tongue and voice. Apparently, a person finds himself under strong pressure from the group and from his own expectations and, in order not to disappoint his hopes, he begins by his own efforts to evoke and arouse in himself what, being God's gift, should have come to him as insight. The same probably applies to shaking and loud shouts.

Some church authorities claim that the Holy Spirit can baptize a believer without the sign of tongues, although such are an exceptional minority. It is the Pentecostal doctrine of the baptism in the Holy Spirit that significantly distinguishes them from most Protestant denominations.

Otherwise, it corresponds to the main modern Protestant dogmas. This includes recognition of the exclusive authority of Holy Scripture, and the absence of prayers for the dead, and non-worship of the holy cross and icons, and non-recognition of the legitimate, grace-filled priesthood.

Like some other modern religious formations, Pentecostals seek to restore the spirit of early apostolic Christianity - measured communal life, a constant sense of the presence of God, the expectation of quick salvation and great world cataclysms.

In connection with their reverence for early Christian antiquity, Pentecostals are convinced that man in his communication with God does not need intermediaries in the form of a church with magnificent rituals or ordained confessors. (This is also quite consistent with traditional Protestantism.)

Much attention is paid to stories about the end of the world, the Second Coming, about the constant struggle of evil spirits with good ones, about hellfire.

Pentecostals hold the view that man is essentially sinless and that Christ did not bring salvation to all mankind. Accordingly, the salvation of each individual depends on the condescension of charisma, spiritual signs and decent behavior in general.

Pentecostals really try to lead a highly moral lifestyle, not use tobacco and alcohol, not commit any violence (and therefore oppose wars), and work hard.

On the first Sunday of every month, adherents of Pentecostalism perform the breaking of bread, which for them is only a memory of the Last Supper. Believers are offered a piece of bread from a tray and a sip of wine from a cup. Before the Lord's Supper, the ritual of washing the feet is performed. This is given great importance, since it is believed that breaking bread without washing the feet cannot be a full fulfillment of what the Savior commanded. Typically, foot washing occurs at the end of the service. Believers - men - in one room, women - in another - gather in pairs, and one washes the other's feet in basins with warm water.

What remains is the rite of water baptism, which is, as it were, a visible evidence of acceptance into the church. Small children are not baptized, but are brought into the congregation for blessing.

Sectarians practice various forms of repentance. General repentance - before the breaking of bread - is performed irregularly. Honest - in front of the entire community. There is also repentance before the elder and before each other. One who has repented before the members of the local church is considered accepted into the community, but this is not enough to participate in the breaking of bread - water baptism is also required. For future spouses, a wedding ceremony is obligatory - in the form of a prayerful farewell from the community. Pentecostals do not have the best attitude towards marriage with non-believers.

Almost all Pentecostals (except for Sabbath-keepers - these, like Adventists, keep the commandment and remember the corresponding day) consider Sunday as a day of rest. On this day, all believers gather for prayer meetings, where prayers are often performed in “other” languages. There are areas where they pray only in “other tongues” and articulate speech can only be heard in the preaching of the Word of God.

Pentecostals in Russia celebrate church holidays according to the old style. These include: the Nativity of Christ, the Baptism of the Lord, the Presentation of the Lord, the Annunciation, the Transfiguration of the Lord. Pentecostals always celebrate Easter on Friday of Holy Week (according to the Orthodox calendar). The holidays of the Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost coincide with the days of Orthodox celebrations.

Each community is headed by a fraternal council, headed by a church elder, and the communities are united into so-called districts. The district is headed by a senior presbyter.

In the Russian Empire, the first Pentecostal preachers appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. And first of all, as often happened with Protestant denominations, in Finland. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was preached by the Methodist pastor from Norway T. Barat in 1907, who came to Russia with his sermon. Here this teaching found new adherents among evangelical Christians, Baptists, Adventists and other sects.

One of the first Russian preachers of the baptism in the Holy Spirit were A. I. Ivanov and N. P. Smorodin. In the literature, adherents of this direction of Pentecostalism were also called currants. According to Ivanov, he began to preach the baptism of the Holy Spirit among evangelical Christians in 1910, and three years after communicating with the missionary Urshan (by the way, who adheres to the concept Jesus only -"Jesus alone") became a Pentecostal.

The Helsingfors Police Department preserved descriptions of prayer meetings led by Ivanov. During the meetings, some participants, under the influence of Ivanov’s personality, “fell into hysterics, shook, and screamed, as if prophesying in an incomprehensible language. They all explained this condition as an undoubted result of the influence of the Holy Spirit.”

Then the Oneness Pentecostals began vigorous activity in the Novgorod, Vyatka, and Moscow provinces. They preached not only among Baptists and Evangelical Christians, but also among Molokans, Doukhobors, Khlysty and Skoptsy, who believed in the “influx of the Holy Spirit” and often invoked it at their meetings.

During the First World War, Ivanov was imprisoned for promoting anti-war sentiments, and in 1918 he already received permission from the Soviet government for official activities. The Smorodinians called themselves “Evangelical Christians in the spirit of the apostles.” Their main difference was faith in one God, Jesus Christ, and baptism in his name.

However, Christians of the evangelical faith and their leader I. Voronaev (real name Cheprasov) gained much greater popularity in Russia and Ukraine. He was born in the Urals and served near Orenburg. The future leader of the Christians of the Evangelical Faith (EBC) deserted the army and joined the Siberian Baptists, then left the country, preached among the Russians in California, then converted to Pentecostalism and entered one of the Assemblies of God churches.

In 1921, I. E. Voronaev arrived in Odessa and founded the first Pentecostal prayer house here. Letters were sent from Odessa throughout Ukraine with the news that in the south of Ukraine “the fire of God’s love had flared up.” Baptists and evangelical Christians came here to Odessa to answer this call, and Pentecostals returned back to preach.

Soon communities of Voronaevites are established not only in the Khmelnitsky, Kyiv, Poltava regions, but also far beyond the borders of Ukraine - in the Urals, Central Asia, and Siberia. In 1926, at the First All-Ukrainian Congress of Pentecostals, the Regional Union of Odessa was renamed into the All-Ukrainian Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith. Over the five years of its existence, the Pentecostal community in Odessa grew to 400 people; in total, the HEV Union by 1927 numbered over 350 communities with more than 17 thousand parishioners.

In 1928, the attitude of the Soviet government towards religious associations became sharply intolerant. In response, Voronaev and his associates supplement their doctrinal dogma with the doctrine of baptism by suffering. The print organ of KHEV, the Evangelist magazine, published with a circulation of three thousand in 1928, constantly reminded of the need to humbly bear the cross of patience, abstinence, and humiliation.

Since the late 1920s, HEV has been going illegal. In 1929, new legislation on religious cults was applied to Pentecostals, which came into force at the end of 1928. The houses of worship of sectarians were closed everywhere. It was dangerous to gather illegally. In 1930, Voronaev and many of his like-minded people were arrested.

There were other Pentecostal sects in the Soviet Union. These are Christians of the evangelical faith - Schmidtites who operated in Western Ukraine; Evangelical Christians, Pentecostal Zionists - Leontyevites, Evangelical Christians, Holy Zionists - Murashkovites, etc.

From the 30s to the 80s of the last century, Pentecostals were subjected to quite severe persecution by the authorities. This was expressed in an extremely negative attitude towards Pentecostal children at school, towards young men in the army, during admission to universities and at work. Pentecostals were accused of anti-Soviet propaganda and discrediting ties with the West. This was the reason for the mass movement of Pentecostals for permission to travel abroad in the 70s. In this struggle, Pentecostals actively collaborated with well-known Soviet dissidents and human rights activists. The situation changed during the perestroika years.

On March 27, 1991, the Church of the Union of Orthodox Christians of Russia was registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation (over 100 thousand registered adherents of the Church, more than 600 communities). The national composition of the Union of HVEs of Russia: Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians and representatives of more than 100 other nationalities of Russia. There are communities in all 78 constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

In March 1991, a congress of Pentecostals took place in Moscow. At it, the Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals) of the USSR was formed, a Presidium of 13 people was elected, republican Councils, regional Councils and the Union Council of senior elders were formed. In 1994, the Union was transformed into the Eurasian Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith, registered by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. The declared purpose of the Union is to communicate its understanding of the Gospel to all nations in their own language.

The Union owns theological educational institutions: Moscow Theological Institute, Irkutsk Theological Institute, Bible schools in the regions. The following magazines are published: “Reconciliator”, “With Faith, Hope, Love”. SHVE has a united editorial office of Christian radio and television programs.

Certain basic principles of Pentecostalism - and, above all, their practice of the condescension of the Holy Spirit - gave rise in the second half of the last century to a powerful neo-Pentecostal, or charismatic, movement. In the 60s, organizations appeared in the United States that sought to develop the doctrine of charisma beyond all possible limits. Many Catholics and Protestants, including former traditional Pentecostals, join this movement. This movement was perceived by official Catholicism as a renewal, a revival of the church.

Three theological universities become the center for preaching the charismatic revival of Catholics: Duquessey (Pennsylvania), Notre Dame (Indiana), Loyola (California). From here, theological developments are spreading, in which linguistics is “scientifically” substantiated among the Catholic clergy and ordinary parishioners. In the 1970s, there were 203 charismatic Catholic groups in the United States.

However, the movement was not limited to Catholicism. In general, it had a completely different, ecumenical orientation (that is, it claimed to be the next unifier of believers of all congregations). In this regard, Christian norms are eroded, the Bible fades into the background - the practice of spiritual gifts comes to the fore.

In addition to traditional linguistics, neo-Pentecostalism practices many other ecstatic actions: “Toronto theology” - laughter, “prayers of birth pangs” - convulsions, “surrender in spirit” - fainting; tears, jumping, hiccups, etc., etc.

In neo-Pentecostal movements, adoration of the pastor, noisy meetings in large halls, and a claim to the exclusivity of their own church are common.

A number of similar charismatic organizations are being created in the USA: the Body of Christ movement, the United Evangelical Church, the World United Revival, the Universal Church, the Mystical Body, etc.

By the beginning of the 1980s, there were 16 thousand charismatic groups around the world.

In the USSR, the first neo-Pentecostal groups appeared in the Baltic states. There, in 1989, the Christian-charismatic church “New Generation” began to operate. A year later, the Christian-charismatic church “Word of Life” arose in Ukraine with its center in Donetsk, and “Good News” appeared in Moscow. Such churches also include the “Faith Movement”, “New Generation Church”, “Living Faith”, “Living Water”.

The patron of new charismatic groups is primarily the Russian Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith (“Church of God”). In addition to such usual activities as organizing communities, drug addiction help centers, etc., neo-Pentecostals also organize mass meetings with foreign preachers. At such events, an upbeat atmosphere reigns, people are healed on stage, the audience enters into religious ecstasy, accompanied by the usual glossolalia, crying, screaming, body movements, etc.

Preacher Benny Hill, invited by the Russian Agricultural Society, spoke in Moscow. In his speech, he said, in particular: “When I come down from this platform, the anointing remains at the top. Usually it leaves me when I go down the steps: sometimes on the first, sometimes on the third. But on the last step he is definitely no longer with me. And my employees pester: “Lay your hands on this woman, pray for her.” It can be very difficult to refuse, and of course I lay hands and pray. But they just can’t understand that it’s all over, and nothing will happen this time...”

Indeed, it’s time to understand that a stage is a stage.

From the book The Double-Edged Sword. Notes on Sectology author Chernyshev Viktor Mikhailovich

Pentecostals The concept and acceptance of charismatic (charisma is the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit) revival is necessarily inherent in Christians of the evangelical faith. It is this feature of doctrine that distinguishes Pentecostals from other Protestant denominations.

From the book The Orthodox World and Freemasonry author Ivanov Vasily Fedorovich

Pentecostals The birthplace of another sect, Pentecostals, is America. There, in 1906, in the month of April, in Los Angeles, a group of black Baptists was seized by some kind of excitement, expressed in a strange monosyllabic muttering, trembling of the whole body and convulsive

From the book The Invasion of Anti-Cultism into State-Religious Relations in Modern Russia author Ivanenko Sergey Igorevich

Pentecostal Christians as one of the main targets of anti-cultists One of the most serious dangers for the Orthodox Church and society, according to anti-cultists, is the so-called “neo-Pentecostalism.” It should be clarified that Christians of the Evangelical Faith

Baptists, like Pentecostals and charismatics, confess Jesus Christ as Lord God. Jehovah's Witnesses do not.
Baptists do not accept the teaching of Pentecostals and Charismatics about the gifts of the Holy Spirit that the church can have them in our time. Baptists hold the view that gifts were needed only at first.
Between Baptists and Charismatics, Baptists adhere to more holiness and righteousness. Charismatics place more emphasis on noisily glorifying God, even dancing and using gifts in service.
There is a difference between Baptists and Pentecostals in the doctrine of the baptism in the Holy Spirit and in the perception of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise there is no particular disagreement.
There are huge differences between Baptists and SI. Baptists consider the teaching of SI to be heretical. And the SI consider the Baptists and everyone else Babylon to be a harlot.
As a denomination, Baptists adhere to compulsory baptism by immersion in water at a conscious age. Hence the name Baptistism - I immerse in water.
And so the name is...

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How did “Baptists” and “Pentecostals” originate, and what are the main differences between them?
Answered by Vasily Yunak, 06/11/2007

3.181. Albina...

I would like to know what is the main difference between Baptists, Pentecostals and charismatics. By what criteria do you classify a church and its members as one of these Protestant denominations? Only by name - ECB, HVE...? And if you don’t know the name, then what?

By teaching? Baptists - from the word "baptizo" - means they recognize water baptism at a conscious age with complete immersion in water? So it seems that both Pentecostals and charismatics recognize... And charismatics - from the word “charisma” - the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Likewise, Pentecostals also believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. And everyone recognizes Pentecost, according to Scripture...

Do Charismatics Pray in Tongues? Pentecostals pray the same way. And I also know Baptists who recognize tongues... Baptist women in headscarves? So it is with Pentecostals too, although not with all of them. Baptists sing from the “Song of the Revival” collections, and charismatics with guitars and drums? So the Pentecostals also use collections... although there are those who also use drums. Baptists...

BAPTISTS, ADVENTISTS, PENTECOSTALS AND JEHOVISTS

Baptists (from the Greek “to immerse, to baptize”) are a Protestant denomination formed at the beginning of the 17th century, proclaiming the priority of Holy Scripture over the authority of the Church and rejecting historically established church rites and traditions. The Baptist movement appeared independently in different countries. At the end of the 16th century. J. Smith, T. Halwys and others, having left the Church of England, organized an independent religious group, which, through studying the Bible, came to the conviction of the need for baptism in adulthood through a profession of faith and sprinkling with water (without immersion). In 1609, J. Smith baptized himself and 31 others. This group was called "General Baptists" because... its members preached universal salvation in Christ. In 1616, independently of her, a group of “particular Baptists” was formed, whose members believed that only a few would be saved. Particular Baptists also advocated conscious baptism (but, unlike general...

Pentecostals and Baptists: unification and disunion

After the war, Pentecostal leaders began to petition the authorities to give them the opportunity to restore their union and register communities, but they were refused. There was one last chance left - to unite with Evangelical Christians - Baptists.

Pentecostals were no different from Baptists and Evangelical Christians in matters of faith, although they placed great emphasis on the Holy Spirit, which helped maintain their strength and opportunities for preaching. As has already been emphasized, Pentecostals believed that glossolalia, as well as other gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as the gift of healing.

Soon, in 1945, the leaders of the Pentecostals entered into the so-called August Agreement on unification with the Evangelical Christians-Baptists. The document noted that in their dogma and order of worship, the Yin Pentecostals were very akin to the current before...

Baptism (from the Greek “baptizo” - to immerse, to baptize in water) is the most widespread Protestant denomination in Ukraine. The name refers to the Baptists' practice of baptism in adulthood through complete immersion of the baptized person and emphasizes the difference between Baptists and Christian movements that practice infant baptism.

Creed

The foundation and criterion of faith and life of Baptists, the source of their theology is the Word of God - the Bible. In this case, the Word of God refers to the 66 Divinely inspired books of the Bible, which are the first canonical in Orthodoxy. Personal study of the Bible and fulfillment of the commandments of Christ, according to the faith of Baptists, is the only true way to know God.

The doctrine of God, like that of most Protestants, corresponds to the traditional Christian understanding, which developed in the IV-VI centuries. Baptists profess the trinity of God the Father...

Please write about Pentecostals - who are they and why does the world believe that they are Satanists, like Jehovah's Witnesses? What religion are they? Because they do not believe in the cross, do not have holy water, icons, and have changed the Bible. How can you not believe in the cross? If they do not believe in the cross, then they do not believe in Jesus Christ, but mock Him? Shame, only now has God opened my eyes to the truth.

It is not true that Pentecostals and Jehovah's Witnesses are Satanists. These are lies spread by “foolish and ignorant men,” as the Scriptures say. And what’s even worse is that they put Pentecostals and Jehovah’s Witnesses, or Jehovah’s Witnesses, as people call them, in this category. In the article “What is the difference between a Baptist church and a Pentecostal one?” I introduced who Pentecostals are and I think this will shed some light on the question you are asking.

The world makes no difference between Baptists, Pentecostals, Jehovah's Witnesses and other denominations, but the difference is very great. Baptists and Pentecostals believe in...

Lawrence A. Justice

Translation by Vadim Getman. Source

Most of us were shocked and then deeply disappointed when we heard that James Robinson, a Southern Baptist evangelist, was now a Pentecostal. Many churches have experienced difficulties in recent years due to the intrusion of these views. This has now become a serious problem that can no longer be ignored.

Nowadays there are many churches in almost all countries - churches that remain Baptist in name, but in reality have become Pentecostal. Such churches cannot be called honest because, not being Baptists, they continue to call themselves such, and also because they illegally use the property and everything that was acquired by the painstaking work of Baptists over many years.

But rather than discuss in this article the behavior of Baptist churches mired in this error, I believe it would be more useful for us to address...

It is not known for certain when exactly Pentecostals appeared. Who are they? Where does this strange name come from? Many people ask these questions. Are these ordinary Christians or sectarians whose teachings differ from the dogmas of Orthodoxy that are familiar to us? Let's try to figure this out.

Who are Pentecostals?

Christians of the evangelical faith—that’s what Pentecostals were called in Russia. If we give a precise definition, we can say that this is a Christian sect that arose in the USA in the 20th century. In their doctrine, Pentecostals proceed from a myth taken from the Gospel. It talks about “the descent of the spirit from above upon the apostles” 50 days after Easter. Pentecostals talk about him in their sermons. The faith of people of this religious movement is based on the postulates of man’s sinfulness and his salvation through the descent to earth of the Holy Spirit. What is important for ministry? Personal faith, devotion to teaching and complete renunciation of all earthly goods. Often at collective prayers organized...

Pentecostalism (the name comes from the day of Pentecost - the Old Testament holiday, when on the 50th day after Easter the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles took place (Acts chapter 2 in the Bible), is a Protestant religious movement that arose at the end of the 19th century.

The theology of the Church of Christians of the Evangelical Faith - Pentecostals, like the doctrines of other evangelical churches, is based on the main principle of Protestantism, clearly formulated by Martin Luther: “Scripture alone.” Therefore, the basis of the spiritual life of the Christian Church is the Holy Bible. Declaring that the Word of God is available for reading and study by every person, pastors and preachers call on all believers to independently read and study the Holy Scriptures, believe in them and in practical life live in full agreement and harmony with the gospel norms, relying on the words of Jesus Christ: “ If you love Me, keep My...

Pentecostals and Baptists: unification and disunion

After the war, Pentecostal leaders began to petition the authorities to give them the opportunity to restore their union and register communities, but they were refused. The last chance remained - to unite with the Evangelical Christians - the Baptists.

Pentecostals were no different from Baptists and Evangelical Christians in matters of faith, although they placed great emphasis on the Holy Spirit, which helped maintain their strength and ability to preach. As already emphasized, Pentecostals believed that glosolalia, as well as other gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as the gift of healing, were clear evidence of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

Soon, in 1945, Pentecostal leaders entered into the so-called August Agreement of Union with the Evangelical Christian Baptists. The document noted that in its dogma and order of worship, Pentecostals “are very akin to the movement before...

On the polemic between Orthodox Christians and Pentecostals

The history of the Pentecostal movement is well known today. Its main milestones are as follows. At the end of the 19th century. In the city of Topeka (Kansas), the Methodist preacher Charles Parham, who led the local Bible school, was famous. He gave the school students the task in his absence to find signs of true spiritual baptism in the New Testament. They came to the conclusion that evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4), a miracle that first occurred on the 50th day after Easter, at the moment of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles (hence the name of this church). After some time, 18-year-old student of this school, Agnes Ozman, received spiritual baptism based on the research of the students of the Bible school. On January 1, 1901, at 11 o’clock in the evening, she, “at the prompting of her heart,” asked to lay hands on her in order to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. After this, she began to speak in new tongues and praise the Lord, claiming that from her...

The story of a former Pentecostal woman

The story of a former Pentecostal woman

This story was not written to condemn sectarians, but to provide food for discussion of their way of life. This is just a warning, a reason to think about it. After all, my story is typical exactly as much as it is natural for any person who grew up in the darkness of religious ignorance to want to learn more about God and become closer to Him. After all, the path leading to a sect (as well as to an Orthodox church) is laid in childhood.

I went through the inevitable fascination for the late 80s with UFOs, anomalous “zones,” bioenergy, “contactors,” Kashpirovsky, etc. Such omnivorousness led to the fact that, instead of the Bible, the first books from which I gleaned information about God were Hare Krishna literature, full of assurances of the truth of this religion.

At that age when maximalism is the main character trait, I was honored with vague UFO phenomena and contact with the so-called...

Protestantism in Russia is one of the directions of Christianity in the country. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2010 there were 2.56 million Protestants in Russia. Russian religious scholar Roman Lunkin, based on field research and data from Protestant churches, reports 3 million Protestants in Russia in 2014. There are approx. 10 thousand Protestant parishes; however, only 4.4 thousand of them are officially registered by the Ministry of Justice.

Over half of Russian Protestants are Pentecostals and neo-Pentecostals (more than 1.5 million believers). Other major Protestant denominations, numbering tens of thousands of believers each, are Lutherans, Baptists, Adventists and Evangelical Christians. The country also has communities of Methodists, Presbyterians, Reformers, Mennonites, Anglicans, the Salvation Army, Perfectionists, Restorationists, Quakers, and others.

By ethnicity, the majority of Russian Protestants are Russians (79%)….

INTRODUCTION

A story about such widespread religious movements as CATHOLICISM and BAPTISM (BAPTISM - hereinafter referred to as the religious movement of Evangelical Christian Baptists) seems impossible without a general description of CHRISTIANITY as one of the three main world religions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism.

Despite the apparent closeness of the various currents of CHRISTIANITY as a world religion at first glance, the followers of each branch so zealously defend the “correctness” and “purity” of their teachings that in the past, and even now, this has led to religious wars both with “dissidents” (for example, The Crusades in the Middle Ages - in the past, an attempt by certain forces of the Muslim clergy to present the war in the Chechen Republic as a holy war, “gazavat”, “against the infidels” - now), and the bloodiest events within religious confessions - just remember, for example, the so-called St. Bartholomew's Night, the Crusade against the Cathars or what...

Late Protestantism: Baptism, Adventism, Pentecostals, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc. - section Religion, Subject and structure of religious studies Baptistism (From Greek...

Over the two thousand years of its existence, Christianity has split into a large number of denominations, each of which calls itself a “church.” But in relation to competitors, different names are used. The attitude towards Baptists in Orthodoxy is clear: this is not a church, but one of the Protestant sects. However, the number of believers - more than forty million - casts doubt on whether this is really the case. How do Baptists differ from Orthodox Christians, and to what extent did these differences cause such an attitude towards them?

Where did Baptists come from?

The powerful Reformation movement in the 16th century marked the beginning of such a phenomenon as Protestantism. Catholicism, which had previously almost completely dominated the minds of Europeans, was forced to make room. Almost simultaneously the following Protestant movements arose:

Lutheranism; Calvinism; Zwinglianism; some smaller currents.

The first Baptists appeared a little later, at the very beginning of the 17th century. In 1609 in England there was...

Chapter III. Distinctive features of Pentecostal doctrine

3.1 Born again

The Pentecostal doctrine of being “born again” was a reaction to the Calvinist doctrine of absolute predestination. Calvinists believe that every person is obviously doomed or predestined to one or another state in eternity. In their opinion, Christ did not save the whole world, but only those who were destined for salvation. And no matter what happens to these initially destined for salvation, no matter what terrible sin they commit, in the end they will still be saved.

Pentecostals, on the contrary, insist that Jesus Christ atoned for the sins of all mankind with His blood. His atoning sacrifice applies to all people, and in order to be saved, it is enough to repent of sins and personally come to Christ.

Salvation is achieved through repentance. A repentant person—“born again”—is, from their point of view, already saved. "Being born again" is associated with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which...

Orthodox Christianity is the leading religion in the post-Soviet countries. In recent decades, various sects and confessions have begun to openly declare themselves. One of these movements is Pentecostals. Who are they and what religion do they preach?

The Pentecostal Church is a religious organization of evangelical Christians. It is based on the teaching set forth in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, on the fiftieth day, the Holy Spirit descended on the twelve apostles in the form of tongues of flame, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and for the first time began to speak in other tongues, having received the gift of prophecy, they began to preach the Good News to all nations.

Currently, Pentecostal Christians number from 450 to 600 million people. This is the largest Protestant denomination, which ranks second in number among all Christians. There is no single Pentecostal congregation; there are many local churches and associations.

Pentecostals - who are they...

We present a very useful article for an Orthodox Christian describing the worldview and heresies contained in the teachings of Baptists. The work of the Old Believer reciter Trofim Sergeevich Tulupov, who lived at the beginning of the twentieth century, has not lost any relevance today.
This material will be a useful tool both for understanding the differences in the views of Baptists and for mastering the foundations of Orthodoxy through simple and clear contrasts.

“The tempting side of sectarian teaching is the easy achievement of a person’s salvation through faith: “Believe in Christ and you will be saved,” say the sectarians. Salvation without any feat - labor. Isn't this tempting? – especially for our modern youth"