Pentecostal movement

Christian revivalist movement inspired by the experience of the apostles after the resurrection of Jesus, when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit and able to speak in tongues. The Pentecostal movement represents a reaction against the rigid theology and formal worship of traditional churches. It originated in the USA in 1906.

Pentecostalists believe in the literal word of the Bible and practise charismatic worship, emphasizing the gift of the Holy Spirit. Adult members are expected to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, enabling faith healing and speaking in tongues (glossolalia) to occur as fulfilment of the words found in 1 Corinthians 12:10. Services are informal and uninhibited, with gospel music and exclamations of ‘Hallelujah’.