Pentakostalism

Pentecostalism is a renewal movement within Protestant Christianity that emphasizes the direct personal experience of God through the baptism with the Holy Spirit. This experience is often associated with the spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament, such as speaking in tongues (glossolalia), divine healing, and prophecy. Pentecostalism traces its roots to the early 20th century, with key events like the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles beginning in 1906 often cited as its birthplace.

Adherents believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still active and available to Christians today, just as they were in the time of the apostles. Worship services in Pentecostal churches are typically characterized by lively music, fervent prayer, spontaneous expressions of faith, and an emphasis on biblical preaching. The movement has grown rapidly since its inception and is now a global phenomenon, with significant populations in North America, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Theologically, Pentecostalism shares many core beliefs with other Protestant denominations, including the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus Christ, salvation through faith in Jesus, and the inspiration of the Bible. However, its distinctive emphasis on the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a distinct experience subsequent to conversion, and the practice of spiritual gifts, sets it apart. Various Pentecostal denominations and independent churches exist, each with its own organizational structures and specific interpretations, but united by these central tenets.