Penticostalism in Nigeria: A Socio-Religious Perspective

Abstract

Pentecostalism began in the early 1900 in America, Spirit manifestation was witnessed among the members. Spirit manifestation has been witnessed in Jewish- Christian religion since ancient time or Old Testament. The word ‘Pentecost’ was first used in Exodus 23:16, it referred to Hebrew feast, an agricultural festival of thanksgiving at the end of Harvest. The Hebrews observed the feast as a commemoration of the covenant at Sinai. In Acts 2:1-4 the Jews and foreign Jews were celebrating this feast when the Holy Spirit manifested in their midst with extra-ordinary signs. This was interpreted as the fulfillment of the promise of Jesus in Acts 1:8. The holiness preachers Charles Parham and William Seymour are credited as co- founder of the Pentecostal movement. In January 1, 1901 Parham opened Bethel Bible College in Topeka, Kansas, where he taught students that witnessed the initial evidence. Miss Agnes Ozman was the first to experience the Holy Spirit manifestation after the laying on of hands by the pastor C. Parham ( Wikipedia). Reports of speaking in tongues, miraculous healings and people converted as the Holy Spirit ‘fell on them’ as they entered the Church, spread across the USA and into Europe (Howard, 1997:8). It was after its taking root in America and Europe that it was introduced to Africa and Nigeria in particular. The method adopted in this paper is library research and experience from many years of teaching this aspect of Church history.

Keywords: Penticostalism, Fundamentalism, Faith Healing, Holy Spirit, Charismatic Movement