I love William J. Seymour. Parham the KKK supporter and "inter-racial marriage is what caused the flood" not at all. It would also be considerate to believe that Seymour got more wise with time. His view of "initial evidence" was broader later on (especially when he saw other "tongue-speaking" [white] pastors posture themselves with intentions of attempted Azusa coups and so forth) β¦to that of being the evidence of brotherly love "they will know you are Christians by your love for one another." "And gathered in one accord/unity in/by/through The Spirit" Parham always believed and taught that "tongues" were always known languages such as on the Day of Pentecost. Other founding members in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (such as F.F Bosworth etc.) resigned when the denomination later took up the doctrine of "tongues [only] as the initial evidence." I should also point out upstairs at Azusa in their "Upper Room" converted people were encouraged to "tarry" for 1. Sanctification and 2. God's Seal Upon A Sanctified Life (The Baptism in/by The Holy Spirit). Both were evidently experiential and applied and not merely something assumed by faith.(**) And there in that upper room prayer room there was a sign "no talking above a whisper."Β
Downstairs in the meeting room people met in Quaker-style silent "waiting upon God." The point being one of meeting together with God and NOT to have a church service. The chairs also were NOT arranged facing one direction for one speaker but also in a square "Quaker style" -facing one another as sharing, testimonials, praying for one another was encouraged. THEY HAS AN OPEN MIC POLICY (cf. 1 Cor. 12-14/NT era synagogues too). It was not thought or taught that God speaks only through the pope from his chair or the protestant priest from his pulpit. Newcomers had no idea if anyone lead the meeting (God led the meeting). Seymour had no intention of being the Head of the church. He often spent his time with his head buried in a crate in prayer or in worship. But in elder-like fashion he would exercise discernment to get the meeting back on track (and the people's focus on God) were it to veer off. I would also point out that hypnotists and spiritualists would crash the meetings to try their influence there. This was known now as occurring 120+ years ago. And today? Who would dare to entertain the possibility of a stage hypnotist on the platform or behind the pulpit? The Pentecostals did then.Β
Many today want to get all sentimental and claim Azusa as some sort of lineage while their "Pentecostal" denominations and local congregations would NEVER dare to allow The Body to function when gathered. In addition to deep conviction in their meetings ALL genuine revivals of past church history did allow this!! Spiritual gifts functioned largely unhindered in the congregations up until the time of Constantine when those meetings were replaced by regulated "church services" presided over by one person. The intimate-family gathering was replaced by one held in designated temple or stadium-sized pagan temple which was generously donated to them for their use. God wants to dwell in individuals and be at work in the congregations when they gather. Azusa was an example of this where the building built by hands, schemes, programs and services mattered not at all but the meeting together with God where the Body in turn functioned meant β EVERYTHING. With their default to Tradition elevated to what would and should be Biblical in Practise it is clear to me that this expression of the kingdom of God will never be revisited in the current Pentecostal denominations where one person is more important than The Bodyβ¦. and where The Body is not at all discerned.
(**) We see many examples where sanctification is thought to be (like justification) assumed by faith rather than applied β whether among Word of Faith people, other William Durham "finished work" people or among Charismatics where it is not even taught. The many public crashes into immorality by "leaders" illustrates this blind spot that should be addressed.
I love William J. Seymour. Parham the KKK supporter and "inter-racial marriage is what caused the flood" not at all. It would also be considerate to believe that Seymour got more wise with time. His view of "initial evidence" was broader later on (especially when he saw other "tongue-speaking" [white] pastors posture themselves with intentions of attempted Azusa coups and so forth) β¦to that of being the evidence of brotherly love "they will know you are Christians by your love for one another." "And gathered in one accord/unity in/by/through The Spirit" Parham always believed and taught that "tongues" were always known languages such as on the Day of Pentecost. Other founding members in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (such as F.F Bosworth etc.) resigned when the denomination later took up the doctrine of "tongues [only] as the initial evidence." I should also point out upstairs at Azusa in their "Upper Room" converted people were encouraged to "tarry" for 1. Sanctification and 2. God's Seal Upon A Sanctified Life (The Baptism in/by The Holy Spirit). Both were evidently experiential and applied and not merely something assumed by faith.(**) And there in that upper room prayer room there was a sign "no talking above a whisper."Β
Downstairs in the meeting room people met in Quaker-style silent "waiting upon God." The point being one of meeting together with God and NOT to have a church service. The chairs also were NOT arranged facing one direction for one speaker but also in a square "Quaker style" -facing one another as sharing, testimonials, praying for one another was encouraged. THEY HAS AN OPEN MIC POLICY (cf. 1 Cor. 12-14/NT era synagogues too). It was not thought or taught that God speaks only through the pope from his chair or the protestant priest from his pulpit. Newcomers had no idea if anyone lead the meeting (God led the meeting). Seymour had no intention of being the Head of the church. He often spent his time with his head buried in a crate in prayer or in worship. But in elder-like fashion he would exercise discernment to get the meeting back on track (and the people's focus on God) were it to veer off. I would also point out that hypnotists and spiritualists would crash the meetings to try their influence there. This was known now as occurring 120+ years ago. And today? Who would dare to entertain the possibility of a stage hypnotist on the platform or behind the pulpit? The Pentecostals did then.Β
Many today want to get all sentimental and claim Azusa as some sort of lineage while their "Pentecostal" denominations and local congregations would NEVER dare to allow The Body to function when gathered. In addition to deep conviction in their meetings ALL genuine revivals of past church history did allow this!! Spiritual gifts functioned largely unhindered in the congregations up until the time of Constantine when those meetings were replaced by regulated "church services" presided over by one person. The intimate-family gathering was replaced by one held in designated temple or stadium-sized pagan temple which was generously donated to them for their use. God wants to dwell in individuals and be at work in the congregations when they gather. Azusa was an example of this where the building built by hands, schemes, programs and services mattered not at all but the meeting together with God where the Body in turn functioned meant β EVERYTHING. With their default to Tradition elevated to what would and should be Biblical in Practise it is clear to me that this expression of the kingdom of God will never be revisited in the current Pentecostal denominations where one person is more important than The Bodyβ¦. and where The Body is not at all discerned.
(**) We see many examples where sanctification is thought to be (like justification) assumed by faith rather than applied β whether among Word of Faith people, other William Durham "finished work" people or among Charismatics where it is not even taught. The many public crashes into immorality by "leaders" illustrates this blind spot that should be addressed.
More Grace
Glory be to God
Shalom β€οΈβπ₯β€οΈβπ₯π₯π¦π¦π¦π¦
Yes we want the RIVERS OF LIVING WATERS π¦π¦π¦π¦ππ½ππ½ππ½ππ½
So true ππ½ππ½
Amen ππ½
I receive it in Jesus name amen
Yes and Amen!
Amen!ππΎ
So REAL β£οΈπβ£οΈπβ£οΈππ₯³π₯³π₯³π₯³