|
The Former and Latter Rains
In the early 1900's a major division took place in the Church,
which would have lasting consequences. Some have called this “the Great Divorce.” It was the time when a mighty
revival was poured out with the Topeka and Azusa Street movements, which would spread around the globe with unprecedented
speed. Sadly, it was also the time when many Holiness churches quit referring to themselves as “Pentecostal.”
In essence, those who sought to be “Spirit-filled” Christians were split between two camps: one which put more
emphasis on the personal, sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost – and another which focused on supernatural gifts that
empowered men for ministry. Holiness people stated that God's cleansing and conviction of the heart were more important than
any phenomenal sign or wonder, while the Pentecostals said that the infilling of the Holy Spirit was marked by such ecstatic
manifestations...continue here.
|
