Pentecostals and Ecumenical Movement.
The growth of the Pentecostal movement in the 20 th century has been viewed as a significant
phenomenon in global Christianity. However, studies on this movement (churches) in the
area of ecumenical understanding were not adequate in the last century. Traditional, mainline
churches did not give importance to the Pentecostal churches and were not inclusive about
them.
Understanding Pentecostalism: The word ‘Pentecostal’ is derived from experience of the
Day of Pentecost. The fourth verse of Acts 2 is probably the most important distinguishing
‘proof text’ in classical Pentecostalism, when the disciples in Jerusalem were ‘filled with the
Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them’. This experience
of being ‘filled’ or ‘baptized’ with the Holy Spirit is what distinguishes these Pentecostals (in
other opinion), from most others.
Pentecostalism or the Pentecostal movement is a contextual movement, which touches people
at the grassroots, their feelings and life styles. From the beginning of the Pentecostal Church
movement, it has been understood that, this is one which is vibrant, missionary and revivalist
in character. This movement has always fixed its eyes predominantly on the proclamation of
the gospel. The outgrowth of the Pentecostal churches is not confined to themselves alone;
rather it astonishes the traditional churches also.
Ecumenical Vision in the Original Mission of Pentecostal: Allan Anderson explains, ‘there
were several movements where the outpouring of the Spirit was reported during the
emergence of the Pentecostal Movement.’ These Pentecost experiences in the lives of people
made them come together, disregarding their backgrounds.
Ecumenical Background of Pentecostal Churches in the International Context: At the
beginning of the Pentecostal Movement, it was not the aim of Pentecost experienced people
to establish new churches. Rather, their desire was the renewal of the established churches.
They claimed they belonged to the “apostolic faith.” People like Jonathan Paul, a German
Pentecostal Pastor and Alexander Buddy, founder of English Pentecostal Movement lived
across the second half of the 19th and first half of the 20th century, remained a Lutheran pastor
and Anglican priest respectively, even though they lived with their Pentecostal experiences
and as Pentecostals. Hollenweger proposed, “The Pentecostal Movement started as an
ecumenical revival movement within the traditional Churches.”
Ecumenical Background of Pentecostal Churches in the Indian Context: Missionary
movements and mission adventures caused a division in the mission fields. Even though it
was like this, prior to the Pentecostal revival, the ecumenical spirit was prevalent in the
mission fields of India. One of the things that the missionaries had in common was, they were
all eager for the well- being of the souls which made them to join hands when they realized
the need for co-operation. The positive responses from the Dalits and Tribal’s and the work
of the missionaries among high class people demanded comfortable arrangements in certain
regions.
Pentecostalism in India began to spread with the arrival of western missionaries. Under the
ministry of A.G. Garr and his sister from Azuza, a street Pentecostal revival broke out in
Kolkata (Calcutta) in 1907. The first Pentecostal missionary to Kerala was George Berg from
America and he preached at a Brethren convention in Kottarakkara. The first Pentecostal
congregation started was in Kerala in 1911 at Thuyavur through the work of George Berg
who was a participant in the Azuza street revival.
Experience is the other peculiarity of the Pentecostal Churches’ theological view. This
experience transforms people into the image of Christ. This ‘in Christ’ life makes them newly
created by the power of the Holy Spirit, thus it is Trinitarian. As a result of this, Pentecostal
stress on living a holy life against the desires of the world, or to give less significance to
worldly affairs. Pentecostalism is not antithetical in history or of historical occurrences. In
other words, the real spirit which lies within the Pentecostal, and like experiences, is also
ecumenical. It is noted that, the modern ecumenical movement and the Pentecostal movement
started around same time.
The Pentecostal Movement began around the same time of Modern Ecumenicalism. The
Movement is a basic understanding of the ecumenical character. Despite its ecumenical
nature, along with its diminished growth, there were individuals who tried to sustain the
ecumenical flame. The Missional nature, with practical emphasis on togetherness, makes
Pentecostal cross barriers in society. The missional approach of Pentecostals is to make every
one under the banner of kingdom of God, depend on the power of Holy Spirit to create
differences from other churches. It was this strengthening of the Holy Spirit which made
people cross the barriers at the beginning of the Pentecostal movement. As a result it showed
an ecumenical nature, to live together in fellowship, and share the Eucharist.
