Role of the Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Pentecostal Church (1900-1948)

The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit have played an important role within the Pentecostal Church since its inception in the early 1900s. The term ‘Pentecostal’ is derived from the Greek word ‘pentecoste’, which means ‘fiftieth’ or ‘festival of weeks’ (Acts 2:1–4).

As the name implies, the Pentecostal Church is rooted in the events of Pentecost in the New Testament, where the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles with tongues of fire and they spoke in other tongues. It was this miraculous event that has come to define the Pentecostal movement and is seen as the start of the church’s mission to spread the message of the gospel to the world.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 12:8–10, are commonly accepted within Pentecostal churches as being essential for the work of the church. The nine gifts include the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues.

These gifts are seen as a means of empowering individuals within the church to do the work of the church and to spread the message of the gospel to the world. The first recorded Pentecostal revival occurred in Topeka, Kansas, in 1901 and was known as the ‘Azusa Street Revival’. This revival was led by Charles F. Parham and was characterized by the presence of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. During the revival, participants would often speak in tongues, heal the sick, and prophesy.

These miraculous events were seen as evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit and as a sign of God’s work being done within the church. The Pentecostal revival spread throughout the United States in the early 1900s and was characterized by a strong emphasis on the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecostal churches developed around this emphasis and placed a strong emphasis on the presence of the gifts within the church. As the movement spread, Pentecostal churches began to develop distinct doctrines and practices. These included the practice of baptism in the name of Jesus, foot washing, and the laying on of hands for the impartation of the Holy Spirit and the nine gifts. In the years between 1900 and 1948, the Pentecostal Church saw a great expansion in its influence and membership.

As the church grew in both numbers and influence, the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit began to take on a more prominent role within the church. The gifts were seen as a way to empower individuals within the church and enable them to do the work of the church and spread the gospel to the world. At the same time, the Pentecostal Church also began to develop distinct doctrines and practices that placed a strong emphasis on the presence and operation of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit.

These doctrines and practices were based on the belief that the gifts were to be used as a means of edifying the church and furthering its mission. The Pentecostal Church also began to develop distinct systems of worship that placed a strong emphasis on the presence of the gifts and their importance in the life of the church. In the years between 1900 and 1948, the gifts of the Holy Spirit played an important role in the Pentecostal Church.

The gifts were seen as a means of empowering individuals within the church to do the work of the church and to spread the message of the gospel to the world. The church also developed distinct doctrines and practices that placed a strong emphasis on the presence and operation of the gifts.

As the church grew and developed during this period, the gifts of the Holy Spirit became increasingly important within the life of the Pentecostal Church and were seen as essential for the work of the church. During the period between 1900 and 1948, several books were written about the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. These include:

1. The Gifts and Ministries of the Holy Spirit by A.J. Gordon (1906)

2. Pentecostal Gifts: An Exposition of the Nine Gifts of the Spirit by William H. Durham (1917)

3. The Holy Spirit and His Gifts by R.A. Torrey (1918)

4. Speaking in Tongues: A Biblical Point of View by F.F. Bosworth (1917)

5. How to Receive the Holy Spirit and Use His Gifts, by E.W. Kenyon (1920)

6. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost by William H. Roberts (1924)

7. Manifestations and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, by John R. Rice (1927)

8. Gifts of the Spirit: How to Receive and Employ Them by A.J. Gordon (1930)

9. The Gifts of the Spirit by Charles S. Price (1941)

10. The Spirit-Filled Life by A.W. Tozer (1948)

In conclusion, the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit have played an important role within the Pentecostal Church since its inception in the early 1900s. During the period between 1900 and 1948, the gifts of the Holy Spirit became increasingly important and were seen as essential for the work of the church. The church developed distinct doctrines and practices that placed a strong emphasis on the presence and operation of the gifts.

Furthermore, several books were written about the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit during this period, which sought to explain and expound upon their importance and role within the church. Overall, the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit were seen as essential for the work of the church in the years between 1900 and 1948.

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(c) Apostle Jonas Clark
www.jonasclark.com