Page 108 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT

end of the church age speak of false miracles, not true From the beginning, the AOG ordained women
ones. See Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; preachers.
Revelation 13:13. Another of the influential Pentecostal denominations
To develop the Latter Rain doctrine, Myland used that arose from the Apostolic Faith and the Azusa Street
fanciful allegorical interpretations of the Old Testament movements was the International Church of the
passages mentioned above. He wrote: “The corn is a Foursquare Gospel. This was established in 1923 by
type of the divine manifestation in the life of Jesus … Pentecostal evangelist-pastor Aimee Semple McPherson
The Holy Spirit is the wine … the oil is the type of the (1890-1944), whom the Dictionary of Pentecostal and
Father, the manifestation of God in beauty, in dignity, in Charismatic Movements calls “the most prominent
glory and power…” (The Later Rain Covenant, p. 22). woman leader Pentecostalism has produced to date” (p.
Myland’s book is filled with this type of allegorizing 570). McPherson was very influential in the promotion
whereby he applies things that belong to Israel directly of the latter rain theology. The “foursquare” gospel she
to the New Testament churches. In reality, the latter rain promoted was Jesus Christ as Saviour, Baptizer in the
miracle revival doctrine has no basis in the Word of Holy Spirit, Healer, and Coming King. “She also did
God. much to popularize a restorationist view of church
In the section on the errors of Pentecostalism we deal history with her vision the ‘Dispensation of the Holy
with Acts 2:16-20. Ghost’ repeatedly shared in her very popular sermon
PENTECOSTAL DENOMINATIONS ‘Lost and Restored’” (Ibid., p. 571). One of McPherson’s
music compositions was titled “Former and Latter Rain.”
Every Pentecostal denomination can trace its history McPherson claimed that physical healing is part of
to the latter rain frenzy of the early part of the century. the gospel and boasted of the healings that allegedly
The Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements took place during her meetings, but the fact is that most
has this comment about the aftermath of the Azusa that came for healing were not helped. To go through
Street “revival” — McPherson’s healing line required obtaining a card and
“Sometimes existing denominations were split, while these were normally limited to 75 people. Arno
others were totally transformed into Pentecostal Gaebelein examined McPherson’s healing claims and
vehicles. Among these were the Church of God in published his report in the 1925 book The Healing
Christ, the Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.), and the
Pentecostal Holiness Church. … But new groups were Question. He did not find any genuine healings.
formed as well. The Apostolic Faith (Portland, Oreg.), THE NEW ORDER OF THE LATTER RAIN/ THE
the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (Los Angeles), SHARON MOVEMENT
and in 1914 the Assemblies of God, fell into this In 1948 teachers associated with the Sharon
category. Indeed, nearly every Pentecostal Orphanage and Schools in North Battleford,
denomination in the U.S. traces its roots in some way Saskatchewan, began experiencing “spirit slaying” and
or other to the Apostolic Faith Mission at 312 Azusa
Street” (“Azusa Street,” Dictionary of Pentecostal and “tongues” and other “miracles.” A female student at the
Charismatic Movements, p. 35). school prophesied that a great worldwide revival was
Though varying in doctrinal beliefs, all of the about to begin. The movement that arose from these
Pentecostal denominations originally believed experiences focused on the latter rain restoration of
themselves to be part of an end times latter rain revival apostolic miracles. They expected end-time apostles and
movement. prophets to arise to lead the latter rain. There was an
The Assemblies of God (AOG) is the largest emphasis upon the imparting of the Holy Spirit and
spiritual gifts by the laying on of hands and a focus on
Pentecostal denomination. It was formed in 1914, a few “personal directive prophecy,” which became an
years after the Azusa Street meetings had ended. One of instrument of control in the hands of some. The
the early general superintendents of the AOG, E.S. “revival” influence spread rapidly during and after a
Williams, was baptized at Seymour’s Azusa Street Camp Meeting in July 1948, which thousands of people
mission. Several of the early AOG leaders were also attended from Canada the United States.
from John Dowie’s Zion City. The AOG’s major
denominational distinctives are as follows: (1) The The Sharon movement was disciplined by the
baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience to be sought Assemblies of God, not for the latter rain doctrine itself,
subsequent to the new birth. (2) The baptism of the but for excesses and abuses. In particular, many AOG
Holy Spirit is evidenced by tongues’ speaking. (3) A leaders disagreed with the teaching that apostles would
Christian can lose his salvation. (4) Physical healing is arise and they disliked the use of “personal
promised to the Christian because of Christ’s atonement. prophecies” (a form of soothsaying) and the practice of
bestowing spiritual gifts by the laying on of hands.

108 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity