| Chapter : | Introduction |
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The first chapter of this work will review the pre-twentieth-century roots of Pentecostalism. It will summarize the conditions and events within the Episcopal, Methodist, and Baptist traditions that led to the development of independent African American church groups and the connections between the characteristics of Pentecostal worship to African and slave religions. The rise of the Holiness movement and Pentecostalism will be framed against the backdrop of the revivalism tradition of the 1800s.
Chapter 2 will explore specific theological foundations of the Pentecostal movement. Holiness teachings regarding entire sanctification as a distinct work of grace, separate from the conversion experience, contributed to the uniquely Pentecostal belief in a third event, subsequent to sanctification, known as the baptism in the Holy Ghost. This important concept of a series of experiences to be attained by every Christian as their spiritual life matured is an essential component of Pentecostal doctrine and opened the door for Parham to articulate the distinctiveness of Holy Ghost baptism. The inclusion of two other cardinal truths, divine healing, and the Second Coming of Christ, formed the foundation of Pentecostal theology and permitted the construction of a Pentecostal paradigm that influenced the way Pentecostals viewed the world and interacted with society.
Chapter 3 assesses the contributions made by Charles Fox Parham and William Joseph Seymour to the Pentecostal movement. The effect both men and their teachings had on the fledgling movement will be analyzed to determine the impact each had upon the racial issues that eventually segregated Pentecostalism. Their relationship changed dramatically in 1906–1907 as a result of a disagreement over racial integration. The various Pentecostal sects and denominations can be traced directly to the contrasting views held by these two influential men.