Pentecostalism is a renewal movement within Protestant Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through baptism with the Holy Spirit. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, an event that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the second chapter of the Book of Acts.
In the United States, Pentecostalism emerged in the early 20th century. It was initially characterized by racial and gender inclusivity, practices such as speaking in tongues (glossolalia), divine healing, and prophetic revelations. The movement grew out of the Holiness revival of the Methodist Church and the subsequent emergence of the Keswick Higher Life movement, which emphasized the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a subsequent experience to conversion, enabling a deeper, more vibrant Christian life.
Key events in the rise of Pentecostalism in the United States include the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles from 1906-1915, which drew many from different traditions and racial backgrounds, and the Latter Rain Movement of the late 1940s and 1950s, which helped propagate Pentecostal beliefs and practices worldwide.
By the 21st century, Pentecostalism had spread across the United States and had become particularly popular among different ethnic groups. In many ways, it has become a major force in world Christianity, impacting not only the US but other countries as well.
Pentecostal churches in the US can be found across the spectrum from the very small to the very large, including mega-churches. While many Pentecostal congregations are independent, some are also part of larger denominations, such as the Assemblies of God, Church of God in Christ, Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), and the United Pentecostal Church International.
Pentecostalism’s impact on American religion and culture has been significant, influencing other Christian traditions and contributing to the rise of the Charismatic Movement in the 1960s, which shares a focus on the gifts of the Spirit but is found within existing denominations rather than creating new ones.
As of my last update in 2021, Pentecostalism continues to thrive in the United States, though like all religious movements it faces challenges and changes as it navigates the shifting landscape of contemporary American society. Future updates could provide more recent insights into its growth and influence.