Main events at Azusa Street revival and related phenomenon in todays Pentecostalism Brief intro to the revival Introduction

The Azusa Street Revival was a historic Pentecostal revival meeting that took place in Los Angeles, California and was led by William J. Seymour, an African American preacher. It began with a meeting on April 14, 1906 at the African Methodist Episcopal Church and continued until roughly 1915. The revival was characterized by speaking in tongues, dramatic worship services, and inter-racial mingling, divine healing, ecstatic spiritual experiences etc. As a result of these spiritual experiences accompanied by miracles and the speaking in tongues, healing, interracial mingling etc the participants received criticism from some secular media and other individuals. This essay would give an account on the genesis of this revival, major events that went on during this revival, and related phenomenon of the revival to todays Pentecostalism. Today, the revival is considered by historians to be the primary catalyst for the spread of Pentecostalism in the 20th century. Background of the spearhearder

William Joseph Seymour was born May 2, 1870 in Centerville, Louisiana to Simon and Phillis Seymour. His parents had been slaves prior to the Civil War. Seymour was the oldest of ten children, but only three lived to adulthood. Information about Seymour's early years is generally sketchy. William J. Seymour, the one-eyed 34 year old son of former slaves, was a student of awell-known Pentecostal preacher Charles Parham and an interim pastor for a small holiness church in Houston, Texas. Neely Terry, an African American woman from Los Angeles, made a trip to visit family in Houston late in 1905.[3] While in Houston, she visited Seymour's church, where Seymour preached the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, and though Seymour had not experienced this personally, Terry was impressed with His character and message. Once home in California, Terry suggested that Seymour be invited to speak at the local church. [5] Seymour received and accepted the invitation in February 1906, and he received financial help and a blessing from Parham for his planned one-month visit.[2]

Seymour arrived in Los Angeles(Califonia) on February 22, 1906,[6][7] and within two days was preaching at Julia Hutchins' church at the corner of Ninth Street and Santa Fe Avenue.[5] During his first sermon, he preached that speaking in tongues was the first biblical evidence of the inevitable baptism in the Holy Spirit.[8] On the following Sunday, March 4, he returned to the church and found that Hutchins had padlocked the door.[9] Elders of the church rejected Seymour's teaching, primarily because he had not yet experienced the blessing about which he was preaching.[3] Condemnation of his message also came from the Holiness Church Association of Southern California with which the church had affiliation.[2] However, not all members of Hutchins' church rejected Seymour's preaching. He was invited to stay in the home of congregation member Edward S. Lee, and he began to hold Bible studies and prayer meetings there. Seymour and his small group of new followers soon relocated to the home of Richard and Ruth Asberry at 214 North Bonnie Brae Street.[6] White families from local holiness churches began to attend as well. The group would get together regularly and pray to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. On April 9, 1906, after five weeks of Seymour's preaching and prayer, and three days into an intended 10-day fast,[9] Edward S. Lee spoke in tongues for the first time.[10][11] At the next meeting, Seymour shared Lee's testimony and preached a sermon on Acts 2:4 and soon six others began to speak in tongues as well,[2][10] including Jennie Moore, who would later become Seymour's wife.[12] A few days later, on April 12, Seymour spoke in tongues for the first time after praying all night long.[13][14] News of the events at North Bonnie Brae St. quickly circulated among the African American, Latino and White residents of the city, and for several nights, various speakers would preach to the crowds of curious and interested onlookers from the front porch of the Asberry home. Members of the audience included people from a broad spectrum of income levels and religious backgrounds. Juliet Hutchins(who later on rejected Seymours message) eventually spoke in tongues as her whole congregation began to attend the meetings. Soon the crowds became very large and were full of people speaking in tongues, shouting, singing and moaning. Finally, the front porch collapsed, forcing the group to begin looking for a new meeting place. An eye witness put it this way; God came in great waves of power and refreshing. The doors and windows were open and they shouted three days and nights. It was Easter season. The people

came from everywhere. By the next morning there was no way of getting near the house. As people came in they would fall under Gods power; and the whole city was stirred. They shouted until the foundation of the house gave way, but no one was hurt. The group from Bonnie Brae Street eventually discovered an available building at 312 Azusa Street in downtown Los Angeles, which had originally been constructed as an African Methodist Episcopal Church and rented it for the revival. The group then moved to 312 Azusa Street and began a revival that would impact the world. The meetings in Azusa Street were dramatic. People "fell under the power", shook violently, jerked, and made loud noises. Fire was seen rising from the building to heaven and returning back down again. The "cloud of the Spirit" was so thick that children would play hide and seek in the midst of the meetings. Bands of angels were seen at the mission. Tongues given were often interpreted by visitors from other nations who recognized the language. Miracles and healings were common events. One man who had lost his arm in a machinery accident received a new one instantaneously. Glory be to God!!!!! Among those attracted to the revival were not only members of the Holiness Movement, but also Baptists, Mennonites, Quakers, and Presbyterians.[15] An observer at one of the services wrote these words: No instruments of music are used. None are needed. No choir- the angels have been heard by some in the spirit. No collections are taken. No bills have been posted to advertise the meetings. No church organization is back of it. All who are in touch with God realize as soon as they enter the meetings that the Holy Ghost is the leader. A September 1906 sermon listed the four foundational teachings of salvation, sanctification, physical healing based on the atonement, and being filled by the Holy Spirit. The divine healing message has been carried on in churches and denominations that point to Azusa Street and William J. Seymour as the birthplace of the Pentecostal message. Romans 8:9 plainly says "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Notable events that took place at the revival Devine healing

In the most simple definition of the term, divine healing is as a supernatural intervening in the natural course of a disease or physiological distress that restores the patient to a normal, healthy state. During the conference, many are the people who were healed by the supernatural power of the God, the blind people could see, people with one ear received a new ear, a man whose shoulder was slashed off at a factory received a new arm, the lame walked. True Biblical Divine Healing is immediate, lasting, verifiable and all the glory goes to Jesus Christ, one does not need to pay a pesewa for it. All the examples of Biblical Divine Healing in the New Testament (hereafter NT) were accomplished by the power of God instantaneously. They were not done by the person (with the exception of Jesus Christ Himself) but were done through the person by the Holy Spirit. God is the only One who can do a creative healing. All other healings are natural or lying wonders, but only God can create. The book of Exodus 15:26, "I am the LORD that healeth thee." Similarly, 1peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. The verses above shows that the cost of our devine healing had already been borne by Christ, during the azuza revival, many people were divinely healed. RELATED PHENOMENON IN TODAY'S PENTECOSTALISM The divine healing at Azusa street did not end there it is part of todays work of Pentecostalism. In mark 16:17-18, these signs shall follow them that believe in my name shall they cast out demons .. they shall lay hands o the sick and they shall recover. In todays church history, Pentecostals still practice divine healing, they believe that divine healing of the body is a part of the atoning work of Jesus. Pentecostals believe that prayers are central in receiving healing from God, the healing may be spiritual or physical that can serves as a reminder and testimony to Gods will and to the church as well. As we move around, listen to the radio stations etc, we see posters and hear announcements of healing crusades, convention etc being organized by the various Pentecostal churches and this point to the fact tha the Azusa happenings of healing Is still existent among our mordern day Pentecostals.

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT- during the revival One of the things captured in the Azusa Street Revival has to do with speaking in tongues as an initial evidence of the Holy Spirit Baptism. William Seymour always preached that the initial evidence of the Holy spirit baptism is speaking in tongues. During the azusa revival , many are those that spoke in unknown tongues, other people were also interpreting the tongues, people also sung in tongues. As captured above, Edward Lee spoke in tongues for the first time followed by 6 other people and William Seymour himself. After these the spirit of God was fully poured out and many people at the revival also spoke in tongues. RELATED PHENOMENON IN TODAY'S PENTECOSTALISM One of the things captured in the Azusa Street Revival has to do with speaking in tongues as an initial evidence of the Holy Spirit Baptism. During the revival many people spoke in unknown tongues and others interpreted it. This phenomenon also did not end with the revival. It is still present in our current day Pentecostalism. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct and separate experience from the indwelling of the holy spirit .Pentecostal denominations teach that speaking in Tongues is the initial evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit. John 7:31-39. In todays Pentecostalism people are being prayed for to receive the baptism, and those that have received it already also speak it. Glory be to God. Speaking in tongues is one of the supernatural gifts of the holy spirit referred to in Corinthians 12:4-10. Salvation By definition, salvation is a grace gift received by faith in Christ, and the continuous walk with God. During the first sermon of the revival a cross section of the people accepted the massage. The major phenomenon that attracted people to the site was speaking in tongues. During that time, it is recorded that the whole city was stirred to the extent that a large crowd were attracted. Thus, as the message was preached, many were led to receive Christ as their lord. The Bible talks about faith which comes by hearing, the revival served as an opportunity to the people for the first time to hear the massage. Once some accepted it after hearing the massage

there was an assurance of them being saved since it did not end there but series of messages went on and other congregations began to join. RELATED PHENOMENON IN TODAY'S PENTECOSTALISM Faith comes by hearing and by faith we are saved. Many people heard the salvation message at the revival and through that were saved. However salvation is still available our modern times since people still hear the Good news which made them to have faith in Christ there is assurance that they can be saved. In John 3:16 Jesus told us how one can be saved by having faith in him. Currently, this is repeated in many crusades and revivals, as well as church programs. The major reason for the gospel is to get as many people as possible, saved. Thus all supernatural phenomena such as mass baptism in the holy spirit and signs and wonders, are to help as many as possible, come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Just as in Acts chapter 2, the Apostle Peter preached to a whole crowd who were attracted to the obvious and unique scene. In the end it is recorded in scripture that about 3000 souls were won who were latter baptized in water(Acts 2:5-40). In modern time, many souls get saved as they get attracted by the wonder works of God Women in Ministry The Azusa Street revival also brought womens ministries to the forefront. One of the most influential ladies at Azusa Street was Jennie Evans Moore, who married William Seymour in 1908. She served faithfully at his side during the great revival days and often filled the pulpit while her husband was away. After her husbands death in 1922, she pastored the church until 1931. She died in 1936. Other African-American women who played leading roles were Lucy Farrow and Julia Hutchins. Farrow, Seymours prayer warrior, helped hundreds of seekers through to the tongues experience. She later led a missionary band to Liberia where she planted Pentecostal churches. Julia Hutchins, who had locked Seymour out of her church, soon became a Pentecostal and helped run the Mission RELATED PHENOMENON IN TODAY'S PENTECOSTALISM

Just as many women ministered during the revival, in current day Pentecostalism, there is no exception. Women are also playing an essential role in spreading the word, healing the sick ones, casting out demons etc.

Evangelism Perhaps the most far-reaching legacy of Azusa Street is its teaching and practice of Holy-Spirit empowerment for evangelism. Above all, Azusa Street was a missionary movement. Many missionaries were coming and going during the revival. A few months after the meetings began, the Apostolic Faith reported Pentecostal revivals in New York, London, Oslo, Stockholm, and India. Not since the Early Church had a revival movement spread so far and so fast. The fascination with tongues, healing, and casting out demons attracted multitudes without the use of advertising media. Throughout the glory days, Azusa Street did not advertise with local newspaper ads or posters. News of the revival was spread locally by word of mouth. The Los Angeles newspapers wrote scurrilous and racist articles, but this only drew more crowds. In the end, Azusa Street pilgrims spread the news worldwide, thousands of churches were planted, and millions of people were converted. Today, it is estimated that most conversions from paganism occur under Pentecostal and charismatic evangelism efforts. A century after the opening of services on Azusa Street there are more than 600 million Pentecostals and charismatics in the world. This attests to the evangelistic success of the Movement.8 In the end, Azusa Street pilgrims spread the news worldwide, thousands of churches were planted, and millions of people were converted. Today, it is estimated that most conversions from paganism occur under Pentecostal and charismatic evangelism efforts. A century after the opening of services on Azusa Street there are more than 600 million Pentecostals and charismatics in the world. This attests to the evangelistic success of the Movement.

 RELATED PHENOMENON IN TODAY'S PENTECOSTALISM In todays Pentecostalism, it is believed that every believer has the duty to spread the word of God, Pentecostals usually stress on Romans 1:16 (am not ashamed of the gospel.). in current day, Pentecostals put emphasis on spreading the word worldwide and proclaiming the works of God and the Holy spirit to many nations. Glory to God.

Interracial mingling The most striking and unusual feature of the Azusa Street meetings was the racial harmony that prevailed under the leadership of Seymour. This led Bartleman to say, The color line was washed away in the Blood. Many people were amazed. In the most racist period of American history, thousands of whites came to Azusa Street and submitted to church leadership that in the beginning was essentially African-American. Although whites soon became the majority, Seymour continued as pastor and exercised pastoral and spiritual authority over the meetings. As African-American hands were laid on the heads of white seekers, they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. They also looked to Seymour as their teacher and spiritual father. The Azusa street revival crossed all boundaries of discrimination, it played a phenomenon role in merging the white, black, poor or rich, masculine or ferminine gender etc to worship together. Traditions, thus happened when many races saw themselves fellowshipped under William Seymour an African American preacher, breeding that gap of racism being that not only African Americans fellowshipped under Seymours leadership but also whole families from local home churches began to attend as well and also levities. Not only was Azusa street revival phenomenon to merging different races but also brought together people of broad spectrum of income levels and religious background under Seymours congregation. RELATED PHENOMENON IN TODAY'S PENTECOSTALISM

What happened at the Azusa Street did not end. It left a legacy for todays Pentecostalism. The interracial mingling and non discriminatory worship of God still exist among our Pentecostals. In todays Pentecostalism it could still be seen that all forms of discrimination are not encouraged. People of different race, income level, gender etc all came together to worship God. Women can as well lead congregations and preach. In fact, the blood of Jesus has washed the racial lines of discrimination. Today, blacks have the opportunity to preach in churches with congregations of mixed races and income levels in America, across Europe, Asia, Sub Sahara, Middle East etc. Further more modern Pentecostalism opens an avenue for individuals with different financial backgrounds to fellowship under the same roof. Modern Pentecostalism show the emergence of Black-African preachers like Cheryl J. Sanders of the third street church of God. Washington, Cleaverice E. Hardy a renowned American theologian and Leonard Lovett of the church of God in Christ. Authored by ENUSAH ABDULAI, Note that except for the bulleted points named related events in todays p.) almost all the materials are from Wikipedia and other hyperlinked websites in the document.