Pentecostals are evangelical Christians who follow the religion of Pentecostalism, one of many Protestant currents. In Russia, in order to distinguish themselves from Evangelical Christians (Prokhanovites), who are more close to Baptism, Pentecostals prefer to be called Christians of the Evangelical Faith (CHEV).
History of origin
Pentecostals appeared in the United States at the end of the 19th century. Their main ideas were laid in the religious and philosophical course of Reivaleism, which arose in the 18th century in many Protestant shrines in the United States and England. In Russia, the Pentecostal movement began to actively develop since 1910. Then this current penetrated into the USSR through the Baltic states and Finland. One of the leaders of the movement, Thomas Barrey, began preaching in 1911 in St. Petersburg. Most of the people who were associated with this movement were forced to accept the Unitarian concept because they did not believe in the Trinity.
The second wave of the movement came from the west, through the Bible schools in Germany and Poland. The main leaders of the western trend were Arthur Bergolz, Gerberd Schmidt and Oskar Eske. They began to work in Western Ukraine, where there are still churches founded under their leadership.
Pentecostalism in Russia was founded by Koltovich and Voronaev. But after persecution by the Orthodox Church, they had to flee to New York, where they founded the first Russian Pentecostal church. In 1924, Voronaev returned to the territory of the USSR. Here he founded many congregations and churches of the spiritual movement. When a new law on religious associations was passed by the government of the USSR in 1929, many Pentecostals were arrested. In subsequent years, they had to meet in secret.
Basic principles
Pentecostals believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and characterize it as a special experience, during which the power of the Holy Spirit descends on the believer. According to the beliefs of the believers of this stream, the power received as a result of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is externally manifested in the conversation in "other tongues" or glossolalia. Conversation in "other tongues" is a hallmark of the believers of this trend. According to Pentecostals, glossolalia is nothing more than a special speech that cannot be understood by both hearers and speakers.
Subsequently, further ministry, the Holy Spirit endows believers with the rest of the gifts - prophecy, healing and miracles.
Pentecostals recognize only two sacraments - the Lord's Supper (communion) and water baptism. Their understanding of the sacraments is symbolic, not sacramental. They also recognize such rituals as blessing children, marriage, ordination, prayer for the sick and washing of feet.
At the moment, there are over 190 million people in the world who identify themselves as Pentecostals.