The rise of the charismatic movement through the first half of the 20^th century played a pivotal role in bringing churches together. Pentecostalism is a key part of the charismatic movement. While charismatic thinking began to evolve at the beginning of the century, it became entrenched in Christianity through the work of Vatican II and the ecumenical movement.

In the early 1950s, David du Plessis believed that God was calling him, as secretary of the Pentecostal World Conference (now Pentecostal World Fellowship), to make contact with the World Council of Churches. Since then, he has played a leading role in ecumenical circles.


Since the 1960s, the penetration of Pentecostalism into other Protestant and Orthodox denominations has been dramatic. James Dunn writes this:

The acceptance of Pentecostalism by the leaders of the World Council marks the first time that more traditional Christianity has genuinely welcomed this enthusiastic brand of faith and worship as a valid and important expression of Christianity.

Previously, such forms of Christianity were either persecuted or only able to flourish outside the organized Church. But the charismatic movement has increasingly broken down many of the barriers on both sides. It has spread across all the traditional classes of society and churchmanship. Catholic Pentecostalism in particular has brought a respect for authority, sacraments, and tradition that was missing from classic Pentecostalism...

Those belonging to classic Pentecostalism were still wary of new developments. However, in recent years many leaders of national churches have moved from a cautious "No comment" to the view that the charismatic movement is the best hope for a renewal of the Church.ⁱ

It is interesting to note that Catholic Pentecostalism led to increased reverence of papal authority, exaltation of Mary, and entrenchment of Catholic doctrine among Catholics and even Protestants. The revival and growth of the Catholic Church in the last few decades is part of a much wider religious revival taking place all over the world. 


Evidence of this revival includes the way occultism and Asian religions have come to flourish in the West, the resurgence of Islam in some areas of Africa, Malaysia, and Pakistan; the revival of Buddhism in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma and Sri Lanka; of Hinduism in India and of Shintoism in Japan; Spiritism in Brazil; and of the Sokka Gakkai in Japan.ⁱⁱ


Professor Hollenweger of Birmingham University states this:

The Charismatic movement had a tremendous potential to create trust and destroy suspicion between conflicting groups to provide a platform on which people could talk honestly and openly without being polarized...Already by bringing together Roman Catholics and Protestants, the Charismatic movement has worked miracles.ⁱⁱⁱ

Pentecostalism has spread across the globe like wildfire. The question, however, comes to mind: Does the Pentecostal movement satisfy the Biblical criteria with regard to the manifestations of the Spirit?


Ahead to The Charismatic Movement and the Gifts of the Spirit