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International Pentecostal Holiness Church

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International Pentecostal Holiness Church
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationPentecostal
Politymixed episcopal and congregational
LeaderJames D. Leggett
Associations
National Association of Evangelicals,
Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America,
Pentecostal World Conference,
Christian Churches Together,
World Pentecostal Holiness Fellowship
RegionWorldwide: divided into 28 regional conferences
FounderAbner Blackmon Crumpler, Benjamin H. Irwin
Origin30 January 1911
Falcon, North Carolina
Merger of
Fire-Baptized Holiness Church and Pentecostal Holiness Church (1911),
Tabernacle Pentecostal Church (1915)
Separations
Pentecostal Fire-Baptized Holiness Church (1918),
Congregational Holiness Church (1920)
Congregations10,463
Members3,410,890
Official websitewww.iphc.org
Statistics for 2000[1]

The International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) or simply Pentecostal Holiness Church (PHC) is a Holiness-Pentecostal Christian denomination founded in 1911 with the merger of two older denominations. Traditionally centered in the Southeastern United States, particularly the Carolinas and Georgia, the Pentecostal Holiness Church now has a substantial international presence. In 2000 the church reported a worldwide membership of over one million - over three million including affiliates.[1]

Heavily influenced by two major American revival movements: the Holiness revival of the late 19th century and the Pentecostal revival of the early 20th century,[2] the church's theological roots derive from the Holiness Movement and John Wesley's teachings on sanctification.[3] [4]

Several ministers who were raised in the Pentecostal Holiness Church have risen to greater name recognition than the church itself, such as Oral Roberts, an internationally known charismatic evangelist; Charles Stanley, a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention; and C.M. Ward, a former Assemblies of God radio preacher.[5]

History

Origins

In 1894, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South adopted a statement which opposed the growing Holiness movement in the church. Within a decade about 25 new Holiness groups, including the Pentecostal Holiness Church, came into existence.[6]

Fire-Baptized Holiness

The oldest group that is part of the foundation of the Pentecostal Holiness Church originated in 1895 as the Fire-Baptized Holiness Association in Olmitz, Iowa. The leader, Benjamin H. Irwin of Lincoln, Nebraska, a former Baptist preacher, organized the body into the national Fire-Baptized Holiness Church at Anderson, South Carolina in August 1898.[7] By this time, Irwin's group had organized churches in eight U. S. states and two Canadian provinces.[8]

Abner Crumpler's Pentecostal Holiness

Abner Blackmon Crumpler, a Methodist Holiness evangelist in North Carolina, founded a group named the Pentecostal Holiness in 1897, as the inter-denominational North Carolina Holiness Association.[9] The first congregation to carry the name Pentecostal Holiness Church was formed in Goldsboro, North Carolina, in 1898. Pentecostal was dropped from the name in 1903 to more fully assosciate the church with the Holiness movement.[10]

Gaston B. Cashwell, a minister of the Methodist Church, joined Crumpler's group in 1903. He became a leading figure in the church and the Pentecostal movement on the east coast.[11] In 1906, he traveled to Los Angeles to visit the Pentecostal revival at the Azusa Street mission. While there he professed having received the baptism in the Holy Spirit and the evidence of speaking in tongues. Upon returning to Dunn, North Carolina, in December 1906, Cashwell preached the Pentecost experience in the local Holiness church.

The influence of the Pentecostal renewal grew while, at the same time, the leader and founder of the church, Abner Crumpler, though willing to accept speaking in tongues, did not accept the idea that it was the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.[5] At the annual conference of 1908, Crumpler was re-elected president of the body,however, with a majority of the delegates having experienced tongues, he permanently disaffiliated himself from the church.[12] After Crumpler's departure, the conference added an article to the statement of faith, recognizing tongues as the initial evidence:

We believe the pentecostal baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire is obtainable by a definite act of appropriating faith on the part of the fully cleansed believer, and the initial evidence of the reception of this experience is speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance (Luke 11:13; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 8:17; 10:44-46; 19:6).[13]

This is apparently the first official Pentecostal doctrinal statement adopted by a church in the United States.[14] As a further sign of its new identity, the word Pentecostal was once again added to the denomination's name in 1909. [15]

The PHC Foreign Mission Board was formed in 1904 and its members were all women.[16] In 1907, Tom J. McIntosh, a PHC member, traveled to China and may have been the first Pentecostal missionary to reach that nation.[17]

Mergers and schisms

The recognition of this doctrine opened the way for the merger of the Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Fire-Baptized Holiness Church, which was already teaching this third blessing. This merger occurred in January 30, 1911, at the Falcon Tabernacle in Falcon, North Carolina. The new denomination took the name of the smaller of the two, Pentecostal Holiness Church.[18] S.D. Page was elected the first General Superintendent.[19]

Following the 1911 merger, the Tabernacle Pentecostal Church merged with the Pentecostal Holiness Church in 1915.[20] Having Presbyterian roots and located mostly in South Carolina, this group of congregations was affiliated with Nickles Holmes Bible College in Greenville, South Carolina. After the mergers, the new denomination, which continued to go by the name of Pentecostal Holiness Church, had about 200 churches with approximately 5000 members. Property for the denomination's first headquarters was purchased in 1918 for $9,000 in Franklin Springs, Georgia.[21]

In 1918, the Pentecostal Fire-Baptized Holiness Church was begun by former PHC members who wanted stricter standards concerning dress, amusements, tobacco, and association between the sexes.[22] In 1920, another schism came into the Pentecostal Holiness Church over divine healing and the use of medicine. Some pastors believed Christians had the right to use medicine and doctors, while at this time the majority of the church believed in trusting God for healing without their use. The minority withdrew and formed the Congregational Holiness Church in 1921.[5]

The Octagon-shaped Falcon Tabernacle was the site of 1911 merger.

Further development

The Pentecostal Holiness Church was a charter member of the National Association of Evangelicals in 1943 and joined the Pentecostal Fellowship of North America in 1948. At the general conference a year later an attempt at merging with the mostly black United Holy Church failed when the United Holy Church asked if their members could attend the church's schools and colleges.[23]

In the 1960s, the Pentecostal Holiness Church began to branch out beyond the United States by affiliating with sister Pentecostal bodies in other parts of the world. In 1967, an affiliation was formed with the Pentecostal Methodist Church of Chile, one of the largest national Pentecostal churches in the world and the largest non-Catholic church in Chile.[24] At the time, the Jotabeche Pentecostal Methodist congregation was the largest church in the world with over 60,000 members. With over 150,000 members, it ranks second to the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea. This denomination claims no less than 1.7 million adherents.[5] A similar affiliation was forged in 1985 with the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Brazil. A Neo-Pentecostal body with roots in the Brazilian Methodist Church, the Wesleyan Church numbered some 50,000 members and adherents in 1995.[5] The word International was added to the church's name in 1975.[5]

Recent history

The largest Pentecostal Holiness churches in the United States include Cathedral of Praise World Outreach Center in Oklahoma City, pastored by Tony Miller; Northwood Temple in Fayetteville, North Carolina, pastored by John Hedgepeth; Evangelist Temple in Tulsa, Oklahoma, pastored by Dan Beller; Life Christian Center in Oklahoma City, pastored by Dwight Burchett; Christian Heritage Church in Tallahassee, Florida, pastored by Bob Shelley; Redemption World Outreach Center in Greenville, South Carolina, pastored by Ron Carpenter, Jr.; World Agape Korean Church in Los Angeles, pastored by Jon Kim.[5]

In 2000, the IPHC reported 10,463 churches and over a million members worldwide - including affiliates over 3.4 million . [1] U. S. membership was 303,277 individuals in 1,990 churches in 2005.[25] There were 28 regional conferences and missionaries in more than 90 nations. International offices were once located in Franklin Springs, Georgia, but are now located in Bethany, Oklahoma, a suburb of Oklahoma City.

Doctrine

Since the adoption of the article of faith on the baptism of the Holy Spirit in 1908, the Pentecostal Holiness Church has taught the following beliefs as their five cardinal doctrines: justification by faith, entire sanctification, the baptism in the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues, Christ's atonement (including divine healing), and the premillennial second coming of Christ.[26] [27] In addition, the IPHC believes in other common Evangelical beliefs, including the Trinity, the dual nature of Christ, his crucifixion for the forgiving of sins, his resurrection and ascension to heaven, the inerrancy of the Bible, a literal belief in heaven and hell, and the responsibility of every believer to carry out the Great Commission.

The church holds water baptism and communion (open communion observed quarterly) to be divine ordinances. Though not considered an ordinance, some of the churches also engage in the practice of feet washing. When choosing to be baptized, the church allows its members to “have the right of choice between the various modes as practised by the several evangelical denominations," including infant baptism.[28] While in its early years the Pentecostal Holiness were against receiving medical care, emphasizing divine healing, that is not the case today. The church teaches that Christians should believe for divine healing but teaches that medical knowledge is also from God.[29]

Structure

Reflecting its Methodist heritage the IPHC is governed under a mixed system of episcopal and congregational polity. The church is organized with local congregations led by deacons, elders, and pastors. Local churches manage their own affairs. Geographically, churches are organized into conferences led by conference superintendents. In their spiritual roles, superintendents function as bishops, and in their administrative roles they act as chief executive officers of their conference. All conference leaders are elected by their local conference but are accountable to the General Superintendent. [30]

The General Conference is the highest administrative body in the church. Under it are regional, annual, district, and missionary conferences.[28] When the General Conference is out of session, the General Board of Administration acts as the church's governing body. In the IPHC, the terms bishop and superintendent are used interchangeably. The church recognizes the biblical office of bishop but does not believe in an historical episcopate or adhere to the doctrine of apostolic succession. [31] The current General Superintendent and Presiding Bishop James D. Leggett was elected in 1997.[20]

Educational and charitable institutions

The IPHC has five affiliated institutions of higher education and operates several charitable organizations. IPHC colleges are Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Georgia; Holmes Bible College in Greenville, South Carolina; Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, Oklahoma; and Advantage College in San Jose, California. Charitable organizations include the Falcon Children's Home, Alternative to Abortion Ministries, New Life Adoption Agency, and The Children's Center.

References

  1. ^ a b c International Pentecostal Holiness Church (2007). "24th General Conference Highlights". Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  2. ^ "IPHC Brief History: Introduction". 2007.
  3. ^ Synan, Vinson (1997). The Holiness-Pentecostal Tradition: Charismatic Movements in the Twentieth Century. William B. Eerdmans Pub. ISBN 0802841031. p. 30
  4. ^ "Holiness movement". Britannica Online. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "An Article on the International Pentecostal Holiness Church".
  6. ^ "IPHC Brief History: Holiness Movement". 2007.
  7. ^ Burgess, Stanley M (1988). Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. Regnery Reference Library. ISBN 0310441005. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) p. 466
  8. ^ "IPHC Brief History: Organizational Heritage". 2007.
  9. ^ Synan, Vinson (1997). The Holiness-Pentecostal Tradition: Charismatic Movements in the Twentieth Century. William B. Eerdmans Pub. ISBN 0802841031. p. 62
  10. ^ Synan, Vinson (2001). The Century of the Holy Spirit: 100 Years of Pentecostal and Charismatic Renewal. Thomas Nelson Pub. ISBN 0785245502. p. 110
  11. ^ Synan, Vinson (2001). The Century of the Holy Spirit: 100 Years of Pentecostal and Charismatic Renewal. Thomas Nelson Pub. ISBN 0785245502. p. 111
  12. ^ Synan, Vinson (1997). The Holiness-Pentecostal Tradition: Charismatic Movements in the Twentieth Century. William B. Eerdmans Pub. ISBN 0802841031. p. 119
  13. ^ "IPHC Brief History: Pentecostal Movement". 2007.
  14. ^ Burgess, Stanley M (2002). The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. Zondervan Pub. House. ISBN 0310224810. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) p. 798
  15. ^ Burgess, Stanley M (1988). Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. Regnery Reference Library. ISBN 0310441005. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) p. 467
  16. ^ Dr. Harold Hunter (2007). "Four Fire-Baptized Holiness missionaries arrive in Cuba". Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  17. ^ Dr. Harold Hunter (2007). "PHC Sponsors First Pentecostal Missionary to China". Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  18. ^ "IPHC Brief History: Pentecost & Mergers". 2007.
  19. ^ "Historic Timeline". 2007.
  20. ^ a b "IPHC Brief History: Organizational Developments". 2007.
  21. ^ "3rd General Conference, 1917". 2007-11-14. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  22. ^ "ARDA PF-BHC Denominational Profile". Retrieved 2008-09-24.
  23. ^ "11th General Conference, 1949". 2007-11-14. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  24. ^ "John Paul cries 'wolf': misreading the Pentecostals".
  25. ^ "ARDA Profile of IPHC".
  26. ^ Burgess, Stanley M (2002). The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. Zondervan Pub. House. ISBN 0310224810. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) p. 800
  27. ^ "IPHC Articles of Faith". 2007.
  28. ^ a b "Pentecostal Holiness Church, Inc Encyclopedia Brittanica". 2007.
  29. ^ International Pentecostal Holiness Church (2007-11-14). "Divine Healing". Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  30. ^ Dr. A.D. Beacham, Executive Director IPHC Church Education Ministries. "Frequently Asked Questions". Retrieved 2008-09-12. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |author= at position 37 (help)
  31. ^ International Pentecostal Holiness Church (2008-04-23). "Apostolic Position Paper". Retrieved 2008-09-12.

Further reading

  • Encyclopedia of American Religions, J. Gordon Melton, editor
  • Encyclopedia of Religion in the South, Samuel S. Hill, editor
  • Handbook of Denominations in the United States, by Frank S. Mead, Samuel S. Hill, and Craig D. Atwood

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Pentecostal_Holiness_Church&oldid=304466869"