Outpouring of the Spirit

Abstract

"No Christian theology can avoid paying attention to the significance of Pentecostalism. Apart from the growing numbers of Pentecostals,2 Pentecostalism retrieves the forgotten person of the Trinity, namely, the Holy Spirit, in Christian doctrine and living.3 Nevertheless, the Pentecostal movement not only brings the churches to renewal, but also to schism.4 This ambiguity is a basic fact that we have to take seriously. We have to be fair that schism is not what the churches (Pentecostal or Evangelical) want or intend, but schism gives Pentecostalism a bad name, because schism is exactly a sign that the Spirit is not at work.5 Even though in recent years there is a better understanding and communication between Pentecostals and Evangelicals,6 this does not enhance our understanding of the work of the Spirit."