Azusa Street Revival

The Azusa Street Revival (1906–1909) took place in Los Angeles, California, and was led by William Seymour (1870–1922), an African American preacher.

Related Topics:
1906 - 1909 - Los Angeles, California - William Seymour - 1870 - 1922 - African American - Preacher

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Seymour preached that glossolalia, or "speaking in tongues," was evidence of Holy Spirit baptism; his first Los Angeles parish therefore expelled him. Seymour continued preaching until he and a small group experienced glossolalia. Crowds began to gather and a mission space was found on Azusa Street, in a run-down building in downtown Los Angeles. Worship there was frequent, spontaneous, and ecstatic, drawing people from around the world to a revival that lasted about three years, and there were many miracles and signs that brought global attention to this revival. The Azusa revival was multi-racial, welcomed poor people, and encouraged the leadership of women. The location is part of Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California.

Related Topics:
Glossolalia - Holy Spirit - Baptism - Parish - Worship - Poor - Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California

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Azusa's "five-fold doctrine" was:

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• salvation;
• sanctification or holiness;
• tongues as evidence of Spirit baptism;
• divine healing;
• the "very soon" return of Christ.

Pentecostalism has earlier roots, but the Azusa Street Revival launched it as a worldwide movement. A play dramatizing the events of the Azusa Street Revival is sometimes produced by Pentecostal churches as both a way of outreach to nonmembers and to teach their own members about their theological history.

Related Topics:
Pentecostalism - Theological - History

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