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“And when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place…. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” - Act 2: 1:4.
The term “Pentecost,” meaning “fifty,” in its original application, refers to the Jewish Feast of Weeks, observed 50 days after the offering of the Passover sacrifice. It was on the occasion of this celebration in Jerusalem in AD. 33, that the ministry of the Christian Church was birthed, marked by the miraculous outpouring of the promised Holy Spirit, laid out in Acts chapter 2. As a result, “Pentecost” has been adopted in Christianity to refer to this occurrence.
Today, a vast number of Christian believers worldwide are categorized as “Pentecostals,” by virtue of our adherence to the Pentecostal experience. We believe that the infilling of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in unknown tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, signifies being born of the Spirit and is, therefore, essential to salvation.
In addition to embracing this fundamental tenet, Oneness Pentecostals, (also referred to as Oneness Apostolics), are distinguished by our recognition of the Lord God as one God. Oneness theology posits that God is one being, manifesting in three modalities – Father in Creation, Son in Redemption and Holy Ghost in Regeneration.
These principles find their underpinnings throughout scripture, with reference often made to Deuteronomy 6:4, which says, “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.” Oneness theology also maintains synchrony with the Apostles of the early church, who, in keeping with Peter’s discourse on the Day of Pentecost, performed water baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). In doing so they fulfill the Lord’s instruction in Luke 24:47 – “…that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
The movement as we know it today, owes its resurgence to the early 20th Century revival which occurred almost concurrently in Europe, Asia and Latin America, with its epicenter in the United States of America. From 1901, there were sporadic outpourings of the Holy Spirit in places such as Topeka, Kansas; Houston, Texas; and Los Angeles, California. As an increasing number of believers spread the word about this divine move, it gained momentum and in 1906 saw a massive revival at the famed Azusa Street located in Los Angeles, California. There, many miracles were witnessed, as believers sought the Lord with fervency and humility, and thousands converged to witness or to experience the phenomenon they had heard about.
The movement spread rapidly around the world, with the first oneness organization emerging around 1914. The baton was received in Jamaica in 1919, and the characteristics of Spirit led ministries, with the manifestation of spiritual gifts, along with an emphasis on righteous living continue to define the local Apostolic system of beliefs, even after a hundred years in the island.
“…built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” – Eph 2:20