ABSTRACT
Pentecostalism has its roots in biblical events as they occurred in the early church, as recorded in the book of Acts. Pentecostalism is energetic and dynamic to the extent that even the Pentecostal hermeneutic is an experiential one. The Pentecostals would, for example, put more emphasis on baptism in the Holy Spirit than on baptism in water, maybe for the obvious reason that baptism in water seems to be following a form of ritual or sacrament, while baptism in the Holy Spirit is more experiential. John Alexander Dowie influenced classical Pentecostalism in South Africa by his teachings. William Seymour of Azusa Street Revival also influences classical Pentecostalism in South Africa. In the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s the Pentecostal Movement was renewed, refreshed, modernised and significantly broadened by the Charismatic Renewal. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
