ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that the ontology of Spirit baptism in Pentecostal theology and experience has ecumenical potential for the Church, and that an ecumenical-Pentecostal understanding of Spirit baptism helpfully frames Pentecostal response to this important document from the World Council of Churches. Pentecostal Christianity has more to contribute to contemporary discussions of ecumenical renewal in the late modern world than is often assumed by insiders as well as outsiders. Pentecostal theology has so far spent the first years of the twenty-first century explicating what is implicit in Pentecostal spirituality. Discussions of Pentecostal Christianity are often forced to begin with a review of just what is being referred to by ‘Pentecostals’ or ‘pentecostals’ or ‘charismatics’ or ‘charismatic-pentecostals’ or ‘renewal Christianity.’ As Pentecostalism emerged and broadened into the wider Pentecostal, charismatic, and renewal movements which have blossomed around the globe over the past century, there have been varying degrees of ecclesial and ecclesiological developments.
