Posted on 10/07/2006 6:40:10 AM PDT by NYer
NEW YORK - A new 10-nation survey of Pentecostal and charismatic Christians, considered the fastest-growing stream of Christianity worldwide, shows they are deeply influencing the Roman Catholic and mainstream Protestant churches and are poised to make a big impact on global affairs. p>The poll released Thursday by the Washington-based Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that "spirit-filled" Christians, who speak in tongues and believe in healing through prayer, comprise at least 10 percent of the population in nine of the 10 surveyed countries.
The study also found that followers are more willing than previously thought to bring their traditional values into public debates, potentially shaping government policies in the years ahead.
The surveys were conducted over the spring and summer in Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, India, the Philippines, South Korea" /> Researchers polled both Pentecostals, who form their own denominations such as the Assemblies of God, and charismatics, who have adopted some Pentecostal beliefs but remain members of traditional Protestant and Catholic churches.
The survey estimated that Pentecostals and charismatics together comprise at least half the population of Brazil, Guatemala and Kenya, and 44 percent of the Philippines.
They make up about one-third of the population of South Africa and Chile and nearly one-quarter of Nigerians and U.S. residents. The figure for South Korea is smaller, at 11 percent. In India, the poll was limited to three states with large Christian populations, so a national estimate could not be made.
The study found Pentecostal beliefs have a strong hold in major churches in many countries.
In the traditionally Catholic nations of Brazil, Guatemala and the Philippines, charismatics are a larger share of the population than Pentecostals.
In six of the 10 countries, Pentecostals and charismatics together make up the majority of the overall Protestant population, according to the survey.
The Pentecostal movement, which began a century ago in Los Angeles, spread quickly overseas because of its adaptability to local cultures, whose indigenous beliefs often include healings and casting out of evil spirits, and because of the exuberance of its worship.
While Pentecostals and charismatics are known for speaking in tongues, the survey found respondents were more likely to say that they had personally witnessed or experienced other signs of the Holy Spirit, such as a healing through prayer or a direct revelation from God.
The majority of Pentecostals in every nation surveyed except South Korea and India believed religious groups should express their views on social and political issues. In seven of the 10 countries, 70 percent of charismatics agreed.
"These are folks for whom the world of spirit is remarkably alive ... but that in no way diminishes their commitment to social justice for the poor, for instance, or a role for government in meeting those needs," said Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum.
The polls were conducted by phone in the U.S., and in person overseas, with margins of error ranging from plus or minus 4 percentage points to 9 percentage points for some subgroups.
The polls in Brazil, South Africa and South Korea focused on urban areas.
Acts 2
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Quix! How's that dad of yours doing?
Quix, we can't be ignored as God is rising us up like a vapor or a mist seemingly out of nowhere.
The wealth of the wicked shall go the just and we were preordained to be anointed and to reign with and for Him.
Your position would appear much stronger if you use a Bible with a stronger Authority.
It says the same thing in the KJV. I promise.
LOL, and good morning, ovrtaxt! Nice to see you here!
Bump that!
Hey there, have a blessed day!
Ditto that here. In our neck of the woods I hear that the pentecostals lock the doors until the offeratory reaches a certain $ level.
...and I resent the multitude of pentencostals who judge others and tell non-pentecostals they are hell bound.
Thanks to all for great responses. But just a quick reply before church.
"they are unanimous in saying that the apostolic gifts had vanished."
= = =
No, my reading of MORE than one or two quality researchers would insist that "unanimous" is quite significantly untrue.
Alamo-Girl--you be the resident early church fathers scholar . . . What say you?
Besides, Old-Mil--though all the world's Christian fathers delcare a falsehood--it doesn't make it true.
God warned about those coming particularly in the end times who'd have
A FORM OF GODLINESS BUT DENY THE POWER THEREOF.
Unlike some "pacifist" "Christian" movements, pentecostals are patriots and WILL pick up weapons to defend freedom and their homelands!
This is wonderful...it's been in the spiritual relm is now breaking forth in the natural relm...which can be seen with the visible eye. Remember a month or so back, I talked/posted about this? We are now in Our Lord's new yr. We'll be seeing much much more taking place...is this now our day? Yes it is, IMHO.
Thanks for the Bump. God is the Miracle Worker.
Times Square Church ping
Beautiful posts, Quix.
There are Catholic charismatic churches, though. (Or is that the other way around?)
and that was exactly the way he created me...to need Him.
= = = =
Well said, imho.
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