A History of Christian Doctrine #3 - Online Christian Library

A History of Christian Doctrine
The second influence that has prompted changes in
the Pentecostal movement is upward social mobility
with a corresponding increase in the desire for social
acceptance. Like most revival movements and like
Christianity in the beginning, Pentecostalism appealed
first and foremost to the common people, especially to
the socially disadvantaged, the dispossessed, and the
oppressed. 185 Such people had the least to lose and the
most to gain by taking the step of faith.
As Pentecostals experienced the blessings of God upon
their lives, however, they began to move upward in society
and had the means to enjoy greater participation in society.
As their churches grew, they drew the attention of the
establishment and were able to influence the establishment
to some extent. At this point, they acquired a greater
stake in society and thus a greater concern for how society
viewed them. As part of the price of participating in
and influencing the larger religious and secular communities,
however, they encountered greater pressure to conform
to the expectations of those communities.
In connection with this process, the Trinitarian
Pentecostals particularly sought to identify with conservative
Protestantism—Fundamentalism and later
Evangelicalism—and this association in turn became a
third catalyst for change. When the Assemblies of God
rejected the Oneness movement in 1916, they chose
ecclesiastical tradition over apostolic precedent. In
essence, they drew back from the full application of the
restorationist idea that had produced Pentecostalism in
the first place. Had all Pentecostals devoted several years
to Bible study, discussion, and prayer over the matter,
perhaps the outcome would have been significantly dif-
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