A History of Christian Doctrine #3 - Online Christian Library

A History of Christian Doctrine
Of further interest, Barrett estimated that by 1990, 90
percent of the world’s countries had Pentecostal/
Charismatic churches, and these countries contained 99
percent of the world’s population. Barrett also estimated
that there were 1,474,000 churches and house groups in
his inclusive Pentecostal/Charismatic categories; 11,000
Pentecostal denominations (large and small); and 3,000
Charismatic denominations. In addition, Charismatics
existed in all 150 of the non-Pentecostal denominational
families. 323
In the most thorough study of Oneness Pentecostal
statistics, Talmadge French documented an inclusive constituency
of 13.7 million Oneness Pentecostals in 1998.
After making allowances for groups he could not document,
he estimated a total of 15 to 20 million Oneness
Pentecostals worldwide. 324 For comparison with Barrett’s
figures, the highest number is the most suitable, since
Barrett includes pre-, quasi-, and post-Pentecostals. Thus,
about 10 percent of all denominational Pentecostals
worldwide are Oneness. Moreover, since Oneness
Pentecostals report a much higher percentage of people
receiving the Holy Ghost, it is probable that 15 percent of
all those who have been baptized with the Holy Spirit,
speaking in tongues, are Oneness Pentecostal. 325
Among Charismatics, the Oneness message is not nearly
as strong as it is among Pentecostals. If we could count
Charismatics who have been baptized in Jesus’ name, however,
we would probably find that Jesus Name Charismatics
total 10 percent or more of Charismatics worldwide.
Turning to the United States, there are approximately
1,200 denominations, including non-Christian groups. 326
There are approximately 350,000 churches. 327 Thus, the
324