A History of Christian Doctrine #3 - Online Christian Library

A History of Christian Doctrine
people how to dress according to the Bible. Gold watches,
rings, etc. have disappeared, and gone into sending the
Gospel.” 32 Seymour admonished, “O beloved, after you
have received the light, it is holiness or hell. God is calling
for men and women in these days that will live a holy
life free from sin.” 33
The Decline of Parham and Seymour
After ministering in Zion City, Parham visited the
Azusa Street Mission in late 1906 at the invitation of
Seymour, who initially acknowledged him as originator of
the movement. 34 Parham felt that the worship manifestations
were excessive, however, and overly influenced by
blacks. While he acknowledged that many people were
genuinely receiving the Holy Spirit at Azusa, he
denounced the mission for “extremes, wild-fire, fanaticism,”
and false manifestations. 35 Apparently, he was
affected by racial prejudice and also resented that the
revival was not under his direction. At this point, Seymour
rejected Parham’s leadership completely.
The next year, in July 1907, Parham was arrested in
San Antonio, Texas, on a moral charge. 36 Although the
charge was soon dropped, his enemies publicized the
incident, particularly the leadership in Zion. Parham soon
lost most of his following and influence. He continued his
evangelistic ministry from his home base in Baxter
Springs, Kansas. To his death in 1929, Parham was sidelined
from the leadership of the movement he had initiated.
A small group remained faithful to him and exists
today as the Apostolic Faith, centered around a Bible college
in Baxter Springs.
Perhaps in an effort to distance themselves from
34