The A.F.M. of S.A. is part of the classical Pentecostal Movement
which originated early in the 20th century. It is the oldest Pentecostal
Church in South Africa, and among the oldest in the world.
The Pentecostal movement considers itself a continuation of the
Church of Acts, in spirit, doctrine and practice. Since the time of that
church there has never been a exact equivalent to the modern Pentecostal
Movement, although occasionally Pentecostal phenomena have occurred among
believers.
Pentecost ascribes its origin and extension to God. It has in
fact been, since its inception, the fastest growing section of the
Christian Church. It was preceded and influenced at its origin by
various movements and persons - Pietism, Methodism, The Holiness Movement
and Zionism (Dewey). Preparatory factors in South Africa were the revival
of 1860, Andrew Murray and the poor-white situation. The origin of the movement can be traced to a Bible College in
Topeka, Kansas, on 1st January, 1901, although it gained its impetus
later at Azusa Street, Los Angeles, in April 1906. The Americans, in
particular John G. Lake and Thomas Hezmalhalch, were instrumental in the
establishment of the A.F.M. of S.A. in May 1908.
Upoa a foundation laid by Zionism in particular, the A.F.M. grew
rapidly from the start. As in America, services were originally multiracial.
This phenomenal growth, and the development from a revival movement
to an established church, is discussed. The novelty and disparate
character of Pentecost in a largely Calvinist Church situation in S. A.,
with its resultant reciprocal influences, is also considered.
The entire spectrum of ecclesial development is examined
church polity, liturgy and doctrine, and various activities such as missions,
welfare, training, youth and Sunday School.
The history of the· A.F.M. clearly demonstrates that the Pentecostal
Movement has not only come to stay, but that it is increasingly
extending its influence as a church in South Africa.
Die A.G.S. van S.A. is deel van die klassieke Pinksterbeweging
wat aan die begin van die 20th eeu ontstaan het. Dit is nie alleen die
oudste Pinksterkerk in Suid-Afrika nie, maar een van die oudstes in die
wereld.
Die Pinksterbeweging glo dat hy in gees, in leer en praktyk 'n
voortsetting is van die vroee Handelinge-kerk. Na die vroee kerk was
daar nie weer 'n kerk of beweging wat die presiese ekwiwalent van die
hedendaagse Pinksterbeweging is nie alhoewel daar met wisselende tussenposes
in die kerkgeskiedenis sekere Pinksterfenomene onder gelowiges
voorgekom het.
Die Pinksterbeweging glo dat sy ontstaan en voortbestaan 'n werk
van God is - dit is inderdaad sedert sy ontstaan by verre die vinnigste-
groeiende deel van die Christelike Kerk. Sy ontstaan is voorafgegaan
en voorberei deur verskillende bewegings en persone - die Pietisme, metodisme,
Heiligheidsbeweging en Sionisme ( Dowey). Ook in Suid-Afrika was
daar voorbereidende faktore - die 1860-herlewing, Andrew Murray en die
armblanketoestand. Die Pinksterbeweging se ontstaan kan herlei word na 'n Bybelskool
in Topeka Kansas op 1 Januarie 1901 alhoewel sy eintlike momentun
by die gebeure in Azusastraat Los Angeles in April 1906 gesoek moet
word. Vanuit Amerika was dit veral twee manne, John G. Lake en Thomas
Hezmalhalch wat instrumenteel was in die tot standbrenging van die A.G.S.
van S.A. gedurende Mei 1908.
Op 'n bodem wat veral voorberei is deur die Sionisme, het die
A.G.S. van meet af geweldig gegroei. Soos in Amerika was die dienste
aanvanklik veelrassig. Sy fenomenale groei asook die ontwikkeling vanaf 'n herlewingsbeweging
tot 'n gevestigde kerk word bespreek. Die nuutheid en vreemdsoortigheid
van die Pinksterbeweging in die oorwegend Calvinistiese kerklike
situasie van Suid-Afrika en die wedersydse beinvloeding word oak onder
die loep geneem.
Daar word gekyk na die valle spektrum van ontwikkeling in die
kerk self: kerkregtelik, liturgies en leerstellig, asook verskillende
werksaamhede - sendingwerk, barmhartigheid, opleiding, jeug en Sondagskool. Die boodskap van die A. G. S. se geskiedenis is duidelik - die
Pinksterbeweging het nie net gekom om te bly nie, maar is besig om op 'n
steeds grater wordende wyse sy staanplek en invloed as kerk in Suid-Afrika
te verbrei.
