Wednesday, 30 May 2012
‘Land of Hope and Glory’
In ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, Kensington Temple’s Associate Minister Bruce Atkinson scans through all the major revivals of British history, giving the ‘big
picture’ of God’s work to keep the fire of faith burning. It’s a story that stretches back about 1,600 years, but the Pentecostal revival that gave birth to the Elim Movement was a comparatively recent event – beginning in the early
20th century, spearheaded by two brothers: George and Stephen Jeffreys. In this extract, Bruce looks back at those heady days...
The ‘foursquare’ foundation at the heart of Elim’s faith believing in Jesus as Saviour, Baptiser, Healer and Coming King, George Jeffreys led a revival that would put down roots and live on.
A new movement was being born. The new converts for the most part did not want to attend churches that were non- Pentecostal in experience – indeed they would not have been welcome in many, as vicious persecution faced the
fledgling ‘Tongues Movement’ worldwide. Churches were established out of the fruit of campaigns. George Jeffreys named this exploding movement ‘The Elim Foursquare Gospel Movement’, inspired by the Elim Oasis of refreshment.
In ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, Kensington Temple’s Associate Minister Bruce Atkinson scans through all the major revivals of British history, giving the ‘big
picture’ of God’s work to keep the fire of faith burning. It’s a story that stretches back about 1,600 years, but the Pentecostal revival that gave birth to the Elim Movement was a comparatively recent event – beginning in the early
20th century, spearheaded by two brothers: George and Stephen Jeffreys. In this extract, Bruce looks back at those heady days... The ‘foursquare’ foundation
at the heart of Elim’s faith Believing in Jesus as Saviour, Baptiser, Healer and Coming King.
George Jeffreys led a revival that would put down roots and live on
Exodus 15:27. The Elim Evangelistic Band was a revival group of men and women that George took to break open towns for the Gospel.
The Foursquare Gospel was preached: Jesus the Saviour, Jesus the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit, Jesus the Healer and Jesus the Coming King. George had no intention of the fruits of revival being lost, as in the Welsh revival, and raised
up leaders to pastor the new converts, ordaining ministers for the first time in 1917. Soon the tent was too small and George was packing town halls with
thousands of people. By 1920, George had birthed a powerful Pentecostal revival across Ulster, put in place ministers, evangelists and pastors, and now felt the leading to do the same in Wales and England. George went from city to city in England, holding miracle meetings until he broke through, and out of the hundreds of new converts he would start Elim churches.
A classic example of his ministry was his 1930 gospel campaign in Birmingham. George began the meetings in a small church with only a handful of people there. The next evening the ground floor was full, but no one was in the balcony. George invited people who needed prayer for healing to come to the front, and they literally rushed out of their seats to receive prayer. Five days later the church was full on one of the afternoon meetings and 88 new converts were made. Large queues would appear waiting to get a seat for each meeting. In one month the crowds meant that they had to hire a hall, which overflowed, and they moved to the Embassy Rink that had a seating capacity for 8,000 people. Even this became too small, and so they moved to the 15,000-seater Bingly Hall, which they crammed to capacity for 26 meetings. The total number of converts reached 10,000. All of this was accomplished without any local church support and was due to the powerful healing anointing that
was operating. Over 1,000 people testified to being healed at the meetings, and in three services they also baptised 1,000 people. Three churches were born initially of this revival, and this number multiplied to eleven in five years.
George opened hundreds of churches in Britain for the Elim Movement, but he also founded one as a basis for his personal ministry. He purchased Horbury Chapel in 1930, renamed it Kensington Temple (KT) and launched the church as his headquarters in 1931 with a two-week healing revival campaign. The seating capacity was increased to 1,100 and the crowds and new converts began to flock to the meetings. Miracles abounded and the Daily Express reported on the1st August: “Revival in a London street: Foursquare Church with tip-up seats”. Albert Edsor was a member of the George Jeffreys revival party and he told me about the type of meetings Jeffreys would hold at KT. He had a vision of going out to the lost and bringing them to the Temple to get saved. There was a marvellous atmosphere at the meetings. Sometimes, during the worship, Jeffreys would go right into the middle of the congregation, stand on a seat and lead meetings from there. Sometimes just as a new song was going to begin he would say ‘Just a minute!’ He sensed the presence of a holy atmosphere coming into the meeting; he knew the presence of the Lord was there to heal. KT became known as the ‘Church of the Great Physician’ due to the constant flow of miracles that took place. People from all over the world would send in their healing requests to be prayed over each day at KT. When George sensed a healing presence in a meeting he would often exclaim, ‘The Master is here’, and eyeballs would creatively appear in empty eye sockets, crippled legs would be straightened and tumours disappear. George was never the day-to-day pastor of KT, but he used the church as his apostolic base for travelling with the revival band, as well as his regular outreach centre to London. George also ministered in many other places in London. Most notable was his famous Royal Albert Hall Easter celebrations. In those days the Royal Albert Hall had a seating capacity for 10,000 people, and George booked it for the first time in 1927. The auditorium was filled and hundreds testified to being healed. The next year 1,000 people were baptised in water in a single service. Excerpts
from a national newspaper recorded by E C W Boulton show the kind of impact these meetings were having: “1,000 BAPTISED IN ALBERT HALL REMARKABLE ‘FAITH CURE’ SCENES PEOPLE WAIT IN QUEUE
FOR EIGHT HOURS All were smiling happily as they descended into the tank; some were singing, and some waved their hands to the congregation of 10,000, who shouted fervently all the time. There was no self-consciousness anywhere. That the people had been convinced by this young pastor there was no doubt.
Every member of his vast congregation last night was spellbound throughout his address, and when he had finished explaining the symbolism of baptism, no fewer than 53 people came forward demanding to be ‘saved’.” Morning Post, 7 April.
In 1928 Stephen Jeffreys was ministering in Sunderland to crowds of up to 3,000 people. A Sunderland newspaper witnessing the number of sick and afflicted people brought into the meetings said the hall was ‘resembling the scene in a waiting room of a large hospital’. On some individual days over 200 people were healed. On one occasion six people came who were wheelchair bound and all of them were healed sufficiently to push the chairs home themselves.
In one month 3,362 converts were made. He moved next to Spennymoor, making 1,362 converts in three weeks; on to Chesterfield with 1,554 converts in three weeks; Bury with 2,042 converts; Doncaster with 1,100 converts in two weeks and so on and so on. Both George and Stephen began to minister internationally to great effect. For example, 6,000 converts in a one-month campaign in Switzerland in 1934, including 1,800 converts in Geneva alone in three days.
Stephen Jeffreys died in 1943, having blazed a trail of uncompromising supernatural evangelism. He had taken the Welsh revival and brought it into the dimension of the miraculous. George died in 1962. This is how Pastor E C W Boulton summed up his ministry in 1928, but equally it could be extended to reflect George’s whole life: “George Jeffreys, with the rod of the inspired Word, fearlessly smote the waters of an incredulous and invasive modernism, opening up a passage by which many others might pass. He dared to breast the waves of popular religious opinion, thereby exposing himself to a
fierce cross-fire of criticism from most sections of the Christian Church. In the very face of this, God enabled him to achieve triumphs which must for all time adorn the annals of evangelical enterprise. His example should wield a wide influence and provide an abiding inspiration to many.”
Reproduced with Kind permission from ‘Land of Hope and Glory: British Revival through the Ages’, Bruce Atkinson, Dovewell Communications (hardback £11.99; paperback £7.99).
If you would like more detailed information why not purchase the book by James Robinson called Pentecostal Origins (see advert and website link on the bottom left hand side of the webpage).
Where Did George Jeffreys Live and Pastor in Belfast
I thought you might find it interesting to know where Pastor George Jeffreys lived during his time as the Pastor of the first and second Elim church in Belfast Northern Ireland.
The First Elim Church was in Hunter Street in Belfast. This Street no longer exists, but I am informed by local residents that Hunter Street ran between Matilda Street and Oswald Street. Sadly these streets have now gone but if you wish to locate the approximate location of the first Elim Church, make your way to Shaftsbury Square then to Donegal road, the side roads leading off Donegal road opposite the City Hospital will give you the general location of where Hunter Street used to be. As a point of interest Hunter Park and Matilda Gardens are close by to help pin point the area. There is still an Elim church nearby which is known as South Belfast Elim Church Donegall Pass Belfast. See my post on Wednesday, 24 March 2010.
Before going to Belfast to establish the first Elim Church pastor George Jeffreys had met George and William Gillespie in 1913 at the Sunderland Convention, after hearing the Preaching of George Jeffreys the Gillespie brothers sent invitations to George Jeffreys and Mr R.E. Darragh to stay at Pine Street which was just around the corner from where the Donegall Pass church now stands. Sadly Pine Street has now gone. But thanks to the Hospitality shown in Belfast the Monahan meetings soon followed and the establishment of the first Elim church nearby at Hunter Street.
Whilst serving as Pastor of the Hunter Street Church Pastor George Jeffreys lived within a ten minute walk in University Avenue (if ever you are in town, drop me a line and I will give you the house number).
Melbourne Street Was the second Location. Part of the street was cut off by the A12 West link being built, Melbourne Street can now be found at the end of Brown Street which is off the B126 Millfield found behind Smithfield Market. I was thrilled to find out this information because this is round the corner from where I park on a Saturday to make my way to the Open Air Evangelistic Outreach in Corn Market.
If you would like more detailed information why not purchase the book by James Robinson called Pentecostal Origins ( see advert and website link on the bottom left hand side of the webpage).
The First Elim Church was in Hunter Street in Belfast. This Street no longer exists, but I am informed by local residents that Hunter Street ran between Matilda Street and Oswald Street. Sadly these streets have now gone but if you wish to locate the approximate location of the first Elim Church, make your way to Shaftsbury Square then to Donegal road, the side roads leading off Donegal road opposite the City Hospital will give you the general location of where Hunter Street used to be. As a point of interest Hunter Park and Matilda Gardens are close by to help pin point the area. There is still an Elim church nearby which is known as South Belfast Elim Church Donegall Pass Belfast. See my post on Wednesday, 24 March 2010.
Before going to Belfast to establish the first Elim Church pastor George Jeffreys had met George and William Gillespie in 1913 at the Sunderland Convention, after hearing the Preaching of George Jeffreys the Gillespie brothers sent invitations to George Jeffreys and Mr R.E. Darragh to stay at Pine Street which was just around the corner from where the Donegall Pass church now stands. Sadly Pine Street has now gone. But thanks to the Hospitality shown in Belfast the Monahan meetings soon followed and the establishment of the first Elim church nearby at Hunter Street.
Whilst serving as Pastor of the Hunter Street Church Pastor George Jeffreys lived within a ten minute walk in University Avenue (if ever you are in town, drop me a line and I will give you the house number).
Melbourne Street Was the second Location. Part of the street was cut off by the A12 West link being built, Melbourne Street can now be found at the end of Brown Street which is off the B126 Millfield found behind Smithfield Market. I was thrilled to find out this information because this is round the corner from where I park on a Saturday to make my way to the Open Air Evangelistic Outreach in Corn Market.
If you would like more detailed information why not purchase the book by James Robinson called Pentecostal Origins ( see advert and website link on the bottom left hand side of the webpage).
STEPHEN JEFFREYS 1876-1943 Short Histrory
Stephen Jeffreys was a great British evangelist and older brother to the eloquent George Jeffreys. They were converted together on Nov. 20 1904 during the Welsh revival when Stephen was 28 and George just 15 years old. Stephen married Elizabeth Lewis and they had three daughters and one one, Edward , who later became a successful divine healing campaigner and was founder of the Bethel Evangelistic Society.
Stephen was a coal miner for 24 years until 1912 when George asked him to preach at Cwmtwrch near Swansea. A further visit in December extended to a seven-week mission reaping 130 converts from the small village. He joined George holding missions in Central Wales and also in London. In 1913 he preached in Island Place Mission in Llanelly where he accepted an invitation to become its Pastor.
It was here that a miraculous appearance of the face of a lamb appeared on the wall of the mission while he was preaching, changing into the face of the Man of Sorrows. In the July 1916 edition of Confidence, Alexander Boddy reported that he had made enquiries and endorsed the story. This is part of his report:
“Bro. Every said that he went up to the wall and was close to the picture. It was the size of a man’s face. The eyes were remarkable; they seemed to be alive and moving. (He drew as it were with his finger on the wall where we were standing the shape and size of the picture.) I asked Bro. Every if he could send me any account which had appeared in one of the local papers. He has sent me the following cutting from the Llanelly “Star”:-
‘A remarkable experience is related by those who at tend the mission services now being held at the Island Place Gospel Hall. For some months past Mr. Stephen Jeffreys, an earnest mission worker, has been conducting services here among a section of the community to whom the churches and chapels seem to make no appeal. During the service on Sunday night the congregation were startled to see a vision appearing on the wall behind where the preacher was standing. The outlines appeared to be blurred at first, but by-and-by the congregation recognised the head and face of the Man of Sorrows, with the Crown of Thorns upon His head. Speaking to a “Star” representative to-day, Mr. Jeffreys gave a thrilling account of what he described as
“THE VISION OF THE MASTER.”
“We have had many conversions,” he said, “but what occurred on Sunday night transcends all that one could have hoped for. My back was turned to the portion of the wall where the vision appeared, and my attention was drawn to it by some of the congregation who were spell-bound to see the face of our Blessed Lord standing boldly out on the wall. There was no mistaking the appearance - it was the Man of Sorrows looking on us with ineffable love and compassion shining out of His wonderful eyes.
The effect upon us all was one that will never be forgotten by any who were privileged to behold it. Some of my congregation saw the head crowned with thorns, but I cannot speak as to this, as I did not see it. The face, however, was not to be mistaken, and it still haunts me. It remained on the wall for hours after the service closed, and we kept the building open in order that all should have the opportunity of witnessing this wonderful revelation.
Many unbelievers came in and it was a proof to us that the Lord is with us in our work, and it will inspire us to more wholehearted consecration to His service.”
A member of the congregation told our representative that to him the vision appeared as that of the Lord appearing out of a great cloud. “I went early on Monday morning,” he added, “ but by that time the vision had disappeared.”
Stephen continued a successful ministry there until 1920 when he pioneered a a new church, becoming it’s first pastor.
For a few years after that Stephen joined his brother George in his Elim Evangelistic Band and in 1924 the two brothers went on a five-month tour of Canada and the U.S. On his return Stephen became a full-time itinerant evangelist, mostly with the British Assemblies of God from 1926.
These were his the most fruitful years of all his ministry. T. D. Darling took charge of his engagements, Stephen would have two campaigns booked for the same dates! He had no gift for organisation, and was happy to do nothing but preach. That was all he wanted, But what preaching! Campaign followed campaign in the providence of God, and he was the Lord's gift to the burgeoning Fellowship of Assemblies of God. They were stirring years. Scores of young men were catching the heavenly breeze and starting out to pioneer new works for God. Not all were equally successful, but it was a time of visitation. Outstanding miracles of healing occurred and a constant flow of converts were won to Christ. At Sunderland mounted police were employed to control the crowds.
In 1928, after he became the object of an unjustified attack from the press, he began a world tour visiting USA, New Zealand, Australia and New Zealand.
His health began sadly to fail. At only fifty-nine he became crippled with arthritis. The closing years were spent back in his native South Wales in Porthcawl. His wife died in 1941 and he preached his last message at Pontardulais on October 27, 1943. He lived his last years in seclusion and died on November 17 1943.
Donald Gee remembered him thus, ‘Stephen Jeffreys was inimitable. That blending of humour and pathos, of unpolished eloquence with passionate evangelism was mighty in God. The repetition of many of his favourite messages never seemed to dull their intensity. He was Christ's gift of an evangelist (Eph. 4:11). One of the most far-reaching effects of his ministry was the way he seemed to trigger off so many others to follow suit, and the whole character of the British Pentecostal Movement changed. To many the Jeffrey's campaigns marked its beginning. For all his irrepressible wit and humour he was reminiscent of one of the old Hebrew prophets. He could be terrible. At Whitsuntide Convention meetings in Kingsway Hall, London he proclaimed doom on an unrepentant city. Fourteen years later it burned in my memory as I walked through the charred and ruined streets of the City after the great raids of 1941.’
Stephen was a coal miner for 24 years until 1912 when George asked him to preach at Cwmtwrch near Swansea. A further visit in December extended to a seven-week mission reaping 130 converts from the small village. He joined George holding missions in Central Wales and also in London. In 1913 he preached in Island Place Mission in Llanelly where he accepted an invitation to become its Pastor.
It was here that a miraculous appearance of the face of a lamb appeared on the wall of the mission while he was preaching, changing into the face of the Man of Sorrows. In the July 1916 edition of Confidence, Alexander Boddy reported that he had made enquiries and endorsed the story. This is part of his report:
“Bro. Every said that he went up to the wall and was close to the picture. It was the size of a man’s face. The eyes were remarkable; they seemed to be alive and moving. (He drew as it were with his finger on the wall where we were standing the shape and size of the picture.) I asked Bro. Every if he could send me any account which had appeared in one of the local papers. He has sent me the following cutting from the Llanelly “Star”:-
‘A remarkable experience is related by those who at tend the mission services now being held at the Island Place Gospel Hall. For some months past Mr. Stephen Jeffreys, an earnest mission worker, has been conducting services here among a section of the community to whom the churches and chapels seem to make no appeal. During the service on Sunday night the congregation were startled to see a vision appearing on the wall behind where the preacher was standing. The outlines appeared to be blurred at first, but by-and-by the congregation recognised the head and face of the Man of Sorrows, with the Crown of Thorns upon His head. Speaking to a “Star” representative to-day, Mr. Jeffreys gave a thrilling account of what he described as
“THE VISION OF THE MASTER.”
“We have had many conversions,” he said, “but what occurred on Sunday night transcends all that one could have hoped for. My back was turned to the portion of the wall where the vision appeared, and my attention was drawn to it by some of the congregation who were spell-bound to see the face of our Blessed Lord standing boldly out on the wall. There was no mistaking the appearance - it was the Man of Sorrows looking on us with ineffable love and compassion shining out of His wonderful eyes.
The effect upon us all was one that will never be forgotten by any who were privileged to behold it. Some of my congregation saw the head crowned with thorns, but I cannot speak as to this, as I did not see it. The face, however, was not to be mistaken, and it still haunts me. It remained on the wall for hours after the service closed, and we kept the building open in order that all should have the opportunity of witnessing this wonderful revelation.
Many unbelievers came in and it was a proof to us that the Lord is with us in our work, and it will inspire us to more wholehearted consecration to His service.”
A member of the congregation told our representative that to him the vision appeared as that of the Lord appearing out of a great cloud. “I went early on Monday morning,” he added, “ but by that time the vision had disappeared.”
Stephen continued a successful ministry there until 1920 when he pioneered a a new church, becoming it’s first pastor.
For a few years after that Stephen joined his brother George in his Elim Evangelistic Band and in 1924 the two brothers went on a five-month tour of Canada and the U.S. On his return Stephen became a full-time itinerant evangelist, mostly with the British Assemblies of God from 1926.
These were his the most fruitful years of all his ministry. T. D. Darling took charge of his engagements, Stephen would have two campaigns booked for the same dates! He had no gift for organisation, and was happy to do nothing but preach. That was all he wanted, But what preaching! Campaign followed campaign in the providence of God, and he was the Lord's gift to the burgeoning Fellowship of Assemblies of God. They were stirring years. Scores of young men were catching the heavenly breeze and starting out to pioneer new works for God. Not all were equally successful, but it was a time of visitation. Outstanding miracles of healing occurred and a constant flow of converts were won to Christ. At Sunderland mounted police were employed to control the crowds.
In 1928, after he became the object of an unjustified attack from the press, he began a world tour visiting USA, New Zealand, Australia and New Zealand.
His health began sadly to fail. At only fifty-nine he became crippled with arthritis. The closing years were spent back in his native South Wales in Porthcawl. His wife died in 1941 and he preached his last message at Pontardulais on October 27, 1943. He lived his last years in seclusion and died on November 17 1943.
Donald Gee remembered him thus, ‘Stephen Jeffreys was inimitable. That blending of humour and pathos, of unpolished eloquence with passionate evangelism was mighty in God. The repetition of many of his favourite messages never seemed to dull their intensity. He was Christ's gift of an evangelist (Eph. 4:11). One of the most far-reaching effects of his ministry was the way he seemed to trigger off so many others to follow suit, and the whole character of the British Pentecostal Movement changed. To many the Jeffrey's campaigns marked its beginning. For all his irrepressible wit and humour he was reminiscent of one of the old Hebrew prophets. He could be terrible. At Whitsuntide Convention meetings in Kingsway Hall, London he proclaimed doom on an unrepentant city. Fourteen years later it burned in my memory as I walked through the charred and ruined streets of the City after the great raids of 1941.’
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
AN INSTANTANEOUS HEALING AT BRIXTON
Mr. E. H. Thorpe F.C.T.S (Inc) F.I.P.S - Leicester
Testimony of the deputy Principal of Banbury’s College, Leicester
Seventeen years ago I met with an accident at Grimsbyon a ship and fractured my knee cap. The fracture was so complete that all the oil in my knee cap formed a substance at the bottom of the leg. The infirmary authorities wanted me to have my leg ‘wired’, but I refused and was told I should have a stiff leg for life. I engaged a bone-setter, and although he did his work well, I had temporary paralysis for three months.
I attended the healing service at the Brixton Tent held by Principal George Jeffreys on Sunday, 16th June, 1929, having previously prayed that God would help me to be cured in one of three things:
(1) That l should be healed of an internal trouble.
(2) That He would make my eyesight better.
(3) That ‘He would heal my knee-cap.
I have been unable for many years to engage in any form of recreation, or walk any distance, and could get up and downstairs only with difficulty and by the aid of the banisters. Within three minutes of the laying-on of hands and the offering of prayer by the Principal, I felt the healing touch of the Divine Master and immediately exclaimed, in “I am healed!” I then rose, again tested the leg, found that I could move it in all directions, that l was able to swing- it to and fro, that the ligaments were free and (or loose) that l could kneel without pain on the right knee-cap. I again tested it on the bus, running upstairs, and I then had no doubt that the cure was permanent. On arrival inLeicester, I practiced running upstairs to amazement of several who came to visit me.
At the healing meeting many others gave testimony to being cured of blindness cancer, consumption and other diseases.
This article was taken from http://ernestanderson.wordpress.com/2012/04/08/healing-testimonies-101/#comment-5459
With greatful thanks.
Testimony of the deputy Principal of Banbury’s College, Leicester
Seventeen years ago I met with an accident at Grimsbyon a ship and fractured my knee cap. The fracture was so complete that all the oil in my knee cap formed a substance at the bottom of the leg. The infirmary authorities wanted me to have my leg ‘wired’, but I refused and was told I should have a stiff leg for life. I engaged a bone-setter, and although he did his work well, I had temporary paralysis for three months.
I attended the healing service at the Brixton Tent held by Principal George Jeffreys on Sunday, 16th June, 1929, having previously prayed that God would help me to be cured in one of three things:
(1) That l should be healed of an internal trouble.
(2) That He would make my eyesight better.
(3) That ‘He would heal my knee-cap.
I have been unable for many years to engage in any form of recreation, or walk any distance, and could get up and downstairs only with difficulty and by the aid of the banisters. Within three minutes of the laying-on of hands and the offering of prayer by the Principal, I felt the healing touch of the Divine Master and immediately exclaimed, in “I am healed!” I then rose, again tested the leg, found that I could move it in all directions, that l was able to swing- it to and fro, that the ligaments were free and (or loose) that l could kneel without pain on the right knee-cap. I again tested it on the bus, running upstairs, and I then had no doubt that the cure was permanent. On arrival inLeicester, I practiced running upstairs to amazement of several who came to visit me.
At the healing meeting many others gave testimony to being cured of blindness cancer, consumption and other diseases.
This article was taken from http://ernestanderson.wordpress.com/2012/04/08/healing-testimonies-101/#comment-5459
With greatful thanks.
Why the need to Start the Elim Denomination
George Jeffreys and the group of people who called the new Church movement "ELIM" held the same beliefs as other Christians, but with one important difference. They believed that God’s promises in the Bible about the Holy Spirit and healing were for Christians today. In other words, miracles didn’t stop after the Bible was written. The Elim pioneers had rediscovered God’s power, promised in the Bible to all who would completely commit their lives to following Jesus. It was a ‘re-discovery’, not a discovery, because it was nothing new. God had worked in power through different Christians throughout the centuries, right back to the dramatic miracles of the early Church so frequently mentioned in the Bible.
The basic teaching of Elim, which was publicised under the heading ‘The Foursquare Gospel’, highlighted this rediscovery: it stated that Jesus is the Saviour, the Healer, the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit and the Coming King.
During the journey from their cruel bondage in Egypt to the freedom of the Promised Land, the Israelites, exhausted and dispirited came upon an oasis called "Elim". (Exodus 15:27 NIV) Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water. It would have been a place of shelter and refreshment in the wilderness. In this day and age life can sometimes seem like a wilderness, we hope our church can be an oasis on your journey.
Such ‘Pentecostal’ beliefs raised a lot of opposition from some traditional church leaders at the time, because miracles are always controversial. But the pioneers were just getting back to what Jesus had taught in the first place – after all, Jesus himself healed many people and had promised the Holy Spirit to his followers.
The name ‘Pentecostal’ comes from the account in Acts 2 when the apostles were visited by the Holy Spirit during the feast of Pentecost. We believe the power and presence of God is as real and relevant today as it was in Biblical times. God has not changed. We believe that God longs to transform lives, heal bodies and give new direction.
These doctrines were firmly ‘orthodox’ – shared in common with the historic Protestant denominations like the Anglican Church, Methodists, Baptists, etc, who all believe in ‘the Trinity’ – God in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus) and the Holy Sprit. This core belief is totally rejected by the so-called ‘Christian’ cults – Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, etc.
Although the doctrine of the Trinity being firmly ‘orthodox’ – shared in common with the historic Protestant denominations like the Anglican Church, Methodists, Baptists, etc,there has been a difference of belief on the Ministry and gifts of the Holy Spirit, Divine healing and miracles being in opperation today. Some of the denominations mentioned claim that these ended with the death of the apostles.Whilst their view is respected many Members of Elim and other Pentecostal Churches still believe the truth of The Foursquare Gospel and that the Lord Jesus Christ is Saviour, Healer, Baptiser in The Holy Ghost and coming King.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever.
Elim took God at his Word and so God honoured that by delivering on his promises in the Bible. And he is still doing the same today!
These beliefs have now been accepted by many within the traditional churches, and are shared with many new church groups that have sprung up in the last 40 years – called ‘charismatic' churches or simply new churches.
But the vision wasn’t confined to this country. Today, Elim comprises over 500 churches in the UK and Ireland, but we are also linked to over 9,000 Elim churches in other countries. Elim is also in co-operative fellowship with thousands of Pentecostal churches around the world, and has missions work in over 40 countries.
The governing body of Elim is the annual conference. Over 2,000 people gather for a week of worship, teaching and fellowship, and time is set aside for ministers and delegates to discuss matters relating to Elim.
It is our belief that Elim has a significant part to play in the world today, and we are confidently looking forward to what God will do in the future. To find out more about Elim you can visit http://www.elim.org.uk/
Part of this article was taken from http://www.ashingdonelim.com/index.htm
with greatful thanks.
The basic teaching of Elim, which was publicised under the heading ‘The Foursquare Gospel’, highlighted this rediscovery: it stated that Jesus is the Saviour, the Healer, the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit and the Coming King.
During the journey from their cruel bondage in Egypt to the freedom of the Promised Land, the Israelites, exhausted and dispirited came upon an oasis called "Elim". (Exodus 15:27 NIV) Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water. It would have been a place of shelter and refreshment in the wilderness. In this day and age life can sometimes seem like a wilderness, we hope our church can be an oasis on your journey.
Such ‘Pentecostal’ beliefs raised a lot of opposition from some traditional church leaders at the time, because miracles are always controversial. But the pioneers were just getting back to what Jesus had taught in the first place – after all, Jesus himself healed many people and had promised the Holy Spirit to his followers.
The name ‘Pentecostal’ comes from the account in Acts 2 when the apostles were visited by the Holy Spirit during the feast of Pentecost. We believe the power and presence of God is as real and relevant today as it was in Biblical times. God has not changed. We believe that God longs to transform lives, heal bodies and give new direction.
These doctrines were firmly ‘orthodox’ – shared in common with the historic Protestant denominations like the Anglican Church, Methodists, Baptists, etc, who all believe in ‘the Trinity’ – God in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus) and the Holy Sprit. This core belief is totally rejected by the so-called ‘Christian’ cults – Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, etc.
Although the doctrine of the Trinity being firmly ‘orthodox’ – shared in common with the historic Protestant denominations like the Anglican Church, Methodists, Baptists, etc,there has been a difference of belief on the Ministry and gifts of the Holy Spirit, Divine healing and miracles being in opperation today. Some of the denominations mentioned claim that these ended with the death of the apostles.Whilst their view is respected many Members of Elim and other Pentecostal Churches still believe the truth of The Foursquare Gospel and that the Lord Jesus Christ is Saviour, Healer, Baptiser in The Holy Ghost and coming King.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever.
Elim took God at his Word and so God honoured that by delivering on his promises in the Bible. And he is still doing the same today!
These beliefs have now been accepted by many within the traditional churches, and are shared with many new church groups that have sprung up in the last 40 years – called ‘charismatic' churches or simply new churches.
But the vision wasn’t confined to this country. Today, Elim comprises over 500 churches in the UK and Ireland, but we are also linked to over 9,000 Elim churches in other countries. Elim is also in co-operative fellowship with thousands of Pentecostal churches around the world, and has missions work in over 40 countries.
The governing body of Elim is the annual conference. Over 2,000 people gather for a week of worship, teaching and fellowship, and time is set aside for ministers and delegates to discuss matters relating to Elim.
It is our belief that Elim has a significant part to play in the world today, and we are confidently looking forward to what God will do in the future. To find out more about Elim you can visit http://www.elim.org.uk/
Part of this article was taken from http://www.ashingdonelim.com/index.htm
with greatful thanks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)