The ‘Evasive’ Spirit of Pentecostalism

Abstract

The paper discusses the contribution of Peter Newman Anim to the development of Ghanaian indigenous Pentecostalism. It examines the theological implications of Anim’s spiritual experience and the subsequent outpouring of the Spirit upon his organisation against the backdrop of the debate surrounding Spirit baptism. The Pentecostal doctrine of Spirit baptism has generated lots of debate between Evangelicals and Pentecostals. While the one contends that the baptism is a once for all time conversion-initiative experience for the Church universal, the other thinks otherwise. This paper takes up the debate from a Ghanaian Pentecostal stable by appealing to the first pneumatic experience that occurred in a secluded village that ignited the Pentecostal fire nationally. This phenomenon occurred outside the expectant Anim’s group, thus raising incisive theological questions concerning the plausible context and condition for Spirit baptism. By means of historical analysis, critical examination, and practical illustration the paper attempts to evaluate the various positions on Spirit baptism.