Westminster Conference 06 C

The third session of the first day of this year's Westminster Conference featured Stanley Jebb, a retired minister of Reformed convictions who for a long period some 20 years and more ago was involved in the Charismatic movement. He took us through the events that occurred 100 years ago in Azusa Street, Los Angeles, [See pic] and that are remembered by Pentecostals and Charismatics as the origin of their movements. Dr Jebb took us through the events and introduced us to some of the men involved, men such as William J Seymour (1870-1922) and his mentor Charles Fox Parham (1873-1929), the chief originator of Pentecostal doctrine.

Reflecting on the immigration, pragmatism and genuine revival known in the period and the subsequent sad histories of Parham and Seymour Dr Jebb concluded that much that was spurious, even devilish, took place at Azusa Street but that there was undoubtedly genuine work going on too.

He noted disapprovingly the lack of preaching and teaching, the unwillingness to be discerning and test the spirits, the lack of order and the tendency to shape doctrine on the basis of experience. Prayer is good but extended prayer for things not promised by God are bound to lead to trouble. Holiness is an important thing to aim at. Greater discernment is always needed.

An interesting but slightly rambling discussion followed.