Our Azusa Roots

TEXT: 2 Timothy 1:1-12, Joshua 4:1-9, Acts 2

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

In 1906, the group that gathered on Azusa Street in Los Angeles were holiness people who were saved and sanctified. They had read about the Baptism of the Holy Ghost in God’s Word, and they came together and prayed specifically that they might receive it. That is documented in history—not just Apostolic Faith history. The fire fell, they received the promised power, and the Pentecostal movement in the US began.

QUESTIONS

• What were the core doctrines taught by the Azusa ministry? (Christians are sanctified before they receive the baptism with the Holy Ghost, this baptism being a gift of power upon the sanctified life, and that the essential and necessary evidence of the baptism is the gift of speaking with new tongues.)
• How have these core doctrines come under attack in the years since 1906?
• In our key verse, what three things does the Psalmist instruct us to remember? Give an example of each.
• Describe what you think is included in the word “remember” as used in our key verse? What are some ways we can do this?
• Azusa worker Clara Lum said in her testimony, “When I came to Azusa Mission, I went in for t he baptism with the Holy Ghost immediately. Had some digging to do, but the Lord met me.” What do you think she meant by “digging.” How might we need to dig to receive the experience of the baptism of the Holy Ghost?
• A report about the meetings on Azusa Street said, “We had real testimonies, from fresh heart-experience. . . . A dozen might be on their feet at once, trembling under the mighty power of God.” Why are personal testimonies such an important part of spreading the Gospel?
• From the beginning, prayer services were a key part of the services at the Azusa mission. We read this account: “Some one might be speaking. Suddenly the Spirit would fall upon the congregation. God Himself would give the altar call. Men would fall all over the house, like the slain in battle, or rush for the altar enmasse, to seek God. The scene often resembled a forest of fallen trees. Such a scene cannot be imitated. I never saw an altar call given in those early days. God Himself would call them.” How have altar services been a blessing in your life? Why do you think altar services have been done away with in so many churches?
• One reporter who wrote prolifically about the Azusa revival penned these words: The ‘color line’ was washed away in the Blood.” What spiritual truth did he capture in that statement? (The outpouring of the Holy Spirit transcends racial and cultural lines.)
• Evan Roberts, while reflecting on the problems of the Welsh Revival of 1904, once wrote, “The mistake was to become occupied with the effects of the revival and not to watch and pray in protecting the cause of the revival.” What might be some of the “causes of revival” he was referring to? How can we go about protecting these?
  

EXTRA HELP FOR TEACHERS

“From the Beginning” from Higher Way 96-2

“Preserve the Landmarks” from Higher Way 96-5

ACTIVITY IDEAS

Have someone testify about a revival they were a part of.

Show Azusa pictures from Apostolic Faith History Book.

Show some landmarks (pictures of historic places, stakes for property boundaries, etc.) Discuss what we can use as spiritual landmarks.

Have your students work together to develop a tribute to some aspect of Apostolic Faith history. Have them keep in mind that the most effective aspects will be those that hold significance for many people for a similar reason, rather than an aspect that is significant to them alone. The tribute might be a plaque, and poem, a song, a poster, etc. This is an opportunity for your students to be creative. Imagine that your tribute will be posted to tell others of the significance of what they have chosen.