The third force : A Pentecostal answer to the question so often asked by both our own young people and by members of other churches, "Who are the Pentecostals?"

by Gordon F. Atter

A history of the worldwide Pentecostal movement from its origins to 1961.

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1962

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atter's book is quite simply the best history of the early Pentecostal church that I have read (and I have read a few). The narrative is quite simple, but this makes it very readable. At times I wish it was more detailed in its coverage and analysis as descriptions tend to be brief. However, the book covers more ground than any other I have read on the subject, charting the progressive of the Pentecostal movement from its roots in the Holiness movement, through Azusa Street, and right across the worlds, giving accounts of Pentecostal movements in UK, Ireland, mainland Europe, Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, South Africa, Congo, Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

The book not only covers the history of the movement but also its doctrinal differences, including the struggles that some significant leaders had with the idea that tongues is THE initial evidence of Baptism in the Spirit and the difficult question of the "Jesus Only" group.

If you only every read one book on the history of the Penetcostal church, read this one.