Charles Fox Parham was an American preacher and evangelist who was instrumental in the emergence of Pentecostalism in the early 20th century. He is often referred to as the “Father of Pentecostalism” due to his pivotal role in pioneering many of the beliefs and practices that came to define the Pentecostal movement. Here is an overview of Parham’s life and ministry:
Early Life and Ministry
Charles Parham was born on June 4, 1873 in Muscatine, Iowa. In his youth, Parham’s family moved to Kansas where he later attended Southwestern College. He left college early to begin an independent ministry focused on divine healing and holiness theology. In 1898, Parham opened the Bethel Healing Home in Topeka, Kansas which served as a center for his healing ministry. During this time, Parham began to preach about a post-conversion experience he called the “baptism in the Holy Spirit” which he linked with speaking in tongues.
The Topeka Outpouring
In 1900, Parham opened a Bible school in Topeka with about 40 students. He instructed his students to study the Bible to determine what evidence was consistent with receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. On January 1, 1901, one of Parham’s students, Agnes Ozman, prayed and began speaking in tongues. This experience was soon replicated by many other students, resulting in a revival that came to be known as the Topeka Outpouring. This event is considered by many historians as the origins of modern Pentecostalism.
Spreading the Pentecostal Message
Following the Topeka Outpouring, Parham began traveling and preaching about his Pentecostal experience across the Midwest and South. In 1903, he opened a Bible training school in Houston, Texas which attracted hundreds of students. One of Parham’s students, William Seymour, later experienced speaking in tongues and helped spark the famous Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles which greatly contributed to the rise of Pentecostalism.
Later Ministry and Death
In 1906, Parham was arrested and charged over allegations related to inappropriate behavior, though he was acquitted a year later. The controversy pushed Parham out of the public spotlight for a time. He continued traveling and preaching, but distanced himself from the growing Pentecostal denominations. Toward the end of his life he founded the Apostolic Faith Movement to continue advancing his teachings. Charles Parham died in Baxter Springs, Kansas on January 29, 1929.
Core Teachings and Beliefs
Here are some of Charles Parham’s core teachings that influenced early Pentecostalism:
- Baptism in the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues – This post-conversion experience empowers believers for Christian ministry. Speaking in tongues is the evidence that one has received this baptism.
- Divine Healing – Parham taught that God’s healing power is part of the atonement purchased by Christ. God desires to heal people physically just as He forgives their sins.
- Premillennialism – Parham believed Jesus would literally return to earth before the millennium to reign for 1,000 years.
- Holiness ethic – He taught Christians should live holy lives in conduct and appearance, abstaining from sins like drinking alcohol.
- Bible as sole authority – Parham rejected tradition and emphasized the Bible as the only source of authority for doctrine and practice.
Key Contributions to Pentecostalism
Here are some of Charles Parham’s major contributions that influenced the early development of Pentecostalism:
- Baptism in the Holy Spirit doctrine – Parham was the first to articulate this as a post-conversion experience accompanied by speaking in tongues.
- Pentecostal worship style – Experiences like tongues-speech and divine healing shaped ecstatic and experiential worship.
- Pentecostal theology – Parham influenced beliefs like faith healing, premillennialism, and holiness standards.
- Impartation through education – His Bible schools spread Pentecostal ideas through the students he trained and impacted.
- Interracial unity – Parham’s schools accepted both White and Black students, modeling racial reconciliation.
- Focus on Acts narrative – Parham pointed to the Book of Acts as the pattern for church life and the work of the Spirit.
Parham’s Controversies and Criticisms
Despite his positive contributions, Charles Parham has also been criticized and involved in controversy over:
- Accusations of racism later in ministry, despite early interracial efforts.
- Teachings that glossolalia was real human languages to empower evangelism. This was later disproven.
- Arrest over allegations of inappropriate behavior with a young man in 1906.
- Authoritarian leadership tendencies.
- Lack of organizational skills which limited the growth of his institutions.
- Rejection of developing Pentecostal denominations as overly institutional.
Legacy and Impact on Pentecostalism
Charles Parham’s legacy as a pioneer of Pentecostalism is complex, but he undeniably shaped the early movement in significant ways:
- Spread the baptism in the Holy Spirit doctrine and tongues as evidence.
- Modeled an experiential approach to worship, prayer and Christian living.
- Established Bible schools that equipped thousands of early Pentecostal ministers.
- Influenced key figures like William Seymour who helped Pentecostalism grow globally.
- Paved the way for both Trinitarian and Oneness streams of Pentecostalism.
- Began racial reconciliation efforts later expanded through Azusa revival.
- Preserved a sense of immediacy of Christ’s return and urgent need for evangelism.
While flawed in many ways, Charles Parham was used by God to recover vital biblical truths about the work of the Holy Spirit. This helped spark a Pentecostal revival that has impacted hundreds of millions worldwide. Parham demonstrated that God can use imperfect vessels to accomplish His purposes in advancing the gospel and renewing the church.