I have read that one of the founding ideals of early Pentecostals in the early 20th Century was to provide freedom and relief from the draconian legalism and externalism that had infected mainstream denominations of that day, (e.g. Southern Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc.).
Some of the earliest manuscripts speak of "each man following the dictates of his heart how he ought to live...". Isn't it ironic that later, it was the Pentecostal denominations that became known for man-made rules and regulations, an actual externalism and legalism at it's finest. Once again, we are faced in the modern Charismatic movement with the same issues. Interesting how leaven really does "leaven the whole lump."
Some of the earliest manuscripts speak of "each man following the dictates of his heart how he ought to live...". Isn't it ironic that later, it was the Pentecostal denominations that became known for man-made rules and regulations, an actual externalism and legalism at it's finest. Once again, we are faced in the modern Charismatic movement with the same issues. Interesting how leaven really does "leaven the whole lump."
