IMPACT OF PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES IN NIGERIA (CASE STUDY OF YENAGOA L.G.A, BAYELSA STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

A global study and analysis on Pentecostal churches is an on-going assignment as a result of its impact on the religious, political and socioeconomic life of the people. A survey on the out range of Pentecostal churches in Nigeria as shown that they are increasing daily in the nooks and crannies of the country. The emergence of Pentecostal churches is daily challenging the prevailing of Mainline and Aladura Churches in national development. It has therefore become a basic concern for scholars of Church History, History and Sociology in Nigerian Universities to devote much time to study such churches. Essien opines that “this situation calls for continuous research of their forms, the socio-religious and economic conditions that necessitate their emergence and their relevance to the social life of their adherents and to the society at large”. The term Pentecostalism is linked to the doctrine of subsequent and initial evidence, which, originated in the United States of America at the turn of the 20th century. It also refers to the experience of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Pentecostalism is seen as one of the fastest growing movements within Christianity in Nigeria and the world at large. In order to know the impact of Protestantism in Nigeria, we have a tendency to examine in short the non-secular arena in Nigeria before the explosion of the modern Pentecostal spirituality. We’ve got to reason and establish the character of Protestantism, its influence and impact on Christianity within the country. The world Protestantism is interlinking with numerous styles of “independent” churches in Nigeria. It’s thus tough to spot  Pentecostal churches from numerous African Initiated Churches (AIC) in Nigeria. For the sake of instructive the advanced scenario, we have to do a typological study of Pentecostal development in Federal Republic of Nigeria. This throws more light on the different forms of Christianity in the country. Our concentration on the worldwide Pentecostalism is highlighted by a nutshell presentation of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria. At this juncture, we tend to try a synthesis of the impact and influence of Pentecostalism in Nigeria, as a contribution towards a revived Christianity today. The fact that Pentecostal movement has touched every side of the Nigerian society and church life is not an overstatement. The “Spirit” movement within the Nigerian church and society in general is unprecedented. It is almost impossible for anyone to say that there is a Nigerian who has not heard the word of God.