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TPM encourages divine healing rather than mainstream medicine. The full-time workers in the church will generally believe this to the point of not going to hospitals or doctors. Believing that their rules and regulations prevent the believer from being trapped in the world, they avoid wearing jewellery, so as to lead a simple life, and discourage watching television or movies. They preach and teach separation from the world in order to prepare for the second coming of Christ. TPM encourages divine healing rather than mainstream medicine. The full-time workers in the church will generally believe this to the point of not going to hospitals or doctors. Believing that their rules and regulations prevent the believer from being trapped in the world, they avoid wearing jewellery, so as to lead a simple life, and discourage watching television or movies. They preach and teach separation from the world in order to prepare for the second coming of Christ.


== Criticisms and controversies ==
aith in God – Is it Possible?
* Only TPM ministers belong to the 144,000 that will stand on Mount Zion near Christ in eternity.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=XGiv3riaunQC&lpg=PA64&dq=%22ceylon%20pentecostal%20mission%22%20%22zion%22&pg=PA64#v=onepage&q=%22ceylon%20pentecostal%20mission%22%20%22zion%22&f=false|title=The South Indian Pentecostal Movement in the Twentieth Century|last=Bergunder|first=Michael|date=2008-06-06|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing|isbn=978-0-8028-2734-0|language=en}}</ref>
Does it make sense to have faith in God? Is it possible to release all our fears and failures into God’s hands? Each time those questions are asked, the answer is always, “Yes.” There are times in our lives when the road ahead seems uncertain; when the answers we desperately seek are elusive. As long as we depend on our own understanding and reasoning, our faith will waiver.
* Church ministers often called "workers" who are unmarried men and women, stay together under the same roof.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=9yiLAwAAQBAJ&lpg=PA172&dq=%22ceylon%20pentecostal%20mission%22%20%22communal%22&pg=PA172#v=onepage&q=%22ceylon%20pentecostal%20mission%22%20%22communal%22&f=false|title=Grassroots Asian Theology: Thinking the Faith from the Ground Up|last=Chan|first=Simon|date=2014-06-02|publisher=InterVarsity Press|isbn=978-0-8308-9544-1|language=en}}</ref>
* TPM bans members from attending other denominations and the church refuses contact with all other pentecostal churches and has a whole range of extremely radical and church dividing exclusive doctrines.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=LDZgKELq7AoC&lpg=PA195&dq=%22ceylon%20pentecostal%20mission%22%20%22exclusive%22&pg=PA195#v=onepage&q=%22ceylon%20pentecostal%20mission%22%20%22exclusive%22&f=false|title=Asian and Pentecostal: The Charismatic Face of Christianity in Asia|last=Anderson|first=Allan|last2=Tang|first2=Edmond|date=2005-01-01|publisher=OCMS|isbn=978-1-870345-43-9|language=en}}</ref>


=== Pastor Alwin De Alwis ===
God’s ways are incomprehensible: “‘My thoughts are completely different from yours,’ says the Lord. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine . . . my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8–9). We are so precious to God that His highest thoughts are about us; they can’t be counted (Psalm 139:17–18).
In the 1960s, a sister in the United Kingdom accused Pastor Alwin of sexually attacking her. Around the same time it was rumored that Alwin had introduced a new teaching called "Edenic Perfection" where sisters had to walk naked in Faith Homes to test if the men had overcome their worldly desires. Alwin was eventually excommunicated by Pastor Freddy Paul in 1962. After his excommunication, the property rights of Faith Homes were settled legally.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The South Indian Pentecostal Movement in the Twentieth Century|last=Bergunder|first=Michael|publisher=William B Eerdmans Publishing Co|year=|isbn=0-8028-2734-9|location=|pages=42, 43}}</ref>


Pastor Alwin introduced a teaching that made it mandatory for pastors to remain celibates. Communal living of unmarried pastors and sisters was institutionalized. Alwin introduced a lot of doctrinal statements that made it binding on the members of the church. These teachings introduced by Alwin was probably the reason for the split of CPM from other south Indian Pentecostal movements.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The South Indian Pentecostal Movement in the Twentieth Century|last=Bergunder|first=Michael|publisher=William B Eerdmans Publishing Co|year=|isbn=0-8028-2734-9|location=|pages=64}}</ref>
Knowing that God is our loving Heavenly Father makes it easier to release control of our lives to Him. Reneй is a young mother with a tiny son. For years, she watched her marriage deteriorate. She tried self-help classes as well as counseling. While both courses of action provided her with minimal peace, she remained despondent, apprehensive about her future as well as her son’s.


=== Murder of Pastor Kanagaraj ===
In her despair, Reneй sought help and counsel from the One who knew her best. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5). While her difficulties didn’t disappear overnight, Reneй now trusts her Protector and Deliverer, who is faithful and keeps all of His promises. Peace comes when we place our faith in God, not man.
In 2016, a pastor in Tuticorin was suspected to have murdered another pastor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dtnext.in/News/City/2016/10/07012123/Foul-play-suspected-in-death-of-Thoothukudi-priest.vpf|title=Foul play suspected in death of Thoothukudi priest|date=2016-10-07|work=dtNext.in|access-date=2017-03-05|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/%E2%80%9CMystery-shrouds-death-of-Pastor%E2%80%9D/article16439922.ece|title="Mystery shrouds death of Pastor"|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-03-10|language=en}}</ref>

Faith in God – Believing the Impossible
There will be times when our faith in God requires us to believe in the impossible. Sarah and Mary both experienced impossible circumstances. Though barren, at 90, Sarah became pregnant, fulfilling God’s promise as well as an oath (Hebrews 6:17–18). Abraham’s descendants would multiply into countless millions. God’s promises bring hope.

In fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14, the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary (Luke 1:31–32). Through an innocent girl, the Savior of mankind entered the world. In every case, faith in God requires us to anticipate answers that are infinite and eternal -- believing all things are possible.

Faith in God – Making it Personal
Our faith in God intensifies when we invite Jesus into our lives. In accepting that God’s ways are far better than our own, we can release that which we cannot manipulate or guarantee -- our future. Choosing to release control to the only One who is the Way, Truth, and Life gives us peace and security.

With faith in God, through His Son, we then can say, “I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in the earthly body by trusting the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).


== Church names == == Church names ==

Revision as of 16:17, 4 September 2017

This article is about The Pentecostal Mission (20th century). For the century Pentecostal Mission holiness denomination, see Pentecostal Mission.

The Pentecostal Mission (TPM) or New Testament Church (NTC) or Universal Pentecostal Church (UPC) or Ceylon Pentecostal Mission (CPM), is a pentecostal denomination which originated in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. In some countries, the church is known under different names. The international headquarters is now situated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. This mission was founded in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1923 by Pastor Paul. It now has churches in over 65 countries..

History

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The church was founded by Pastor Paul (Ramankutty). Ramankutty was born to Hindu parents in the district of Trichur in Kerala, India. While in Sri Lanka, at the age of 18, he became a Christian. He later began to preach and share the Christian gospel in various parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. It was through his service that the church was founded in 1923. Even after the death of Ramankutty, Over 95% of the members of this church is constituting people from the Indian Sub-Continent.

Church leadership

Main article: List of Chief Pastors of the Pentecostal Mission

The church is led by a Chief Pastor, who is usually appointed for life. In addition, there is a Deputy Chief Pastor and an Associate Deputy Chief Pastor. Leadership is passed down after death based on spiritual urge.

These are the current office holders:

  • Stephen Natarajan (Chief Pastor): July 31, 2015 – present
  • Abraham Mathew (Deputy Chief Pastor): July 31, 2015 – present
  • G. Jayam (Associate Chief Pastor) : March 8, 2014 – present

In the United States most of the church work was pioneered by late Pastor Don M Spiers, who had previously worked closely with Oral Roberts. After the home call of Pastor Don and Pastor Michael Thomas, Pastor Gregory Wilson is heading the ministries in USA and in other Western and African countries. Sis Lisa Billow is the senior sister for the ministry in USA.

Doctrines and teachings

The doctrines of the church include Trinity, New Birth (being born again), Water Baptism, Baptism of the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in unknown tongues, Separated life from mortal entertainments and sinful circumstances, Divine Healing, Entire Sanctification (of the Body, Soul and Spirit), Overcoming Life, Consecrated Ministry, Rapture, Great Tribulation, Resurrection, The Millennial Reign, The Great White Throne Judgement, and Eternity. TPM encourages divine healing rather than mainstream medicine. The full-time workers in the church will generally believe this to the point of not going to hospitals or doctors. Believing that their rules and regulations prevent the believer from being trapped in the world, they avoid wearing jewellery, so as to lead a simple life, and discourage watching television or movies. They preach and teach separation from the world in order to prepare for the second coming of Christ.

Criticisms and controversies

  • Only TPM ministers belong to the 144,000 that will stand on Mount Zion near Christ in eternity.
  • Church ministers often called "workers" who are unmarried men and women, stay together under the same roof.
  • TPM bans members from attending other denominations and the church refuses contact with all other pentecostal churches and has a whole range of extremely radical and church dividing exclusive doctrines.

Pastor Alwin De Alwis

In the 1960s, a sister in the United Kingdom accused Pastor Alwin of sexually attacking her. Around the same time it was rumored that Alwin had introduced a new teaching called "Edenic Perfection" where sisters had to walk naked in Faith Homes to test if the men had overcome their worldly desires. Alwin was eventually excommunicated by Pastor Freddy Paul in 1962. After his excommunication, the property rights of Faith Homes were settled legally.

Pastor Alwin introduced a teaching that made it mandatory for pastors to remain celibates. Communal living of unmarried pastors and sisters was institutionalized. Alwin introduced a lot of doctrinal statements that made it binding on the members of the church. These teachings introduced by Alwin was probably the reason for the split of CPM from other south Indian Pentecostal movements.

Murder of Pastor Kanagaraj

In 2016, a pastor in Tuticorin was suspected to have murdered another pastor.

Church names

In other parts of the world, the church is known by the following names:

International conventions

Annual International Conventions are held at Kottarakara in Kerala, India (February) ; Irumbuliyur in Chennai, India (March); Kokkavila in Chilaw, Sri Lanka (December); and in Ohio, United States (July) and Toronto, Canada (July).

The International Convention in Chennai India takes place in the month of March, the Conventions in the United States and Canada in the month of July, and the International Convention of Sri Lanka in December. The European convention is held in London in the last week of August.

Magazine ministry

Magazines in several languages are printed and distributed to subscribers. The English magazine published from India is called The Voice of Pentecost. Pilgrim's Journal is published and printed in USA. Other English magazines are: "Pentecostal Messenger" from Malaysia, "The Youth Herald" from Singapore, "Power Divine" from Sri Lanka and "Trumpet of the Lord" from the UK.

Malayalam magazine PENTECOST is one of the oldest Pentecostal magazines from Kerala. Hindi edition PENTECOST KI WANI published from New Delhi, PENTECOSTI-CHI VAANI from Mumbai and PENTECOST DA SNEHA from Dhariwal (Punjab) are also other landmark in the history of Church to spread the Gospel to northern part of India. Church Magazines are Being published in more than 40 Indian languages and many other foreign languages.

See also

References

  1. "DoT | About". Doctrineoftruth.com. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  2. "Pentecost Voice: Late Pastor Paul'S Funeral Photo & Last Sermon". Voiceofpentecost.blogspot.com. 21 April 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  3. "Oral Roberts". Futurliner.com. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  4. "Basic Doctrines of Christ". PENTECOST VOICE. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  5. Bergunder, Michael (6 June 2008). The South Indian Pentecostal Movement in the Twentieth Century. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8028-2734-0.
  6. Chan, Simon (2 June 2014). Grassroots Asian Theology: Thinking the Faith from the Ground Up. InterVarsity Press. ISBN 978-0-8308-9544-1.
  7. Anderson, Allan; Tang, Edmond (1 January 2005). Asian and Pentecostal: The Charismatic Face of Christianity in Asia. OCMS. ISBN 978-1-870345-43-9.
  8. Bergunder, Michael. The South Indian Pentecostal Movement in the Twentieth Century. William B Eerdmans Publishing Co. pp. 42, 43. ISBN 0-8028-2734-9.
  9. Bergunder, Michael. The South Indian Pentecostal Movement in the Twentieth Century. William B Eerdmans Publishing Co. p. 64. ISBN 0-8028-2734-9.
  10. "Foul play suspected in death of Thoothukudi priest". dtNext.in. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  11. ""Mystery shrouds death of Pastor"". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  12. "Universal Pentecostal Church, Brixton (Greater London)". Find a Church. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
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