African Pentecostalism: the Christianity of Elias Letwaba from early years until his death in 1959

Abstract

An enormous body of research has been done on Pentecostal Christianity examining different branches such as classical, African and charismatic Pentecostalism. Most of these studies concentrate on classical Pentecostalism and western personalities. This article makes an important contribution to the ongoing research on Pentecostalism by studying African Pentecostalism, by looking at the life, calling and ministry of Elias Letwaba. The article argues that the Christianity of Elias Letwaba was an African Pentecostalism. In order to achieve this, the article studies the early life of Elias Letwaba to understand his family background. The article also establishes the fundamental teachings of African Pentecostalism and later compares them with the Christianity of Elias Letwaba. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that Elias Letwaba was sanctified by faith; believed in the life of holiness; baptised in the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues; practised divine healing and founded a Bible College to teach these fundamental teachings of Pentecostalism.