The expression Third Wave was coined by Christian theologian C. Peter Wagner around 1980 to describe what followers believe to be the recent historical work of the Holy Spirit. It is part of a larger movement known as the Neocharismatic movement. The Third Wave involves those Christians who have received Pentecostal-like experiences, however Third Wavers claim no association with either the Pentecostal or Charismatic movements. Theology (Greek θεος, theos, God, + λογος, logos, word or reason) means reasoned discourse concerning religion, spirituality and God. ... Charles Peter Wagner (1930-) is a former professor of Church Growth at Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Mission. ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... This article or section may be confusing or unclear for some readers, and should be edited to rectify this. ... Neocharismatic is a reference to those Christians who have received Pentecostal-like experiences, yet they claim no association with either the Pentecostal or Charismatic movements. ... A Christian is a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, referred to as Christ. ... The Pentecostal movement within Protestant Christianity places special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. ... The charismatic movement began with the adoption of certain beliefs typical of those held by Pentecostal Christians —specifically what are known as the biblical charisms of Christianity: speaking in tongues, prophesying, etc. ...

• The First "wave" occurred at the beginning of the twentieth century with the rise of the Pentecostal movement, beginning with the Azusa Street Revival.
• The Second "wave" occurred during the 1960s as the Charismatic movement spread throughout mainline protestant denominations, as well as the Roman Catholic Church. The Word of faith movement is also an expression of this movement.
• The Third "wave" occurred during the mid 1980s and continues today, and is associated with Wagner's own ministry, as well as the Vineyard Movement. The Toronto blessing and Eternal Grace are also an expression of this movement.

Many Christians, including more conservative Pentecostals, have rejected the movement as being unbiblical, since some believe it to include expressions of the Latter Rain Movement, Manifest Sons of God teaching and Kingdom Now theology, while many within the Third Wave movement also reject these doctrines. The Azusa Street Revival (1906–1909) took place in Los Angeles, California, and was led by William Seymour (1870–1922), an African American preacher. ... The charismatic movement began with the adoption of certain beliefs typical of those held by Pentecostal Christians —specifically what are known as the biblical charisms of Christianity: speaking in tongues, prophesying, etc. ... It has been suggested that Prosperity Theology be merged into this article or section. ... The Vineyard Movement is a combination renewal and church planting movement which can also be considered a Christian denomination. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Eternal Grace is a new church movement originating in Southern California, founded by church planter Richard Rossi. ... The Latter Rain was a post-war movement within Pentecostal Christianity which remains controversial to this day. ... North Battleford, Saskatchewan between 1946 and 1948 marked the start of new movement within the Pentecostal family of churches around the world. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Many critics argue that the third wave differs from the charismatic movement only in terminology, not in either theology or practice, so to distinguish between the two is to make a distinction without a difference; for example, Dr. John MacArthur makes this argument in his book Charismatic Chaos. Because of its similarity to the charismatic movement, many criticisms of the charismatic movement also apply to the Third Wave movement. A distinction without a difference is a type of argument where one word or phrase is preferred to another, but results in no difference to the final outcome. ... Alternate meanings: John D. MacArthur, John R. Macarthur John Macarthur (1767-1834), soldier, politician and pioneer of the Australian wool industry, was born in Devonshire, but the MacArthurs are an old Argyll family, from which the American military hero General Douglas MacArthur was also descended. ... Charismatic Chaos, by John F. MacArthur Jr. ...

Although clearly a generalisation that is not true of everyone associated with each of these three waves, it is fair to speak of 3 subtly different theologies of the experience of the Spirit.

Those associated with the First Wave will generally preach the "baptism with the Holy Spirit" as a separate experience to conversion which MUST be accompanied by tongues in order to be genuine.

Those associated with the Second Wave will still tend to speak of a second experience of the Spirit - a baptism or filling of the Spirit, although they will often more readily state that all Christians in some sense have the Spirit. They will also usually state that tongues "usually" accompanies this experience.

Those associated with the third wave will tend to identify "baptism with the Spirit" with conversion, and not refer to a second crisis-like experience of receiving the Spirit. They would prefer to emphasise the ongoing nature of the experience of the Spirit. Tongues may not be emphasised at all, and will usually not feature in public meetings. Some third wave leaders would themselves not speak in tongues.

References

• Wagner, C. Peter. The Third Wave of the Holy Spirit. Ann Arbor:Vine Books, 1988.

External links

• A critical look at the latter rain revival Christians
• Pentecostals, Charismatics, and the Third Wave
• A Brief History of Pentecostalism (The Three Waves)
• The Third Wave and Post Charismatics
• Mark Driscoll - The charismatic with a seatbelt includes links to sermons which propound a typical 3rd Wave position