When the Holy Spirit fell on the participants of the revival at Azusa Street, Los Angeles California it was referred to as a "glorious outporing of the Holy Spirit"1. All participants, women, men, young and old fell under the "power". of the Holy Ghost. They came "seeking God."2
The building wasn't anything to look at. It was old, needing multiple repairs and was referred to as "tumble down shack".3 The people were rich and poor, educated and illiterate and they were led by William J. Seymoure, a poor, humble Black Man, but it was an interracial, Holy Spirit led, powerful group.4
To be sure there were some who came not to receive the Holy Ghost. They came instead to scoff and to discredit what was happening, but as one actual participant reported:
"Presumptuous men would sometimes come among us. Especially preachers who would try to spread themselves, in self-opinionating. But their effort was short lived. The breath would be taken from them. Their minds would wander, their brains reel. Things would turn black before their eyes. They could not go on."5
Another participant simply stated:
I wish I could describe what I saw. Prayer and worship were everywhere. The altar area was filled with seekers; some were kneeling; others were prone on the floor; some were speaking in tongues. Everyone was doing something; all seemingly lost in God. I simply stood and looked, for I had never seen anything like it. 6
It is most often said that the Azusa Street Revival started what is now the Pentecostal Church movement. Which seems to show that that the Holy Spirit movement led men and women to do that which God had intended. That is to say, God filled who sought Him in earnest all with His Holy Spirit- the Holy Ghost. People were filled with the Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues. Those who needed healings were healed and those who needed to be delivered from demons were delivered. Worship was the bottom line however, God was in that place and the people truly sought the Lord and they received His fullness as a result.
1 Services and Worship, Azusa Street Revival, Wikopedia.
2 Azusa Street Testimonies, River Of Revival Ministries, http://www.azusastreet.org/
3 Conditions, Azusa Street Revival, Wikopedia.
4 About AzusaRevivla Ministries, http://www.azusastreet.org/
5 Frank Bartleman, Azusa Street Testimonies, Ibid
6 Ernest S. Williams. Azusa Street Testimonies, Ibid
