INFLUENCE OF PENTECOSTALISM IN THE MAINLINE CHURCHES IN NIGERIA, 1970-2015

Pentecostalism is no longer a Pentecostals’ affairs only, but the mainstream Christians experience as well. Pentecostal life is now evident in the lives of Christians of all persuasions within the Nigerian religious firmament. The Pentecostalization of the mainline churches in Nigeria is made possible through Pentecostals’ contagious influence on the mainliners through their flexible theology and spirituality. This paper is crafted using phenomenological and analytical approaches. The findings show that Pentecostalism even though introduced some negative tendencies among Christians, but has helped in reawakening Christians’ enthusiasm in spiritual matters. The paper submits that for maximum understanding and benefits of Pentecostalism, critics of Pentecostalism should as a matter of priority study the essence, efficacy and workability of Pentecostalism.