Pentecostal Churches of Christ
Seal of the Pentecostal Churches of Christ
AbbreviationPCC
TypeWestern Christian
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationPentecostal
TheologyOneness Pentecostalism
Presiding PrelateDarryl D. Woodson
HeadquartersCleveland, Ohio, U.S.
FounderJ. Delano Ellis
Branched fromUnited Pentecostal Churches of Christ

The Pentecostal Churches of Christ (PCC) is a Protestant Christian denomination in the Oneness Pentecostal and Holiness-Pentecostal traditions.[1] The Pentecostal Churches of Christ self-identify as "Anglican-Apostolic".[1] The Pentecostal Churches of Christ was founded and initially led by Bishop J. Delano Ellis,[2][3] and its national cathedral is in Cleveland, Ohio, United States while the seat of its primate is currently Memphis, Tennessee.[4][5]

History

Following a meeting on May 29, 1992, convened in Ohio by Bishop Ellis, several congregations affiliated together as the United Pentecostal Churches of Christ.[6][7] The then newly formed United Pentecostal Churches of Christ recognized Bishop Ellis as their general overseer and president on August 22, 1992. Bishop Ellis continued in this role with United Pentecostal Churches of Christ for twelve years until he resigned in June 2004.[8][9]

As of 2014, at least two distinct Pentecostal Christian denominations look to the May 29, 1992 meeting convened by Bishop J. Delano Ellis as their starting-point or as a particular landmark on their journey, and that regard the first twelve or more years of the United Pentecostal Churches of Christ as part of their history. These two are the Pentecostal Churches of Christ and United Covenant Churches of Christ; the Pentecostal Churches of Christ also regards 1935 as its year of organization through the Pentecostal Church of Christ in Cleveland.[10][11][12][7] When Bishop Garnes was installed as presiding bishop of United Covenant Churches of Christ on October 30, 2009, Bishop Ellis was chief installer at the ceremony of installation.[13]

In 2020, after the death of Bishop J. Delano Ellis, Bishop Darryl D. Woodson was elected as second presiding prelate for the Pentecostal Churches of Christ.[9][14]

Doctrine

The Pentecostal Churches of Christ is a Oneness Pentecostal denomination, adhering to a form of Modalistic Monarchianism. Within the PCC, baptism is also done only in Jesus name. The denomination also believes in divine healing and considers the Lord's Supper as a sacrament.[1] Additional essentials to its doctrine has been the adoption of an episcopal-presbyterial polity, governed by a house of bishops and board of overseers.[15][16] Through the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops, the PCC claims their founder's holy orders (see also: J. Delano Ellis succession claims, and apostolic succession).

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "About the Pentecostal Churches of Christ". Pentecostal Churches of Christ. Archived from the original on 2023-07-22. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  2. ^ "Beloved Cleveland Bishop J. Delano Ellis dies at age of 75". WEWS. 2020-09-20. Archived from the original on 2020-11-19. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  3. ^ "Establishmentarian". Pentecostal Churches of Christ. Archived from the original on 2023-07-22. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  4. ^ "The Pentecostal Churches of Christ". Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches. Archived from the original on 2020-11-19. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  5. ^ "National Cathedral". Pentecostal Churches of Christ. Archived from the original on 2023-07-22. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  6. ^ "United Pentecostal Churches of Christ". The Association of Religion Data Archives. Archived from the original on 2020-11-19. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  7. ^ a b "History of the United Covenant Churches of Christ". United Covenant Churches of Christ. Archived from the original on 2020-09-19. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  8. ^ "Head of United Pentecostal Churches of Christ resigns". wwrn.org. Archived from the original on 2020-11-19. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  9. ^ a b "History of the Pentecostal Churches of Christ". Pentecostal Churches of Christ. Archived from the original on 2023-07-22. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  10. ^ Pentecostal Churches of Christ entry in Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches 2012, edited by Eileen W. Linder, published by National Council of Churches of Christ in USA.
  11. ^ The 2012 Yearbook entry cited above expressly states that a group of men and women came together on May 29, 1992 at the Pentecostal Church of Christ in Cleveland, Ohio to form what it states "is now called the Pentecostal Churches of Christ". The entry goes on to refer to the Pentecostal Churches of Christ as organized and established by Bishop J. Delano Ellis. The same Yearbook also contains an entry in respect of United Pentecostal Churches of Christ. However, the entry for United Pentecostal Churches of Christ is extremely brief in that it is merely a re-direct; it signposts the reader to please see Pentecostal Churches of Christ.
  12. ^ A New Paradigm a pamphlet published (circa 2004-08) by United Covenant Churches of Christ International summarizes that organization's origins and history from the May 29, 1992 meeting, and goes on to express that organization's aims as regards both continuity and development. The title on the front page of the pamphlet expressly states that United Covenant Churches of Christ International was "formerly" United Pentecostal Churches of Christ. Within the body of the pamphlet, an explanation is given as to the rationale for changing the word "Pentecostal" in the organization's name to "Covenant". The full text of the pamphlet can be downloaded at www.envisager.net/pdf/broch_uccc.pdf
  13. ^ "Gospel Today Magazine 11-9-09". Issuu. Archived from the original on 2010-08-24. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  14. ^ "Presiding Prelate Darryl D. Woodson". Pentecostal Churches of Christ. Archived from the original on 2023-07-22. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  15. ^ "House of Bishops". Pentecostal Churches of Christ. Archived from the original on 2023-07-22. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  16. ^ "Board of Overseers". Pentecostal Churches of Christ. Archived from the original on 2023-07-22. Retrieved 2023-07-22.

External links

Oneness Pentecostalism
U.S. Black church denominations and leaders
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