Pentecostal Experience and the Affirmation of Ethnic Identity

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the work of the Spirit in the book of Acts in relation to pentecostal experience and cultural identity among Māori in New Zealand. It discusses the many tongues of Pentecost as symbolic of the Spirit’s affirmation of ethno-linguistic diversity and explores the story of Gentile inclusion in Acts 10, where this inclusion must be worked out in the face of ethnic division. This discussion is brought to bear on the context of Māori and pentecostal church communities in New Zealand. Given the ongoing disruption of ethnic and cultural identity for Māori, this article draws on a series of interviews with Māori pentecostal church leaders, demonstrating connections between experiences of the Spirit and divine affirmation of cultural identity. Finally, these observations are discussed in relation to the work of the Spirit and the issue of ethnic identity in both Acts 2 and Acts 10.