1. 1. INTRODUCTION
Pentecostalism is a faith within Evangelical Christianity. It believes in a personal
experience with God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38); the same as in
the Biblical account on the Day of Pentecost. Pentecostalism is similar to
the Charismatic groups, but it came about earlier and separated from the main church
branches. Charismatic Christians, at least in the beginning, tended to stay in
their denominations and did not divide away.
Cameroon particularly Buea, like other independent African states, constitutionally defends the
right to religious worship. As a consequence of this fundamental aspect of human rights, the
last decade has witnessed a proliferation of religious groups in the country, particularly in the
Anglophone Provinces, and most of them are Pentecostal in their theology. In the literature, the
recent spectacular spread of Pentecostalism in many parts of Africa is explained in terms of
politics and the pursuit of modernity. However, Pentecostalism also carries with it a clear
economic message of individual prosperity and enrichment within a local-global context. This
development unfolds against the background of a serious economic crisis that has left few
untouched and has retarded economic progress significantly. Although predictable and indeed
foreseen, the crisis seems to have taken the government by surprise, since very little was done
to avert or prepare for it. The crisis has exacerbated poverty, misery, unemployment, fear,
doubt and uncertainty among Cameroonians. Simultaneously, banks have been facing a lot of
liquidity problems and some have been liquidated. The state is faced with difficulties in paying
employees and in honouring its other obligations. Public and private institutions have laid off
personnel, and continue to do so, while this situation has been worsened as the recruitment of
new workers has been drastically reduced. The salaries of workers have been slashed several
times, and this has inflicted innumerable hardships on them and their families, with a sharp
increase in social insecurity
2. Belief
There are three types of Pentecostal churches. Most believe that one must be saved by
believing in Jesus as their Savior; to be forgiven for their sins and to be pleasing to God.

2. Pentecostals also believe, like most other evangelicals, that the Bible is true and must
be obeyed in decisions of faith. In this majority group, speaking in tongues is the sign of
the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and is not required for salvation. To this group, the
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a supernatural gift for ministry that one receives after they
have become a Christian.
The other two groups believe in an "Acts 2:38" based salvation. This means a person
needs to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus. They then receive the Holy Spirit
(Holy Ghost). In this belief, the Holy Spirit is required for salvation; which
includes speaking in tongues. In this group, some Pentecostals churches baptize in the
name of Jesus only, and some baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy
Ghost.
Pentecostal churches believe that Jesus still heals the sick, with the power of the Holy
Spirit.
3. REASONS FOR PLIFERATION OF PENTACOSTALISM IN BUEA
Distinctive doctrine
Pentecostals believe strongly in the baptism of the Holy Spirit that occurred on the day of
Pentecost amongst the early disciples.
Pentecostals believe physical illness should be treated through spiritual means. A good number
of them prefer praying to physically ill persons rather than taking them to the hospital.
Pentecostals vehemently condemn the baptism of children as a public profession of faith after
conversion.
4. OTHER REASON
The Pentecostals, unlike other denominations, strongly believe in evangelization as a strong
weapon for converting ‘unbelievers’.
5. Some theories that can be use to explain the proliferation of Pentecostalism in Buea
These theories are:

3.  Evolutionalism
Evolution is a constant process of change form a simple to complex form as a result of
improvement. There is no society that remain stagnant. It is all in a bit to attain some level of
perfection
Also environmental factor can also bring about evolution. For instant economic situation can
bring about this. Proliferation of churches in Cameroon too could also be understood in this
like. It has been necessary because of the present crises currently faced by Cameroon economy.
 Diffusionism
The preoccupation with the globalization discourse in recent times has often over-
looked events in Africa as marginal to broad processes of global transformations. Africa
is seen as a continent with a ‘recipient culture’, with little to contribute to the rest of the
world. The turmoil that gripped Africa in the last three decades of the twentieth century
brought with it socio-cultural changes. One aspect of these changes for many societies of
non-Muslim Africa was the emergence of Pentecostalism as one of the most dynamic
movements as well as a formidable force of change. This diffusion has also happened
very fast as result to media like the internet, television stations and radio stations
 Functionalism
Here we likened a society as system with parts each part having its own function and the
absent of one part brings about a malfunction in the system. We you relate this to the
explosion of churches in Cameron we will see that each of them has a part to pay in the
society especially in bring about social order through the ethical moral doctrine it passes
the Christians
 Structural functionalism
Structural functionalism, or simply functionalism, is a framework for building theory that sees
society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and
stability.[1] This approach looks at society through a macro-level orientation, which is a broad
focus on the social structures that shape society as a whole, and believes that society has
evolved like organisms.[2] This approach looks at both social structure and social functions. The

4. structural functionalism approach is a macro sociological analysis, with a broad focus on social
structures that shape society as a whole. relating this to Pentecostalism we would see that they
are social structures or groups that do not just shape individuals in a group but the group as a
whole.
6. Going away from the theories there is also another important aspect that cannot be left
out. This is Politic. Politic is found everywhere because is something which important in
every society. In a political system people try to be able to control for instance the social
welfare, economic situation of that country. Every state tries to see there is a kind of
political system which is aim at at satisfying its citizens. Democracy is just a guide in
achieving these results. In the Pentecostal world like the State authority try to see that
the aim of this churches are in ways that seek to bring about social control and also that
they are in line with the constitution. That is why the government holds that all the
churches in Cameroon must have an authorization to function else it would be
considered as illegal. That is have not met all the criteria for operation.
7. Conclusion
Having examine a brief history of pentacostalism in Africa and and Cameroon in
particular, we see that the movement has been one that can not only be understood
under one angle but different angles. The theories clearly justifies this statement.
Other factors like Politics, also exert a huge on on the proliferation of pentacostalism.
8. References
 Barnard, A. 2000. History and Theory in Anthropology. Cambridge: CUP.
 Buma Kor, n. 1997. Revival Palaver in Bastos . Cockcrew, Yaounde.

5.  Constantin, F. and Coulon, C. (eds.) 1997. Religion et Transition Democratique en
Afrique. Paris; Karthala. De Haes, R. 1992.
 Devisch, R. 1996. The proliferation and persistence of new religious groups in the city of
Kinshasa: some case studies. In: New dimensions in African Christianity, Gifford, P. (ed.),
pp. 80-102. Nairobi (AACC).
 Grant Wacker, (2001), Heaven Below: Early Pentecostals and American Culture,
Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA - An academic history of early
Pentecostalism.

6. -TABLE OF CONTENT
1. Conclusion
2. References
Going away from the theories there is also another important aspect that
3. Some theories that can be use to explain the proliferation of Pentecostalism in Buea
4. OTHER REASON
5. Belief
6. INTRODUCTION
7. REASONS FOR PLIFERATION OF PENTACOSTALISM IN BUEA

7. FACULTY OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY
Course code: ANT603
Course title: Advanced Anthropological Though
Presented By
EBAI WILLIAM EGBE
(SM14P125)
Course Instructor: Dr AKOKO MBE ROBERT
FEBUARY 2015
RESEASONS PENTACOSTALISIM
IN CAMEROON IN RELATION TO
SOME ANTROPOLOGICAL
THEORIES