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The '''Holiness Movement''' among [[United Methodist Church|American Methodists]] in the 1830s-1880s was part of the [[Third Great Awakening]]. By the 1880s tensions between the Holiness advocates and more traditional Methodist bishops led to seceding groups forming new Holiness denominations, especially the [[Church of the Nazarene]] (1908) and the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) (1881).

The '''Holiness Movement''' among [[United Methodist Church|American Methodists]] in the 1830s-1880s was part of the [[Third Great Awakening]]. The goal of the Holiness Movement was to move beyond the one-time conversion experience that the revivals produced, and reach entire sanctification. A related movement, [[Pentecostalism]] went one step further, seeking what they called a "baptism in the spirit" or "baptism of the the Holy Ghost" that enabled those with this special gift to heal the sick, perform miracles, prophesy, and speak in tongues.<ref> Harrell (1975)</ref>

 

By the 1880s tensions between the Holiness advocates and more traditional Methodist bishops led to seceding groups forming new Holiness denominations, especially the [[Church of the Nazarene]] (1908) and the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) (1881).

==Phoebe Palmer==

==Phoebe Palmer==

The chief leader was [[Phoebe Palmer]] (1807-1874), a Methodist lay leader and the most influential Methodist woman of her generation. In 1840, during a period of spiritual struggle and doubt, Palmer discovered through reading the Bible the calling to spread the doctrine of holiness. This discovery led her to leave the traditional woman's sphere and become a pivotal leader in the Holiness movement. Palmer led revivals in the United States, Canada, and Britain, wrote extensively, and became editor of the ''Guide to Holiness.'' She helped found the Hedding Church and established the Five Points Mission in New York City, which housed and educated needy families.  After her death her followers broke away from the Methodists and set up their own Holiness and Pentecostal churches. Palmer's theology produced a laicized ministry and offered both parents and children of the second and third generations of believers a formula to gain assurance of total sanctification as a gift from God. Her "Altar Covenant" linked Scripture, sacred song, and physical setting to form the way to full redemption. The altar in Holiness became the focal point of worship, in accordance with Palmer's beliefs.<ref> Charles Edwin Jones, "The Posthumous Pilgrimage of Phoebe Palmer," ''Methodist History'' 1997 35(4): 203-213; Charles Edward White, ''The Beauty of Holiness: Phoebe Palmer as Theologian, Revivalist, Feminist, and Humanitarian'' (1986); Kendra Weddle Irons,  Phoebe Palmer: Chosen, Tried, Triumphant: An Examination of her Calling in Light of Current Research. Methodist History 1998 37(1): 28-36. 0026-1238 </ref>  

The chief Holiness leader was [[Phoebe Palmer]] (1807-1874), a Methodist lay leader and the most influential Methodist woman of her generation. In 1840, during a period of spiritual struggle and doubt, Palmer discovered through reading the Bible the calling to spread the doctrine of holiness. This discovery led her to leave the traditional woman's sphere and become a pivotal leader in the Holiness movement. Palmer led revivals in the United States, Canada, and Britain, wrote extensively, and became editor of the ''Guide to Holiness.'' She helped found the Hedding Church and established the Five Points Mission in New York City, which housed and educated needy families.  After her death her followers broke away from the Methodists and set up their own Holiness and Pentecostal churches. Palmer's theology produced a laicized ministry and offered both parents and children of the second and third generations of believers a formula to gain assurance of total sanctification as a gift from God. Her "Altar Covenant" linked Scripture, sacred song, and physical setting to form the way to full redemption. The altar in Holiness became the focal point of worship, in accordance with Palmer's beliefs.<ref> Charles Edwin Jones, "The Posthumous Pilgrimage of Phoebe Palmer," ''Methodist History'' 1997 35(4): 203-213; Charles Edward White, ''The Beauty of Holiness: Phoebe Palmer as Theologian, Revivalist, Feminist, and Humanitarian'' (1986); Kendra Weddle Irons,  Phoebe Palmer: Chosen, Tried, Triumphant: An Examination of her Calling in Light of Current Research. Methodist History 1998 37(1): 28-36. 0026-1238 </ref>  

The Holiness movement rejected the middle class formalities of the mainline Methodists and sought an authentic religious experience.  

The Holiness movement rejected the middle class formalities of the mainline Methodists and sought an authentic religious experience.