PERSISTENCE AND PLAUSIBILITY OF LOCAL KNOWLEDGE SCHEME – THE CASE OF PENTECOSTAL HEALING

Abstract

Religious persistence in different parts of the world, especially in Africa is a phenomenon that experts are trying to make sense of. The decision of any individual regarding which religious organisation to affiliate with is informed by the perceived benefits he or she stands to gain from the said religion. Using a purposive sampling technique, a total of 80 research participants were engaged in an interview to elicit their views regarding the persistence and plausibility of healing in the Pentecostal churches. The findings revealed that Pentecostal healing activities are persisting because their activities are tied to the belief structure of the local people. More so, some of the activities the churches allegedly undertake are usually confirmed and reconfirmed positively through testimonies by people whose credibility are not in doubt. The paper thus concludes that Pentecostalism as a religious faith remains the same, but its forms and strategies continue to change in response to social and spiritual problems at any given period, thus sustaining its life span and influence