Origin

The exclusivistic Ceylon Pentecostal Mission, (CPM) in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and known as The Pentecostal Mission(TPM) in India , is an indigenous movement originating in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The mission founder, Ramankutty, born in 1881 to Hindu parents inTrichur District, Kerala, India and was converted to Christianity in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) at the age of 18through a vision of Christ which caused him to begin secretly to pray and meditate on Jesus.

Then, in 1902, at the age of twenty two, a third vision convinced Ramankuttythat he could not longer remain a hidden follower of Jesus. Ramankutty openly confessedJesus as Lord, was baptized and given the Christian name “Paul”.His ministry developed gradually. It was reported that a leper over whom Paul prayedwas cured and a person declared dead was brought to life. People were attracted to his newfellowship called the Ceylon Pentecostal Mission. Among those who joined was a collegelecturer, Alwin R.de Alwis. Under the leadership of Pastor Paul

It is understood that Pastor Paul received the inspiration to start a ministry, fully given to God, without the encumberances of a family life, after he attended a meeting of Rev. Smith Wigglesworth. The Ceylon Pentecostal Mission started in 1924. The founder pastor Paul entered glory in 1948.

Ministry Spread

The International headquarters is in Irumbaliyur, Chennai (Madras), India.This is the same place where one of the largest pentecostal convention in India are held in March every year with an international attendance of over 100,000 believers. All participants are freely fed three square meals a day and basic accommodations are provided free of cost for 5 days.

This church is known in the United States as "New Testament Church" and is headquarted in Newark, New Jersey (Email Address ntcenewark@juno.com) and has its International Convention in July annually at Liberty University in Lychberg, Virginia. In the United Kingdom it is known as "Universal Pentecostal Church".The church does not believe in publicity and has totaly dedicated humble spirit filled ministers and many people all over the world have been healed and delivered

Statistics

Churches - approximately 1000

Full Time Ministers - approximately 4000

Distinguishing features

Several distinguishing features are to be noted.

Lifestyle

Fulltime CPM workers are expected to practice an ascetic life-style totally dedicating their very lives to God. This includes the disposal of private possessions and wealth, celibacy, obedience to the chief pastor, separated communal living within faith homes, corporate prayers beginning at 4.00 a.m. and praying atleast 4 hours daily and the wearing of simple conservative clothing.

Worship

From the beginning, indigenous forms of worship were incorporated. Worshippers wereseated on mats on the floor. Domestic musical instruments for worship, singing of indigenous tunes, and other local cultural practices were common features, all of which gave the CPM an identity of its own, yet the main driving force was the healing ministry. The CPM laid the foundation for other Pentecostal ministries not only in Sri Lanka and India but beyond. Today, the CPM under various names, is one of the largest Pentecostal movements in the world with branches in several countries across the globe.

Flow of Authority

Another distinguishing feature that sets it apart from the rest of the Christian Assemblies is its hierarchical structure and its subjection to Theocracy instead of democracy. The Deputy/Assistant Chief Pastors (and all other office bearers) are not elected, but ordained by the Chief Pastor in accordance to divine inspiration.

Divine Healing

The Pentecostal Misson is characterized by its strong teaching of divine healing. It teaches that Christians should not resort to the medicines and doctors of the world when afflicted by disease, but should instead depend upon God for their healing through prayer. Even in this age, there are reports of faith healing as testimonies in this church.

Bibliography

• Autobiography of Pastor Paul.

• “A Brief History of the Ceylon Pentecostal Mission” presented at the Hyderabad Conference on Indigenous Christian Movements in India, 27-31 October, 1998..