Pentecostal churches during Austrofascism and National Socialism

The Pentecostal churches which emerged shortly before or during Austrofascism suffered severe repression in their early days which often caused promising beginnings to wither away into small groups. They felt the pressure of the corporatist state the Nazi regime and the consequences of the war. As a result they distanced themselves from core elements of Pentecostal theology (speaking in tongues enthusiastic preaching style) and adapted their name in order to gain state tolerance. In order not to endanger their own lives they did not publicly oppose anti-Semitism but worked here and there in secret. However they did not distance themselves from their Judeo-Christian 'sister congregation' in Vienna. Instead they assured them of their cooperation and friendship despite the difficult times of the Second World War. Based on this historical legacy I plead for standing up for the persecuted and for religious freedom as well as for blessing the Jewish people. This study is dedicated to the Christians (according to the records of this work) who helped Jews during National Socialism but also to all murdered Jews who did not receive sufficient help.