Smith Wigglesworth (1859–1947), often hailed as the "Apostle of Faith," remains one of the most polarizing and influential figures in the history of the early Pentecostal movement. Born into abject poverty in Yorkshire, England, Wigglesworth’s journey from an illiterate plumber to a world-renowned evangelist is a narrative defined by radical spiritual conviction and extraordinary claims of the miraculous. Early Life and Transformation
The Apostle of Faith: The Life and Legacy of Smith Wigglesworth smith wigglesworth
He believed that divine healing was a literal part of the atonement, as accessible as the forgiveness of sins. This led to a style of ministry that was often described as aggressive; he was known to physically strike people in areas of pain, claiming he was "hitting the devil" rather than the person. This led to a style of ministry that
Wigglesworth’s early years were marked by hardship; he began working in fields and factories as young as six, leaving him without a formal education. He was converted at a Methodist revival at age eight and later became a plumber by trade. A significant turning point occurred when he married Mary Jane "Polly" Featherstone, a preacher with the Salvation Army , who taught him to read using the Bible—the only book he would permit in his home for the rest of his life. A significant turning point occurred when he married
