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.
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. Wigglesworth’s early years were marked by hardship; he
His ministry truly "exploded" following his baptism in the Holy Spirit in 1907 at the age of 48. This experience, according to Wigglesworth, transformed him from a man who struggled to speak into a bold, fluent preacher whose messages were characterized by a deep authority. Core Teachings and Practices The Apostle of Faith: The Life and Legacy
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
Wigglesworth's theology was centered on a simple, uncompromising trust in God's Word. He is famously quoted as saying, "Only believe!" and "I am moved by what I believe," rather than by feelings or sight. His ministry was built on four central principles: the Word of God. Consume the Word until it consumes you. Believe the Word. Act on the Word.