What is Revival?

[bibleberean]

What is Genuine Revival?

"Let me first explain what it is not. It is not a scheduled program of
dancing and clapping in our church or camp ground. This in most cases could be described as bodily exercise which profits little.1 Tim. 4:8

It is not an inscription with which to identify a particular place (such as
Revival Center).

What it is: It is an operation that brings to life again that which was dead
and the restoration of the old path or practice, which, as a result of
negligence or apostasy, has become obscured. It is an act of the grace of
God for His people to bring them back to Himself when they have acknowledged their sins, repented, brought forth fruits of repentance and called upon the name of the Lord."

Moses Osho

Executive Director of Ethnos Christian Mission
Ibadan, Nigeria, West Africa

Berean Call email

 

[D46]

That's about as good a description as it gets. I've seen revivals go on for anywhere from two weeks to two months. Of course not everyone comes every night due to work or illness but, for the most part, many come as often as they can. I've seen wayward Christians who fell away in part because the grass appeared greener somewhere else ( the world) or they became complacent in their walk with God and going to church and fellowshipping with their brothers and sisters became old hat and they just came sporadically. I've seen a renewal of faith in revivals and new people come into the church that heretofore hadn't darkened the church lobby in decades.

As the definition by Moses indicates, it's a renewing of that which was dead or dying...apostasy, if you will. Revival brings back that feeling of wanting to have a closer walk with God or stir up that which you once had. People say, "I just can't feel God anymore". Perhaps they'll say, "I don't think God hears me anymore." These are prime candidates for a revival. In fact anyone who says this in their heart would benefit a good week or two of revival. And, not necessarily one preacher the whole time either, but perhaps a guest speaker who is what we use to call "fired up" for God. It's like any other relationship. You have to keep things fresh and new or that relationship becomes stagnant and stale over time. So is our walk with the Lord if we fail to read the letter he sent us, the bible, stop or slow down in our daily conversation with him and our prayer life. Revival is good and I highly recommend it if you need a touch from Heaven or just want a closer walk with God.

I can't help think of the Azusa St. Revival back around the turn of the 20th Century when I hear the word revival. Talk about a long revival!! Went on for years.

http://www.azusastreet.org/aboutazusastreet.htm

 

[bibleberean]

I agreed with your post up to the Azuza Street Revival.

I don't think what took place there was of God and it has left the church in a state of confusion ever since.

I mean no disrespect to your beliefs but you might want to look into some of the problems with the things that took place during that "revival".

Renewing a commitment to draw close to God and repenting of sin and things that hinder our walk with Him is true revival.

You might find this link interesting. It is in three parts and talks about the History of the Pentecostal movement and it's roots in Azuza.

http://wayoflife.org/fbns/strange1.htm

Yours in Christ,

Robert

 

[D46]

Hmmmm...never heard of some of that before. I didn't know all that went on. It's people like that that have hurt the name of Pentacost throughout the ages and the Charismatics have further damaged it. That's why I don't consider myself in that realm anymore. I've heard of some weird things going on in some of the services held at various places...drinking poison and handling snakes come to mind especially around the Kenducky and Virginia area and elsewhere I'm sure. Never heard a Pentacostal preacher teach on sinless perfection or hysteria and some of the other crazy things satan has tried to counterfeit. I've never seen personally any of this although it obviously happens. I think this "Laughing Revival" must be something new as what I read sounded more and more like something from TBN. You've got "nuts" in every cake, Robert!

I was surprised to see Kathryn Kuhlman there. I remember seeing her on TV in the 50's and believe most of what I saw as I was a kid of 12-15 years old. As I pointed out in another forum, this gal was a plant from Rome as she was affiliated with the Legion of Mary.

Suffice it to say that many strange things happen in some churches...but, not all. I grew up in what they use to call a "Holiness" (Pentacostal) church and never seen or heard the likes of what I just read in your link-save the gift of tongues which I do believe in. But, that's another topic. Benny Hinn and all those other fools on TBN have made a mockery out of that and may the Lord reward them according to their folly. I will say this, in the book of Acts, Peter did announce what the Jews needed to do to get forgiveness for handing Jesus over to be crucified...Acts 2:37-39 (KJV) Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Acts 8:15-17 (KJV) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Simon, in the following verses, 18-20 must have thought this was really something as he offered money to the Apostles for the gift of being able to lay hands on believers that they might receive the Holy Ghost. If believers automatically receive the Holy Ghost, why did Simon offer money for it? Because he heard them speak in tongues and glorify God. Elsewise, how would he have known that they had received it? Witness also what Peter said in the 10th Chapter....

Acts 10:44-47 (KJV) While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? Cornelius didn't attend some school or ever visit TBN to learn how to speak in tongues. He was totally ignorant of it, being a Roman. However, the Spirit of God overshadowed him and all those with him and this is what Peter and the rest heard as the initial evidence that they had received the Holy Ghost. It's not something that comes automatically just because one believes. If that were the case Paul wouldn't have asked certain believers in John...

Acts 19:2-6 (KJV) He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Well, I went further than I intended. Sorry for the long scriptures. I believe Scripture and what Jesus and the Apostles taught...nothing more, nothing less That's why I call myself "Apostolic" in my beliefs..