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Post by timeetee on Jul 2, 2008 0:58:03 GMT -7
God Bless
Tim
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From time to time, the General Council receives inquiries desiring comment on various revivals or ministries held in both Assemblies of God and non-Assemblies of God churches.
Rather than attempting to comment on any specific series of meetings, I feel it would be preferable to provide some Scriptural guidelines for assessment. I have great confidence in the maturity of Assemblies of God pastors and laity to make their own judgments and heed the admonition of the Apostle Paul: Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22).
The Assemblies of God is irrevocably committed to the inspiration of Scripture, that the Bible provides the assessment tools needed for evaluating doctrine and experience, and is deeply hungry for the continued filling and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Our former general superintendent, Thomas F. Zimmerman, once compared the Holy Spirit to a mighty river, and the Scriptures to the banks of that river. Brother Zimmerman said that great harm occurs when the river overruns the banks, but that the river does great good when it stays within the banks.
Thus, it is well for us to look at the safeguards the Bible provides in helping us "test everything." Here are the questions we should always ask.
1. Is Jesus Christ exalted? The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to testify about Christ; and to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come (John 15:26, 16:8). To the Corinthian church that had become overly enamored with charismatic manifestations, the Apostle Paul reminded them that "I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2).
Thus, the focus for any lasting revival always must be on Jesus. The Holy Spirit has not come to glorify Himself, or any human or angelic personality.
2. Is the Word of God proclaimed? Every revival with lasting effect has always been rooted in the preaching of God's Word. This is in keeping with the spread of the Gospel in the early Church as recorded in Acts.
Following the first persecution, they "spoke the word of God boldly" (4:31).
Following the second persecution and flogging, "day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped preaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ" (5:42).
After the selection of deacons, "the word of God spread" (6:7).
Resulting from Saul's persecution of the church, "those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went" (8:4).
Samaria "accepted the word of God" (8:14).
The Gentiles of Cornelius' household "received the word of God" (11:1).
Paul and Barnabas preached "the word of God" on their first missionary journey and "the word of God spread through the whole region" (13:46, 49).
Before departing for their second missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas and many others "taught and preached the word of the Lord" at Antioch (15:35).
The Holy Spirit kept Paul and Barnabas from "preaching the word in the province of Asia" (16:6).
The Bereans "received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true" (17:11); Paul "was preaching the word of God at Berea" (17:13).
At Corinth, "Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God" (18:11).
Through Paul's ministry at Ephesus, "all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord" (19:10).
Paul's farewell words to the Ephesians elders are: "For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God" (20:27).
It is clear from the above references that great focus was given in the early Church to the preaching of the Word, sometimes also identified as proclaiming the Gospel. This is consistent with the first commitment of the early Church following the day of Pentecost - "they devoted themselves to the apostles' doctrine . . ." (Acts 2:42).
Thus, a doctrinal test for any revival is whether the content of the preaching is the same as Jesus and the apostles. The Word of God stands over personal viewpoints. Any Biblical revival must "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3). If so-called truth is being proclaimed that cannot be found in Scripture, then that proclamation violates the specific announcement of Scripture that the faith "was once for all entrusted" and such a proclamation also deviates from the apostles' fidelity to preach the Word, and from the early Church's devotion to the apostles' doctrine.
The Azusa Revival (1906-1909) unabashedly proclaimed that the sure plumb line of truth was God's revealed and written Word. Elder Seymour and others were criticized sharply for their insistence on "checking everything out with the Word." But, they were unashamed. In fact, Seymour responded to these criticisms in the September, 1907, issue of The Apostolic Faith.
"We are measuring everything by the Word, every experience must measure up with the Bible. Some say that is going too far, but if we have lived too close to the Word, we will settle that with the Lord when we meet Him in the air.
Miraculous manifestations are never the test of a true revival - fidelity to God's Word is the test. Jesus Himself said there would be many who would do miracles in His name and even cast out demons, but He does not know them (Matthew 7:15-23). Jesus warned that "many false prophets will appear and deceive many people" (Matthew 24:11). Paul warns, "If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing" (1 Timothy 6:3). To the Galatians, Paul writes: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned (Galatians 1:8). Paul also warns us: "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connections with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow" (Colossians 2:18-19). Peter warns us that "there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies . . . Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up." (2 Peter 2:1-3).
In summary, the message must always be examined. If the message and the messenger line up with God's Word, then the revival is on safe Biblical ground and it should and must be embraced. If not, then even though miracles and manifestations occur, it should be avoided.
This raises the question of how can healings and miracles occur if the message and/or messenger are not consistent with Scripture. The attribution for the healings and miracles is the grace of God and his mercy for hurting people.
3. Are persons repenting of sin, and being baptized in water and the Holy Spirit? Repentance has been called the first word of the Gospel because it is the initial response called for by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2), Jesus (Matthew 4:17), the Twelve (Mark 6:12), Jesus after His resurrection (Luke 24:47), Peter (Acts 2:36), and Paul (Acts 26:20). With repentance comes baptism in water and the overwhelming or baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39).
Unless these initiatory events of the Christian life occur, along with the sanctifying work of the Spirit that leads to a holy life - then the miracles, crowds, and enthusiasm will quickly wane.
Of course, there are additional questions that can be raised, but my purpose is to give some starter reflections for those who have honest hearts to "test all things" as Paul admonished. If the above three questions cannot be answered with a resounding yes, then perhaps other questions are unnecessary.
The modern Pentecostal revival is now over 100 years old. Within that revival, there have been some significant centers of activity. For example, the Azusa Street Revival generated a missionary movement whose effects we still see today. The Charismatic Renewal brought refreshing both to Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal believers. However, there have also been some tornadoes that have brought destruction. In other words - there have been good winds and ill winds.
It is our responsibility to maintain a deep hunger for God and to keep our focus on the mission He has given us: to bring glory to God, to evangelize the lost, and to make disciples. We cannot do this on our own. We need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit along with the signs that follow those who believe.
Someone has said that revivals are like child birth. They are messy, but you like the final result. Certainly, every revival has been marked by some elements that would be regarded as extreme. Dr. J. Edwin Orr, who studied and wrote more on the history of revivals than any one else in Christian history, told me once that revivals are like a cabin on the Maine coast that has been shuttered up for the winter. When the winds begin to blow, the first thing that begins to make noise is all the loose hinges and shutters. And, that may well be the case - so we must be cautious at the initial onset of a revival to let some "loose hinges and shutters" have their freedom - but, ultimately, if the revival is to have enduring fruitfulness, it must be pastored carefully with doctrinal soundness, moral and financial accountability, and care to give publicity to Christ rather than to the revival.
The Azusa Street revival had such enduring fruitfulness precisely because the three questions raised above can be well answered - both then and now: Christ was exalted, the Word of God was the plumb line, and people responded to the Gospel with repentance, and baptism in water and in the Spirit. And, like the early Church, they were full of the Holy Spirit and went everywhere to share the Good News!
Let us keep the prayer of Habakkuk (3:2) in our hearts and on our lips:
LORD, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds,
O LORD.Renew them in our day,
In our time make them known.
Your brother in Christ,
George O. Wood
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Post by 4him on Jul 7, 2008 8:53:39 GMT -7
Hi Tim,
I think this is an excellent article and hits the nail on the head !
Here's another article written by someone from the Assemblies of God that is very good.
In Jesus,
John
Charles E. Hackett
The distance is too great to go from light bedtime prayers to the heavy responsibility of intercessory prayer for revival in one quick step. As we experience answers to prayer in smaller, tangible ways, the Holy Spirit prepares us for the most enriching and demanding task of all: interceding for spiritual change in people’s lives.
Literally, through the power of prayer we are marching into territory held by satanic forces and capturing it for the kingdom of God. This seems impossible to the human intellect. Even experienced people of prayer may sometimes doubt the power of prayer.
My introduction to the power of prayer began when I was 10. I remember being too sick to attend school because of sharp stomach pains. After my sister and brothers had boarded the bus, my mother came into the bedroom, laid her hands on my stomach, and prayed a simple prayer. Instantly, the pain was gone. This answer to prayer left an indelible mark on my life. In subsequent years, no matter what I questioned or how much I doubted, I could not deny the reality of that single experience.
Another step in the development of intercessory prayer in my life occurred during my first year at what was then Southwestern Bible Institute. I was on a work scholarship, which meant my school bill was paid each month, but I received no cash. After a month, I needed items such as toothpaste and razor blades and had no cash flow to purchase them. I remember a mixture of panic and dismay as I considered my dilemma.
One night the Holy Spirit directed me to Matthew 21:22. Faith filled my heart. I needed some things, and Jesus said ask and believe and I would receive. I quickly wrote down the items I needed and the approximate cost, which totaled $2.50. (This was in 1952 when the minimum wage was 75 cents per hour). I went down the list and asked God for each item and went to bed rejoicing because God had come to my rescue. It never occurred to me that my needs would not be met.
The next day a lady, who worked part-time for the school and whom I hardly knew, thrust some money into my hand and said, "God told me to give this to you." I could feel some bills and change, so I knew without looking that my need had been met. As I counted the money, I discovered the amount was not $2.50 but $3.50. God had met the need plus a bonus. That one answer to prayer provided a beginning foundation of faith for me to believe God for Kingdom money. In subsequent years I have seen God supply millions of dollars for His work, plus enough for my own family needs, in answer to simple prayer. It began with a $2.50 answer to prayer.
Praying for health and money does not compare, however, to the kind of prayer that literally takes souls from the kingdom of darkness and ushers them into the kingdom of God. If our prayer life does not go beyond health and wealth, we have missed God’s highest reward. At best, health and wealth are temporary, but the salvation of a soul has eternal rewards. Jesus’ primary mission in coming to earth was to seek and to save the lost.
This must be the primary mission of the church, and intercessory prayer is the vital link to victory. We cannot and will not see a spiritual awakening unless there is much prayer. No conference, seminar, retreat, book, committee, or tape will serve as a substitute for prayer. Simply put—no prayer, no revival.
The central question is, "How do we pray for revival?" Some are waiting for an extraordinary sign, feeling, or to hear a voice. None of these is needed. God has already spoken, and we do not need to hear another message until we obey what we have already heard. Jesus said, "Look at the crops; they are ripe for harvest." A farmer does not gather in the harvest because he has a feeling but, rather, because the grain is ready and will be lost unless it is put into the barn.
We must not make prayer for revival something that is strange, weird, and accompanied by goose bumps. We begin by looking at the unsaved in our families or neighborhoods with the realization that they are eternally lost unless they come to know Christ. It helps to write down their names and intercede before God on their behalf, allowing the Holy Spirit to pray through us.
No matter how we feel, we must be faithful. Sometimes the greatest answers come when our feelings are the lowest. It is the faith level that is important to God, not the feeling level. God answers the prayers of the righteous who passionately cry out to Him day and night. Too often we faint and give up when God’s command is "pray without ceasing."
Some are perhaps waiting for a kind of ministry break that will open up great success for them. It has already happened, and it took place on the cross. It was forever sealed on the Day of Pentecost. We don’t have to wait for victory to find us when we know the Victor. Our victory lies in daily communication with God, not by the breaks we get or how gifted we are. Gifts and talents actually become traps of destruction for Christians unless they are continually sanctified by prayer.
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord" is more than an often-quoted verse of Scripture. It is the very foundation for revival. We cannot create revival or put a spiritual hunger in the sinners’ hearts. We cannot renew the church or make it happen.
What a relief I felt when these truths became clear. The responsibility is not on me but on God. He wants to send a spiritual awakening more than we want to receive it. He is not unaware of our plight. He knows full well the state of mankind and what must be changed.
In light of these statements we must ask the classic question, "Why no revival?" This cannot be answered by a simple cliché but requires an in-depth look at the church and its reason for being.
We must recognize there is unprecedented revival in many parts of the world. We in America tend to think that if it isn’t happening here, it isn’t happening. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Great and mighty revival is occurring all over the world in response to the desperate cry of the local church. We have pockets of revival in America but no sweeping move from God.
God loves America as much as He loves the rest of the world, but the church in America does not love God as much as others do. There is still no respect of persons with Him. He does not play favorites nor show partiality. He will meet people anytime, anywhere they call out to Him in prayer.
We have not because we ask not. Spiritual leaders have not taken responsibility for our sins and backsliding. We tend to blame bad laws, crooked politicians, the economy, abortion, lack of prayer in schools, and a host of other things for our lack of revival. Many of these things have contributed to the moral decline of our country, but the spiritual tone of our nation has never been set in the halls of Congress, a vote of the Supreme Court, nor by dishonest politicians. The spiritual level of any nation is determined by the church—the body of believers—those who say they are followers of Christ.
In America we are in a spiritual drought because the church has lost its first love. Instead, we love money, popularity, position. We lust after many things that dull our spiritual appetite and keep us from intercessory prayer, justifying our lusts rather than repenting. The Bible is still true, "You cannot love God and the things of the world." One will dominate and win.
Sacrifice is almost a forgotten virtue. We seek the favor of a worldly system rather than God’s approval and have substituted the efforts of human flesh for the supernatural power of God. We honor one another for performance rather than for character. The spirit of jealousy and envy runs rampant among us. We have difficulty forgiving one another. No wonder revival is lacking!
If prayer is the key—in fact, the very foundation for a spiritual awakening, why don’t we take care of business and get down to the basics of intercessory prayer so we can have revival? Simply stated, the church has always done its best in bad times and its poorest in good times. Peace, prosperity, and the horn of plenty do not drive the church to prayer and repentance.
In many countries great revival has come because the church has been stripped of all possessions and political favor, and they have had no place to turn except to God. They have had to look to Him for their daily provisions; in so doing they have developed the discipline of intercessory prayer to a level seldom found in this country.
To summarize, God does not have the American church’s attention. We are preoccupied with many things but are doing very little with His agenda. This will change because God is going to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh in the last days, and that includes America. He will get our attention, and there will be a spiritual awakening in this country before Jesus comes.
Like other nations of our day, we will respond to the call for revival when the things we worship are taken away and God becomes first in our lives.
What can one person or one church do today that will make a difference? It is still true: When God’s people humble themselves and pray and seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, then He will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and heal their land. No contingencies are connected to this; God will do what He said. He is not waiting to hear from Congress or the Supreme Court; He is waiting to hear from the Church. Intercessory prayer by a person or a local church is the key to revival.
We need tracks to turn on if we are to be consistent in praying for revival. Some things that help me include setting a specific time for prayer, having a prayer list, walking the streets, driving through neighborhoods, turning off the TV, reading books on prayer, praying with others, forgiving my enemies, and loving all people. I will not see revival in my life if I cannot freely love all people and believe that Christ died for all.
We are not in the brick-and-mortar business but the soul business. Our measuring stick is not the amount of the offering or the size of the crowd. The questions are: Did anyone get right with God? Was Jesus lifted up? Does the world see Him in the church? Did the Holy Spirit convict, convince, edify and comfort the people of God? Did people leave the services with enough of the power of the Holy Spirit to live godly and upright lives in the coming week? Was there joy and victory in the camp?
True revival comes when we can’t stand the status quo any longer—when our hearts long for God more than anything else. Then we move into a supernatural realm of prayer that lifts us at times into the very throne room of God, and at other times we are plunged into the agony of the lost. This kind of prayer always produces great results.
The Holy Spirit is calling us to intercessory prayer for America. God will send revival one more time—either with or without me. I am determined to be a part of this last-day outpouring.
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