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Joey Kelly | PentecostalTheology.com
What, exactly, is revival? Is there a biblical example or model, and if so, are we following that today? Can or should we schedule revivals, or can only God schedule one? Is revival another word for an extended meeting, in today’s church? It’s a broad topic, so if I’ve left out something that I should have asked, please include that in your answer if you wish.
Note: I normally have opinions, but I’m going to sit this one out and and let everyone else answer.
Jeff Rouff
First, only God can “schedule” a revival. I have always found it hilarious to see on church signs and bulletins announcing that a revival will start on a certain date and end on another date. Perhaps these type of meetings would better be called renewal meetings. Perhaps. That’s only when man schedules these type of events. When God brings revival I guess it would look like whatever God wants it to look like. I would guess it would bring to the people a renewed devotion to serving God. A renewed interest in His Word. A new zeal to proclaim the gospel. An increased commitment to holiness. Just my opinion.
Cheryl Greenwood Fisher
Revival means to bring back to life that which is dead. The Church should never have to have a revival. They should stay revived. The terminology has changed to Revival now meaning an emotional series of meetings that stir folks up but most of them never change. Just my observation and opinion. 🙂
Wayne Sims
True revival isn’t found in the sensational or even the miraculous, it is most often found in the brokenness of the spirit that can only be found in God’s presence. True revival is found when God the Holy Spirit, through His Word working in us, brings out all those things that will make us better channels for His use, and cleanses us of those things that won’t. It’s written that we’re to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly, and to let the grace of God effectually work in us. Perhaps that should be the focus of those who are seeking true revival.
Ashley Candelaria
Notes I keep in my Bible
Cheryl Greenwood Fisher
Sadly, many think an Evangelist will bring revival. I am totally a believer in the ministry of the Evangelist, but if the church is dead and not seeking God, although it needs reviving, an Evangelist can’t do that for them. A praying church will be a revived church.
Cedric Fisher
Revival is bringing back to life that which is dead.
Tim Cushen
That’s the key… It once had to be vived (alive) to be re-vived. Revival is not nor has it ever been for sinner folks. Yes, some will get saved at a revival, but the actual reason for revival is to stir the embers of the saint and get them refilled with the Holy Ghost and reanimated to do the Lords work
Kristi Van Eaton
Ashley Candelaria, I would love to have a copy of your notes.
Harry Hollmann Jr
Being 79 years old, I was in the AoG, for 60 years. In the 50’s and 60s, 70s. The churches would schedule Revivals several times a year, usually, Tue thru Sunday, or if bigger named Evangelist 2 . weeks. Being in a leadership role, it was for reviving the flock, and them inviting new people, many new converts were saved during those meetings especially since we were in a Catholic area.
Harry Hollmann Jr
#2. I remember in California in the early 70’s, during the Jesus movement. There was a young AoG, Marvin Schmidt, who was having revivals that last 10-15 weeks at a time. I went to see him and became friends when he was in AoG church in Pamona Ca. In early 1970. We saw many folks
renew there walk and new people saved. My wife had Migraines all her life, went up to be prayed for Marvin who was about 4’away he stretched his hand toward her and said your healed in the name of Jesus. She’s 78,and has never had one since. Revivals in the past reached many souls, but that was before the electronic age.
Tony Perry
…..that times of refreshing would come!
Clay Mitchell
I just call them a series of meetings until the Holy Ghost falls and people are getting saved, healed and set free.
Harry Hollmann Jr
I think small to medium size churches will still call them Revivals till Jesus comes. Maranatha.
Ashley Candelaria
Revival is when the person of Jesus Christ becomes a living reality in the people of God, so much so that the expression is the overflow of Him in them.