Y'all should be aware that revivals can either be biblical or simply mass hysteria. Don't be so easily taken in by the latest craze. The work of the Spirit in groups and in churches is clearly evidenced according to the book of Acts by a few simple things:
The message of salvation and full forgiveness of sins through Christ Jesus, who he is and what he has done in his life, ministry, death, and resurrection... and his bringing in the kingdom of God as attested to by the prophets of the Scriptures is clearly and boldly proclaimed, even in the presence of threat of persecution for preaching Jesus. The Spirit's work is nothing more than shining a spotlight on Jesus, period. The Spirit does not draw attention to Himself. "He will glorify Me"
Those who hear such a message and are called by the same Spirit at work, will repent of their sins knowing they cannot bring anything to a holy God except empty hands to receive redemptive grace, become baptized, devote themselves to the apostles' teachings as members of their local church under the preaching authority of a shepherd, and also be devoted to the partaking together of the bread and the wine, as they begin to live a life with love for God and love for their brothers and sisters in Christ.
^-- that's Revival as far as the biblical accounts are concerned. It's actually not that spectacular from any entertainment or mass excitement point of view. But that's how God works to redeem people out of a crooked generation. And it happens in many places in many times, even if its not wow factor enough to get media attention.
After leaving I became burdened for the students thinking what will their view of Christianity be once all of this is over? For one, their view of revival will be that the Holy Spirit moves in unusual ways that will leave you excited. And two, the Holy Spirit will prompt you to act in ways that are unexplainable, to do things you don’t normally do.
But the Bible gives us a criterion to discern between the Spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. In 1 John 4:1-3Open in Logos Bible Software (if available), we are commanded to “tests the spirits to see whether they are from God.” Further we learn in 1 Corinthians 12:1-3Open in Logos Bible Software (if available), that when the Spirit moves in the church the results will not be unexplainable or unusual. From verses 1-2, Paul gives us two marks of the spirit of error: 1] it will keep you ignorant of how the Spirit of truth moves and 2] it will lead you astray. The central means of how the spirit of error leads a believer astray is by impersonating the Spirit of truth: “no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus is accursed’” [v. 3].
Let me apply this truth in the context of the Asbury revival. Any revival led by the Spirit of truth will begin with the preaching of the gospel. There must be a focus on the truth about Jesus. But the spirit of error always seeks to distort or minimize Christ. Go back and listen to the sermon that was credited with starting the revival, there was no clear presentation of the gospel. No one speaking by the Spirit of God, will ever diminish Christ in any way.
For when you read the book of Acts, you will notice that the Spirit’s power was always manifested in connection with the preaching of Christ. In other words, when Jesus was preached the Spirit moved. When Christ was the central focus, the Spirit acted.
Y'all should be aware that revivals can either be biblical or simply mass hysteria. Don't be so easily taken in by the latest craze. The work of the Spirit in groups and in churches is clearly evidenced according to the book of Acts by a few simple things:
The message of salvation and full forgiveness of sins through Christ Jesus, who he is and what he has done in his life, ministry, death, and resurrection... and his bringing in the kingdom of God as attested to by the prophets of the Scriptures is clearly and boldly proclaimed, even in the presence of threat of persecution for preaching Jesus. The Spirit's work is nothing more than shining a spotlight on Jesus, period. The Spirit does not draw attention to Himself. "He will glorify Me"
Those who hear such a message and are called by the same Spirit at work, will repent of their sins knowing they cannot bring anything to a holy God except empty hands to receive redemptive grace, become baptized, devote themselves to the apostles' teachings as members of their local church under the preaching authority of a shepherd, and also be devoted to the partaking together of the bread and the wine, as they begin to live a life with love for God and love for their brothers and sisters in Christ.
^-- that's Revival as far as the biblical accounts are concerned. It's actually not that spectacular from any entertainment or mass excitement point of view. But that's how God works to redeem people out of a crooked generation. And it happens in many places in many times, even if its not wow factor enough to get media attention.
Consider this account: https://thecripplegate.com/the-asbury-revival-observations-from-a-local-pastor/