Pastor Wendell Smith was so gracious to let us use some of his observations on revival here. Thank you Pastor Wendell.

Why We Don't Have Revival

We are living in days of a great outpouring of God's Holy Spirit with signs and wonders and miracles taking place world wide. There is widespread hunger for God and entire nations are being affected by the working of God in His church. The prayers of millions of believers are being answered. The Body of Christ has prayed for revival and here it comes!

The single most important issue in receiving revival and renewal, even in the midst of these days, is to receive the messenger that God uses. We don't have revival because we are often prejudiced against those who God uses to bring it!

Throughout church history Christians of different backgrounds have struggled to receive the visitation of God when it came because they may or may not have liked the package it came in. The Jews didn't receive Jesus because they heard He was from Nazareth and because He threatened their religious system. Both Jews and Greeks rejected some of the early church evangelism because the Apostles were unlearned and uneducated men. Jewish believers had problems with gentile believers and vice versa.

Jonathan Edwards was one of the great preachers during the Great Awakening in America during the 1700's and yet many critics worried about the strange manifestations in his meetings. In the Welsh revival of 1905, many said Evan Roberts was too young. Others rejected the Azusa revival in 1906 because it was being led primarily by a black preacher, William Seymour, in an obscure little building in Los Angeles, California. In the sixties and seventies, the Jesus People were largely rejected by many established churches because of their appearance and their strange ways. Many Protestants could not believe that Catholics could even be saved during the Charismatic renewal days of the seventies.

Today, the Lord is moving in dramatic ways around the world and yet we still face the same problem. The Body of Christ has been torn by controversy again and we should fear lest we miss the wonderful thing that the Lord has destined for our generation in visiting us in such fresh and powerful ways. People have said that Toronto is too wild, Holy Laughter is too strange, Dr. Bill Bright's plan for prayer and fasting is too demanding, Promise Keepers are too male dominated, Reconciliation is too difficult, and the spiritual warfare people are too weird.

When will we learn? We are like children fighting over the toys in the sandbox. If we're not careful we could box ourselves right out of revival. If we draw the lines too narrow, we just might miss God. Let us not be offended by a word, motivated by fear, or embrace suspicion, jealousy and legalism. Let us not believe every rumor we hear about each other. We tend to judge one another based on our extremes instead of seeing the vast points of agreement around which we can unite. In days of wonderful revival, renewal and spiritual awakening it is time to focus on the Father not the kids, on the Family not the fears and on the Purpose not the problem.

Signs of Renewal and Spiritual Awakening

There are wonderful signs world wide that the Body of Christ is experiencing a fresh move of God's Holy Spirit and that an historic spiritual awakening is beginning to take place. We have been experiencing some of these same signs in our local church in Seattle and have written this booklet to help explain some of what is happening in the body of Christ. The following areas are some of the indicators that God is stirring His church:

1. Prayer Movement -Many pastors and believers are participating in a widespread focus on prayer including Pastor's regional Prayer Summits and city prayer groups through organizations such as International Renewal, of Portland, Oregon.

2. Call for Fasting and Prayer- Dr. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ has called for two million Christians to pray and fast for forty days in preparation for worldwide revival.

3. Men's Movement- The Promise Keepers organization has grown and gained national acceptance as hundreds of thousands of men gather for inspiration and worship in stadiums across America.

4. Intercession and Prayer Warfare- Dr. Peter Wagner, Cindy Jacobs and others have been strong leaders in rallying pastors and believers alike to spiritual victory through strategic prayer and intercession.

5. Racial Reconciliation- The Church of God in Christ and the Assemblies of God churches have been leading the way, along with many other key leaders and groups in working toward reconciliation between ethnic groups in America.

6. Worldwide mission emphasis- Most major Christian denominations and missions groups are focusing renewed efforts on evangelizing the world by the year 2000 in expectation of the return of our Lord.

7. College campus Renewals- Recently, outbreaks of renewal, repentance and spiritual awakening have broken out on several Christian and secular college campuses including Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Howard Payne University, and Wheaton College.

8. The Toronto Revival- Hundreds of thousands of Christians have visited the Toronto Airport Church to witness signs and wonders taking place with unusual manifestations of the Holy Spirit. This renewal anointing has spread to countless churches around the world, especially in North America, England and Australia.

9. Rodney Howard-Browne Meetings-As an evangelist from South Africa, Rodney Howard-Browne and his brother Bazil have held scores of large conferences and revival meetings across America and the world, with powerful demonstrations of the Holy Spirit occurring in his services.

10. Worship Renewal- Through organizations like Integrity's Hosanna music, Maranatha and The Vineyard, an explosion of worship and fresh new songs is coming to the Body of Christ around the world. People of all denominations and backgrounds are worshipping God in spirit and in truth.

11. Unity among Pastors- Walls of separation, division and jealousy are coming down between pastors and churches. Churches are entering the post-denominational era where names and titles are less significant to people. City pastors are unifying in the common fight against the works of the devil and the common cause of spreading the good news of the Kingdom.

12. Harvest of Souls- Reports of increasing numbers of conversions are coming from all streams, including an ongoing series of services at the Brownsville Assembly of God church in Pensacola, Florida, a great ingathering of souls in Modesto, California and other churches across America as well as great harvests taking place in Russia, Africa, China, Viet Nam, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Central and South America and various parts of Europe. Reports from Pastors around the world are accumulating as the Holy Spirit moves on people's hearts, numbers of conversions increase, prodigals are returning to churches, a renewed desire for growth in Christians is being stirred and a general spiritual hunger or interest among the unsaved is more evident.

Questions and Answers About Revival

Although it would be inappropriate for anyone to set themselves up as an "answer person", it is to our advantage to search the Scriptures and find out "whether these things are so" (Acts 17:11)

The answers and insights shared here have come out of the experience of nearly two years of renewal and revival, both in our own local church and in meetings throughout our nation and internationally.

These thoughts are written here to help guide us into a clearer picture of what the Holy Spirit is doing in our day, to balance the negative and ignorant comments of some who have foolishly rejected all of God's move because of extremes, and to help us keep an open mind and right spirit and to also encourage us to receive more of the Spirit's anointing during days when we desperately need it!

Is this time of spiritual renewal limited to charismatic groups? Not at all. Although there is some controversy and disagreement regarding what is of God and what is not, the Holy Spirit is nonetheless moving in many different streams in a variety of ways around the world. We may be in the beginning stages of one of the most significant and widespread awakenings and revivals in human history. (Acts 2; 1 Cor. 12; Eph. 4; James 5:7)

Why are some people being so critical of these different revivals? Any time the Holy Spirit has moved in history, there have been unusual manifestations and demonstrations of His presence and power. Much of this is to stir the church to renewed zeal and love for God and yet these signs cause controversy. We should be careful not to criticize other movements or activities of the Holy Spirit which we have not experienced or understood. God may be answering our prayers for revival, yet not within the limits of our understanding and comfort zone. We should speak well of all members of the Body of Christ. (Acts 5:38,39; Eph. 4:3,13)

What is this Renewal or Revival everyone is talking about?

It is a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit to empower and anoint the church for greater service, release the spirit of prayer and intercession, bring the church into unity and to prepare the church to reap the great harvest of these last days. (Acts 2:17-21; Matt. 25:1-13)

What are these renewal meetings like?

Every meeting is different with a variety of expressions throughout the Body of Christ. Most renewal meetings are marked by anointed worship, prophetic preaching, and extended times of waiting on God for prayer and impartation through the laying on of hands by a trained ministry team or ministers. Often there are manifestations of healing, brokenness, repentance, intercession, prophecy and joy, sometimes accompanied by outward signs of falling, shaking, weeping, groaning and laughter.

(Acts 10:44-47; 13:1-3; 20:7-12)

Do you have to go to Toronto or some special meeting to get this?

No, of course not. God is moving worldwide and every believer who loves God and seeks Him diligently can expect a fresh touch of the Holy Spirit. It is, however, also possible to receive an impartation from other believers through the laying on of hands and prayer during meetings that are especially set aside for this kind of ministry. (Heb. 11:6; Acts 13:1-3; 2 Tim. 1:6,7)

We have heard about people making animal like sounds. What is that all about?

Although this is uncommon to most renewal meetings, some people make noises that could be interpreted as animal like during times of extreme intercession or spiritual travail. Others may be making certain sounds in obedience to the working of the Holy Spirit in their hearts during moments of intimacy with God, a phenomenon that defies rational explanation. (Rom. 8:26; 1 Cor. 2:1-16; Heb. 5:7)

What is the purpose of the groaning sounds?

Many people are being touched with a spirit of intercession and find themselves groaning in travail of soul for others. This manifestation is described in numerous places in the Bible as a birthing process. Jesus Himself groaned in His spirit at the tomb of Lazarus and the Apostle Paul labored in travail until Christ was formed in his spiritual children. (Jer. 30:6; Ps. 55:2; Is. 42:14; Jn.11:33,38; Rom. 8:22-27; 2 Cor. 5:2-5; Gal. 4:19; Heb. 5:7)

What is the purpose of all the manifestations?

These are signs of the moving of God's Spirit. Manifestations are not the substance of God's move but rather signs that focus our attention on the fact that He is doing something in the earth. A sign is a like a flag that draws us to investigate closer. As we receive from what God is doing we can be ministered to in wonderful ways by the power of the Holy Spirit in our inner man. (Mark 16:17,20; Acts 2:1-13; 1 Cor. 14:22; Acts 2:43; Acts 4:30; Acts 14:3; Heb. 2:4)

Doesn't the Bible say that everything should be done decently and in order?

The same passage of scripture encourages prophecy, singing, teaching, revelations, speaking in tongues and interpretations. The order expected by the apostles in the early church gatherings was the order of God, not the order we might try and project on today's services based on the perspective of our own traditions. The Corinthian church was extremely demonstrative in the gifts of the Spirit and yet there were to be perimeters of wisdom, judged by those who had the oversight of the local church. (1 Cor. 14:25, 26, 39,40)

What if I don't feel anything or have any manifestations?

Our goal should never be outward experiences but rather inward transformation which comes from encounters with the Lord as we seek him in prayer, humility and worship. Many times people are surprised by His presence. We can be confident that if we seek Him, He will touch our life. Often these experiences with God will evoke an emotional or physiological response. We need to be hungry for God and leave the results to Him. (Matt. 5:6, 6:33; John 7:37-39; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 10:44)

Why all the emphasis on laughter? Doesn't true revival bring people to repentance and sobriety?

Many people are assuming, because of the laughter reports, that Christians are not pursuing repentance and true spiritual change in this time of renewal. This is not accurate, of course, as people are experiencing times of sincere brokenness, deep repentance, cleansing, healing and spiritual confrontation with God. Actually more weeping is taking place than laughter. The resulting joy of the Lord from such change can be wonderful and liberating. (Ps.126:1-6; Ps. 16:11; Ps. 51:10-12; 1 Thess. 1:5,6)

What is this Holy Laughter? Where do we see that in the Bible?

Throughout the Scriptures, much is mentioned about joy, which is, of course, the fruit of the Holy Spirit. In the presence of the Lord, there is fullness of joy! Joy is also the result of a life that is in order with God and has experienced His great salvation. Laughter is recorded in the Bible as the natural expression of joy or victory. People who are being touched in this way are often overwhelmed with the goodness of God and the divinely inspired perspective that He is in control of their lives and that their problems are small in light of His greatness. As we are made in the image of God, we should not think it strange when we manifest "joy inexpressible and full of glory". ( Ps. 16:11; Gen.17:17; Gen.21:6; Job 5:22; Job 8:21; Ps. 2:4; Ps. 37:13; Ps. 52:6; Ps. 59:8; Ps. 68:3; Ps. 104:15; Ps. 126:2; Lk. 6:21; Mt. 5:12; Lk. 6:23; Lk. 15:32; Jn. 15:11; Acts 13:52; Phil. 4:4; 1 Thess. 5:16; Heb. 1:9; Heb. 12:2; 1 Pet. 1:8; Jude 24)

What do people mean when they talk about soaking in the Spirit?

The term soaking has become a expression some churches use for being fully saturated with the Holy Spirit and waiting on the Lord until His presence fills our soul. One Hebrew word used in Jeremiah 31 actually means "to soak". It is important for us to not be in a hurry when we come before the Lord, but to wait and soak in His presence until He makes Himself real to us and ministers to our innermost being. (Jer. 31:13,14; Is. 40: 31; Acts 1:4,14; Acts 2:1; Eph. 5:18)

Why do people fall down? Is this biblical?

Yes it is biblical. In many places, the Bible records people's experiences with God and the resulting weakness or fainting that occurs as they encounter the presence of God. In these days of revival, many people are being touched by the power of God or overwhelmed with the love of God in such a way they find themselves falling to the floor in response. Often a person's knees will grow weak in the presence of the Holy Spirit and they will have a fainting like reaction. (Gen.17:17; 2 Chron. 5:13,14; 2 Chron.7:1-3; Dan.10:7-16 ; Luke 5:8; Luke 8:47; John 18:6; Acts 9:4; Acts 26:14; 1 Cor. 14:25; Rev. 1:17)

What about shaking and trembling? Are these things in the Bible?

The shaking or trembling is often the results of a person being dramatically touched by the power of God. Our physical bodies and minds cannot always fathom or handle the reality of God's manifested presence. Many people shake and tremble in the presence of God. The entire "Quaker" movement was named for this manifestation in a past revival. (Ps. 2:11; Ps. 96:9; Ps. 114:7; Jer. 5:22; Jer. 23:9; Dan. 10:10,11; Mark 5:33; Luke 8:47; Acts 9:6; Acts 16:29; 1 Cor. 2:3)

Can people actually get drunk on the Holy Spirit?

Yes. In the Old Testament, there are references to wine causing drunkenness. In the New Testament, the new wine of the Holy Spirit is described as an intoxicating influence that can affect a person in the manner described as spiritual drunkenness. This kind of condition occurs when a person becomes so full of the Spirit that their behavior becomes similar to that of a person drunk on alcohol. (Jer. 23:9; Ps. 104:15; Luke 5: 37-39; Acts 2:13-16; Eph. 5:18)

Jesus said there would be false prophets in the last days. Could this be deception and false teaching?

False prophets are exposed very clearly by examining their fruit. False prophets or false movements cannot produce good fruit. When the fruit is good, the tree is good. We should always avoid setting ourselves up as the ultimate judges or evaluating a move of God based on our personal perspective or interpretation of the Scriptures and not on the legitimate fruit in people's lives. (Matt. 7:15-20; Luke 6:43-45; 2 Tim. 3:14-17)

What is the fruit of this renewal?

We have both witnessed firsthand and received many reports of deeper commitment to Christ, increased hunger for God and the Bible, increased church attendance, liberal giving and financial provision, stirred zeal for spiritual things, emotional and physical healings, restored relationships, love, joy, peace and all the fruit of the Spirit. During many of these kind of meetings, people are repenting, sinners are being converted, prodigals are returning to the Father's House, and backsliders are being healed. (Matt. 7:15-20; Gal.5:22-23; Eph. 5:9)

What is God doing in this revival? What is the purpose of it?

Although people would have different perspectives, it does seem evident that the Lord is renewing the first love of many Christians, refreshing people's faith, reviving the church and anointing believers with a fresh touch of the Holy Spirit. All of this will produce a greater zeal for the things of God, more compassion for the lost and a stronger grace for service. The Lord seems to be preparing His church for a great harvest of souls. This appears to be a time of revival for the church equipping her with a fresh anointing to accomplish the task of world evangelism in the last days. (Jam.5:7,8; Acts 3:19,20; Rev. 2:4,5; Matt. 24:14; Acts 2:17-21)

We have heard of people having trances, revelations and visions of angels. What does all this mean?

These kind of supernatural visitations of God are recorded throughout the Bible and although uncommon for most of us, are nevertheless real and valid. Any time God was doing something significant in history, these kinds of experiences became more frequent. (Acts 2:17; Acts 5:19; Acts 10; Acts 12:7-9; 1 Cor. 14:26 ; 2 Cor. 12:1-6; 1 Pet.1:12)

We've seen things like this before-why are people so stirred up about it?

Although some of these manifestations have appeared in previous revivals, this does seem to be a fresh move of God for this generation and is having a vast worldwide influence. Any time God begins to move so widely and dramatically, it is evident that we are in very exciting days and that prayers of millions of saints are being answered. It would be wise for all of us to jump in and seek the Lord while He may be found and store up the oil of His presence during days of visitation. (Luke 19:41-44; Acts 13:36; Matt. 25:1-13)

What should our attitude be if we don't agree with these things or have a hard time believing this is of God?

As Christians, there will always be members of the Body of Christ with whom we do not agree. The Bible instructs us to pray for one another, love one another and forbear one another in love. We are to cover a multitude of sins, we are to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and we should be wise to not compare ourselves among ourselves or judge one another after the flesh. We can be confident that the Lord will watch over His church to build it and make it beautiful and bring us together in unity. Until that day, we should trust Him to rule over His church. We should also be careful to judge a move of God on it's fruit, not on it's manifestations. Every revival or move of the Spirit in history has been surrounded with controversy, including Jesus Himself and the early church. We should leave the judging to God. (Acts 5:38,39; Luke 5:39; Matt. 7:15-20; Luke 6:43-45; Rom. 14:4, 10,13; Eph. 4:1-6,13; Phil. 1:15-18; 1 Pet. 4:7-10; )

Where do we see these kinds of things in the Bible?

Many biblical passages describe the unusual and supernatural encounters experienced by God's people when the Lord worked in them or for them. Many strange and wonderful works of God are recorded throughout the pages of the Scriptures. Since Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, we can expect that He still does miracles today, demonstrates His mighty power and visits men and women with His manifest presence. (Ps. 16:11; 1 Sam. 19:23,24; Jer. 31:12-14; Dan.10:7-16 ; Luke 5:8,26; Luke 11:13;Luke 15:32;John 3:8;John 5:39,40; John 18:6; Acts 2:1-21; Acts 9:4; Acts 10:10; Acts 19:11,12; 1 Cor. 2:13; 1 Cor. 14:25; Eph. 3:20; 1 Thess. 5:16-22; 1 Pet. 1:8; Rev. 1:17; Rev. 22:17 Acts 5:38,39; Luke 5:39)

Quotes from Today's Pastors and Leaders

"God is visiting the earth. I have never seen such response to the gospel as I see these days. This is an unbelievable time of (spiritual) hunger"

-Dr. Pat Robertson, Orlando Prayer and Fasting gathering, Dec.1994

"We've reported about an extraordinary phenomenon rippling across various parts of the world. It involves people during church services laughing, breaking out in laughter, shaking and then also weeping and repenting, and they sometimes fall to the floor."

-Larry Pierce, National & International Religion Report

"It's not confined to any one denomination or any one person," "Quite the reverse. It's happening across the board--free churches, house churches...established churches, all over the place."

-Sandy Miller, Vicar of Holy Trinity, England

"God's desire to bless us is far greater than Satan's ability to deceive us.' It is far healthier to focus attention on the wheat, and not the chaff, nor on the enemy sowing weeds." (Matthew 13:24-30)

-Pastor John Arnott, Sr. Pastor, Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship

"Fearless, Christ-centered preaching with people literally 'falling on their faces' before God often is a hallmark of revival...Some American revivals were marked with miracles and controversial experiences such as trembling, jerking, screaming, groaning, fainting prostration, or dancing for joy."

-Dr. Bill Bright, The Coming Revival, 1995

"Why do many people who pray earnestly for a visitation from God reject what he sends because they find it offensive? ...From a safe distance of several hundred years or several thousand miles, revival clearly looks invigorating. What could be more glorious than a mighty work of God in our midst, renewing thousands and converting tens of thousands...To recognize a divine visitation we must view it through twin lenses of discernment and humility. It is easy to recognize it in books or in retrospect since we are usually accepting the view of the writer of a particular history. To recognize it when it occurs is more difficult."

-Dr. John White, When The Spirit Comes With Power, 1988

"What is happening in Toronto is at the very least on a par with what happened at Azusa Street in 1906."

-Richard Riss, Twentieth Century Revival Movements

" Periodically, when our supply of oil is low, God comes to renew the supply. This is true individually and corporately. For the Lord's church to prevail against the gates of hell, He must visit her from time to time, pour out His Spirit on her, renew her love, renew her life, renew her passion, and bring her further along in His purposes for her." (p.52)

-Dick Iverson, This Present Renewal, Can This Be God?

"The power of the supernatural is so much greater than human flesh, that human flesh has a tendency to just fall. What this says to me is that revival is taking place in the world in a mass wave and we look to the coming of the Lord. I think this is a very encouraging sign. In the middle of all this trouble, God is saying He's on the throne and He's going to touch multiplied millions of people."

-Dr. Pat Robertson ,The 700 Club Fact Sheet

"I could see that people were being touched by God in a deep way. As I met with some of them later, they exhibited a pure devotion to God--an abandonment in the Spirit--that went far beyond what I usually encounter in Christians."

-Stephen Strang

Editor and Owner of Charisma Magazine, February, 1995

"Indeed we may criticize it. But if we do, we had better consider whether we have a genuine alternative that offers people an authentic and transforming encounter with God. We may legitimately prefer something different, but we dare not be content with less."

-John Stackhouse Jr

Christian Week.

"People began to testify of wonderful changes in their lives. Many displayed a new hunger for God and a new zeal to seek Him glorified. Bad relationships were healed, and weak marriages were wonderfully strengthened. Formerly depressed people were changed beyond recognition. I have never seen such rapid changes in people's lives--and in the whole atmosphere of a church..."

-Pastor Terry Virgo

Charisma , February, 1995

"The Holy Spirit's work in times of revival is accelerated. What at other times may be done silently, progressively and less dramatically may be done instantaneously and with a demonstration of power in times of revival (p. 111).

-Dr. John White, When The Spirit Comes With Power, 1988

"I am frequently being asked whether I believe the Holy Spirit at times produces in people prolonged, exuberant and apparently causeless laughter. "I have to believe it," I reply, "because that is how I was saved more than 50 years ago. Almost invariably I have found that this kind of laughter has a double effect: It is both cleansing and exhilarating. At times it has been accompanied by miracles of physical healing or of deliverance from emotional conditions such as depression."

-Derek Prince

Charisma , February, 1995

"While I was preaching, the power of God began to fall. Many people began to fall out of their seats. It looked like someone was shooting them and in some places whole rows at a time would go down. They were laughing and crying and falling all over the place and looked like drunken people. I tried to preach above the noise of the people but to no avail. The glory of the Lord fell in such a wonderful way. Some were healed in their seats. The Lord then said to me, 'I will move all the time if you will allow Me to'. The move of God has continued since April, 1989."

-Rodney Howard-Browne, The Touch of God

"I'm sure lots of visitors came just to hear what speaking in tongues sounded like (in 1906), or to gawk at the people who had been "slain in the Spirit." Some onlookers were probably horrified at the emotional frenzy. Others went home with a fresh touch from God and started churches, many of which are still reaching people for Christ almost 90 years later."

-First Word, Charisma, February,1995

"If a severe blow to the head can make one see stars, we hesitate to say what a man would see if God spoke to him."

-J. L. McKenzie, Bible scholar

"A minister friend has told me of uproarious laughter erupting spontaneously in Siberia among Christians who had no contact with the West."

-Derek Prince

Charisma , February, 1995

"Clifford Kapofu, pastor of an independent Charismatic church at Gweru, Zimbabwe, wrote in October to a friend in Toronto, 'The Lord is moving in a fresh way here. People are falling under the power of God, shaking, getting drunk, weeping and laughing ...Suddenly people from other churches are coming to us...People of all races are being healed of blood pressures, tumors and all kinds of disorders as they get drunk with this new wine.' Then he asks: 'Are you having the same things happening over there?'"

Spread the Fire: Toronto Vineyard Christian Fellowship-January/February, 1995

"Similar spontaneous outpourings have been reported by Dr. Ernest Kamanapali in India, by Mahesh Chavda in China and by Sophal Ung in Cambodia."

Spread the Fire: Toronto Vineyard Christian Fellowship, January/February, 1995

"The wind of the Holy Ghost is blowing and the things that have divided humanity are going to come down. Race, religion and riches-these three powers have divided the human family but the Holy Ghost is blowing with a new wind."

-Pastor Bud Williams, Evangel Temple, Toronto, Canada, Addressing the Renewal Conference at Toronto Airport Vineyard, January,1995.

"As with the wind, the evidence of which we see in the results--the rustle of leaves and the sway of branches--so the way in which the Holy Spirit moves men. Though certain and sure, it is beyond analysis."

-D. Martyn Lloyd Jones

"The irony of revivals is that while they are so longed for in times of barrenness, they are commonly opposed and feared when they arrive. Church dignitaries are particularly offended by two things. They deplore "hysterical behavior" in religious meetings. They also resent new leadership. Since revival is often characterized by both, vested interests within the church react with fear and hostility."

-John White, When The Spirit Comes with Power

"Though it has been sounded again and again, it needs to be reiterated: while an outpouring of the manifest presence of the Spirit of God often generates unusual religious experience and phenomena, the focus must never be on the shaking, falling, wailing or roaring, as commanding as these manifestations may be. They are but signals, or pointers, to a much larger dynamism...The visitation of the Spirit at the Toronto Airport Vineyard has forced many of us to reshuffle pre-suppositions and expectations; it has knocked out the ends of the box in which we had neatly contained our God. We have re-oriented ourselves, and are beginning to understand the truth that Edward Schweizer declares: 'Long before the Spirit was a theme of doctrine, He was a fact in the experience of the [early Church]."

-Guy Chevreau, Catch the Fire, 1994

"Some folks can't understand the joy and laughter in our services. They think it's something new. But we had these kind of services fifty years ago! The Holy Ghost is the same now as He was then. If you stay filled with the Holy Ghost, you're going to be filled with joy! And there is no joy without an outward expression."

-Dr. Kenneth Hagin, Word of Faith magazine, May,1995

"It seemed the Holy Spirit was creating a new hunger for Jesus, a new desire for the Bible, a new boldness to share, an increased desire to pray, deeper repentance, and a host of other godly attributes. We have seen lives radically changed -- physical healings and restorations, and emotional and relational transformations. We have an awesome God!"

-Pastor Happy Leman, Vineyard of Champaign, Illinois.

"Believe me, dear friend, as baffling and undesirable to most human tastes as the phenomena accompanying the Toronto Blessing may be the inescapable fact is that multitudes have been stirred to new devotion to Jesus or retrieved from unnecessary pain or bondage.

Yes, flesh may be involved, but could the source of unusual phenomena be more attributable to the inability of frail humanity to contain the mightiness of divine breakthrough? That human beings so encountered by the Almighty don't look all that strong, neat, or wise probably matters little to Him.

And that the apparent "antics" annoy some, and produce accusations of flesh or fanaticism by others, is probably unavoidable. But we might pause humbly, rather than proceed too hastily in evaluating all this. When a bush catches fire, or tongues of flame fill a room and people speak in strange languages, it might be wise to take off your shoes and listen for God's voice--and even wiser to steer clear of leveling charges of drunkenness."

-Pastor Jack Hayford, Church on the Way, Van Nuys,CA.

"America and much of the world will, before the end of the year 2000, experience a great spiritual awakening. This divine visit of the Holy Spirit from heaven will kindle the greatest spiritual harvest in the history of the Church."

-Dr. Bill Bright, The Coming Revival, 1995

"Every Pastor would love to have a church full of people who love God, prayer, and worship, who are full of commitment to the church, who read their Bibles and bring their kids to church, and who want to reach out and touch their neighbors. Pastors would pay any price to have a church filled with believers like this. Renewal has the potential to produce that kind of fruit in people."

-Dick Iverson, This Present Renewal, Can This Be God?

Historical Quotes from Past Revivalists

"Such a commotion surely was never heard of, especially at eleven at night. It far outdid all that I ever saw in America. For about an hour and a half there was such weeping, so many falling into deep distress, and expressing it in various ways...their cries and agonies were exceedingly affecting.

-George Whitefield, (1742), Guy Chevreau, Catch the Fire, 1994

"Observe how sovereign the operations of God are...He may in one district work a revival, and persons may be stricken down, and made to cry aloud, but in another place there may be crowds, and yet all may be still and quiet, as though no deep excitement existed at all...He can bless as He wills and He will bless as He wills. Let us not dictate to God. Many a blessing has been lost by Christians not believing it to be a blessing, because it did not come in the particular shape which they had conceived to be proper and right.

-Charles Spurgeon, quoted by Guy Chevreau, Catch the Fire, 1994

"Laughing, loud hearty laughing, was one of the ways in which our new converts, almost everywhere, were wont to join together in expressing their joy and the conversion of others...at the same time, some would be praying, some exhorting, some singing, some clapping their hands, some laughing, some crying, some shrieking and roaring out...It is in the evening, or more late in the night, that there is the screaming and shrieking to the greatest degree (p 98)."

-Jonathan Edwards, quoted from Guy Chevreau, Catch the Fire, 1994

"At New Year's 1739, George Whitefield, my brother Charles, three others and I, with about sixty of our brethren, were present at a love feast in Fetter Lane. About three in the morning, as we were continuing in prayer, the power of God came upon us so mightily that many cried out in holy joy, while others were knocked to the ground. Some sank down, having no strength remaining in them. Others trembled and quaked exceedingly. Some were torn with a kind of convulsive motion in every part of their bodies."

-John Wesley, quoted from Guy Chevreau, Catch the Fire, 1994

"The congregation began to fall from their seat and cried for mercy. If I had a sword in each hand, I could not have cut them off of their seats a fast as they fell. Indeed nearly the whole congregation were either on their knees or prostrate.... in less than two minutes ... Everyone prayed of himself, who was able to speak at all."

-Charles Finney, Basil Miller, 1941

"While one is praying, another is laughing; some howl and beat their hands together; others are weeping and groaning; and others are groveling on the ground in a swoon, making various kinds of antic postures; then they laugh out all at once, and continue laughing for about a quarter of an hour...Such crying out and heart-breaking groans, silent weeping and holy joy and shouts of rejoicing, I never saw. Some were drunk, and that with the best wine, namely, the Holy Spirit, God's peace, God's love shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost."

-Daniel Rowland,1762, quoted by Guy Chevreau, Catch the Fire, 1994

"I could with difficulty refrain from rising from my seat and leaping for joy, I continued to enjoy this intense, and lively, and refreshing sense of divine things, accompanied with strong emotions, for nearly an hour...'being too much exhausted by emotions of joy, to rise and sit up'."

-Sarah Edwards, quoted from Guy Chevreau, Catch the Fire, 1994

"I have seen more than five hundred persons jerking at one time in my large congregations. Most usually persons taken with the jerks, to obtain relief, as they said, would rise up and dance. Some would run, but could not get away. Some would resist; on such the jerks were generally very severe"

-Cane Ridge, Kentucky 1801, Quoted by Guy Chevreau, Catch the Fire, 1994

"Too little as well as too much has been made of the singular physical features of this great revival. By some they are regarded as [abnormal and excessive]. I do not think so. They have accompanied all revivals...I care not what skeptics may say, or little-faith Christians, who have no confidence in the extraordinary influences of the Spirit. I believe, as firmly as I believe my own existence, that the Holy Ghost would never have permitted His work to be entangled with such perplexing and seemingly incredible phenomena, had He not had a most important end to serve by them."

-William Blair, Northern Ireland, August 1859

"The services ran almost continuously. Seeking souls could be found under the power almost any hour night and day. The place was never closed or empty. God was always there. A dozen people might be on their feet at one time trembling under the mighty power of God."

"Memoirs of The Azusa Revival," by Frank Bartleman, Revival!

"It is a stumbling block to some, that religious affections should seem to be so powerful, or that they should be so violent, in some persons. They are therefore ready to doubt whether it can be the Spirit of God; or, whether this vehemence be not rather a sign of the operation of an evil spirit. But why should such a doubt arise? What is represented in Scripture as more powerful in its effects than the Spirit of God?

-Jonathan Edwards, quoted by Guy Chevreau, Catch the Fire, 1994

"In the fall of 1927...Billows of joy swept over my soul. I laughed and could not stop laughing. It was the laughter of faith, not in men but in God."

"Faith is the Victory," by J.P. Kolenda , Revival!

"Fancy upsetting the clock-like, mechanical perfection of a great service with an outpouring of the Spirit! The thing is unthinkable!"

-Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Guy Chevreau, Catch the Fire, 1994

If they wait to see a work of God without difficulties and stumbling blocks, it will be like the fool's waiting at the river side to have the water all run by...A work of God without stumbling blocks is never to be expected. 'It must needs be that offenses come.' There never yet was any great manifestation that God made of Himself to the world, without many difficulties attending to it."

-Jonathan Edwards, quoted from Guy Chevreau, Catch the Fire, 1994

Fruit of the Renewal

As a Senior Pastor of a growing church, I have watched carefully over a period of many months to see what results this present revival and renewal has had in people's lives in our own congregation. I have been thrilled to see some of the most wonderful fruit in believer's lives that I have ever witnessed. The Bible says we will know true or false movements by the fruit.

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." -Matthew 7:15-20

In addition to people's personal testimonies of healing, renewing, refreshing, anointing, purifying, and commissioning, our Church in Seattle grew from 500 to over 1000 in just over a year, with many first time conversions taking place, scores of backsliders and prodigals returning to church, dozens baptized in water and hundreds of new members added to our local church. In one month alone we had over 2000 visitors to special revival meetings and continue to have people from our neighborhood walk in off the street and find God.

The renewal in our church has been a pastor's dream, seeing people blessed, healed, released, anointed, empowered and called by God. I have watched as brothers and sisters in our congregation have been broken in spirit, weeping and repenting and changing more dramatically over a period of weeks through the personal ministry of the Holy Spirit than in months or years of counseling. God has applied divine therapy to many people's lives delivering them from debilitating strongholds and bondages. We have also seen many disciples blessed and touched with great joy and laughter that has, in some cases, released them from years of emotional bondage.

This is not, however, some kind of magic cure all for everyone's problems. The Word of God has not changed. We still must walk by faith and obey the voice of the Lord, disciplining ourselves to walk in purity and faith daily, taking up our crosses to follow Jesus Christ and being constantly renewed in the spirit of our minds through biblical preaching and teaching. We still need fellowship and prayer, Bible reading, teaching, correction and maturing. But God is faithful to send us showers of blessing, times of refreshing and the renewing of the Holy Ghost!

May I encourage you to jump in the river of God's Spirit and drink deeply from living waters, partake of new wine, and receive the fresh oil of His anointing during this time of the outpouring of His Holy Spirit.

Words of Wisdom

It would be foolish for any of us to miss the beauty of this time in history, during a time of God's outpouring, by failing to keep our lives and churches in balance with the Word of God. May we recommend to you some priority keys to seeing this time of renewal and revival become a blessing in your life.

1. Be careful to build your life on the rock of God's revelation, His Holy Word (Matt. 7:24) and not focus on an experience. We don't build on the Spirit, the Spirit helps us build. We build our lives on the foundation of the Scriptures, God's unchanging Truth. Make certain you and your church are staying on track with the Word of God as the ultimate guide and compass!

2. Don't compare yourself with others (2 Cor.10:12 ) or allow any spiritual pride to be tolerated in your life. We would never want to develop a mentality of those who have it and those who don't, setting up manifestations as some standard for spirituality.

3. Don't focus on formulas. (John 3:8) How easy it is for a new move of God to become crystallized around a new truth and begin to act as if we suddenly know all the answers for releasing the Spirit in our meetings. The Holy Spirit is a person Who will move in our midst in a variety of ways and at a variety of times as He wills. It is our task to stay humble and sensitive to obey His voice and leading.

4. Let the signs follow- (Mark 16:17) We should never seek the manifestation of the Spirit but rather the impartation of the Spirit. If we will be faithful to follow the Lord, obey His voice and receive from His Holy Spirit, the signs of His presence will find their proper place. What we desire is change and receiving His anointing and empowering to accomplish His will.

5. Use wisdom in the things of the Spirit. (1 Cor. 2:1-16) When the Spirit of God comes upon our lives, it should make us wiser. Often in our zeal for the things of God we overlook the knowledge that the Holy Spirit wants to impart. This knowledge and understanding makes us more effective in our witness for Christ.

The Need for Balance

Even though the Lord is touching our lives, there is still a need for the renewing of our minds, obedience to God's voice, reading the Word, giving ourselves to prayer, and the fellowship of the church. In every move of God there are inherent dangers that must be avoided.

Zealots not wise- Caution should be exercised by all God's people to not allow our personal exuberance to become a stumblingblock to others

Manifestations not of God- The line between spirit and flesh is often a fine line and demonstrations that are done to draw attention to oneself are not edifying or productive and should be corrected.

Prophecy not judged- A prophetic mantle is falling on the church in these days of revival. It is imperative that instruction be given to those who minister to others that the church not become a free-for-all environment where words are being given to one another in either correction or direction.

Direction not confirmed- If God does give direction through prophetic revelation, that word should be verified and confirmed in the mouth of two or three witnesses and by seasoned church leaders.

Churches not unified- A move of God in the local church must be initiated by the Pastors and overseers of that church, not by the members. It is vital that a church maintain a spirit of unity during a time of revival.

Commandments not obeyed- The moving of the Holy Spirit never supersedes the Word of God. It comes to confirm the Word and make it come alive. If people are receiving more of the Holy Spirit in a genuine way, then it will enable them to better fulfill the commands of the Scripture. Anyone who refuses to obey God's word in the name of revival is foolish and deceived.

Ministries not balanced- The anointing of the Holy Spirit comes to give fresh power and impetus to the work of God in His church. We need both the objective and subjective work of Christ in His church and ministries that are birthed of God should be balanced with both the Spirit and the Word.

Commissions not fulfilled- The power of the Holy Spirit is given to enable us to be a witness for Jesus Christ and fulfill the commission of the church. If we are not more stirred and motivated for evangelism and love for people, then we are missing the point of God's visitation.

Receiving More from The Holy Spirit

If you want to receive more from the Lord's Spirit during these days of revival, here are some basic steps to guide you:

1. Hunger and Thirst

If you really want God to touch your life, He will. When we get desperate for God and hunger after His righteousness, Jesus said we would be filled.

2. Look to Jesus

Keep your eyes on the Lord and worship Him with all your heart. Don't focus on manifestations or other distractions, just seek Him. He is your source.

3. Humble Yourself

Are you willing to do whatever He asks of you? Those who humble themselves to receive from others and to receive more of God will receive.

4. Open the Door

In every spiritual experience with God, we have to cooperate with the Holy Spirit

and yield to His promptings. We have to be the one who opens the door of our heart to allow Him to work.

5. Rest in the Lord

It is important to relax and receive from the Holy Spirit and not strive. You cannot earn God's favor or His gifts. He gives freely because He loves us and because He has purpose for our lives.

What is God doing?

The following are some word pictures and allegories that people have used to describe this Move of God:

Anointed for service (Acts 1:8)

Anointing His church (Acts 2:1-3)

Drinking from a River (Ps. 36:8)

Drinking new wine (Luke 5:37-39)

Enlarging our capacity for God (Eph. 3:20)

Empowering His church (Acts 1:8)

Feasting at a Table (Ps. 23)

Filling up the Oil of the Virgin's Lamps and Vessels (Matt.25:1-13)

Groanings which cannot be uttered (Rom. 8:22-27)

Intimacy with Jesus (Is. 62:5)

Joy unspeakable (1 Pet. 1:8)

Laughing at our enemies (Ps. 2:4)

Lying down in Green Pastures (Ps. 23)

Playing with our Father (Matt. 7:11)

Pouring out Fresh Oil (Matt. 25:1-13)

Refreshing His church (Acts 3:19)

Refreshing wind and rain (Acts 2; 14:17)

Rejoicing in His presence (Ps. 16:11)

Renewing our first love (Rev. 2:4)

Renewing our minds (Titus 3:5)

Resting in the Lord (Ps. 37:7)

Restoring the Soul (Ps. 23)

Revelation of The Father (Rom. 8:15)

Spiritual awakening (Matt. 24:14)

Visitation of God in person (Rev. 3:20)

Worldwide renewal and revival (Acts 2:16-21)

Key Scriptures for Revival and Renewal

GEN 17:17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, "Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?"

PSA 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

PSA 126:1-6 When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them. "The LORD has done great things for us, And we are glad. Bring back our captivity, O LORD, As the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.

PSA 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

EZE 47:5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed.

DAN 10:8,9 Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

MAT 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

MAT 7:11 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

MAT 7:18 "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

MAT 7:20 "Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

MAT 25:1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

MAT 25:4 "but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

MAR 7:8,9 "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.

MAR 7:13 "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do."

LUK 5:36-39 Then He spoke a parable to them: ..."And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. "But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. "And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.'"

JOH 7:37,38 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

ACT 2:15-17 "For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. "But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.

ACT 3:19 "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

ROM 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

ROM 8:23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

ROM 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

1CO 1:27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

1CO 2:4,5 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

1CO 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1CO 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

1CO 14:25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

EPH 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

EPH 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

1TH 5:16 -22 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

HEB 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."

1PE 1:8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

1PE 1:12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things which angels desire to look into.

2PE 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

1JO 2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

REV 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Manifestations in the Book of Acts

The following is a partial list of unusual manifestations that took place in the early church and are recorded in the book of Acts of the New Testament:

A

anointing Acts 4:27; 10:38

audible voices Acts 9:4,7; 22:7-10; 26:14

angels appearing Acts 1:10-11; 10:3; 12:7-10; 27:23

angels striking people Acts 12:7; 12:23

B

blinded people Acts 9:8,9; Acts 13:11; 22:11

boldness Acts 2:14; 4:13,31

bright lights Acts 9:3; 22:6; 26:13

buildings shaken Acts 4:31; 16:26

burning of books Acts 19:19

C

city gates opening Acts 12:10

cities converted Acts 8:4-8

converts Acts 2:41; 4:4; 6:1-7

corporate prayer Acts 4:23-31

D

deliverance Acts 5:16; 16:18

delivered from prison Acts 16:25-34; 12:5-10

division Acts 15:5, 39

drunk in the Spirit Acts 2:13-17

E

earthquakes Acts 4:31; 16:26

F

favor with people Acts 2:41,47; 4:4,21;5:13,26,42;8:6-8; 11:21,24;13:12,44,49;14:1; 17:4,12,34;19:10,17-20; 28:24

fire on people' heads Acts 2:3

falling down Acts 9:4; 10:25; 26:14

fervency Acts 18:25

forbidding ministry Acts 16:6,7

G

gospel with power Acts 4:33

glowing faces Acts 6:15

H

handkerchiefs healing Acts 19:12

healings Acts 3:1-10; 19:12; 28:8,9

heresy addressed Acts 24:14; 28:22

Holy Spirit poured Acts 2; 10:44

I

inebriated disciples Acts 2:13-17; 13:52

intercession Acts 1:14; 2:1,424:23-31; 12:5-12; 13:1-3

intervention of God Acts 12

interruptions Acts 10:44; 20:7-12

J

joy and rejoicing Acts 2: 13-15; 8:8;12:14-16; 13:52; 15:3

judgment and death Acts 5:1-11; 12:20-23

K

knocked to the ground Acts 9:4; 26:14

L

leaping and running Acts 3:1-10

lights shining Acts 9:3, 12:7

M

magic defeated Acts 8:9; 19:19

ministries sent out Acts 13:1-4; 16:6,7

money provided Acts 2:44-45 ; 4:32-37

midnight meetings Acts 16:25; 20:7

N

needy ministered to Acts 2,3,4; 6

O

obedience Acts 5:29,32,36,37; 7:39

offerings Acts 2:44,45; 4:32-37; 5:1,2; 11:29; 21:26; 24:17

oppression Acts 10:38

open doors Acts 5:19,23; 12:10,16; 14:27; 16:26,27

P

persecution Acts 8:1; 28:22

prophecies Acts 2:16-21; 11:28;13: 2; 21:11; 21:10,11

praising God Acts 2:47; 16:25;

prayer Acts 1:14,23;2:42;3:1;4:24,31;6:4,6;8:15;9:11;10:2,4,9,30,31;11:5; 12:5,12;13:2,3;14:23;16:13,16,25; 20:36; 21:5; 22:17; 27:29;28:8

politicians judged Acts 12:20-23

Q

questions Acts 1:6; 2:7,8,12,37; 3:12;4:7; 5:3;7:1; 8:30,36;9:6; 10:4,21,47; 11:17; 13:10;14:15; 15:10; 16:30; 17:18,19; 19:2,3,15,35; 21:13,37,38; 22:7,8,10, 25-27; 23:3,4,19; 25:9,12; 26:8;

R

racism addressed Acts 1:8;2:5,39; c10; c15; 17:26

reconciliation Acts 2:5-11, 37-47; 10:34-48; 11:1-18; 15:1-31; 17:26

resurrections Acts 9:36-42; 14:20; 20:10-12

S

scripture understood Acts 1:20; 2:17,25,34; 3:22,25; 4:25; c.7; 8:32;

13:33,34,41,47; 15:15

shadows healing Acts 5:15

signs and wonders Acts 2:43; 4:33

snake bites healed Acts 28:3-5

speaking in tongues Acts 2:4; 10:46;19:6

special miracles Acts 19:11,12

speechless people Acts 9:7

sound of wind Acts 2:2

stonings Acts 7:58,59; 14:19,20

T

testimonies of power Acts 15:12; 22:1-21; 26:12-23,27

trembling Acts 9:6

trances Acts 10:10; 22:17

translation of people Acts 8:39,40

U

unity Acts 1:14; 2:1,42,46; 4:23-37; 6:1-7;10:47; 11:18;13:1-3;

15:3,22-35

V

visions Acts 7:55,56;9:10; 10:3,10; 16:9,10; 18:9; 22:17

voice of Holy Spirit Acts 13:3

W

warnings Acts 21:4

whole towns saved Acts 8:5-8

wisdom Acts 4:19-22; 6:10

words of knowledge Acts 21:4

X

Y

young people Acts 2:17; 16:16; 20:9

Z

zeal Acts 18:25

Recommended Books

ARNOTT, JOHN The Father's Blessing, Creation House, 1995

BRIGHT, DR. BILL The Coming Revival, New Life Publications, 1995

CAMPBELL, WES Receiving a Move of God

CHEVREAU, GUY Catch the Fire, Marshall Pickering, 1994

DAMAZIO, FRANK Revival Seasons: Discerning Divine Strategy, Bible Temple Publishing, 1996

DEARTEAGA, WILLIAM Quenching The Spirit, Creation House, 1992

DEERE, JACK Surprised By The Power of The Spirit, Zondervan, 1993

HOWARD-BROWNE, RODNEY The Touch of God, RHBEA, 1994

IVERSON, DICK This Present Renewal, Can This Be God? Bible Temple Publishing, 1995

LLOYD-JONES, MARTYN Revival , Crossway Books, 1987

SMITH, WENDELL We Do The Ridiculous, He Does the Miraculous, The City Church, 1996

VIRGO, TERRY From Refreshing to Revival, Kingsway, 1995

WHITE, JOHN When The Spirit Comes with Power, InterVarsity Press, 1988

© 1996, Pastor Wendell Smith, The City Church

Revival Questions & Answers, © 1996 , Pastor Wendell Smith, The City Church, 9051 132nd Ave. N. E., Kirkland WA 98033, . All quotations taken from the Scriptures are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted. The New King James Version is published by Nelson Publishers.