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The following article appeared in a previous issue of the printededition of The Omega Letter. The move of God continues, andthe manifestations continue. There has been a great deal ofdiscussion on various web sites concerning the validity of the thingsseen in this revival. I share this perspective from one who grew upin Pentecost, and for whom none of the peculiar manifestations arenew. It is unfortunate that a few critics choose to focus only on themanifestations, and not on the fruit being produced.
There is not sufficient space here to give a complete Biblicalperspective on this revival and the accompanying manifestations. Ifyou would like to know more about that,request a copy of my booklet,Manifestations, Mannerisms and Methods.. Email yourmailing address and I will send it to you. There is no charge, but Iwill enclose a response envelope if you would like to help ourministry or help with postage and copying. Thank you.
Janett and I recently attended the revival that has been going onat Brownsville Assemblyof God in Pensacola, Florida, since Father's Day, 1995. Thousandsof conversions have been recorded, and many great healings reported.It was quite amazing to see the way God is moving in thiscongregation, and in much of the surrounding area.
Coverage by local newspapers, both in Pensacola and in Mobile,Alabama, has been amazing. It has been accurate and favorable; evenfront page coverage in the Sunday paper which described the salvationof an avowed homosexual, and his deliverance from that life-style.
We were blessed not only by what we saw, but by what both of usexperienced of God's touch ourselves. Scores responded to theinvitation for salvation, including many youth. I was impressed byhow carefully they were counseled and their decisions recorded.
Many youth came forward to share their testimonies. God is movingamong youth not only in the services, but among the students at localschools! For me, it was reminiscent of the fervor and zeal weexperienced during the '70's in the "Jesus Revolution."
After the seekers had been counseled, the altar area was clearedfor laying on of hands. It seemed that hundreds surged forward. Thepastor, the evangelist, and specially trained laypersons began movingamong the people. Most people who were prayed for fell, "slain in theSpirit." I watched particularly to see if there was any pushing orforceful laying on of hands. Most of those ministering laid handsvery gently, with extended fingers, on the forehead as they prayed.There were "catchers", but they did not seem to insist on the personfalling.
We observed other peculiar physical manifestations, in addition tofalling to the floor, such as jerking, bowing, dancing and shaking.These manifestations raise questions for many people - includingmyself. They have been the source of much criticism of the revival.Surprisingly, when seen in the services, they did not seem nearly sostrange as when you read bout them, or hear them described!
A study of past revivals reveals that similar manifestations havebeen seen in all the great moves of God through the centuries: duringthe Great Awakening of the 1700's, the Camp Meeting Revival of the1800's, the beginnings of the Pentecostal movement in the 1900's, andin the Charismatic renewal of the late 1940's and 1950's. They arefar more characteristic of true revival a renewal of religious fervorin the church as contrasted to evangelistic crusades. They seem to bedirectly related to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon believers,though such an outpouring generally results in greater evangelisticfervor.
These strange manifestations raise legitimate questions amongsincere believers, especially if one finds no specific scripturalreference to them. Are they truly works of God, or are they fleshlyin nature? Do they signify any special degree of spirituality? Whatis their purpose? Some even propose that they might be satanic innature!
I have been asked what I think about these manifestations, andabout peculiar manifestations in general. My answer usually is "Idon't know." I do not feel compelled to either understand, explain,or have an opinion on every unusual event that comes along. Somethings are probably better left in the hands of the Almighty. AsGamaliel the Pharisee put it in Acts 5:38-39:
"And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let themalone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come tonought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye befound even to fight against God."
This does not tell us to accept everything that happens withoutdiscrimination or discernment. There are those things that, on theface of them, violate Scripture so flagrantly that we need not evenconsider them. However, simply because something is unusual does notmake it unscriptural. If it violates a clear mandate of Scripture,shun it; if not, at least be open to ask other questions.
Scripture itself is full of unusual occurrences. Abraham is theonly person who was ever told to sacrifice a son! Only Moses reportedseeing a burning bush, and hearing God speak from it. God toldEzekiel to do some really weird and unusual things. Jesus healed ablind man by putting spit on his eyes; another by making mud pies ofspit and clay and putting it on his eyes, another by laying hands onhim, and yet another by speaking a word!
I once heard a prominent, internationally famous Baptist pastorsay, "To win people to Christ, I will not only use every method thatis scriptural, but every method that is not unscriptural." Thequestion is not so much whether the manifestation is particularlymentioned in the Bible, but whether or not Scripture forbids it.
Isn't there danger of "the flesh" getting involved in thesemanifestations? Of course there is! As a matter of fact, it is mostlikely the very reason for the manifestation itself: weak, sinfulhuman nature encountering the Holiness and Power of the Almighty!
it is true that the fleshly ego may sometimes become involved;someone may actually attempt to "fake" the manifestation in order toappear as spiritual as others. For that reason, it is important forleadership to stress the fact that manifestations do not amount to a"Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval" on anyone! They do not speak ofthe holiness of the one manifesting, but of the one being manifested.
If the manifestation tends to glorify the individual, it isunquestionably out of order. The Holy Spirit, in all His actions,works to lift up and glorify Jesus Christ. We who observe may feelembarrassed, or feel the manifestation is out of place (and it maybe), but if the person is giving praise and glory to Jesus, we mustaccept it as genuine.
Holy Spirit manifestations tend toward improved character and acloser walk with God. They promote the growth of spiritual fruit andGodliness in everyday life.
I think two things especially will be evident: a submissive spiritand humility! If the leader of the meeting should suggest thatsomeone might temper their manifestations in some way, their responsewill tell all as to the legitimacy of their manifestation.
Genuine manifestations will always tend to edify and build up thechurch, the body of Christ. Manifestations are not solo acts. They donot interfere with or hinder the general flow of God's Spirit in theBody. Paul emphasizes LOVE as the controlling element in spiritualmanifestations (1 Corinthians 13).
Doubtless, such manifestations will raise questions. Some will beoffended by them. Some will be strongly critical; a few (foolishones) may attribute them entirely to human flesh, or even to Satan(be careful here, dear friend). Jack Hayford, in an article entitled"Stanced Before Almightiness" in which he deals with strangemanifestations, closes with these words of wisdom:
"But we might pause humbly, rather than proceed hastily, inevaluating all of this. When a bush catches fire, or tongues of flamefill a room and people speak in strange languages, it might be wiseto take off your shoes and listen for God's voice and even wiser tosteer clear of leveling charges of drunkenness."