Would someone please define the term revival as used in the USA. My understanding is that it is used interchangeably with evangelistic meetings.
My understanding of revival is a special visit by the Holy Spirit where people are brought under spiritual conviction for change in their personal lives, such as the great Welsh revivals of the turn of the last century. It was where preachers stood to preach and couldn't speak. Confessions broke out in the congregations, prayers and singing.
An evangelistic meeting is pre-planned. Its primary goal is to preach the gospel and reach the unsaved with God's message.
Cheers,
Jim
revival
Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by Jim1999, Jul 10, 2006.
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I would agree that American Christians have sorely misused the term revival. They mostly speak of revival as spreading the good news of eternal salvation in Christ Jesus.
But if we would actually look at what he word means we would see that is a misuse of the word. Revive means to bring back something that is dying. In order for something to be dying it must be alive. If alive then already saved.
It is as you said Jim. Revival is about God's people who are not on the right track, getting back on the right track, or being put on the right track.
And boy we need REVIVAL in America today. And may God Almighty start with me!!! -
What it means anymore...
With the charismatic, Pentecostals... a "signs and Wonders" show...
With the Baptist's a Preaching Contest.
We never gonna see no revival in this apostate age.
"Even so....Come Lord Jesus..." -
SBCPreacher Active MemberSite Supporter
I think of "revival" as something for the church. To be "revived" assumes that there was once life. The church today needs revival - it needs a powerful moving of God to bring us back to life. The lost person doesn't need revival because there is no spiritual life to revive. The lost person needs to be saved, not revived. I have been in many "revival services" but have rarely seed the church experience true revival. We can - and should - plan evangelistic meetings, the lost need to be saved. We also need to plan revival mettings for the church, and pray that God would send real revival.
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SBCPreacher Active MemberSite Supporter
True, Gekko, we can't make revival happen. But God can, and I'm praying God will bring it on! I'd love to see a real revival break out among God's people in my lifetime.