Do Baptists still believe in revival?

I believe that God wants to being revival to His people. So, we continue to pray hard, plan meetings, invite preachers, and so on. And we always have great meetings.

But, what I am looking for is something that will last. For the next few weeks after the meetings, things are great, they're "different," then we seem to slip back into the same old thing. I'm convinced that when real revival breaks out (and only God can do that!), it will be a lasting thing!

If the church is really "revived," lives will be changed, the lost will be saved, relationships will be restored, sins will be confessed, and Believers won't be able to keep from telling others what Jesus has done for them. I see some evidence of that in a few people, but not on a wide scale - yet. But I believe it's coming!

I'm still praying that I will see real, life changing revival in my lifetime.

 

History has shown that people do not always remember the past where they came from. It is much lkike a dog that retruns to its vomit. True discipleship looks ahead with a passion to reach others and make disciples so that their lives are changed eternally and temporally. True discipleship is reaching others not just reaching out to them. It produces results that last and are not dependent on a pastor ot other leader to make things happen or keep them encouraged.

Jesus said to make disciples. When we train people to be babies we get babies. When we train people to be mature believers we get mature believers.

 

All these so-called revival services make me wonder what the preachers are preaching Sunday by Sunday.

The Lord promised, "That if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me..." Maybe we need to lift Him higher.

Cheers,

Jim

 

AMEN! Let's lift Him higher!

 

Yeah Jim, Especially about what those preachers were preaching before and during the Great Awakening.

 

I agree with most of what is written in the thread. I really like this Jim because it hits home with me. I refuse to have a program made out for revivals. We get together, start having service and let the spirit lead us. I realize that is different from what you posted but I see a similarity because we have many events that spontaniously break out during revivals.

i think each of us are different. We worship different, we pray different, we praise different and we even need to be revived differently. What's good for the Jones' may not be best for the Williams.

I believe revivals are multi-purpose, one is to edify the saints and to allow them to be revived and to renew their commitment with Christ.

Secondly, it is so the lost can be saved. You can't revive something that was never "vived" to begin with. After coming to Christ, it then becomes the Church's job to not let the fire stop burning in their souls. Stop in on them just to see how thier doing. Give an ear to hear their struggles and temptations. Explain scripture with them and help to them see life with Christ is the way and the only way.

A revival can't stop with the benediction on the last night, it needs to last until we revive again.

 

This discussion has gotten me to thinking. We talk as if revival was something special, and I suppose that the history of Christianity shows that it is, and that's sad. But shouldn't the things we do when we plan for, pray for and prepare for revival be the typical week-in, week-out things that we ought to be doing anyway?

 

I agree we should not plan a revival (per say) like a pot-luck dinner, but that it should be something prayerfully sought out.

However, ALL of us would agree our churches are not as they could be, and need some house cleaning. It is when the people of God begin seriously reviewing thier faith in the light of Gods Word and His Holy Spirit this knowledge becomes a blinding light to us. We see as individuals where we truly are, and as a body (like minded) and singleness of heart see's itself as Christ sees it in the light of His glory.

Most people have the wrong understanding of revivals because typically they have never been in a true revival of God amounst His people.

Amen LeBuick

 

Have any of you read, "I saw the Welsh Revival" by David Matthews?

In it is this account, speaking of Evan Roberts, "Day and night without ceasing, he prayed, wept and sighed for a great spiritual awakening for his beloved Wales. Hours were spent in unbroken, untiring intercession to the chagrin of those who did not understand the symptoms and secret of soul travail."

When there are men like that scattered throughout our churches, God may be pleased to send revival.

Not until then.

"O Lord, bend us, break us, humble us, let us die and follow Thee."

 

What's the backdoor Wayne?

 

Yes, We Do

Baptists need revival...and so do other Christians.

I have never been a proponent of yearly revival meetings. Note that I said revival "meetings." But I am definitely in favor of ongoing revival...I prefer the word "renewal."

During Sept. and Oct. of this year my church has had a revival emphasis. For several years the church was in a continual state of renewal as it experienced a mighty demonstration of God's presence and power. It was unnecessary to have a "revival meeting" during those years. But eventually, the devil sneaked in and the church turned stone cold. That's when I saw the need to call the church to renewal. People have responded. Attitudes and lives have been and are being changed. The spirit of renewal is among us again.

I am amused when I see churches (most of them numerically small "family" churches) advertising 2, and sometimes, 3 revivals per year. Yet, in the midst of all the "revival" nothing ever changes. Business continues as usual.

Well, that's MHO!:wavey:

 

Define your difference between a revival and renewal?

What is the obligation of the saint? What is God's (Holy Spirit) obligation? What is the desired outcome (spiritually, physically and relationship with God)?

I ask this because many have said some revival's were mostly emotional and the feeling doesn't last. This is making me wonder (I feel a sermon coming on) is a revival similar to faith? The more you invest, the more you believe the more you receive?

How does two sit in the same pew, one receive a life changing experience and the other receive a feel good that hardly makes it home?

 

I use the words "revival" and "renewal" interchangeably. I think they both mean the same.

An indication of revival is a renewed commitment to doing the will of God. When a Christian is committed to following God's will, he or she is affected emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Obviously, a "revival meeting" is not necessary for this to happen. It is a matter of a person's willingness. This renewal may take place in a church service, at home, in a hospital bed, or anywhere.

I do think that an emphasis on renewal (or revival, if you prefer) can be the catylyst that moves a person toward this re-commitment experience.

 

EG, I assume your above post was directed at me. My, you express such a judgmental spirit against me and you don't know me from Adam. You have totally misunderstood most of what I have said and accused me of hypocrisy with one broad stroke of your judgmental brush.

Other that what I have just said, I don't think any further comment is necessary.

 

One has an open heart - the other an open mind.