Revival - Does it lead to Conversions?

I am still on conversions. The relevant question is how does ‘conversion’ happen?

By a magic wand or for economic considerations like education and employment opportunities or improvement of status in a hierarchical society ridden with caste or just for meeting the basic needs like food – rice and wheat or luxuries like chocolates and biscuits? If conversions happen for any of the above reasons, other than induced by a magic wand, it is still alright, but it does speak badly of that society from which they converted, for it is clear that these basic needs of such people were not met in that society.

Be that as it may, is it possible that conversions could happen through the interference by a supernatural force, a power to reckon with? Can we say that God Himself has been and is behind these conversions? It is in this connection that I went through some literature on the great Revival movements in history, God bringing in people into His fold.

Especially so when I keep reading about scores of people in the war-torn Middle East embracing Christ, not because of any evangelism by Christian missionaries, let alone biscuits and chocolates, for such efforts will be nipped in the bud, and the evangelist murdered mercilessly. Still Muslim people are coming to Christ, their faith being built up by miracles, healing and visions of Jesus Himself. That is amazing to say the least.

Revival in the Christian sense refers to a spiritual awakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of a believer. There is a resurgence of love for God and Christ; an appreciation for God’s holiness and desire to be holy; a passion for His Word, as it is written in the Bible and for His church; a convicting awareness of personal and corporate sin; a desire for repentance; a spirit of humility and a general growth in righteousness.

Such revivals are initiated by the move of God, who sends His Holy Spirit to kindle the flame of love for God and His ways. A great outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers takes place, leading to restoration of relationship with God. The church becomes active and full; people flock to the church, for prayers, for Bible study and just to feel His palpable presence.

Over the centuries there have been many such spiritual uprisings which have left permanent mark on society. Bible talks about revival during the reign of Josiah, the King of Judah, in the seventh century BC and the Maccabeus Revolt of 1^st century BC.

The first century after Christ saw the great outpouring of the Spirit on the apostles and disciples of the resurrected Jesus Christ, who had assembled in the upper room, lost in worship and prayer. Acts 2:2-4 describe blowing of violent wind and tongues of fire which came to rest upon each of them and they began to speak in other tongues (languages) as the Spirit enabled them.

Wherever these disciples went miracles, healing and manifestations of supernatural power happened and a strong church came to be in spite of strict opposition and persecution from Romans and Jews. Power of God moved through them and behind them and thousands and ten thousands of people was converted and became Christ-followers. It was then called ‘The Way.’

After Reformation of the 16^th century, spear headed by Martin Luther and others, which itself was empowered by the Holy Spirit, many movements happened over the centuries. In 17^th century Covenanters brought in the Revivals in Scotland and Ulster, which spread to Virginia and Pennsylvania and is credited with having led America to War of Independence and the Civil war to abolish slavery. Thousands and ten thousands converted.

The 18^th century Methodist Revival led by John Wesley and his brother Charles Wesley and friend George Whitefield, brought in stability to society and care of the downtrodden and poor during industrial revolution. Most of them embraced Christ and His love, being converted in their own spirits. It led to abolition of slavery in England and then in all her colonies as well.

Germany had its own Pietism, which sent the first missionaries of Ziegenbalg and Plutschau to Tanquebar (Tharangambadi) in South India in 1706. They pioneered translation of Bible in the local language and spread the Gospel, the Good news about Christ in the area, which after their time, led to wave after wave of conversions, which I had mentioned in my previous blog.  

The West and especially America had wave after wave of such Revivals since 18^th century onwards. The Great Awakening of 1730s and 40s, led by Jonathan Edwards brought in great religions fervor among the people and masses converted. The Second Awakening came in 1800-1850s which led social legislation on abolition, temperance and women’s rights. It led to a change in mind set about Christianity and God and His plan for humanity.

The Third Awakening was in 1870 to 1900, brought in Holiness movement, Christian perfection with renewed emphasis on prayer, Bible study and church attendance. It also brought in Social Gospel, desiring to lift God’s people from poverty, sin and crime to a better livelihood.

In the 20^th century, the most important revival took place in Welsh in 1904 with Evan Roberts leading 1,00,000 converts in a year. The next most important was that of Azusa Street led by a black pastor William Seymour, in 1906, which pioneered almost all of the Pentecostal churches of the world today. I will devote more time and space for these two revivals in my next blog.

The important thing to note is when these revivals happened, mooted by the Holy Spirit of God, through a devoted servant of God, society changed for the better, and hundreds and thousands and millions of people were converted and brought into the family of God and into close relationship with Him. That is how conversions happen.

Conversions are not made by human effort or by giving biscuits and chocolates. It is a move by God Himself and when it is so, no one can stop it, until one day the whole world hears His Voice and those who respond are brought into His family.