A Revivalist Theology

Can God fill a thousand people with the Holy Ghost at one time? God can do anything, we know, but this question focuses not so much on divine ability, but divine purpose. Does God want to do this? Can we find a scriptural basis that prompts us to even think in these terms? Preparation for a Holy Ghost crusade in which we expect large numbers to receive their personal Pentecost involves more than practical aspects of strategic planning, promotion, advertising and training seminars. First, a solid conviction that such an event commands the approval and desire of God must form the basis for a successful venture. If we build a consensus among us that it the will of God, we increase our faith that it will happen.

Since church size in America averages around ninety, many people are not used to dealing in hundreds or thousands of converts. Some may feel uncomfortable in projecting large numbers of Holy Ghost recipients, and others may not believe that end time prophecy includes great revival. I believe, however, that today’s church can indeed expect revival on unprecedented levels. In the following paragraphs, I submit to you multiple reasons for a revivalist theology.

Promise: God promised he would pour his Spirit out on all flesh. “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:28

Intention : It is God’s good pleasure to give the Holy Spirit to all that ask. “ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Luke 11:13

Faithfulness : God has not ceased filling people with his Spirit. “ For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:39

Example : Thousands were converted in the book of Acts. “ Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.” Acts 4:4. “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)” Acts 5:14

Record : Radical terminology defined the early spread of the gospel. “ These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.” Acts 17:6. “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20

Command : God had commanded his house to be full. “ And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” Luke 14:23

Openness : God’s spirit recognizes no barriers of race, types or classes of people. “Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.” Luke 14:21 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

Expectation : God’s servants are expected to invest their gifts, not fearfully hide them. “ And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant…” Matthew 25:25-26

Faith : Missionary ventures are encouraged by promises of fruit and growth. “ For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.” Acts 13:47-49

Belief : External power has never stopped revival---only internal doubt and disobedience. “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Matthew 13:58

Vision: Christ envisioned a church that fills the earth. “ The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” Matthew 13:31-32.

Prophecy : Revelation speaks of untold numbers of saints. “ And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” Revelation 5:11.

We act on the presupposition that God wants to fill every person who believes with the Holy Ghost. We have no other mandate. We must not fear failure or rationalize away success. Let us go forward with great confidence that revival is ours!