Holy Spirit & Gifts

"All sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation" (Mk 3:28,29; Mt 12:31,32; Lk 12:10).

Pentecostals use these words of Jesus against non-Pentecostals when the latter question the genuineness of certain Pentecostal manifestations. But what did Jesus actually mean by such strong words?

Blasphemy was punishable by death. It could not be atoned for under the Old Testament law (Lev 24:10-16). But what about the provision under the New Covenant that "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from ALL sin?"

Why did Jesus say that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was more serious than that against Himself?

The Father conceived the plan of redemption; the Son accomplished redemption according to the plan of the Father; the Holy Spirit applies the redemption accomplished by the Son. The Holy Spirit is the only force that can convict us of our sin and lead us to repentance (Jn 16:7-11). Without His help, no one will be able to call Christ as Lord (1 Cor 12:3). If anyone blasphemes the Spirit, there will be no one left to cause him to repent. Jesus Christ is God’s first Comforter. The Holy Spirit is God's second Comforter. There’s no "third" Comforter in the administration of God!

Any sin is against the Holy Spirit because He is God. We are warned repeatedly against resisting, grieving or quenching Him. But blasphemy means denouncing with abusive and malignant language. It was when the people and scribes judged Jesus as mad and demon-possessed, He spoke about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. In effect, they had called the Holy Spirit as Beelzebub (Mk 3:21,22,28-30).

Immediately after warning against blaspheming the Spirit, Jesus served several analogies like "bad tree... brood of vipers... evil treasure" (Mt 12:33-35). He called His accusers in this context as "an evil and adulterous generation" (v 39). So it is clear that their blasphemy was not merely an utterance of the lips, but an expression of character.

There’s a similar reference to this sin in Hebrews 6:4-6 and 10:26-29. The author points out the impossibility of repentance and the awful judgment for those who have "insulted the Spirit of Grace" and "put the Son of God to an open shame." This is obviously outright apostasy resulting from a deliberate and persistent rejection of Christ.

Stanley Horton, an outstanding Pentecostal leader, has warned, "Only God knows whether in any particular case a person’s denial of the work of the Spirit comes from willfulness or from ignorance." There are thousands who attributed the Pentecostal experience to the devil but who later repented or had their eyes opened and were baptized with the Spirit. Hear Paul: "Although I was formerly a blasphemer, I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief" (1 Tim 1 :13).

There are many strange phenomena these days which are claimed to be of the Spirit. No one is under obligation to accept them so, when they lack clear Scriptural evidence. We must stay cautious but "judge nothing before the time!"

"Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away" (1 Cor 13:8). Quoting this scripture, many Christians believe that the gift of speaking in unknown tongues is withdrawn from the church or has vanished. Let’s examine this issue here.

The first instance of speaking in tongues was on the Day of Pentecost, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Church. Historian Luke reports that the disciples "began" to speak with other tongues (Acts 2:4). He points out the continuance of this phenomenon, especially when new believers received the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-46; 19:1-6). There was never a period in Church history all these twenty centuries when speaking in tongues was totally absent. As we have come to the last hours of the last days, we observe that more and more Christians of every imaginable denomination are exercising this gift. Jesus incorporated the promise of the gift of tongues while speaking of worldwide evangelism (Mk 16:15-17). Therefore, history is not in favour of the cessationist view of tongues.

Secondly, the teaching in the New Testament does not suggest that tongues have ceased. Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthian church was written about 25 years after Pentecost. Why should he discuss at such length a gift if it had already been withdrawn ? According to him, tongues will cease "when that which is perfect has come" (1 Cor 13:8-10). Both individually and corporately we are still growing. We have not yet attained the perfection or the full stature of Christ (Eph 4:13). When Christ shall appear, we shall be like Him (1 Jn 3:2). From then on we will be seeing Him and speaking to Him face to face. At that time our knowledge will be perfect and no faith or gift will be necessary. Only love will continue and culminate between the Heavenly Bridegroom and His Bride. That’s why love is greater than even faith and hope! (1 Cor 13:9-13).

Thirdly, the benefits of speaking in tongues are becoming more and more necessary today. A spiritual discipline in which we need to be stronger than ever in these evil days is prayer (Eph 6:13,18). Speaking in tongues enhances prayer and praise (1 Cor 14:2,14,15). We are called to edify one another. Speaking in tongues is a means of self-edification. (1 Cor 14:4). When I am edified I am better prepared to minister to others. It is generally observed that speaking in tongues gives us the inner release that is necessary to operate the other gifts of the Spirit (Acts 19:6). Isaiah called this enablement as "rest and refreshing" (Isa 28:11,12).

We must not interpret the Scriptures according to our experience or lack of it. Accepting the plain teaching of the Bible as a little child, we should earnestly ask the Heavenly Father for whatever "good things" He has for us (Mt 7:7-11; Lk 11:13).

The phrase "Nine Gifts of the Spirit" is so frequently used in current teaching and writing that an average believer tends to think that there are only nine gifts of the Spirit and he is not gifted if he doesn’t have one of them! But a diligent study of the gift lists in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4 shows that the lists are only samples and the gifts mentioned are just examples. No list is exhaustive. They are all suggestive. There’s overlapping but they all blend beautifully as the colours of a rainbow.

If we leave out the repetitions, the passages in the 4 chapters mentioned above give us nineteen gifts. They are Prophecy, Teaching, Counselling, Charity, Leadership, Kindness, Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Discernment, Tongues, Interpretation, Helps, Administration, Apostleship, Evangelism and Pastorship. Again if this is all what the Holy Spirit can bestow as His gifts, He is too poor! Perish the thought! "He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think!" (Eph 3:20).

There are several other gifts mentioned all over the Scriptures but we fail to recognize them so. Celibacy is an example. Paul calls it a "gift from God" (1 Cor 7:7). Hospitality is another gift (1 Pet 4:9,10). Though all believers are supposed to be hospitable, we know for sure there are some who are hospitable beyond our understanding! That’s a special gift, much needed today. Hospitality literally means the love of strangers. Not easy, eh! Then there’s intercession. All must pray but not everybody can lament like Jeremiah or sorrow like Paul (Rom 9:1-3; 10:1). Men like Rees Howells and Praying Hyde had this gift. Composing of songs and music is an ancient gift the Holy Spirit is gloriously restoring these days (Eph 5:18-20). This was David’s gift and is that of Fr. Berchmann! (2 Sam 23:1,2). Artistic workmanship is another covetable gift (Ex 31:1-5; 35:30-35). Can unlearned herdsmen and fishermen write the Scriptures without the operation of the gift of writing? (2 Pet 1:20,21). The list is thus endless. Let’s not be like the young boy who tried to empty the ocean by drawing water with a bucket!

Our so-called scientific diagrams and definitions of the gifts of the Spirit have actually limited the Holy One of Israel. The result is a "giftless" majority watching a "gifted" minority in awe and wonder. The gifts of the Spirit are neither nine nor nineteen nor ninety but numberless. Let’s revise the syllabuses of our Power Seminars, recognize the hidden gifts in each person and rally the silent majority of the Church to action. Only then can the Church fulfill her mission on earth.

Miracle healing crusades have been conducted in almost all the major cities and towns of India. A few healings do take place. But both the Christian and non-Christian public are aware of the hollowness of the tall claims of the handbills, wallposters and newsreports of these crusades. For instance, almost every healing evangelist of international fame has conducted his crusade in the city of Chennai. But until this day no disfigured leper or born cripple or blind known to the public has been perfectly healed in these crusades.

One notable miracle was sufficient to stir up entire Jerusalem (Acts 3 & 4). Even the enemies of the gospel could not ignore it, but confessed, "INDEED that a NOTABLE miracle has been done thro’ them is EVIDENT to ALL who dwell in Jerusalem, and we CANNOT DENY IT. But so that it SPREADS no further among the people, let us severely threaten them" (Acts 4:16,17). Instead of satisfying ourselves with explanations which cannot stand the test, let us face the issue honestly. A close examination of the Scriptures gives us five possible reasons for the rareness of spectacular  miracles.

1. We do not preach the pure gospel. Our message is diluted and adulterated. Charismatic evangelists used to despise the non-Charismatic evangelists that the latter had only message and no miracles. But the non-Charismatics did not bother about these criticisms and they kept on faithfully proclaiming the message. In the process of time, the Charismatics have sustained a double loss. In most of their meetings there is neither message nor miracle; neither substance nor spirit, but only shouting. The nature of advertisement of healing crusades is such that the audience gets more interested in the latter part of the meeting when people are prayed for, rather than the first part when the message is preached. But people flocked to Jesus first to "hear Him" and then to be "healed by Him" (Lk 5:1,15). "How to be healed" is not a gospel message. The pure and full gospel is enshrined by Paul in 1 Cor 15:1-5. "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures... was buried... rose again... was seen." God is not obliged to confirm our preaching with signs unless our message is this "Word" (Mk 16:20; Rom 10:8-10).

2. We do not function as teams. The Acts 3 miracle repeatedly underlines the need to work as a team if we must witness notable miracles. "Peter and John... together" (3:1) "A certain lame man... seeing Peter and John" (v 3). "Peter said, Look at us" (v 4). "The lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John" (v 11). "Peter responded to the people: Why look so intently at us?" (v 12). "The boldness of Peter and John" (4:13) etc. Sadly we are suffering from the superstar mentality. The New Testament consistently emphasizes the corporate and body ministry. No one has all the gifts. No one is giftless either. The gifts of "faith, healing and miracle working" are to operate together if there is to be an outstanding miracle. The 1 Corinthians 12 list seems to suggest that a single preacher seldom has all these three. It says, "To ANOTHER faith... to ANOTHER gifts of healings... to ANOTHER the working of miracles" (vv 9,10). Note the plurality in the oft-quoted passage of Mark 16:17-20. "These signs will follow THOSE... in My Name THEY... THEY... THEY... THEY... THEY... THEY will lay hands on the sick... THEY... preached everywhere, the Lord working with THEM... signs." Miracle healing is an attractive ministry. God knows that even the godliest among us is too weak to handle the applause if we do it alone!

3. We steal the glory of God. God is jealous and He will not share His glory with anyone. When people ran to Peter and John, the apostles’ instant reaction was, "Why look at us?... The God of Abraham... glorified His Servant Jesus" (Acts 3:12,13). A similar miracle happened in the ministry of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:8-18). There also the reaction of the apostles was strong when people wanted to garland them and sacrifice for them. "They tore their clothes and ran... crying out, Men, why are you doing these things?" (vv 14,15). The early disciples had only one aim and that was the glory of God. We have too many motives. We lust for big introductions. We seize every opportunity to promote our own ministries. May be with less photography and videography, we will have more miracles. God the Father trusted Jesus with so much of power because He had known that His Son would never misuse it for self-gratification or self-glorification (Mt 4:3-6; 9:8; Acts 10:38). When we believe God, nothing shall be impossible, true. But the question is, Can God believe us?

4. We commercialise our programmes. Most of the unscriptural fund-raising techniques have been invented by healing evangelists only. (Who can deny this?) We preach faith and prosperity to people; but we go begging and borrowing for our projects. Accountability is practically nil in our ministries. Before performing that notable miracle, Peter could confess, "Silver and gold I do not have" (Acts 3:6). Which means he had not touched the huge sums of money people deposited at his and the other apostles’ feet (2:44,45; 4:33-37). When we are not faithful even in material possessions, how can God trust us with miracle power? (Lk 16:11). No parent will give a sharp knife in the hands of a playful child. We are "zealous for spiritual gifts" but we are still "carnal... babes" (1 Cor 14:12; 3:1-3). When will evangelists stop learning catchy slogans from professional business consultants? When will they for their crusades choose places where the poorest of the poor, the downtrodden and the underprivileged live rather than cities and towns of high revenue potential? (Lk 4:18,19; 7:22).

5. We have lost the emphasis on holy living. Where is Pentecostal power without Pentecostal purity? Of course God does not heal people or perform miracles "through our own godliness" (Acts 3:12). But we are called to be sanctified for the Master’s use (2 Tim 2:21,22). We sacrifice the fruit of the Spirit while seeking the gifts of the Spirit. The "Word of wisdom" and the "Word of knowledge" are gifts; but we must not forget that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding"' (1 Cor 12:8; Prov 9:10). How can we minister physical healing to others when we defile our own bodies by sins of the flesh? Will God be happy if we desire the vocal gifts of prophecy, tongues and interpretation when we care not to control our tongue against lying, exaggeration and abusive speech? Listen to Joshua: "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you" (Josh 3:5).

Unless we deal with these issues, we will bring more dishonour than glory to God, and make the Gospel message more questionable than believable.

There are Christians who, because of the absence of spectacular miracles, conclude that the days of miracles are past. I totally reject this view because it lacks Scriptural support. The God of miracles is unchanging. His Word has the same power ever. In fact we need more miracles today than ever because no other generation worshipped so many Baals instead of the Living God!

The first Biblical reference to laying on of hands is when Jacob blessed the two sons of Joseph (Gen 48:14). Laying on of hands obviously had been an age-old practice. It gained religious significance when God commanded that the Priests would lay hands on animals before killing them for sin offering, burnt offering or consecration (Lev 8:14,18,22; 16:21). This ritual continued throughout the dispensation of the Law (Num 8:12).

Hands were laid also for installing leaders. Moses laid hands on Joshua while commissioning him to lead God’s people into the Promised Land (Num 27:22,23). The apostles followed this procedure when they appointed the first team of deacons for the business affairs of the Church (Acts 6:6).

In the Gospel narrative we often read of Jesus laying hands on the sick to heal them (Mk 6:5; Lk 4:40). While giving the Great Commission He said, "These signs will follow those who believe... They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover" (Mk 16:17,18). The apostles did so in their ministries (Acts 28:8). They also laid hands on people for receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17; 19:6). Parents in Jesus’ day desired that He would lay hands on their children and bless them. He complied with it (Mt 19:13-15).

This Jewish practice of laying on of hands ultimately became one of the foundational doctrines of Christ for the Church (Heb 6:2). Apostle Paul warned Timothy "not to be hasty in the laying on of hands" (1 Tim 5:22). This apparently means that hands must not be laid on people indiscriminately. Its use must be restricted to absolutely necessary situations. Healing can be ministered to folks just by speaking forth "the Word only" (Mt 8:8; Psa 107:20). The Holy Spirit fell on the family of Cornelius without any laying on of hands (Acts 10:45). God through His Spirit distributes gifts and enablements to each of His children according to His will (1 Cor 12:4-11). This is the blessed privilege of every believer because of the ascension of Christ (Eph 4:7,8). Gifts are resident in the Spirit who is resident in us. The "manifestation of the Spirit" through any gift is according to the need of the situation (1 Cor 12:7a). No laying on of hands is necessary for the release of this potential power. Individuals must prayerfully exercise their faith to operate these gifts. However, for special ministerial positions elders can lay hands on the candidates for the impartation of specific gifts (1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6; Dt 34:9).

Paul warned a preacher not to lay hands suddenly on any man (1 Tim 5:22). I warn people not to give their heads to every preacher. Beware of getting pushed down by the forehead!

Scented oils were used in the Old Testament times to symbolize gladness (Psa 45:7; 104:15), and were avoided in times of mourning (2 Sam 12:20; Isa 61:3). Guests were anointed with perfumed oils as a mark of special honour (Lk 7:36-38, 46). Anointing with soothing oils was also part of medical treatment in Biblical times (Isa 1:6; Jer 8:22). The disciples of Christ continued this Jewish practice when they went on their healing mission (Mk 6:13). The Epistle of James which was primarily addressed "to the twelve tribes" of Israel (Js 1:1) recommends the use of oil for the sick (Js 5:14). The Greek word "aleipho" used in such instances always indicates a literal rubbing. Also the Greek word for "oil" here is "elaion" which means olive oil. Therefore we are to understand that James was prescribing both prayer and medical treatment for the sick believers.

However, oil in the Bible is also a symbol of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit (Zech 4:2-6). Prophets, priests and kings were anointed with oil when they were consecrated. Therefore the use of oil, while ministering to the sick, as a point of contact to encourage faith is not objectionable. It may symbolize the healing virtue to flow from Christ the Head to the sick members of His Body (Psa 133:2). But it is not the oil that is to be anointed, blessed or prayed for. That is close to idolatry. Under the new covenant God does not anoint or sanctify objects. The anointing will descend only on people (Acts 2:17) and stay on them (1 Jn 2:27).

In this context we must also comment on the use of "blessed cloth" for healing. The plain directive of Jesus to us is to "go" wherever the needy people are and "lay hands" on the sick (Mt 10:7, 8; Mk 16:15, 18). But at times, depending on the situation, God may work in an "extraordinary" way as He did once in the ministry of Paul (Acts 19:8-20). It was a situation of direct confrontation with those who publicly maligned Christianity, the counterfeits and magicians. Use of such cloth pieces from preachers did not become a regular practice in the church. As we saw earlier, God does not anoint a cloth piece. Advertising "Blessed Cloth" for healing today is therefore in violation of the whole counsel of God concerning the healing ministry of the Church. How these "Anointed Oil" and "Blessed Cloth" have been commercialized is too obvious.

The primary responsibility of ministering healing to believers lies with the local "elders of the Church" (Js 5:14). It must be further followed up by believers praying for "one another" (v 16). Healing evangelists should not urge Christians to immediately write to them or phone-call them for prayer, but encourage the Christians and the pastors to develop the healing ministry in the local context. Returning to this Biblical procedure will put an end to malpractices and exploitations in the use of the "gifts of healings" God has graciously placed in the Church.

The endtime outpouring of the Holy Spirit which began on the Day of Pentecost is getting intensified as we approach the end of the endtime. The "all flesh" mentioned in the promise of Joel’s prophecy has enlisted people of all nations, denominations and sections (Acts 2:17). There’s virtually no Christian group which is not affected by what God through His Spirit is doing today. The Roman Catholic Church is no exception. Thousands of Roman Catholics including priests testify of having been baptized in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues and manifesting the gifts of the Spirit. This bothers those Protestants who look at Roman Catholics merely as Mary-worshippers. They question how it is possible for someone to remain a Roman Catholic and still claim to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Clarity in this matter is vital because Roman Catholicism is the single largest segment in Christendom. Even in India many non-Christians identify Christianity more with the name Mary than that of Christ.

God is sovereign. This is where we must begin. He can do anything. What He did in the case of Cornelius gets repeated so often in Church history. Cornelius was not a Christian. But he was "a devout man and one who feared God, who gave alms generously... and prayed to God always" (Acts 10:2). He was walking according to the light he had received. God who is impartial poured out His Holy Spirit on him and his family even before the preacher had finished his sermon or they got baptized in water (Acts 10:34, 44-46). When God baptizes with the Spirit devout Roman Catholics who worship God the Creator, who are we to stay God’s hand? (Acts 11:17).

God’s blessings of course do not endorse our practices. In Christian initiation the general order is first repentance, then baptism and after that receiving the Spirit (Acts 2:38). Eventhough in Cornelius’ case, the third preceded the second, the necessity of the second, namely water baptism, was not ruled out. Rather, Peter instructed them to be baptized immediately (Acts 11:47,48). Such a positive approach instead of a judgemental attitude will encourage Roman Catholics to embrace all truth.

Eventhough we the Protestants have come out of Roman Catholicism, the Roman Catholicism has not come out of most of us. We bow before a cross and they before a crucifix. The priesthood of all believers is more a theory than a practice amidst us. We still widely divide God’s people into clergy and laity. Special dresses and titles which were unknown to New Testament ministers in the early church are in vogue among us. Most of our testimonies reveal that we are yet to understand what is salvation by grace and not of works. There is so much of ritualism in our breadbreaking services.

Roman Catholics pray to or through Mary keeping her as the mediator. Protestants use preachers as mediators. Both are abominable before God. Prayers are sold by several healing evangelists as the Pope in the Middle Ages sold forgiveness tickets to raise funds for Churches or monasteries. Roman Catholics burn candles for statues, and we garland pictures. One is three-dimensional idolatry and the other two-dimensional! And someone said, "The Roman Catholics have only one Pope, but the Protestants have many!" The list is endless. This is not to approve of Roman Catholic practices but to alert Protestants to set their house in order. The message to both Roman Catholics and Protestants is this: "The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men (both the groups) everywhere to repent (change)" (Acts 17:30).

There are several things we must learn from our Roman Catholic friends. The R.C. Church is basically not divided. Oh, how many denominations, and divisions within denominations in Protestantism! The discipline and dedication of the R.C. fathers and nuns are highly challenging. Corruption is least heard of among them. Unlike us they don’t sell church properties or swindle money. No property is registered in the personal name of a priest. Their accounting is so clean that they don’t need to bribe income-tax officials. In the matter of updating Bible translations, we are more sentimental than they. They go all out to bring the Bible in contemporary language to reach non-Christians. No one can beat them in social work. Maintenance of their buildings and campuses shame us. What a reverential fear they show in Church services! God is not unjust to forget all these works and labour of love (Heb 6:10). He accepts works of righteousness whoever does it in the fear of Him (Acts 10:34,35). Let’s thank God for His visitation to the Roman Catholic Church.

Father Berchmanns of Tamilnadu, India, who was formerly a Roman Catholic priest, is a classic example. He received the baptism with the Holy Spirit while he was very much a part of the R.C. Church. Who can question the genuineness of his anointing?

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth (Jn 16:13). This does not happen overnight. Revelation as well as reformation come in stages.

In conclusion, here are my exhortations to Catholic Charismatics: (1) Read the Bible regularly and diligently. Begin with the New Testament. (2) Be baptized in water as Christ has commanded. (3) Stop praying to or through Mary or any saint. Pray directly to the Father God in the Name of Jesus His Son. (4) Don’t worship statues. No more idolatry of any sort. (5) Attend worship services of a church where the Bible is faithfully preached. (6) Join teams of Christians who go out for evangelism. (7) Support missionary activities and social work among the needy and unreached peoples. "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil 1:6).

Undoubtedly there’s a spiritual awakening everywhere among Christians of all nations and denominations. Many believe that this is the revival they had been longing and praying for. Several others are quite skeptical about it because of its certain questionable features. How are we to discern the current awakening then?

Revival is not normative for the Church. Only a sick or backslidden Church needs revival. It was when the joy of the Lord among His people was absent, the Psalmist prayed, "O God, will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?" (Psa 85:6). The call to repentance and promises of revival blessing were given in Old Testament times when the people of God went astray. But God does not desire the New Testament Church to follow the ups and downs pattern. We are admonished to be always rejoicing in the Lord, always abounding in His work, and always expecting the return of His Son (Phil 4:4; 1 Cor 15:58; Mk 13:35-37). However, because the Church as it is today is not what it should be, she needs a revival for restoration.

Saints of God over the years have been interceding before the Throne for a mighty visitation of God’s Spirit among His people. They have been crying to God for a latter rain with the understanding that Pentecost was the former rain (Zech 10:1). I believe that the present awakening is an answer to that prayer. But it has not fully met our needs yet. As the famous hymn goes,

Mercy drops round us are falling;

But for the showers we plead!

 

We need a revival of righteousness (Hos 10:12). A revival that will heal our backsliding and lukewarmness and bring us to deep repentance. Such a revival will affect the very moral climate of the society around us (2 Chron 7:14). Revivals under the ministries of John Wesley, D. L. Moody and Charles Finney had this characteristic.

We need a revival that will lead us to reprioritize our lives. The time we spend in prayer should become more delightsome than what we spend in talking to men (Psa 84:10). Bible meditation should be desired more than food (Job 23:12). The extension of the Kingdom of God should occupy our thoughts more than the earthly concerns (Mt 6:33). Giving to God must excite us more than receiving blessings from Him (Acts 20:35b). Selfishness should give place to sacrificial service for the good of others (Phil 2:4,5).

There are traces of such benefits in the modern day revival, but the questionable things seem to outnumber the desired blessings. The focus seems to be more on physical manifestations like falling, crawling, shaking and laughing than on the spiritual aspects mentioned in the last two paragraphs. When God visits His people in a new and powerful way, the devil also becomes hyperactive. He is a master counterfeit. He sows tares and it becomes difficult to differentiate them from genuine grains (Mt 13:24-30). Because there’s mixture in any revival, discernment becomes difficult. We are not able to say it is 100% false. The safest way is to keep emphasizing growth in inner graces and not crossing Scriptural boundaries. We can be analytical without becoming negative. We must not throw away the baby with the bath water.

The men and women whom God uses in revivals have an awesome responsibility in building up God’s people and bringing them to maturity. Merely keeping the people excited and entertained may help the ministers stay popular, but the fires of testing will reveal that such activities are nothing but "wood, hay and straw" (1 Cor 3:12,13).

When we talk about revival, we must not think that everything is going to become glorious. In fact, as per the predictions of the apostles and the Lord Himself, as we approach the end of the age, there will be more lawlessness, more lovelessness, more deception, and more apostasy (Mt 24:12; 1 Tim 4:1-3). There is already a widespread revival in Hinduism, Islam and tribal religions. The long-awaited Return of Christ will be the ultimate revival for us (Acts 3:19-21).