Principles of Revival in the Bible and Church History.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to find, in Scripture and Church history, principles of revival which can, if Faithfully applied, bring about revival today. The second chapter is a detailed study of the revival under Samuel (1 Sam. 7:1-17). In comparison with Other biblical revivals, the following six principles have been observed: (1) Recognition of the need of revival, and God's Willingness to revive (2) Repentance as an essential condition of revival (3) The preaching of the Word of God (4) Intercession (5) Spiritual leadership (6) The activity of the HolY'$pirit In the third chapter, the revivals under Charles Finney are examined, in comparison with biblical revivals, and that under Jonathan Edwards. In this part, the following two principles have been observed: (7) Revival as God's means for the restoration of His Church and for the salvation of sinners. (8) Revival as cooperation between God and man. The fourth chapter describes and examines a recent revival among high school students of the CEAZ (Communaute Evang~lique de l'Alliance au Zaire) in the Lower Zaire. In this part the actual working of the eight biblical principles during the revival ;s described. At the same time, some reasons for the decline of the revival are examined, and the possibility of obtaining "times of refreshing from the Lord" (Acts 3:19, NIV) for the whole Community are investigated, in relation with the eight biblical principles of revival.