DSBC School of Biblical Theology - The Third Spiritual Awakening, History

It began in the 16th and 17th century with the Reformation. The Reformation is called the Great Spiritual Awakening. Protestantism had an enormous influence upon western civilization.

God raised up Believers with a great desire for the truth of God's inspired word and with a desire to reach the world with the Gospel of Grace Salvation. It spread across Europe by Believers who were willing to commit their lives to Christ, even unto death. Believers like Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Wycliff, and Knox.

They took the teaching of the New Testament to their lives and their lives to the world with its message. For example, Luther’s life was dramatically changed by the teachings of the Book of Romans.

Two passages that impacted Luther’s life and through his life impacted the world were:

(Rom.5:1) “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God though our Lord Jesus Christ.” and

(Rom.1:16-17) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jews first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘but the righteous man shall live by faith.” (Hab.2:4)

The First Spiritual Awakening occurred in America in the 18th century. The message of these reformers spread to the colonies of America through missionary evangelism. Again, by Believers who were willing to commit their lives to Christ even unto death. Believers like the Wesley brothers, Jonathan Edwards, and Whitefield had caught the spirit of the Great Spiritual Awakening.

It spread across the colonies with enormous conversions and a desire for study of the Scriptures of the Word of God (1 Pet.2:2). The result was an emphasis upon the Scriptures over Tradition, Faith over Works, Spirituality over Carnality, The Priesthood of the Believer over the Ecclesiastical Priesthood and an emphasis upon the teaching of how to life the Christian Way of Life (CWL).

The Second Spiritual Awakening occurred in America during the 19th and 20th centuries. It spread across the USA through great evangelistic meetings that resulted in planting Protestant churches throughout the country. These newly planted churches continued to spread the fire of missionary evangelism through their individual community revivals.

Once again, It was spread by Believers who were willing to commit their lives to Christ even unto death. Believers like Hudson Taylor, George Mueller, Charles Finney, D.L.Moody, B.B.Warfield, Billy Sunday, and Billy Graham. They brought to their communities, our nation and beyond a commitment to the Great Commission of Matt.28:16-20.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the Pentecostal denomination has had the largest missionary activity in the world in response to the call of Matt.28:19-20.

The Third Spiritual Awakening needs to occur in the 21st century and again, It will be spread by Believers who are willing to commit their lives to Christ even unto death.

Why do I feel that we need another Spiritual Awakening? Allow me to mention at least two common elements that I see today, within America:

One element is a spiritual vacuum that only Christ can fill. Today, people have a form of godliness, but not the power.

(2 Tim.3:5) “Holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these.” Nicodemus was such a religious person (John 3:1-21). One of the most famous verses in the NT was given to Nicodemus (John 3:16).

A second common element is a secular vacuum that only Christ can fill.

People are trying to fill up their lives with worldly things apart from Christ. One example is through scholarly worldly wisdom: “Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of god the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” (1 Cor.1:20-21)

Saul of Tarsus was such a scholarly world person. Paul put his life's gains into perspective in (Phil.3:3-9): “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ.”

YOU WILL EITHER BE THE CAUSE FOR A THIRD SPIRITUAL AWAKENING OR BE CALLED TO IT.

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A Study On The History Of The First Two Spiritual Awakenings And Why We Need A Third Spiritual Awakening Today.
It began in the 16th and 17th century with the Reformation. The Reformation is called the Great Spiritual Awakening. Protestantism had an enormous influence upon western civilization. God raised up Believers with a great desire for the truth of God's inspired word and with a desire to reach the world with the Gospel of Grace Salvation. It spread across Europe by Believers who were willing to commit their lives to Christ, even unto death. Believers like Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Wycliff, and Knox. They took the teaching of the New Testament to their lives and their lives to the world with its message. For example, Luther’s life was dramatically changed by the teachings of the Book of Romans. Two passages that impacted Luther’s life and through his life impacted the world were: (Rom.5:1) “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God though our Lord Jesus Christ.” and (Rom.1:16-17) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jews first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘but the righteous man shall live by faith.” *(Hab.2:4)* The First Spiritual Awakening occurred in America in the 18th century. The message of these reformers spread to the colonies of America through missionary evangelism. Again, by Believers who were willing to commit their lives to Christ even unto death. Believers like the Wesley brothers, Jonathan Edwards, and Whitefield had caught the spirit of the Great Spiritual Awakening. It spread across the colonies with enormous conversions and a desire for study of the Scriptures of the Word of God (1 Pet.2:2). The result was an emphasis upon the Scriptures over Tradition, Faith over Works, Spirituality over Carnality, The Priesthood of the Believer over the Ecclesiastical Priesthood and an emphasis upon the teaching of how to life the Christian Way of Life (CWL). The Second Spiritual Awakening occurred in America during the 19th and 20th centuries. It spread across the USA through great evangelistic meetings that resulted in planting Protestant churches throughout the country. These newly planted churches continued to spread the fire of missionary evangelism through their individual community revivals. Once again, It was spread by Believers who were willing to commit their lives to Christ even unto death. Believers like Hudson Taylor, George Mueller, Charles Finney, D.L.Moody, B.B.Warfield, Billy Sunday, and Billy Graham. They brought to their communities, our nation and beyond a commitment to the Great Commission of Matt.28:16-20. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the Pentecostal denomination has had the largest missionary activity in the world in response to the call of Matt.28:19-20. The Third Spiritual Awakening needs to occur in the 21st century and again, It will be spread by Believers who are willing to commit their lives to Christ even unto death. Why do I feel that we need another Spiritual Awakening? Allow me to mention at least two common elements that I see today, within America: One element is a spiritual vacuum that only Christ can fill. Today, people have a form of godliness, but not the power. *(2 Tim.3:5)* “Holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these.” Nicodemus was such a religious person (John 3:1-21). One of the most famous verses in the NT was given to Nicodemus (John 3:16). *A second common element is a secular vacuum that only Christ can fill.* People are trying to fill up their lives with worldly things apart from Christ. One example is through scholarly worldly wisdom: “Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of god the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” (1 Cor.1:20-21) Saul of Tarsus was such a scholarly world person. Paul put his life's gains into perspective in (Phil.3:3-9): “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ.” YOU WILL EITHER BE THE CAUSE FOR A THIRD SPIRITUAL AWAKENING OR BE CALLED TO IT. Click here to return to MAIN page
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