“The Holy Spirit moves strongly at 8 P.M. People begin to bark like dogs and roar like lions.” With these words, my mom’s coworker invited her to a revival service. My mom was always up for a revival, but she was not inclined to participate in this one. People attribute many unusual manifestations to the Holy Spirit. This week I witnessed videos of baptisms of young adults who came out of the water screaming and thrashing. It appeared to be a sort of exorcism by baptism. This was new to me. How do we know whether it is God at work?
When Paul ministered the word in Ephesus, there were unusual healings and exorcisms. How do we know God was at work? Luke tells us the results in the city. First, people of all backgrounds were seized with holy fear. They knew something was happening. Second, the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. When a ministry draws attention to a personality to build a particular minister’s brand, I am suspicious. A great work of God always glorifies God. Third, sorcerers repented and burned their scrolls at great cost to themselves. People might pretend, until it starts to cost them money. These practitioners of sorcery authentically turned from their religion and livelihood. Fourth, the word of the Lord spread in geographic locations and in manifestations of power. When God is at work, his word will spread and he will get the glory.
God can do anything he wishes. I believe God’s work will always confirm the scriptures. When a friend of mine and I were teenaged pastors in central Texas, he invited a revival preacher who came highly recommended. The first night the man began to “slay people in the Spirit.” Some from his entourage fell on the floor and writhed, as if in pain. My friend Mike asked him to show him the scriptural foundation of this practice. The revival preacher had no answer, so he left. This was awkward for my friend. But he finished preaching the revival and God worked mightily in his congregation. Later we learned that the guest preacher’s life did not match the teaching of scripture.
