![]() In this series of four articles, I will briefly look at a second fruit from scripture. As I mentioned previously, I recently began taking another look at such movements when someone asked me about the “Lakeland Revival.” The focus expressed in each article is not directed at a person or an event but is meant to be a series of contemplations on the scriptural guidelines regarding spiritual movements. After all, there are specific biblical accounts in which God did clearly manifest His presence. As stated previously, not one of the biblical guidelines, in this and following editions of the newsletter, are based on emotions, feelings, an individuals stage presence or visions, dreams, or special messages from angels. Each guideline is based on Scripture. Many people are hungry to experience an authentic move of God but unfortunately are unable to discern God’s hand in action. When judging spiritual movements we should always look for specific spiritual fruit. The following is the another fruit that should be present in any movement of God. Jesus stated, “each tree is known by its own fruit” Luke 6:44. Let’s look at some biblical fruit and wisely discern modern day spiritual movements. 2. True movements of God will always have the fruit of preaching repentance from sin and saving faith in Jesus Christ. Let’s look at Acts 2. After the coming of Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached a Christ-centered message (death, burial, and resurrection) to the devout Jews who were present. Verse 37 states that they were convicted by Peter’s words and asked what they should do to respond. Peter says to “repent.” As a sign of their repentance, each person was to be “baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” F. F. Bruce says, “Repentance was plainly called for: a complete change of heart, a spiritual about-face . . . The call to repentance had been sounded by John and Jesus in the years preceding the crucifixion, and it remained an essential element in the proclamation of the apostolic message.” Peter also declares that is anyone will repent, publicly confessing Jesus as Messiah through water baptism, he or she would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. F. F. Bruce rightly states that “the gift of the Spirit is the Spirit Himself, bestowed by the exalted Lord under the Father’s authority.” In the Great Commission, as expressed by Luke, Jesus states that “repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47) Another example is Acts 20 when Paul bids farewell to the believers in Ephesus. In verse 21 Paul says he “solemnly testified to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Present day movements frequently focus more on various spiritual manifestations than on the repentance from sin and saving faith in the Lord Jesus. A true movement of God will clear call individuals to both. Think of this fruit and consider the ministry of Billy Graham, Luis Palau, or anyone else. Also consider the Lakeland Revival, the Brownsville Revival, the laughing movement with Rodney Howard-Browne, the Toronto Blessing, etc. in relation to the true fruit of repentance from sin and saving faith in the Lord Jesus. Whether a movement focuses on spiritual manifestations, someone’s dreams or visions, messages from angels, a charming personality, or a dynamic stage presence, we would do well to remember the words of John, “believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3
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