The Holy Spirit Fell

While I have made a point over the years to avoid making a god out of the Asbury Revival which changed my life fifty years ago, it has served as a defining word for revival and it has been an event which has received more than its share of personal reflection.  As I remember and read the Scripture for some Word which will bring additional clarity, I often pause at the beginning of the second chapter of Acts.  There the Word say, "And suddenly..." (Acts 2:2) which speaks to what happened.  One minute we were sitting there enduring chapel and the next minute the Holy Spirit became a filling presence. 

 

As I have sought to describe that day I often think about the end of the Cornelius narrative.  As Peter was preaching in the house of Cornelius, the Word says, "...the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word."  (Acts 10:44)  While some might not like the description since it seems to imply some three tier universe, the image of the Holy Spirit falling upon us always seemed like an appropriate image.  In an unexpected and surprising way, everything in that place seemed filled with the holy and those who heard words of testimony found themselves overwhelmed by the sudden work of the Holy Spirit. 

 

One of the things experienced over and over again during those days was the blessing of the word that was shared.  Wherever the testimony of the Asbury Revival was shared, the Holy Spirit fell.  A group of us went as a witness team to Olivet Nazarene College.  There was a scheduled planned revival in place.  We went into the pastor's office as complete strangers before the evening service began and asked for a few minutes to share about what God was doing at Asbury.  He dared to agree.  One of our team stood to share and before he finished the altar was filled with those seeking God.  The only way I can speak of that moment and others like it is "...the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word."