During my over fifty years of ministry I have heard many calls for spiritual renewal. The results often have been conferences on renewal, programs on evangelism and gatherings of Christians. Some of these actions have led to localized renewal movements, but not the mighty movement of the Spirit of God that so many are longing for in our time.
While serving as a missionary in Europe, I was introduced by Dr. Avery Willis and Dr. Henry Blackaby to a biblical concept called “a sacred assembly” A description of this can he found during the Old Testament period in the following verses:
Leviticus 23:34-36
Numbers 29:35
Deuteronomy 16:8
Joel 2:15-16
Apparently the people of God during these periods sincerely sought a spiritual renewal and this need was often met by a sacred assembly.
The dynamic of these meeting were very simple, thus allowing all the people to become involved in the process. First, it should be noted that this assembly must be called by the top spiritual or political leaders. Those who were not leaders did not have the legitimacy before the people to take such a bold step. The time and days of the assembly would vary. Often they would be a part of another festive celebration. The main purpose of the meeting was threefold: prayer, fasting, and confession of sin.
Some have questioned if the sacred assembly was also a New Testament concept. Those who believe it is point to the disciples gathering immediately preceding the day of Pentecost, which as we know was when the Holy Spirit was given to the early church. It is interesting to note that Peter made reference it in his sermon on that day to an area of scripture that was found in Joel. Peter’s quote came just before his the verses in Joel concerning the wonders that would soon occur. Many believe that the early apostles were having a sacred assembly in preparation for the day’s celebration.
There is a little known holiday in Germany called “Buss and Bet Tag” Few Germans today know the reason for the holiday and its history. The holiday began as a called sacred assembly called by the different leaders of Europe to combat the Turkish threat to Europe. The Christians saw a real need to come back to God as the first recorded sacred assembly in Germany occurred in 1538. It is interesting to note that this was at the beginning of the reformation in Europe.
In the following years in Germany, different leaders would call people together for spiritual renewal. In 1893, Kaiser Wilhelm, the leader of the German nation, felt a need to designate one day a year for the German people to devote themselves entirely to the three aspects of a sacred assembly: people would not go to work but would be encouraged to meet in their churches for prayer, fasting and confession of sin. These meetings were an integral part of the spiritual revival that spread in Germany during the early part of the last century after. In the years to follow, people ceased to pray, fast and confess the sins and they simply saw the day as a free day from work. The purpose was lost, as was the spiritual fervor of the German people.
Today there is a real need for Americans to be called to a sacred assembly. One of the reasons is that there will be a very important election for the President of our country.
Furthermore, as Americans, we are faced with the increasing influence of secularism as well as a threat from Islam. A modern day assembly will not have programs, speakers, or conferences but rather will simply be a call for Christians to go to their churches on a designated weekend to pray, fast, and confess the sins of the individuals, as well as the sins of the American people. I feel it can be done and should be done.
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William L. (Bill) Wagner is a former Southern Baptist missionary and seminary professor and current president of Olivet University International in San Francisco, Calif.
Comments
Amen! And it IS being done! I just wanted to make sure everyone (including the author) knew about "The Call" - a movement whose primary purpose is to pursue this biblical precedent. Check out www.thecall.com, in case you haven't heard of it. It's through this organization that I first learned about the very idea. This is awesome and necessary and the Spirit is stirring God's people to turn back to Him on behalf of this nation and culture, so be encouraged Mr. Wagner, and we'll hope to see this more and more, so there is hope for the United States!
This is an important step for leaders to take.
Yet, it is far more important for believers to reflect and understand what newborns in Jesus require. They require to be sanctified by His Word and HIs Spirit on a daily basis. His Word must be our Spiritual Bread, and His Spirit, the hand that helps us digest it.
Those who are born again and do not feed daily on His Word and His Spirit, will not only fail to grow from little babies into spiritual adults, but they will starve to death...
That is why those that attack Christianity have always attempted to take away the Bread, (HIs Word) and attempted to replace it with ritual and man made laws...and what not.
If we value our growth,and our life, then first and foremost we must daily partake of His Word and Spirit...
Rather than go directly from the Bible to 1538 as though nothing happened in between, why don't we reference Justin Martyr in 155, who, explained to a pagan emperor what the Christians did as part of their "worship service?"
http://www.philthompson.net/pages/library/justinlit.html
Amen. The author makes some excellent points.
Renewal or revival can only occur, if its in a nation or just one person, after deep repentance