Supernatural Physical Manifestations in the Evangelical and Holiness Revival Movements, by Paul King
These types of phenomena also occurred in the ministries of Finney and Wesley and other holiness groups, as well as Pentecostals.[40] In holiness and some Pentecostal circles some of these manifestations were regarded as the work of the Holy Spirit, others of the flesh, and still others as demonic in origin.[41]
Trances, Visions, and Dreams
Trances, visions, and dreams occurred frequently in early Methodist camp meetings, and in Maria Woodworth-Etter’s meetings, as well as other denominations and movements.[42] Presbyterian missionary Praying Hyde, it is recorded, “began to have visions of the glorified Christ as a Lamb on His throne—suffering such infinite pain for and with His suffering Body on earth.”[43] Torrey recalled that a man praying for revival in Australia saw a prophetic vision of crowds of people coming to hear Torrey speak.[44] Street evangelist Jerry McAuley experienced a trance and a vision that led to his founding of a rescue mission.[45] Prophecies and visions were also features of the Welsh revival.[46] Amy Carmichael, Anglican Keswick missionary to India, also received prophetic dreams and visions.[47] Likewise, Charles Spurgeon recognized the validity of dreams and visions from the Lord.[48] His friend and colleague, F.B. Meyer, a Baptist Keswick leader, also recounted a vision.[49]
Such manifestations occurred in the early C&MA as well. In fact, the missions emphasis of the C&MA was established on Simpson’s response to a vivid dream in which he awoke trembling.[50] In 1883 early C&MA leader John Cookman had an experience in which “the Lord appeared to him in a vision, and said, ‘I am thy Healer, thy Sanctifier, thy Savior, and thy Lord.’”[51] C&MA missionary statesman Robert Jaffray experienced several dreams with strong impressions from the Lord.[52] Visions preceding or accompanying healing were not uncommon in the ministry of A.B. Simpson and the early C&MA.[53]
But Not All Such Manifestations Are from God
On the other hand, not all such physical manifestations were automatically accepted among holiness leaders and some Pentecostals to be a result of the Spirit’s workings. [54] Classic evangelical and holiness leaders understood that God can lead by impressions, visions, and revelations, but they needed to be tested.[55] Moravian leader Count Zinzendorf, who was open to supernatural movings of the Holy Spirit, witnessed a man falling into an “inspired fit, jerking and convulsing, and prophesying. Zinzendorf did not hesitate to reject the inspiration.”[56] John Wesley’s counsel was: “Do not hastily ascribe things to God. Do not easily suppose dreams, voices, impressions, visions, or revelations to be from God. They may be from Him. They may be from Nature. They may be from the devil. Therefore believe not every spirit, but ‘try the spirits whether they be from God.’”[57] Even though people fell under God’s power in Cartwright’s meetings, he also discerned false falling, visions and trances.[58]
Evangelical and holiness leaders recognized that some laughter is “fleshly excitement” and some may even be demonically inspired. John and Charles Wesley discerned that some manifestations were unholy laughter.[59] In 1912, Jessie Penn‑Lewis and Evan Roberts in their book War on the Saints also write of demonical inspired laughter with twisting and jerking.[60]Even Catholic exorcists have cautioned that the devil may cause laughter to distract and disrupt.[61]
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