Revival has a long history in the New Testament Church (which continues today). From the day of Pentecost until today, there have been outbreaks of revival. Healing often accompanies revival!

In the book of Acts, for example, there are many, many instances of people being healed, being delivered from demons, hearing and seeing God, having visions and prophecies, speaking in tongues, and a vast array of other phenomena. Some would say that Acts is “one big revival” and in a sense it is, but also in a sense it’s not (it’s somewhere around 33-35 years of happenings in various places with various people). There are, however, several outbreaks of what could only be called “revival” in specific places – coupled with an expectancy of revival among those ministering.

• Acts 2
  • The 120 received the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues. They were accused of being drunk by the gathering crowd. Peter hopped up on a stump and preached a sermon resulting in 3000 getting saved, and many more in the days following.
• Acts 3-4
  • Peter and John encountered a lame man, who in turn encountered the power of God. “And all the people saw him walking and praising God.” Peter preached Jesus again, and was arrested – but another 2000 people were added to the church that day.
• Acts 8
  • Philip preached in Samaria, resulting in mass salvations, healings, and deliverances.
• Acts 13
  • “Almost the whole city” turned out to hear Paul and Barnabas preach at Antioch.
• Acts 19
  • Unusual miracles were worked by Paul; many publicly repented of their sins.
  • This resulted in a riot against them!

These revivals that I’m listing next represent an incomplete list (want to add any? Go to the comments page and tell me about it; include some online or book references for me!). I’ll be coming back and adding more information over time.

• 1740-1745 The First Great Awakening
  • This revival happened throughout the English Colonies. George Whitefield and William Tennent (founder of The Log College) were key figures in this revival. Men from the college were supporters of Whitefield and were used of God to change the course of our nation.
• late 1780’s The Second Great Awakening
  • Two key preachers were North Carolina Presbyterian ministers, James McGready and Barton Stone.
• Cane Ridge Revival
  • Considered to be part of the 2nd Great Awakening, but important in its own right.
• 1857-1858 Laymen’s Prayer Revival – aka the Fulton Street Prayer Meeting (external link)
  • A small group of men gathered to pray – and it grew, and grew – with many sinners being saved! The meetings spread across the country. This was a revival of prayer and sincere repentance.
• 1863-1864 – Great Revival during the Civil War. There were several outbreaks of revival during the War between the States, but this is perhaps the best documented. For more information, see the book “Christ Within the Camp” by Reverend J.William Jones, D.D. – available through Amazon and other booksellers.
• 1904 – Welsh Revival
• 1906 – Asuza Street Revival
  • This outpouring brought on the rise of modern pentecostalism
    
• 1940’s-1960’s American Healing Revival (many places, many ministers, many healings)
• 1987 – Argentine Revival (external link to good article)
• 1994- Toronto Blessing (TACF in Canada, spread to the UK) – also called the “laughing” revival
• 1995-2000 Brownsville Revival (Pensacola, FL)
• 2008 Lakeland Revival – Healings and miracles, salvations, and empowerment
• (to be continued)

In a sense, none of these revivals have ever ended!