Holy Spirit's Supernatural Activity In Church History

Throughout church history there have been many of my brothers who have tried to explain away these words, instead why don't we invite the best teacher we can ever have - the Holy Spirit to lead and open our hearts to the truth of these words of our Lord.

If we struggle to believe or understand our Lord's teaching - does it mean that they are wrong? Certainly not! Instead we need the Holy Spirit to reveal these truths to our heart. After all you may be a candidate by which the Holy Spirit may move through in a migfhty way to bring glory and honour to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

• Justin Martyr (110-165) - According to Justin Martyr, the prophetic gifts continued "to the present time" (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5:6:1, Ante-Nicene Library 10 vols. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987))

  “Daily some (of you) are becoming disciples in the name of Christ, and quitting the path of error; who are also receiving gifts, each as he is worthy, illumined through the name of this Christ. For one receives the spirit of understanding, another of counsel, another of strength, another of healing, another of foreknowledge, another of teaching, and another of the fear of God.” .... " ...
  Accordingly, we who have received gifts from Christ, who has ascended up on high, prove from the words of prophecy that you, “the wise in yourselves, and the men of understanding in your own eyes,” are foolish, and honor God and His Christ by lip only. But we, who are instructed in the whole truth, honor them both in acts, and in knowledge, and in heart, even unto death.’ ..." (Martyr Justin “Dialogue With Trypho, a Jew,” “The Ante-Nicene Fathers,” Vol. I, chap. 39, p. 214. Buffalo: The Christian Literature Publishing Company, 1885)
  

• Irenaeus (140-202) - "...and who through the Spirit of God do speak in all languages, as he used Himself also to speak. In like manner we do also hear many brethren in the Church, who possess prophetic gifts, and who through the Spirit speak all kinds of languages, ... "In like manner we do also hear many brethren in the Church, who possess prophetic gifts." " (Irenaeus Against Heresies, Book 5.6.1)
  

  "...Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions, and utter prophetic expressions. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are made whole. Yea, moreover, as I have said, the dead even have been raised up, and remained among us for many years. And what shall I more say? It is not possible to name the number of the gifts which the church, (scattered) throughout the whole world, has received from God, in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and which she exerts day by day for the benefit of the Gentiles, neither practicing deception upon any, nor taking any reward from them..." (Ante-Nicene Christian Library,” Vol. V, “Irenaeus Against Heresies,” Book II, chap. 32, pp. 245, 246. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1868.)
  

  "And some gave evidence of their having received through their faith a marvelous power by the cures which they perform invoking no other name over those who need their help thab that of God of all things and of Jesus, along with a mention of His history. For by these means we too have seen many freed from grievous calamaities and from distractions of mind and madness and countless other ills which could be cured by neither men or devils." (Contra Celsum Book 3 chapter 24)
  

• Tertullian (160-225) - "And thus we who both acknowledge and reverence, even as we do the prophecies, modern visions as equally promised to us, and consider the other powers of the Holy Spirit as an agency of the Church for which also He was sent, administering all gifts in all, even as the Lord distributed to every one." (Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, chapter XXXIX. Ante-Nicene Library 10 vols. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987))
  
• Origen (185-254) - "Traces of the Holy Spirit who appeared in the form of a dove are still preserved among Christians. They charm†demons away and perform many cures and perceived certain things about the future according to the will of the Logos." (Origen, Against Celsus, Book I, Chap. XLVI, 2, 8. Post-Nicene Library 10 vols. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987))
  
• Novatian (c. 250) - "they were henceforth armed and strengthened by the same Spirit, having in themselves the gifts which this same Spirit distributes, and appropriates to the Church, the spouse of Christ, as her ornaments. This is He who places prophets in the Church, instructs teachers, directs tongues, gives powers and healings, does wonderful works, often discrimination of spirits, affords powers of government, suggests counsels, and orders and arranges whatever other gifts there are of charismata; and thus make the Lord’s Church everywhere, and in all, perfected and completed."(Novatian, A Treatise of Novatian Concerning the Trinity, Chapter XXIX, section 251. Post-Nicene Library 10 vols. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987)
  
• Eusebius (263-338) - “We hear many of the brethren in the church who have prophetic gifts, and who speak in all tongues through the Spirit, and who also bring to light the secret things of men for their benefit, and who expound the mysteries of God.” (The Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius Pamphilus,” Book V, chap. 7, p. 175)
  
• St.Augustine (354-430) - "For even now miracles are wrought in the name of Christ. Augustine, The City of God, Book 22, Chapter 8. Post-Nicene Library 10 vols. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987). "The miracle which was wrought at Milan when I was there, and by which a blind man was restored to sight, could come to the knowledge of many; for not only is the city a large one, but also the emperor was there at the time, and the occurrence was witnessed by an immense concourse of people." (Augustine, The City of God, Book 22, Chapter 8. Post-Nicene Library 10 vols. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987)
  
• Mopsueste (c. 429) - "many bretheren amongst us are being healed by Christians from whatever sickness they have, so abundant are miracles in our midst." (Christlieb - Modern Doubt p 321)
  

5th Century to c. 1500

During this period of church history the activity of the Holy Spirit is very limited. Spiritual gifts and manifestations were almost non existent - although even during this period there are instances when He was obviously at work, in one way or another.

• Dominic (1170-1221) - It is well doccumentated of the many miracles which have been attributed to Dominic. From raising people from the dead, casting out of demons and also many who were healed by a word spoken in faith.
  
• Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) - Spoke in other tongues according to some editions of the Catholic Encyclopedia. (Bernard L. Bresson, Studies in Ecstasy, p. 38)
  
• Martin Luther (1483-1546), According to the German church historian Theodor Sauer, Luther spoke in tongues: "Luther was easily the greatest evangelical man after the apostles, full of inner love to the Lord like John, hasty in deed like Peter, deep in thinking like Paul, cunning and powerful in speech like Elijah, uncompromising against God's enemies like David; PROPHET and evangelist, speaker-in-tongues and interpreter in one person, equipped with all the gifts of grace, a light and pillar of the church..." (Ibid, 1889 ed., vol. 4, p. 73 19 Translated from the German work, Geschichte der Chrislichen Kirche fur Schule und Haus (Dresden; R. Kuntzes, 1859), 3rd book, p. 400); http://www.azstarnet.com/~jsbarta/ch_hist.html 1/1/99 Whether this refers to the actual gift of tongues (I Cor 12) or the romance languages (i.e. Latin, French, etc.) is not certain. That Luther believed in miracles is certain. In 1541 when Myconius lay speechless in the final stages of consumption, Luther prayed and he was restored to health. He also prayed for Melanchthon who was near death and God healed him also. Melanchthon said: "I should have been a dead man, had I not been recalled from death itself by the coming of Luther." (A.J. Gordon, The Ministry of Healing, pp. 93-95)Luther was also involvred in deliverance of a young girl, (Suppressed Evidences, --Thomas Boys p. 162, Jewish Expositor, May, 1831, pp. 145-153) and also involved in healing (Suppressed Evidence, --Boys, pp. 192-193)
  
• William Tyndale (1494-1536) - No reference is made of Tyndale using the gifts of the Spirit but look what he says concerning the gofts of the Spirit in the margins of the bible which he printed. - "Saint Paul said, "The gifts# of the spirit are given to every man to profit the congregation." (I Corinthians 12:7) (Tyndale's N.T.) #Tyndale's added note, "The gifts of the spirit are given us too as service to our brethren." Tyndale translated Saint John as saying, "And ye have an ointment# of the Holy Ghost, and ye know all things." (I John 2:20) (Tyndale NT) #Tyndale's added note, Ointment: that is knowledge of the truth and all the gifts of the spirit."
  

  In Hebrews 2:4 - Tyndale added, "Miracles are called signs because they be a sing-token and an evident proof that the thing that is preached is God's Word."

  The Historian J.H. Merle describes Tyndale as a man "anointed with the Spirit of God" (The Reformation in England, -- J. H. Merle d'Aubigné, 1853, Reprint by Banner of Truth, ISBM 085151 486 3, V. 1, pg 190)
  

• John Knox (1505-1572) - "John Knox was an eminent wrestler with God in prayer . . . He was likewise warm and empathetic in his preaching, in which such prophetical expressions as dropped from him had the most remarkable accomplishment. As an instance of this, when he was confined in the castle of St. Andrews, he foretold both the manner of their surrender, and their deliverance from the French galleys. . ." (Howie John - The Scots Worthies - )
  

  One of John Knox's contemporaries states - "I know not if God ever placed a more godly and great spirit in a body so little and frail. I am certain, that there can scarcely be found another in whom more gifts of the Holy Ghost, for the comfort of the Church of Scotland, did shine." Mr Thomas Smeaton in The Scots Worthies by John Howie)
  

  Mr. Thomas Smeaton spoke of Knox at his death and said, "I know not if God ever place a more godly and great spirit in a body so little and frail. I am certain, that there can scarcely be found another in who more gifts of the Holy Ghost, for the comfort of the Church of Scotland, did shine . . ." (The Scots Worthies, -- John Howie, 1775 and 1781, Reprint -- Rev. W.H. Carslaw 1870, pp 52, 57-58, 58, 63)
  

• John Welch (1570-1622) - A young nobleman was boarding in John Welch's house while receiving his education. This young man "fell ill of a grievous sickness, and after he had been long wasted by it, closed his eyes and expired, to the apprehension of all spectators; and was therefore taken out of his bed, and laid on a pallet on the floor, that his body might be more conveniently dressed. This was to Mr. Welch a very great grief, and therefore he stayed with the body fully three hours, lamenting over him with great tenderness.
  

  After twelve hours, the friend brought in a coffin, where into they desired the corpse to be put, as the custom was; but Mr. Welch desired that, for the satisfaction of his affections, they would forbear for a time; which they granted, and returned not till twenty-four hours after his death. Then they desired with great importunity, that the corpse might be coffined and speedily buried, the weather being extremely hot; yet he persisted in his request, earnestly begging them to excuse him once more, so they left the corps upon the pallet for full thirty-six hours; but even after all that, though he was urged not only with great earnestness, but displeasure, they were constrained to forbear for twelve hours more. After forty-eight hours were past, Mr. Welch still held out against them; and then his friend, perceiving that he believed the young man was not really dead, but under some fit, proposed to him for his satisfaction, that trial should be made upon his body by doctors and surgeons, if possibly any spark of life might be found in him; and with this he was content.
  

  So the physicians were set to work, who pinched him with pinchers in the fleshly parts of his body, and twisted a bow-string about his head with great force; but no sign of life appearing in him, the physicians pronounced him stark dead, and then there was no more delay to be made. yet Mr. Welch begged of them once more that they would but step into the next room for an hour or two, and leave him with the dead youth; and this they granted.
  

  Mr. Welch fell down before the pallet, and cried to the Lord with all his might, and sometimes looked upon the dead body, continuing to wrestle with the Lord, till at length the dead youth opened his eyes, and cried out to Mr. Welch, who he distinctly knew, 'O Sir, I am all whole, but my head and leg;' and these were the places they had sorely hurt with their pinching. When Mr. Welch perceived this, he called upon his friends; and showed them the dead young man restored to life again, to their great astonishment." (The Scots Worthies, -- John Howie, 1775 and 1781, Reprint -- Rev. W.H. Carslaw 1870, pp 132-133)
  

• Early Quakers (1660- ) -"We received often the pouring down of the Spirit upon us, and our hearts were made glad and our tongues loosed and our mouths opened, and we spake with new tongues as the Lord gave utterance, and as His Spirit led us." Bresson, Studies in Ecstacy, pp. 48-52
  
• George Fox (1624-1691) - Fox was a healer as well as a minister and author, manifesting God's wondrous power in over 150 recorded instances of cures. These miracles were critical to spreading the word about Quakerism in the initial years.
  

• John Wesley (1703 -1791) - Wed. 18--We called at the house where Mr. B[erridge] had been preaching in the morning and found several there rejoicing in God and several mourning after Him. While I prayed with them many crowded into the house, some of whom burst into a strange, involuntary laughter, so that my voice could scarce be heard, and when I strove to speak louder a sudden hoarseness seized me. Then the laughter increased. . . . (Wesley's Journal June 1759)
  

Sun. 22--The church was quite filled, and hundreds were without. And now the arrows of God flew abroad. The inexpressible groans, the lamenting, praying, roaring, were so loud, almost without intermission, that we who stood without could scarce help thinking all in the church were cut to the heart. But, upon inquiry, we found about two hundred persons, chiefly, men, cried aloud for mercy; but many more were affected, perhaps as deeply, though in a calmer way. (Wesley's Journal June 1759)

Mon. 6--. . . I talked largely with Ann Thorn and two others, who had been several times in trances. What they all agreed in was: (1) that when they went away, as they termed it, it was always at the time they were fullest of the love of God; (2) that it came upon them in a moment, without any previous notice, and took away all their sense and strength; (3) that there were some exceptions, but in general, from that moment they were in another world, knowing nothing of what was done or said by all that were round about them. . .
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I have generally observed more or less of these outward symptoms to attend the beginning of a general work of God. So it was in New England, Scotland, Holland, Ireland, and many parts of England; but, after a time, they gradually decrease, and the work goes on more quietly and silently. . . .(Wesley's Journal Aug 1759)

Tues. 28--I rode on to Mr. Berridge's at Everton, and in the evening went to the church; but unusually heavy, and hardly expecting to do any good there. I preached on those words in the Second Lesson, 'We know that we are of God.' One sunk down, and another, and another. Some cried aloud in agony of prayer. I would willingly have spent some time in prayer with them; but my voice failed, so that I was obliged to conclude the service, leaving many in the church crying and praying, but unable either to walk or stand. One young man and one young woman were brought with difficulty to Mr. B[erridge]'s house, and continued there in violent agonies, both of body and soul. When I came into the room the woman lay quiet, wrestling with God in silent prayer. But even the bodily convulsions of the young man were amazing: the heavings of his breast were beyond description--I suppose equal to the throes of a woman in travail. We called upon God to relieve his soul and body, and both were perfectly healed. He rejoiced in God with joy unspeakable, and felt no pain, or weakness, or weariness. Presently after the woman also was delivered, and rose rejoicing in God her Saviour.(Wesley's Journal Aug 1759)

In the evening the Mayor [of Grimsby] and all the gentry of the town were present; and so was our Lord, in an uncommon manner. Some dropped down as dead, but after a while rejoiced with joy unspeakable. One was carried away in violent fits. I went to her after the service: she was strongly convulsed from head to foot, and shrieked out in a dreadful manner. The unclean spirit did tear her indeed; but his reign was not long. In the morning both her soul and body were healed, and she acknowledged both the justice and mercy of God (Wesley's Journal April 4, 1764).

After preaching to an earnest congregation at Coleford, I met the Society. They contained themselves pretty well during the exhortation, but when I began to pray the flame broke out: many cried aloud; many sunk to the ground; many trembled exceedingly; but all seemed to be quite athirst for God, and penetrated by the presence of his power (Wesley's Journal September 8, 1784).

"...This single conspicuous gift, which Christ committed to his apostles, Mark 6:13, remained in the church long after the other miraculous gifts were withdrawn. Indeed, it seems to have been designed to remain always; and St. James directs the elders, who were the most, if not the only, gifted men, to administer at. This was the whole process of physic in the Christian church, till it was lost through unbelief...." (John Wesley's Notes on the NT - James 5:14)

John Wesley was a man mighty in faith and prayer. Time and again people possessed with devils were brought to him and in answer to prayer the demons were cast out. Not only were evil spirits cast out, but the sick were healed as well. As Wesley preached, the power of God often came upon his listeners, and hundreds would fall under the power of the Spirit. Then, in answer, to prayer their souls and bodies were healed. A physician became offended at the cries of many who fell under the power of God. He attended Wesley's meeting and a lady he knew fell under the power. "Great drops of sweat ran down her face, and all her bones shook. But when both her soul and body were healed in a moment he acknowledged the finger of God." On another occasion when Wesley was traveling the preaching circuit, his horse suddenly became lame. With no one near to offer help, he stopped and prayed. "Immediately the horse's lameness was gone." (John Wesley 'Prayer makes history' by David Smithers - http://www.watchword.org/smithers/ww31a.html)

"I took my leave of Newcastle,...my horse was so exceedingly lame that I was afraid I must have lain by too. We could not discern what it was that was amiss; and yet he would scarce set his foot to the ground. By riding thus seven miles, I was thoroughly tired, and my head ached more than it had done for some months...I then thought, "Cannot God heal either man or beast, by any means, or without any?" Immediately my weariness and headache ceased, and my horse's lameness in the same instant. Nor did he halt any more either that day or the next. A very odd accident this also!" (John Wesley's Journal - 17 March 1746)

"..I was about seven and-twenty. I then began spitting of blood, which continued several years. A warm climate cured this. I was afterwards brought to the brink of death by a fever; but it left me healthier than before. Eleven years after, I was in the third stage of a consumption; in three months it pleased God to remove this also. ..."((John Wesley's Journal - 28 June 1770)

• Moravians (1727-1752) - This group saw amazing moves of God in the supernatural. They saw dramatic moves of the Holy Spirit resulting in transformed lives and timid people became fearles evangelists. This group had a great influence upon John Wesley and his contemporaries.
  
• Mother Ann Lee (1736-1784) - During these days spiritual gifts seem more common place. Mother Ann Lee was often heard to speak in tongues, give prophetic words and receive revelations. (Testimonies of Mother Ann Lee & Elders ch 24 pgs 168ff reprinted 1888).
  
• Thomas Walsh (1750) - On 8th March 1750 one of John Wesley's contemporaries - stated in his diary "This morning the Lord gave me a language that I knew not of, raising my soul to Him in a wonderful manner". (Frodsham Stanley, With Signs Following, p. 232). Another of John Wesley's contemporaries John Fletcher was the first to label this experience as the 'Baptism in the Spirit'.
  
• Charles G. Finney (1792 -1875) - "I received a mighty baptism in the Holy Ghost...No words can express the wonderful love that was shed abroad in my heart. I wept aloud with joy and love; and I do not know but I should say, I literally bellowed out the unutterable gushings of my heart." Charles G. Finney, Autobiography, New York: A. S. Barnes & Co., 1876), p. 20)
  

  Without any expectation of it, without ever having the thought in my mind that there was any such thing for me, without any recollection that I had ever heard the thing mentioned by any person in the world, the Holy Spirit descended upon me in a manner that seemed to go through me, body and soul. I could feel the impression, like a wave of electricity, going through and through me. Indeed it seemed to come in waves and waves of liquid love; for I could not express it in any other way. It seemed like the very breath of God. I can recollect distinctly that it seemed to fan me, like immense wings. No words can express the wonderful love that was shed abroad in my heart. I wept aloud with joy and love; and I do not know but I should say, I literally bellowed out the unutterable gushings of my heart. These waves came over me, and over me, and over me, one after the other, until I recollect I cried out, "I shall die if these waves continue to pass over me." I said, "Lord, I cannot bear any more;" yet I had no fear of death.
  

  How long I continued in this state, with this baptism continuing to roll over me and go through me, I do not know. But I know it was late in the evening when a member of my choir--for I was the leader of the choir--came into the office to see me. He was a member of the church. He found me in this state of loud weeping, and said to me, "Mr. Finney, what ails you?" I could make him no answer for some time. He then said, "Are you in pain?" I gathered myself up as best I could, and replied, "No, but so happy that I cannot live."
  

  He turned and left the office, and in a few minutes returned with one of the elders of the church, whose shop was nearly across the way from our office. This elder was a very serious man; and in my presence had been very watchful, and I had scarcely ever seen him laugh. When he came in, I was very much in the state in which I was when the young man went out to call him. He asked me how I felt, and I began to tell him. Instead of saying anything, he fell into a most spasmodic laugher. It seemed as if it was impossible for him to keep from laughing from the very bottom of his heart. (Charles G. Finney Autobiography, New York: A. S. Barnes & Co., 1876), pgs. 20-21)
  

• Edward Irving (1792-1834) - In the 19th centurey Edward Erving the minister of the Presbyterian Church, Regent's Park, London started to teach his followers that the 'Baptism in the Spirit' with the speaking in tounges was for today. A member of his congregation writes "The moment I am visited with the Spirit, and carried out to God in a tongue which I know not... I am more conscious than ever of the presence of God. He and He alone is in my soul. I am filled with some form of the mind of God, be it joy or grief, desire, love, pity, compassion, or indignation; and I am made to utter it in words which are full of power over my spirit, but not being accessible to my understanding, my devotion is not interrupted by association of suggestions from the visible or intellectual world: I feel myself, as it were, shut in with God in His pavilion, and hidden close from the invasions of the world, the devil, and the flesh." (A.L. Drummond, Edward Irving and His Circle, pp. 161-162)
  
• Charles H. Spurgeon (1834 - 1892) - A British preacher told how Spurgeon once asked his audience to forgive him that when he got especially happy in the Lord, "I break forth into a kind of gibberish which I do not myself understand." (Lennard Darbee, Tongues: The Dynamite of God, p. 24.)
  
• D. L. Moody (1837-1899) - "One the following Sunday night, when I got to the rooms of the Y.M.C.A. I found the meetings on fire. The young men were speaking in tongues and prophesying. What on earth did it all mean? Only that Moody had been addressing them that afternoon."27 At a meeting in Los Angeles, Dr. R.A. Torrey told of a service in London where Moody took the pulpit to preach and instead broke into another language. He tried again, with similar results. The third time, after prayer and praise, he was able to preach his message" (Lennard Darbee, Tongues: The Dynamite of God, p. 24.)
  
• John Alexander Dowie (1847-1907) -
  
• John G. Lake (1870-1935) - The USA government declared the Washington state where John G. Lake operated his healing ministry to be the healthiest state in America. It is estimated that over 100,000 people were healed at his world renowed 'healing rooms'. These rooms were also opened in a number of other states, where he and his followers spent time praying over the sick.
  
• A.A. Body (1907- ) - The next morning the Holy Ghost came in mighty power, causing me to laugh as I had never done in my life. (The Apostolic Faith, (vol. 1, no. 9, p. 1)