5 Smooth Stones

apparent with evangelists and the evangelistic ministry. This is seen throughout the New Testament, where ever Christ and the Kingdom is preached (evangelized) signs and wonders follow. Since the time Christ walked the earth, supernatural signs and evangelism have been a distinct part of the Christian experience. There was, however, a profound decrease in both as the early church fathers, and the fi ve-fold ministries they walked in, were replaced by dogma, ecclesiastical positions and man-made traditions. Beginning with the Reformation in the early sixteenth century a reversal began in the trend of supernatural signs. With the eighteenth century began the restoration of the evangelist ministry to the church and with the ministry simple signs began to appear with the preaching of the kingdom of God. John and Charles Wesley along with the Moravians, John White fi eld, Jonathan Edwards and others began the restoration of the evangelist’s ministry back into the church and the results are historically known as the Great Awakening. With the evangelist ministry again came accompanying supernatural signs and wonders. John Wesley wrote about some of these in his journal: “No sooner had he [George White fi eld] begun … to invite all sinners to be lieve in Christ than four persons sunk down close to him, almost in the same mo ment. One of them lay without sense or motion. A second trembled exceedingly. The third had strong convulsions all over his body, but made no noise unless by groans. The fourth, equally convulsed, called upon God with strong cries and tears.” from John Wesley’s journal July 7th, 1739. When George White fi eld was considering forbidding such expressions he was advised, “Let them cry. It will do a great deal more good than your preaching.” Lady Huntington wrote to him. “From this time on, I trust, we shall allow God to carry on His own work in the way that pleases Him.” John Wesley’s journal July 7th, 1739. During the revivals of the early nineteenth century, known as the Second Great Awakening, many supernatural signs followed the preaching of evangelists. Concerning Charles Finney, one of the most notable: “The next day was spent in visiting from house to house and conversing with the people about their spiritual needs. A powerful revival followed, which was characterized to some extent by emotional outbursts similar to those witnessed under the preaching of Jonathan Edwards. A woman fell down speechless at the close of a service and was carried from the house in a sort of trance in which she remained sixteen hours, emerging at last with 108