Questions and Answers about Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Revival and Pentecost

What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' main argument about the Day of Pentecost?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones firmly argues that what happened on the Day of Pentecost was not a one-time event never to be repeated. He states: "There is only one sense in which what happened on the day of Pentecost cannot be repeated. And that is simply this, that it did happen to be the first of a series. And, of course, you can't repeat the first. But the fact that you can't repeat the first does not mean for a moment that what happened on the first occasion cannot happen again." He cites Acts 11 where Peter testifies that the Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius' household "as on us at the beginning," proving that Pentecost was not a singular historical event but a pattern that can recur.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the church's greatest need today?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the church's greatest need is revival through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, not committees or commissions of inquiry. He laments: "With the world on fire, with hell let loose, the Christian church is trying to discover what her message is. She's seeking for some way of meeting the situation. Commissions of investigation...Not a word about the need for this power, not a call to prayer and to humiliation and to agony in the presence of God." He argues that the church needs the same power that transformed the early disciples and has revitalized the church throughout history.

What signs accompany a genuine revival according to this sermon?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, genuine revival is accompanied by: 1) The church becoming conscious of a presence and power in its midst, 2) Great assurance concerning the truth without doubt, 3) Being filled with joy and a sense of praise, 4) A natural desire for worship and thanksgiving with great freedom, and 5) Power and boldness in proclaiming the truth. He notes that when revival occurs, "the Holy Ghost begins to preside, takes charge. And everybody's aware of his presence and of his glory and of his power."

How does revival impact those outside the church according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that revival impacts those outside the church in several ways: 1) They become attracted by curiosity - "the moment a revival breaks out, the crowd will come," 2) Even skeptics inadvertently help spread the news, 3) People experience profound conviction of sin - "Before he'd finished preaching, they were crying out and saying, 'men and brethren, what shall we do?'", 4) True repentance and moral transformation occur, and 5) Many join the church and continue steadfastly in the faith. He notes that revivals historically led to public houses closing and entire neighborhoods changing morally.

What historical examples of revival does Dr. Lloyd-Jones reference?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones references several historical examples of revival including: the Protestant Reformation with Martin Luther, George Whitfield's ministry (particularly in Cheltenham when "the Lord came down amongst us"), D.L. Moody's experience of being baptized with the Spirit which transformed his preaching, and the revival in Wales 100 years before his sermon which resulted in numerous chapels being built to accommodate new converts. He uses these examples to demonstrate that the pattern of Pentecost has been repeated throughout church history.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is wrong with the church's modern approach to reaching people?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones criticizes the church's approach of relying on committees, commissions, and worldly methods to attract people. He states: "What are we to do about these masses? How can we get them together? What can we do? Can we put on some sort of show to attract them?" He argues this is foolish and notes that the church is "spending thousands of pounds on advertising." Instead, he suggests prayer for revival is the answer, as the Holy Spirit will draw people naturally: "The moment you get revival, the newspapers will report it...They'll give it a free advertisement and the crowds will come."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones differentiate between being "filled with the Spirit" and the "baptism of the Holy Ghost"?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes an important distinction between the command in Ephesians 5:18 to "be filled with the Spirit" and the baptism of the Holy Ghost that occurs in revival. He explains: "That is something you and I do, but this is something that is done to us. It's the Spirit falling upon us, being poured out upon us. These are the terms 'I will pour forth my Spirit,' God alone can do that. But it is you and I who are responsible for going on being filled with the Spirit." The baptism is God's sovereign action, while the ongoing filling is our responsibility.

What final exhortation does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give regarding revival?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones' final exhortation is for Christians to prioritize prayer for revival: "Make certain that you leave time to pray for revival and to see that that has more time than anything else. Because when the Holy Ghost falls, more happens in an hour than will happen as the result of your exertions, and mine in 50 years or even 100 years." While not discouraging regular Christian activities, he emphasizes that prayer for revival should take precedence because of the extraordinary results that follow when God pours out His Spirit.