About Rebirth Revival

The word ‘revival’ is well known among Christians. Years ago many churches held meetings every night for a week or longer, often with a special speaker other than the Pastor. They would refer to the meeting as a revival. The purpose in most cases was to ‘revive’ the spiritual lives of individuals and the congregation as a whole. One definition of ‘revive’ is: to activate, set in motion, or take up again; renew.

There are some ‘revivals’ that took on a much greater scope and became quite famous. They spread across regions or even whole countries such as The Welsh Revival or The Great Awakening. They have been the subject of many books and much theological study. I was once listening to a minister expound on these revivals. They were the focus of much of his own personal study. His passion and hope was to inspire such a revival in our time.

After hearing his message, I left deeply pondering the topic. As all Christians, I have experienced many peaks and valleys in my walk of faith. It just so happened, at this time, I was on a peak. I felt as close or closer to God than ever before. To be honest, a few months before this, I had stumbled in my walk of faith and fallen into some significant sin. I was deeply convicted by the Holy Spirit about it. When I got down on my knees and asked God’s forgiveness and with His help turned decisively away from that sinful path, I was stunned by how instantly I became completely aware of his full forgiveness. I experienced this inexpressible flood of love accompanied by His very own personal presence. It was overwhelming. That experience is why I have often told many others entangled in sin, “You’re only as far from God as your knees are from the floor.”

Personally, I was in ‘revival’ and realized that it should be the norm. It is what Christ died for. He said, “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)” It is sin, willful disobedience to God, that hinders us from fully walking in the abundance that He gave His life to provide.

I recalled how similar this personal revival I was experiencing was to when I had initially repented of my sins the very first time, fully placed my faith in Jesus to follow Him and was ‘born again’ (see The Good News).

If we are not walking in that obedience to Jesus corporately as the church, we don’t need to solve some theological mystery to bring about an unusual outpouring of His presence. We need to repent of our sins, fully surrendering ourselves to His will. He is anxious to come and dwell in our midst as should be the norm. It is us that are grieving and hindering the movement of His Spirit with our rebellion.

Sadly, I also pondered how over simplified and under emphasized genuine rebirth is within many of our churches. I recalled how late in my High School years I realized I was not a true follower of Jesus at all as I had considered myself to be. I was what I now think of as a ‘heritage Christian’, just going along with what I was being taught. I’ve since come to realize that many churches today are filled with ‘heritage Christians’. What I’ve observed through the years is more of an emphasis within the church on teaching Biblical principles for successful living. Many said a ‘prayer of salvation’ as a kid in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School or church camp just like I did and then going forward, they have a tendency to take that salvation for granted. Please don’t do that. If you grew up in the church, I want to challenge you to listen to my 3-message series called Heavenly Certainty where I will challenge you to privately ‘examine yourself to see if you are in the faith’ (II Corinthians 13:5).

What we need in our churches, in our cities, in our country and the world is a REVIVAL of REBIRTH.

I believe the Lord has led me to some simple and basic ways to begin a revival of rebirth. The methods are not new or original. They are more of a return to old ways, biblical ways. There will be much more about that to come on the Rebirth Revival website.

Christopher Bagley

I am not a Democrat or a Republican, a conservative or liberal. I am not a Protestant or a Catholic. I am not a Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian or any of the many, many protestant denominations. I am not charismatic or cecessionist, arminian, calvinist or reformed. Among Christians I promote ‘unity in essentials, liberty in nonessentials and love in all things’.

I am fully convinced by compelling evidence and personal experience that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and is risen from the dead. I believe that turning from (repentance) destructive behavior (sin) to belief in Him results in saving faith—spiritual rebirth. According to the words of Jesus and others as recorded in holy scripture, this is the only path to salvation, away from certain judgement and condemnation and to eternal and abundant life. Therefore, I am an avid follower and servant of Jesus, as well as a diligent student of His teachings (since about 1979). Love leaves me no choice but to boldly share this amazing good news of life and hope with all who desire to hear it, regardless of the consequences.

II Timothy 2:22-26; Titus 3:1-10; John 17:20-23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; I Corinthians 2:2; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 4:18-20; Acts 5:41-42

In my youth, I was licensed and ordained as a minister within the denomination I grew up in. That was a very significant experience to me which solidified what I believe to be a true calling from God to be a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

After my ordination, I was in college for a while with a high GPA in spite of having a full time job and two babies but various circumstances have prevented me from earning a degree. I joke that I have an advanced degree from UHK (The University of Hard Knocks). I guess that makes me an unschooled and ordinary man but I have been with Jesus and am filled with His Spirit. I think I’m in pretty good company (Acts 4:13).

In summary, “I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody all about somebody who saved my soul.” (words from ‘Nobody’ by Casting Crowns, see video below)