7. A Surprising Work of God: The Great Awakenings (1730s – 1830s)
God has often sustained his church by sending periods of spiritual revival. Two of these periods in the English-speaking world were the 1730s-40s and the 1790s-1830s. These widespread revivals brought explosive growth to Christianity, new cooperation between denominations, and the formation of mission boards to send missionaries to unreached countries. Revival also contributed greatly to social reform, fueling anti-slavery societies, poverty relief, education, labor laws, and many other causes.
Scripture: Acts 2:14-24, 36-41
People: John Wesley (1703-1791), George Whitefield (1714-1770), Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), Peter Cartwright (1785-1872), Jeffrey Brace (1742-1827), Pheobe Palmer (1807–1874).
Events: Northampton Revivals (1734-42), Cane Ridge Revival (1801), American Bible Society founded (1816)
“[T]he Spirit of God began extraordinarily to set in, and wonderfully to work amongst us… There was scarcely a single person in the town, old or young, left unconcerned about the great things of the eternal world. …. And the work of conversion was carried on in a most astonishing manner, and increased more and more; souls did as it were come by flocks to Jesus Christ. … This work of God, as it was carried on, and the number of true saints multiplied, soon made a glorious alteration in the town: so that in the spring and summer following, anno 1735, the town seemed to be full of the presence of God…”[1] –Jonathan Edwards, describing the beginning of the Northampton
Revival
George Whitefield Preaching to a large crowd. During his ministry, an estimated 10 million people heard him preach. One eyewitness wrote, “Our mechanics shut up their shops, and the day-laborers throw down their tools, to go hear him preach, and few return unaffected… He speaks from a heart all aglow with love, and pours out a torrent of eloquence which is almost irresistible.”
“About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”[2] – John Wesley, describing his conversion on May 24th, 1738 The Journal of John Wesley
“God forbid that I should travel with anybody a quarter of an hour without speaking of Christ to them.” – George Whitefield, Selected Sermons
“John Wesley tells of a dream he had. In the dream, he was ushered to the gates of Hell. There he asked, "Are there any Presbyterians here?" "Yes!", came the answer. Then he asked, "Are there any Baptists? Any Episcopalians? Any Methodists?" The answer was Yes! each time. Much distressed, Wesley was then ushered to the gates of Heaven. There he asked the same question, and the answer was No! "No?" To this, Wesley asked, "Who then is inside?" The answer came back, "There are only Christians here."” – George Whitefield, source unknown
Application: Pray for revival in your own heart, in our church, and the church at large.
[1] Jonathan Edwards, A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God, 1736. Quoted from <https://www.jonathan-edwards.org/Narrative.html> Accessed 5/18/25
[2] Quoted from <https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/john-wesleys-heart-strangely-warmed-11630227.html> Accessed 5/18/25