Revival Fellowship: Difference between revisions
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'''The Revival Fellowship''' is a [[Pentecostal]] [[Christian]] denomination based in Australia with a large number of fellowships around the world. The largest fellowships are in Papua New Guinea. There are a number of fellowships in North America, |
'''The Revival Fellowship''' is a [[Pentecostal]] [[Christian]] denomination based in Australia with a large number of fellowships around the world. The largest fellowships are in Papua New Guinea. There are a number of fellowships in North America, South America, Europe, United Kingdom, Africa, Asia and Brazil. |
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The church is led by council of pastors with [[John Kuhlmann]], who is based in [[Adelaide, South Australia]] as the current chairman. |
The church is led by council of pastors with [[John Kuhlmann]], who is based in [[Adelaide, South Australia]] as the current chairman. |
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==History== |
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[[Image:RCI diagram.JPG|thumb|right|280px|The Revival Fellowship family tree]] |
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The Revival Fellowship was formed as a result of a 1995 schism with the [[Revival Centres International]], which was itself the result of a schism from the [[Christian Revival Crusade]]. |
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In 1958, when the [[Christian Revival Crusade]] adopted a constitution, pastors [[Lloyd Longfield]] and [[Noel Hollins]] withdrew - forming the Revival Centres of Australia. This schism from the Crusade then spread to other states, and overseas. Over this time, the group fragmented into various camps - including, in 1972, the Revival Centres associated with Noel Hollins (based in Geelong), and the [[Christian Assemblies International]] (a more Europe centred 1991 split). |
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The Revival Fellowship was a large schism from this original group. At a Christmas 1994 church camp Lloyd Longfield instituted a policy providing that sexual defaulters would not find restoration possible. The Adelaide assembly, lead by pastor John Kuhlmann opposed the move - withdrawing from the Revival Centre group with approximately half of the assemblies (30), a third of pastors (35) and probably over half of the membership (3,300 including 120 from Melbourne - the bulk of membership outside of Victoria and Tasmania). Approximately half of the missions work in [[Papua New Guinea]] adheres (15,000 strong) with smaller assemblies in Europe and a significant work in [[Malawi]].<ref>Rev. Rowland Ward, Religious Bodies in Australia (3rd edition), 1995.</ref> |
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==Doctrine== |
==Doctrine== |
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We believe the Bible identifies modern nations and gives signs of the imminent return of Jesus Christ. |
We believe the Bible identifies modern nations and gives signs of the imminent return of Jesus Christ. |
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The Revival Fellowship holds to the [[British-Israel]] doctrine, although racist elements of the teaching are strongly denied by the group<ref>http://www.trf.org.au/Anti_racism_Statement.asp</ref> |
The Revival Fellowship holds to the [[British-Israel]] doctrine, although racist elements of the teaching are strongly denied by the group.<ref>http://www.trf.org.au/Anti_racism_Statement.asp</ref> |
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[[Bible Numerics|Bible numerics]]<ref>http://www.revivalfellowship.org/Bible_Numerics.asp</ref> and [[pyramidology]] |
[[Bible Numerics|Bible numerics]]<ref>http://www.revivalfellowship.org/Bible_Numerics.asp</ref> and [[pyramidology]] is often preached. |
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It is also documented and widely known that members of the Revival Fellowship having being miraculously healed from diseases and other ailments <ref>http://www.revivalfellowship.org/healing.asp</ref>. |
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==Community== |
==Community== |
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A major focus of the group is [[evangelism]] and many activities are structured to encourage visitors to come along. Music is also a major focus of fellowship activities, with members encouraged to participate in musical items and acts along with the 'choruses' that are a feature of all fellowship meetings. |
A major focus of the group is [[evangelism]] and many activities are structured to encourage visitors to come along. Music is also a major focus of fellowship activities, with members encouraged to participate in musical items and acts along with the 'choruses' that are a feature of all fellowship meetings. |
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The Revival Fellowship practices a conservative form of worship. Members of the church are not permitted to drink alcohol or smoke, and are encouraged to limit their involvement with the 'world'. |
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==Second Coming Prophecies== |
==Second Coming Prophecies== |
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The Revival Fellowship teaches that the Bible points to the immminent return of Jesus Christ<ref>http://www.revivalfellowship.org/What_We_Believe.asp</ref>. In addition, the church examines Bible prophecy in light of current events, such as the prominence of the USA<ref>http://www.revivalfellowship.org/America_in_the_Bible.asp</ref> and how pestilence, disease and the ubiquity of computers warn of the coming destruction of the world<ref>Brackenridge, I. 1998. 'Signs of the Times' in ''Revival Times''. Autumn-Spring. pp 4-7 [http://www.revivalfellowship.org/magazines/rt-6-98.pdf]</ref>. |
The Revival Fellowship teaches that the Bible points to the immminent return of Jesus Christ<ref>http://www.revivalfellowship.org/What_We_Believe.asp</ref>. In addition, the church examines Bible prophecy in light of current events, such as the prominence of the USA<ref>http://www.revivalfellowship.org/America_in_the_Bible.asp</ref> and how pestilence, disease and the ubiquity of computers warn of the coming destruction of the world<ref>Brackenridge, I. 1998. 'Signs of the Times' in ''Revival Times''. Autumn-Spring. pp 4-7 [http://www.revivalfellowship.org/magazines/rt-6-98.pdf]</ref>. |
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==Criticism== |
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As with all the groups associated with the Revival Centres, the Revival Fellowship has been criticised, mainly by ex-members, for its theology and doctrine. Theological criticism centres on the requirement for speaking in tongues and the group's strong focus on [[Acts 2:38]]<ref>http://www.pleaseconsider.info/ ‘Acts 2:38: The Grammatical Structure of Acts 2:38' By Ian Thomason</ref>, while doctrinal criticism centres on the Revival Fellowship's dogmatic approach to community and fellowship, in particular the requirement that members minimise their interactions with the 'world' (except for the purpose of evangelism) and its practice of disfellowshipping members for perceived minor transgressions and criticism of church leaders, and the perceived authoritarian focus of the group<ref>http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/groups/r/rci/ [[Steven Hassan]]'s Freedom of Mind Resource Centre</ref>. |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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Revision as of 15:52, 18 April 2007
The Revival Fellowship is a Pentecostal Christian denomination based in Australia with a large number of fellowships around the world. The largest fellowships are in Papua New Guinea. There are a number of fellowships in North America, South America, Europe, United Kingdom, Africa, Asia and Brazil.
The church is led by council of pastors with John Kuhlmann, who is based in Adelaide, South Australia as the current chairman.
Doctrine
The Revival Fellowship teaches the necessity of repentance, baptism by full immersion, and receipt of the Holy Spirit with the accompanying sign of 'speaking in tongues'[1] for salvation[2].
Their statement of belief is as follows[3]:
We believe in the infallibility of the Bible.
We believe Jesus Christ is the son of God.
We believe the gospel of His death, resurrection, and directive to repent, be baptised and receive the Holy Spirit.
We believe we are baptised into the Body of Christ (the Church) through the Holy Spirit, with the Bible evidence of speaking in tongues.
We believe in the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Church.
We believe in prayer for the sick and healing by the power of God.
We believe the Bible identifies modern nations and gives signs of the imminent return of Jesus Christ.
The Revival Fellowship holds to the British-Israel doctrine, although racist elements of the teaching are strongly denied by the group.[4]
Bible numerics[5] and pyramidology is often preached.
It is also documented and widely known that members of the Revival Fellowship having being miraculously healed from diseases and other ailments [6].
Community
Members of the Revival Fellowship worship as part of a closely-knit community, with fellowship meetings on weekdays and Sundays in addition to another Communion meeting on Sunday. Activities are also scheduled throughout the week, and a number of specific fellowship groups organised (such as for children, young people and women). The group owns a number of campsites throughout Australia, and members are encouraged to holiday in fellowship through Christmas Camps, Easter Camps and Kids' Camps.
A major focus of the group is evangelism and many activities are structured to encourage visitors to come along. Music is also a major focus of fellowship activities, with members encouraged to participate in musical items and acts along with the 'choruses' that are a feature of all fellowship meetings.
Second Coming Prophecies
The Revival Fellowship teaches that the Bible points to the immminent return of Jesus Christ[7]. In addition, the church examines Bible prophecy in light of current events, such as the prominence of the USA[8] and how pestilence, disease and the ubiquity of computers warn of the coming destruction of the world[9].
Notes
- ^ http://www.revivalfellowship.org/Speaking_in_Tongues.asp
- ^ http://www.revivalfellowship.org/Speaking_in_Tongues.asp
- ^ http://www.revivalfellowship.org/What_We_Believe.asp
- ^ http://www.trf.org.au/Anti_racism_Statement.asp
- ^ http://www.revivalfellowship.org/Bible_Numerics.asp
- ^ http://www.revivalfellowship.org/healing.asp
- ^ http://www.revivalfellowship.org/What_We_Believe.asp
- ^ http://www.revivalfellowship.org/America_in_the_Bible.asp
- ^ Brackenridge, I. 1998. 'Signs of the Times' in Revival Times. Autumn-Spring. pp 4-7 [1]
External links
- The Revival Fellowship - Official website