One of the greatest revivals in the history of Christianity is called the Welsh Revival. During that revival, in about a six-month span of time, 5-7.5 percent of Wales’ population came to Jesus, nearly 70 percent staying until their dying day.
This revival began not with a passionate moment on a public platform but with a surrendered prayer in private. The one who spoke it was not a preacher or worship leader; he was a 26-year-old coal miner who prayed a simple prayer—”Lord, bend me.”
And God did. Through Evan Roberts’ submission, God anointed him to train believers to do four things—what they called the “four points” of revival. First, they had to confess all sins—both large and small. Then they had to remove anything doubtful from their lives, living with a clear conscience.
Next, they had to obey the Spirit promptly, making pleasing Him their highest passion. Finally, they had to publicly profess Christ. Every believer was urged to testify to the difference Christ made in their life.
These conditions are similar to what we see in the early church, and the impact was incredible. Three thousand people were saved in one day! Why? Because the Church had learned to live in one accord. We see this on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1: “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”
Here, “with one accord” is homothumadon — to unanimously act with fierceness and passion. It’s used eleven other times in Acts; the only other time it’s used is by Paul in Romans, when he encourages believers to live “with one mind” in order to glorify God with their lives.
I firmly believe that America can experience a revival, too, if we’ll begin to understand and act upon what it means to live in one accord.
This “one accord” living is not simply partnership, where two people are joined together, or even unity, the state of being one. It’s total, fierce, passionate agreement.
How do we do this? Acts 2:1-4 shows us.
First, we share God’s purpose—what God wants done. (v. 1) “One accord” living will only be achieved by people who serve God’s agenda above their own. Then, we unify around God’s plan—how God wants things done. (v. 2) “One accord” living is achieved by people who honor God’s activity above their own.
Third, we share God’s passion—why He wants things done. (v. 3) “One accord” living will only be achieved by people who embrace God’s abilities as their own. Finally, we share God’s power—who God calls to get things done. (v. 4)” One accord living” is achieved by people who seek God’s ability above their own.
Friends, I firmly believe that as we—the Church of Jesus Christ—truly learn to live in one accord, we will experience a revival that shakes our nation, sparking true, lasting change for generations to come!
