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Definition of Christian
Terms * * Brownsville Outpouring * *
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Brownsville Outpouring
The Brownsville Outpouring (also called the Pensacola Outpouring) is a revival, a hyper-charismatic clone of the Toronto Blessing movement, with similar roots. The revival meetings began in 1995 at the Brownsville Assembly of God Church (BAOG) in Pensacola, Florida, and have continued to the present. The BAOG pastor, John Kilpatrick, invited evangelist Steve Hill to speak at the church on Father's Day that year, and the service turned to pandemonium when such manifestations as people uncontrollably weeping, falling to the ground, shaking violently, and appearing as if drunk
occurred. These were believed to be evidence of an "outpouring" of the Holy Spirit. The Deception in the church Web page examines the Outpouring, and provides some very poignant quotes, including the following: At the district conference referred to earlier, Kilpatrick admitted to the assembled pastors that he has been so "drunk in the spirit" that he actually struck his youth pastor's car with his own. He said that while driving he had hit many garbage cans sitting at the curb on several occasions because he was so "drunk." He added that his wife (a visitor to Toronto, by the way) has been so drunk she couldn't cook. Sometimes, his drunken stupors are so severe that he has to be taken from the service in a wheel chair, Kilpatrick said.
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I myself was a polio victim 45 years ago and use a wheel chair. I've had to struggle firsthand with the doctrine of divine healing. I have come to
what I feel is a balanced faith message. But some in my own denomination would disagree with me. The same is true with signs and wonders. Every Assemblies of God church did not have
manifestations like "slaying in the Spirit" or "jerking and shaking in the Spirit." But since "Pensacola," more churches want the success and the numbers they've attracted.
… I
am convinced that most of what is happening at Pensacola that I saw and what I have observed firsthand at [our] Church is a by-product of psychological-conditioning, the power of suggestion
and mass-hysteria. Most of the people are innocently participating and desperately wanting something visible and tangible from God. Their lives are hurting and humdrum and in need of a
life-changing experience. They might feel excited and refreshed now but eventually having to seek an emotional and physical experience continually, will get old and routine.
God's
physical touch is offered as a quick fix. Getting into "the River of the Spirit" or asking God for "His fire to fall" in your life is said to change you drastically.
What used to
come from in-depth, intensive Bible study, scripture memorization and disciplined living can now be achieved from an experience with God. "Let God knock you over and do spiritual surgery on
you while you are lying on the ground. You'll be changed, made new, happier and more joyful if you come up to the altar and receive this experience. Just come forward and drink of this
River and you'll never be the same." This is the song of the "Pensacola Revival." I only wish it were that easy for every Christian.
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