Is Drunkenness a Sign of Revival?

For over a decade a part of the Charismatic community has advocated “being drunk in the spirit.” They base this belief on Acts 2: 13: “Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.” It seems that on the Day of Pentecost that some in the crowd thought that those filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues were drunk. The argument is that if people thought they were drunk then, people should think that we are drunk today when the Holy Spirit is present. This type of behavior has been seen most recently in the events in Lakeland conducted by Todd Bentley. I attended a conference several years ago conducted by someone who was under the authority of Peter Wagner who convenes modern day apostles under the New Apostolic Reformation. In this conference people began to fall down and appear drunk. Then the leader stated that they had received an E-Mail that a certain gang would be killing people over the weekend. Supposedly the gang members would drive around with their bright lights on and anyone that clicked their high beams in response would be followed and executed. The leader said that the Holy Spirit had directed that part of the group come on stage and pretend to drive make believe cars. Others pretended to be the gang members surrounding them. Finally a third group imitated police officers and arrested the gang members before they could hurt anyone. The people came forward and followed the leader’s instructions. Everyone was thrilled because now the people were safe and the tragedy averted. People began to behave more and more intoxicated. However, the original news was a long standing hoax that resurfaces every few years. This is one of the problems when people leave the certainty of the Word of God in exchange for following voices independent of the Word. Is this revival when people act drunk and play make believe?

We have a great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. We are to live with the same degree of commitment to Jesus Christ as they did. I am reminded of the true story of Felicitas and her seven sons in Rome 161 A.D. Felicitas and her seven sons were Christians that spread the Gospel everywhere they went. Emperor Antonius decided that he would put an end to her testimony and that of her sons. When the Mom refused to deny Christ, the Romans brought her children one by one before her. All were required to watch as the eldest was scourged with a whip until dead. The next two oldest were beaten to death with rods. The next was thrown to his death from a great height. The youngest three were beheaded. Finally, Felicitas having watched all of her children die as martyrs for Jesus Christ was beheaded.

How can we compare the party atmosphere that seems so prevalent today with the commitment of the early church? They would indeed think it strange to believe that the same Holy Spirit that allowed their death as a witness would be the same Holy Spirit that today wants His children to have a party and be drunk. It is time to quit in the name of unity fellowshipping with this nonsense. We are to stand for truth and that truth dictates that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. It is time for the partying to cease and the sacrificial holy living demanded by the Scriptures to be lived. Jesus said to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him. When we do so, there is no room to take another drink as both our hands should be holding tight to the cross. True revival will not occur unless we hold onto the cross with both hands. It is not a party; it is a fight.