ITALIAN CONFERENCE ON REVIVAL
On the third weekend of May, some 180 believers gathered at Misano,
on the Adriatic Riviera, Italy, for Passaggio's ninth yearly conference.
The speaker for the occasion was Professor Joel Beeke, of Grand
Rapids Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation, who spoke on
the theme of Revival. Professor Beeke began by defining a spiritual
revival as a rich outpouring of the Holy Spirit, resulting in
widespread conviction of sin, repentance and hightening of Christian
living, far greater than is normally observed. He then proceeded
to pinpoint the elements which confirm a sovereign visitation
of God in revival: utter dependence on His immutable decrees,
quite often preceded by a renewed effusion of prayer; an awakening
of those who are already under the sound of the gospel and deeper
consecration on the part of believers; clear evidence of the activity
of the Spirit working through the preached Word; a clear call
to repentance and conversion, which ultimately results in a large
number of people professing the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
without whom there is no salvation.
The main hindrances to authentic awakening lie in the realms of
sanctification and prayer. Basing his considerations on 1 Pt.
1:18-19, Professor Beeke urged us to strive for holiness. God's
holiness, foundational to His character and activity, demands
that we be in life what we already are in principle by grace.
We must search, study and meditate the Scriptures, make diligent
use of the means of grace, keep a balance between prayer and action
in our christian lives, lest we find ourselves going round in
circles. In addition, we should develop fellowship with other
believers, especially with those who by their example of spirituality
can spur us on to emulate them.
As for prayer, we must lament our lack of expectation of revival.
Considering the example of the reformers, we should turn to God
in repentance over our cold and faltering prayer lives. We should
resolve to maintain prayer as a priority, cultivating a spirit
of constant intercession, praying over all we do. Let us learn
the value of our prayers, particularly when they seem to go unanswered,
and learn to make full use of the Lords own words and promises
in our petitions.
The Sunday morning sessions were devoted to the doctrinal and
practical foundations of revival. Drawing from Acts 13:46-49,
Professor Beeke highlighted the reaction of the proselytes and
God-fearing people to Pauls sermon, contrasting it with the rejection
by other listeners. Such a difference can be explained only because
the former had been ordained to life everlasting. Election leads
to conversion and establishes the means to that end; without it,
no one would be saved, for we are by nature too depraved to choose
Christ. Election, then, is the doctrinal basis for revival and,
contrary to what some believe, by no means does it hinder evangelistic
effort or negate the sinners responsibility. Through a correct
understanding of election we are given strength, hope and patience
in evangelism, and are forced to look unto Him who alone can give
the increase.
The dimension of family worship is the practical foundation to
revival. Professor Beeke used Joshua 24:14-15 to urge us to practise
diligently this vital aspect of the walk of faith. We were exhorted
to make this an important moment in the familys daily routine,
involving everybody within the limits of each persons capacities,
but without diluting the content of the biblical instruction.
Let us make our children sense our affection and love for their
souls with a mind to their eternal destiny.
During the conference, Passaggio was pleased to present the Italian
translation of John Piper's 'Desiring God', and we are now looking
forward to our second pastoral conference in October, DV, when
Mark Johnston will be dealing with the duties of a pastor. God
willing a new title will be publish for that event: 'The Reformed
Pastor' by R. Baxter.
Andrea Artioli
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