By Olufemi Ikumapayi (Eaglevision)
“We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4)
Introduction
Across history, God has used revival to awaken His people and theology to sustain what He awakens. Yet in our day, two extremes threaten the health of the church. In much of African Christianity, especially in Pentecostal circles, revival fire burns strong, but many believers scorn theology, leaving movements vulnerable to error and shallow roots. In much of the Western church, theology is highly prized, but revival life is often neglected, leaving congregations orthodox but cold. Scripture calls us to reject both extremes. We need fire and foundation, passion and depth, revival and doctrine.
The Biblical Balance
- At Pentecost, fire fell and three thousand were saved through Peter’s preaching (Acts 2:41). But immediately after, the new believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42). Revival and doctrine were never meant to be separated.
- Paul warns against zeal without knowledge (Rom. 10:2). The Spirit gives fire, but the Word gives direction and roots. Without both, believers end up like the blind man who first saw men as trees walking (Mark 8:24)—with partial sight but no clarity.
- The apostles themselves declared: “We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). That is the balance—prayerful revival and faithful teaching.
Lessons from Church History
The Reformed Tradition (Western experience)
– In the Reformation, God used revival fire to restore the church to His Word. Preaching flourished, catechisms shaped believers, and congregations were reformed. But over time, too much energy went into arguments and intellectual battles, while prayer and experiential piety cooled. The result was strong theology but weaker evangelism and revival life.
The Pentecostal Tradition (African experience)
– In the 20th and 21st centuries, Pentecostal fire spread across Africa with prayer, miracles, evangelism, and hunger for God. Millions were saved. But many movements despised theological training, saying “the Spirit is enough.” This left churches vulnerable to prosperity distortions, shallow discipleship, and overdependence on personalities. The result is great passion, but often little depth.
The Shared Problem
Both streams show the same danger in different ways: when we separate revival and doctrine, the church loses stability. Revival without theology burns out; theology without revival dries up.
A Corrective Call
For African Pentecostals: – Do not despise theology. The same Spirit who brings revival inspired Scripture (2 Pet. 1:21). Deep roots make the fire burn longer and stronger. – Train pastor-theologians who are both prayerful and biblical. Encourage discipleship classes and Bible exposition alongside revival meetings.
For Western churches: – Do not fear revival. Theology was never meant to sit in books alone. The doctrines of grace should lead to prayer, missions, and hunger for God’s presence. – Welcome the Spirit’s move with discernment, not suspicion. Balance order with openness.
For the whole church: – Hold the Word and Spirit together. Revival fire must be guided by biblical truth, and sound doctrine must be kept alive by revival fire.
Conclusion
Revival without theology is a wildfire that soon burns out; theology without revival is a fireplace with no flame. Africa must dig deeper roots; the West must fan into flame. Together, the global church must pursue what the apostles modeled: “We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4). Only then will the church burn brightly and stand firmly until Christ returns.
Olufemi Ikumapayi (Eaglevision) prays that this generation will be both aflame with the Spirit and rooted in the Word, carrying revival fire with lasting depth until the coming of the Lord.