Revival Throughout History: The Tension Between Outpouring and Institutionalization

In this video, Pastor Mayfield takes viewers on a whirlwind tour of church history, unpacking the undeniable reality that revival has always come in waves—surging with power, then ebbing into structure. If you’ve ever wondered whether moves of God just disappear or if they shift into something else, this teaching is for you.

The First Outpouring: Pentecost and the Early Church

Pastor Mayfield starts where it all began—Pentecost. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit is poured out in the Upper Room, tongues of fire descend, and 3,000 people get saved in one day. It’s the first great revival of the church, and the result is explosive. Peter, the disciple who couldn’t even stand up to a servant girl, suddenly becomes a fiery evangelist. From there, outpourings continue—Gentiles receive the Spirit, believers in Ephesus get baptized in the Holy Ghost, and spiritual gifts manifest throughout the early church.

But within 300 years, the landscape shifts. What starts as an undeniable move of the Spirit slowly formalizes into what would become the Roman Catholic Church. While the intent was to protect doctrine, the institutionalization of the church also meant a growing separation from the raw, supernatural power that defined its early days. And from that moment on, history would repeat this cycle: outpouring, growth, organization, stagnation… and then God breaking in again.

The Rise of Monasteries and Hidden Revival (500-1200 AD)

When the church became too structured, those hungry for God’s power withdrew. Enter the monastic movements. While most people think of monks as silent, robe-wearing scribes, monasteries were actually hotspots of supernatural activity. Healing, prophecy, even tongues—it was happening behind monastery walls. People would travel long distances just to encounter the power of God in these places.

At the same time, the church was drifting further into secularization. Instead of forsaking their old lives, new converts were blending their former pagan traditions with Christianity. This led to an explosion of religious relics, unnecessary rituals, and a faith that was more cultural than transformational.

The Early Reformation and Persecution (1100-1500 AD)

But as always, when structure gets too rigid, the Holy Spirit finds a way to shake things up. In the centuries leading up to the Protestant Reformation, small groups in France and Italy began pushing back against the idea that the church (and particularly the Pope) held supreme authority. Their message? Scripture is the highest authority.

The Catholic Church did not take kindly to this. These groups weren’t just excommunicated—they were exterminated. Entire movements were wiped out, and their writings burned. But despite the suppression, seeds of revival had been planted. The church was about to get flipped upside down.

The Reformation and the Power of the Spirit (1500s-1700s)

In 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door, setting off the greatest church revolution in history. While many focus on the doctrinal shifts of the Reformation (salvation by grace through faith), there were also supernatural encounters happening. The Anabaptists, a group emerging from this time, had documented cases of believers being “slain in the Spirit”—falling under the power of God.

And it didn’t stop there. Through the 1700s, revival fire kept spreading. The Quakers got their name because they would literally shake under the power of God. John Wesley, the father of Methodism, recorded instances of people falling under the Spirit. Jonathan Edwards wrote about his wife being overcome with God’s presence, even convulsing in meetings. Revival wasn’t just intellectual—it was experiential.

The Second Great Awakening and Global Outpourings (1800s-1900s)

The 1800s saw another wave of outpourings. In Kentucky, revivals in Red River and Cane Ridge had people laughing in the Spirit, falling under the power, and being radically transformed. University students were being baptized in the Holy Spirit. In Scotland, in India—documented revivals were happening everywhere.

At the same time, fundamentalism emerged, reinforcing core Christian beliefs—Scripture’s inerrancy, the deity of Christ, substitutionary atonement. While some modern circles use "fundamentalist" as a negative term, Pastor Mayfield points out that these foundational doctrines actually helped pave the way for Pentecostal theology in the next century.

The Birth of Modern Pentecostalism (1900s-Present)

Now we come to the 1900s—when Pentecostal theology finally became formalized. Before this, many Spirit-filled movements started in revival but failed to solidify their beliefs, leading to the eventual loss of their supernatural roots. But in the early 20th century, something changed. The Welsh Revival sent spiritual shockwaves across the globe. The Azusa Street Revival brought tongues, prophecy, and miracles into mainstream awareness.

This period is crucial because, for the first time, Pentecostalism wasn’t just an experience—it had theological weight behind it. The baptism in the Holy Spirit became a recognized doctrine, and denominations formed around it.

Revival’s Great Dilemma: Structure vs. Spirit

One of the biggest takeaways from this teaching is that every revival eventually faces a choice:

1. Over-structure it—leading to religious control and loss of supernatural power.

2. Leave it too free—resulting in instability, backsliding, and spiritual chaos.

Neither extreme is healthy. Pastor Mayfield emphasizes that sustainable revival happens when spiritual fire intersects with wise leadership. Too much order, and the Spirit is quenched. Too much freedom, and the movement fizzles out. Finding that balance is key.

Final Thoughts

If there’s one thing history proves, it’s this: revival is coming. It always does. The real question is—will we steward it well?

Whether you're seeing sparks of revival in your church, experiencing a fresh move of God personally, or just hungry for more, the patterns of history show us exactly what to expect. And if we learn from the past, we can be ready for the next great outpouring.

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