Power Evangelism

by John Wimber, Kevin Springer

Overview

Since its publication in 1986, the message of Power Evangelism has been embraced around the world. Terms such as "power encounter," "divine appointment" and "signs and wonders" are now common among Christians from a variety of different traditions. Countless books and reviews have been written defending or attacking its concepts, and seminaries have held theological symposiums to debate the pros and cons of power evangelism, which Wimber defined as "a presentation of a the gospel that is rational but that also transcends the rational . . . a spontaneous, Spirit-inspired, empowered presentation of the gospel [that is] preceded and undergirded by demonstrations of God's presence."

John Wimber believed that God called rank-and-file believers to a powerful influence on the world, and in this revised and updated version, he and Kevin Springer describe the releasing of God's power through signs and wonders to refresh, renew, heal and equip His people. Drawing from the teaching of the New Testament, and with illustrations from his own experience, Wimber demonstrates how the incredible power of God can manifest in our world when we submit control of our lives to the Holy Spirit. This new edition also includes chapter-by-chapter study guides for group and individual use and updates on how power evangelism is being used in the Church today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441269140
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/01/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

JOHN WIMBER (1934-1997) was a charismatic pastor and one of the founding leaders of the Vineyard Movement. He pastored Anaheim Vineyard Christian Fellowship (1977-1994), where he emphasized intimacy with God, authenticity in worship, and church planting, which he called "the best form of evangelism." Wimber became a well-known speaker at international charismatic conferences, focusing on what he called "power evangelism" and healing through the power of the Holy Spirit. His bestselling books Power Evangelism and Power Healing continue to influence the next generation of ministry leaders.

Kevin Springer is president of PRISM Leadership Group, a consulting ministry devoted to helping pastors and churches clarify and fulfill their dreams and visions. He and his wife, Suzanne, also conduct marriage seminars and retreats.

Table of Contents

Preface 5

How to Use the Study Guide 11

Introduction 14

Part 1 The Kingdom Has Come

1 A Powerful Experience 22

2 The Kingdom of god 26

3 Caught Between Two Ages 30

4 The Gospel of the Kingdom 33

5 Power and Authority 38

Study Session 1 The Kingdom Has Come 42

Part 2 The Power Encounter

6 The Fight 48

7 A War Zone 54

8 Christians, Too 58

9 Fearing God's Power 62

Study Session 2 The Power Encounter 68

Part 3 Power Evangelism

10 A Remarkable Encounter 74

11 Power Evangelism 77

12 How I Discovered Power Evangelism 82

13 A Growing Church 89

Study Session 3 Power Evangelism 94

Part 4 The Divine Appointment

14 God's Appointment Book 98

15 The Process of Conversion 102

16 Launching Points 107

17 Winning Whole Households 112

Study Session 4 The Divine Appointment 117

Part 5 Signs and Wonders and Worldviews

18 In the Eye of the Beholder 124

19 The Excluded Middle 128

20 How Do Westerners See the World? 134

21 How Jesus Saw the World 138

22 Power Wrapped in Love 142

Study Session 5 Signs and Wonders and Worldviews 150

Part 6 The Works of Jesus

23 Glimpses of God's Love 156

24 Power Over Demons 161

25 Power Over Disease 168

26 Power Over Nature 173

27 Power Over Death 177

Study Session 6 The Works of Jesus 181

Part 7 Signs and Wonders in the Church

28 Christ's Method of Discipleship 186

29 Keys to Discipleship 189

30 Commissioning Ministry 194

31 Transferring Ministry 197

Study Session 7 Signs and Wonders in the Church 201

Afterword: What Shall I Do? 205

Appendix A Signs and Wonders in Church History 210

Appendix B Signs and Wonders in the Twentieth Century 231

Appendix C Turning the EvangelicalKey 241

Appendix D Power Evangelism and the Megachurch 248

Endnotes 261

Selected Bibliography 268

Acknowledgments 271