1903 Revival in China

The year 1903 marked a significant turning point in the history of Christianity in China. While not as widely known as the later revivals of the 1920s and 1930s, the events of 1903 laid the groundwork for the remarkable growth of the Christian faith in China during the 20th century. This revival was characterized by fervent prayer, passionate evangelism, and reports of supernatural happenings. It had a profound impact on the development of indigenous Chinese churches and the spread of Christianity throughout the country.

 

Antecedents to the Revival

Several factors contributed to the spiritual climate that made the 1903 revival possible. The late 19th century was a time of great social and political upheaval in China, including events like the Opium Wars and the Taiping Rebellion¹. This period of instability led many Chinese people to seek meaning and hope in new ways, creating fertile ground for religious revival².

Adding to the turmoil, the Boxer Rebellion, a violent anti-foreign and anti-Christian uprising, had a significant impact on the Christian community in China. While thousands of Chinese Christians and foreign missionaries were martyred during the uprising, the persecution also served to purify and strengthen the Church³. The Boxer Rebellion highlighted the need for Chinese Christians to take ownership of their faith and develop indigenous forms of worship and ministry³.

William Wallace Simpson, sent out by the Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA), began his ministry in Lhasa, Tibet in the late nineteenth century (1892). To his knowledge no Christian had entered the city to bring the message of Christ, though other European explorers and travellers had previously reached the city.

One of the head lamas had gotten the word that Simpson and his entourage would enter Lhasa to bring the Christian religion. Thus, he stood outside the city and proclaimed that if this missionary dared to enter the city to preach his foreign religion, he would be struck dead by the Tibetan gods.

After prayer and knowing he was being led by the Spirit, Simpson entered the city and began to prepare for ministry. However, before he could do anything, the lama who opposed him, for some unknown reason, died suddenly. This was one of the first examples of “power evangelism” in China.

The superstitious people in Lhasa revered Simpson as a “god” with power. Of course, he denied he was a god, but this allowed him to preach Christ to them, and reportedly he made some converts. Later they gave him gifts of many of their precious temple artifacts (not realizing their archaeological value), which he took back to the US and sold to a museum in Chicago. Through this he was able to finance his missionary work in China for several decades.

Around the turn of the century, Simpson was led by the Spirit to go to Beijing (then known as Beiping “northern peace”) to pioneer a Chinese church. During prayer, many in his congregation began to speak in tongues, an experience at that time known by them only through reading the book of Acts and 1 Corinthians 12–14. The result was a revival in the church with many supernatural healings including one individual who was raised from the dead during a meeting. The year was 1900.

A few years later, the CMA denomination in America took a stand against speaking in tongues and other Pentecostal gifts. Since the CMA leaders knew Simpson’s church in Beiping was now Pentecostal, they ordered Simpson to cease teaching Pentecostal doctrines, including speaking in tongues and spiritual gifts, or they would cut off his financial support.

Simpson wrote back, “I am now the pastor of this church, and they are totally supporting me. I don’t care if you cut off my support, but I will not compromise on my beliefs.” True to their warning, the CMA leaders cut him off. Years later, after the formation of the Assemblies of God, he joined this Pentecostal denomination in 1918 and continued to plant churches and preach the Pentecostal message. Simpson remained in China until 1949, when he returned to the US.⁴

Simultaneously, the rise of indigenous Chinese churches played a crucial role in setting the stage for the revival. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Chinese Christians like Allen Yuan began to take ownership of their faith and develop forms of worship and ministry that were more culturally relevant⁵. Yuan travelled throughout China, planting “house churches” and emphasizing prayer and evangelism. This movement laid the foundation for the growth of independent churches and a greater emphasis on evangelism and discipleship, which would become hallmarks of the 1903 revival³.

The Spark of Revival

While pinpointing the exact individual or event that ignited the revival is challenging, several key figures and movements contributed to its emergence. Jonathan Goforth, a Canadian Presbyterian missionary who arrived in China in March 1888, played a pivotal role in the revival movement³.

His passionate preaching and emphasis on prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit had a profound impact on many Chinese Christians. Goforth’s ministry was marked by a strong emphasis on revivalism, and he conducted numerous evangelistic campaigns throughout China, often accompanied by reports of supernatural healings and conversions⁶.

Another significant figure was Marie Monsen, a Norwegian evangelist who travelled throughout China, preaching and holding revival meetings⁷. Monsen’s ministry was characterized by a focus on the “gifts of the Spirit,” including prophecy, divine healing, and speaking in tongues. Her meetings were often accompanied by reports of supernatural phenomena, such as tongues of fire and roaring winds, which attracted large crowds and contributed to the spread of revivalism⁷.

The revival was also influenced by the growing Pentecostal movement, which emphasized the role of the Holy Spirit in Christian life and ministry. Pentecostal missionaries and preachers brought new ideas and practices to China, such as speaking in tongues and divine healing, which resonated with many Chinese Christians who were seeking a more experiential and Spirit-filled faith⁷.

Furthermore, the Great Pyongyang revival of 1907 in Korea had a significant influence on the revivals in China, including the Manchurian revival of 1908⁶. The Pyongyang revival, with its emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit, served as a catalyst for similar movements in China, further fuelling the flames of revival.

Key Leaders of the Revival

Jonathan Goforth and Marie Monsen were not alone in leading the 1903 revival. Dora Yu, a Chinese evangelist, played a crucial role in spreading the revival throughout the country⁸. Yu was known for her powerful preaching and her emphasis on prayer, holiness, and obedience to the Holy Spirit. She was one of the first Chinese missionaries to embrace faith missions and live entirely by faith, without relying on Western financial support⁸.

Although not directly involved in the 1903 revival, Watchman Nee, a prominent Chinese Christian teacher and leader, was born in 1903⁹. Nee’s teachings on the church, spiritual growth, and the Christian life would later have a profound impact on the development of indigenous Chinese churches and the spread of Christianity throughout the country.

Supernatural Happenings

The 1903 revival was marked by numerous reports of supernatural happenings and events. These included visions, dreams, healings, and other manifestations of the Holy Spirit¹⁰. In some instances, people reported seeing tongues of fire, hearing roaring winds, and falling down half-conscious during revival meetings⁷. These phenomena were often interpreted as signs of God’s presence and power, contributing to the sense of awe and wonder that characterized the revival¹⁰.

One account tells of a Christian who, while praying during a revival meeting, saw a vision of a pitchfork¹⁰. While the meaning of the vision wasn’t immediately clear, it served as a powerful reminder of the spiritual realm and the consequences of sin, leading many to repentance and a renewed commitment to Christ.

The revival also saw mass conversions, such as the instance at a “gospel factory” where a Chinese Christian named Daniel shared his faith with workers during a medical clinic¹¹. Three hundred workers accepted Christ as Savior, and the movement continued to spread as new believers shared their faith with others.

While some observers were sceptical of these supernatural claims, many Chinese Christians embraced them as evidence of God’s work in their lives and communities. These experiences helped to strengthen their faith and inspire them to share the Gospel with others.

Lasting Impact of the Revival

The 1903 revival had a lasting impact on Christianity in China. It contributed to the growth of indigenous Chinese churches, the development of new forms of Christian expression, and the spread of the Gospel throughout the country. The revival also helped to lay the groundwork for the larger revivals that would occur in the 1920s and 1930s, which would see millions of Chinese people come to faith in Christ.

One notable example of the revival’s impact is the story of Presbyterian missionary Louisa Vaughan and her ministry in Dongjia’an in 1903¹². Vaughan’s work focused on educating and empowering women, leading many to Christ and demonstrating the growing role of women in the Chinese church.

The revival also had a significant impact on the global spread of Pentecostalism¹. The China revivals, with their emphasis on the Holy Spirit and supernatural experiences, contributed to the growth of Pentecostalism worldwide, demonstrating the interconnectedness of Christian movements across cultures and continents.

The emphasis on prayer, evangelism, and the work of the Holy Spirit that characterized the 1903 revival continued to shape Chinese Christianity throughout the 20th century. Despite facing periods of persecution and opposition, the Christian faith continued to grow and flourish in China, thanks in part to the seeds that were sown during the revival of 1903.

Even during the tumultuous Cultural Revolution, the legacy of the revival endured. The story of the Miao Christians in Xiaoshiqiao, who chose to remain faithful to Jesus even when threatened with persecution by the Communist regime, exemplifies the resilience and deep-rooted faith that emerged from the revival¹³.

The revival also fostered a spirit of dedication and perseverance among Chinese Christians. One testimony tells of believers who washed the feet of hostile villagers for almost three years before seeing a breakthrough in their ministry¹⁴. This act of humility and service reflects the transformative power of the revival and the commitment of Chinese Christians to live out their faith in practical ways.

Furthermore, the revival contributed to the growth of independent Christian communities, such as the “Jesus Family” communities led by Jing Dianying⁴. These communities, characterized by communal living and a strong emphasis on faith, played a significant role in the expansion of Christianity in China.

Scholarly Perspectives

Scholars have analysed the 1903 revival from various angles, offering insights into its causes, characteristics, and impact. Some researchers, like those cited in ², point to the broader context of religious revival in China, highlighting factors such as the state’s loosening of restrictions on religious practice, disillusionment with official ideologies, and the enduring resilience of religious traditions.

Others, such as the authors of ¹⁵ and ¹, focus on the specific characteristics of the revival, emphasizing the role of Pentecostalism in shaping its fervor and its emphasis on supernatural experiences. These scholars also note the revival’s contribution to the global spread of Pentecostalism and its significance within the broader context of global revivalism in the early 20th century.

Interestingly, research highlighted in ¹⁶ explores the revival’s unexpected impact on the revival of Western classics in China. Protestant missionaries, in their efforts to spread the Gospel, also introduced Western literature and learning, contributing to a renewed interest in these subjects among Chinese intellectuals.

Conclusion

The Christian revival in China in 1903 was a significant event in the history of Christianity in the country. It was a time of spiritual awakening, marked by fervent prayer, passionate evangelism, and reports of supernatural happenings.
The revival had a profound impact on the development of indigenous Chinese churches and the spread of Christianity throughout the country. While the revival may not be as widely known as later revivals in China, it played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for the remarkable growth of the Christian faith in China during the 20th century.

The 1903 revival not only transformed the religious landscape of China but also had broader implications for the relationship between Christianity and Chinese culture. It demonstrated the ability of the Christian faith to adapt and thrive in a new cultural context, while also contributing to the development of a distinctly Chinese expression of Christianity.
The revival also highlighted the power of revivalism in shaping religious movements and the enduring human search for meaning and purpose, particularly in times of social and political upheaval. The legacy of the 1903 revival continues to inspire and challenge Christians in China and around the world today.

Works cited

1. Revival for the 21st Century Church: Uniting towards the Great Commission – Lausanne Movement, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://lausanne.org/global-analysis/revivalism-and-the-future-of-mission

2. The Religious Revival in China – CBS Open Journals, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://rauli.cbs.dk/index.php/cjas/article/download/19/18

3. 1908-1909 China Revivals (6 of them) – BEAUTIFUL FEET, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://romans1015.com/china-revivals/

4. Pentecost in China (1) – ChinaSource, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://www.chinasource.org/resource-library/articles/pentecost-in-china-1/

5. The Spirit of Revival in China – cfaith, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://www.cfaith.com/the-spirit-of-revival-in-china/

6. Manchurian revival – Wikipedia, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchurian_revival

7. Christianity in China 1900-1950: The History that Shaped the Present, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://www.globalchinacenter.org/analysis/2008/04/22/christianity-in-china-1900-1950-the-history-that-shaped-the-present

8. Dora Yu: The Most Influential Evangelist Pioneer of Chinese Church Revival in Early 20th Century – China Christian Daily, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://chinachristiandaily.com/news/church-ministries/2022-01-17/dora-yu-the-most-influential-evangelist-pioneer-of-chinese-church-revival-in-early-20th-century-11041

9. Watchman Nee – Wikipedia, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchman_Nee

10. The encouraging signs of spiritual life that emerged among many Shandong churches in the late 1920s proved to be adequate fuel for the Spirit of God, who blew on the embers and fanned them into flame, as a powerful revival broke out among the churches of Shandong for much of the 1930s. – Asia Harvest, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shandong/1930s

11. From China, believers relay accounts of the supernatural – Baptist Press, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/from-china-believers-relay-accounts-of-the-supernatural/

12. 1903 Dongjia’an, China Revival – BEAUTIFUL FEET, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://romans1015.com/dongjiaan/

13. Researching a Yunnan Revival – Asian Center for Pentecostal Theology, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://pentecost.asia/articles/researching-a-yunnan-revival/

14. China: Inside the biggest revival in history | Magazine Features | Premier Christianity, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://www.premierchristianity.com/features/china-inside-the-biggest-revival-in-history/3516.article

15. Western Classical Learning and the Protestant Missionaries: Revival in China and Korea in the Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries – MDPI, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/5/549

16. (PDF) Western Classical Learning and the Protestant Missionaries: Revival in China and Korea in the Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries – ResearchGate, accessed on December 30, 2024, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380274389_Western_Classical_Learning_and_the_Protestant_Missionaries_Revival_in_China_and_Korea_in_the_Late_Nineteenth_and_Early_Twentieth_Centuries