22 Bible Verses about Religious Awakenings

And when all the people saw that, they fell on their faces and said, "The LORD, he is God, the LORD, he is God."

Nevertheless, yet divers of Asher, Manasseh and of Zebulun meekened themselves and came to Jerusalem.

And when Ezra prayed after this manner, and knowledged, wept, and lay before the house of God, there resorted unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: For the people wept very sore.

And the people asked him, saying, "What shall we do then?"

Many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him, for the woman's saying: which testified, "He told me all things that ever I did."

Then they that gladly received his preaching were baptised; And the same day, there were added unto them about a three thousand souls.

And the people gave heed unto those things which Philip spake with one accord, in that they heard and saw the miracles which he did.

And all that dwelt at Lydda and Sharon, saw him, and turned to the Lord.

And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord.

The gentiles heard, and were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord, and believed even as many as were ordained unto eternal life.

Howbeit, one Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians gave audience and believed, and were baptised.

And many that believed came, and confessed and showed their works.

Then said Samuel, "Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, that I may pray for you unto the LORD."

And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water and poured it out before the LORD and fasted the same day, and said there, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel judged the causes of the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

And Elijah came unto all the people and said, "Why halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be very God, follow him: or if Baal be he, follow him." And the people answered him not one word. Then said Elijah unto the people, "I only remain of the LORD's Prophets, and Baal's Prophets are four hundredth and fifty. Let two oxen be given us, and let them choose the one and cut him in pieces and lay him on wood, and put no fire under. And I will dress the other and put him on wood, and will put no fire under.read more.
And call ye on the name of your God, and I will call on the name of the LORD. And then the God that answereth by fire, he is the very God." And all the people said, "It is well spoken." Then said Elijah unto the Prophets of Baal, "Choose you an ox and dress him first - for ye are many - and call on the name of your God, but put no fire under." And they took the ox that was given them and dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning to noon saying, "O Baal, hear us!" But there was no voice nor answer. And they leapt about the altar that they had made. And at noon Elijah mocked them, and said, "Call loud, for he is a god: but he is talking, or occupied, or in the way, or haply he sleepeth, that he may awake!" And they cried loud and cut themselves, as their manner was, with knives and lances, till the blood flowed on them. And when midday was passed, they prophesied until it was time to offer. But there was neither voice nor answer nor any that regarded them. Then Elijah said to all the folk, "Come to me." And all the people came to him. And he mended the altar of the LORD that was broken. And he took twelve stones according to the number of the twelve tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came saying, "Israel shall be thy name." And with the stones he made an altar in the name of the LORD. And he made a gutter round about the altar, able to receive two pecks of corn. And he put the wood in order, and hewed the ox in pieces, and put him on the wood, and said, "Fill four pitchers with water and pour it on the sacrifice and on the wood." And he said, "Do so again." And they did so again. Then he said, "Do it the third time." And they did so the third time. And the water ran round about the altar, and the gutter was full of water also. And when offering time was come, Elijah the prophet went to and said, "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac and of Israel, let it be known this day, that thou art the God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I do all these things at thy commandment. Hear me, O LORD; hear me, that this people may know, that thou LORD, art the God, and that thou hast turned their hearts backward." And there fell fire from the LORD and consumed the sacrifice and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the gutter. And when all the people saw that, they fell on their faces and said, "The LORD, he is God, the LORD, he is God." Then said Elijah unto them, "Lay hands on the Prophets of Baal - let not one of them escape." And when they had taken them, Elijah brought them down unto the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and thereto wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to offer Passover unto the LORD God of Israel. And the king held a counsel with his lords and all the congregation at Jerusalem to keep the feast of Passover in the second month. For they could not keep it at that time: for there were not priests enough sanctified, neither was the people gathered together to Jerusalem.read more.
And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation. And they decreed that it should be proclaimed throughout all Israel from Beersheba to Dan, that they should come and hold the feast of the Passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not often done it, as it is written how they should. And the messengers went with letters of the hand of the king and of his lords throughout all Israel and Judah, at the commandment of the king; which said, "Children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and so will he turn to the remnant of you that are escaped out of the hands of the king of Assyria. And be ye not like your fathers and your brethren which trespassed against the LORD of your fathers, which therefore gave them up that they are wasted, as ye see. Wherefore, be not stiff-necked like unto your fathers, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and come to his holy place which he hath sanctified forever, and serve the LORD your God, that his wrath may turn from you. For if ye turn unto the LORD, then your brethren and your children shall find compassion in the presence of them that hold them captive, that they may come again unto this land: for the LORD your God is full of mercy and compassion, and will not turn his face from you, if ye turn again to him." And the posts went from city to city throughout the land of Ephraim and Manasseh and even unto Zebulun. But they laughed them to scorn and mocked them. Nevertheless, yet divers of Asher, Manasseh and of Zebulun meekened themselves and came to Jerusalem. And thereto the hand of God was in Judah, to make them of one accord to do the commandment of the king and the captains, which was according to the word of the LORD. And so there assembled to Jerusalem much people and a mighty great congregation, to hold the feast of sweet bread in the second month. And they arose and put away the altars that were in Jerusalem. And thereto all the incense they did away and cast them into the brook Kidron. And they slew Passover the fourteenth day of the second month. And the priests and Levites sanctified themselves for shame, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD. And they stood in their standing after their manner according to the law of Moses, the man of God. And the priests sprinkled the blood, receiving it of the hands of the Levites. And because there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: and therefore did the Levites slay Passover for all that were not clean to sanctify them to the LORD. There was very much people out of Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun that were not clean, and therefore did eat Passover otherwise than writing specifieth. But Hezekiah prayed for them, and said, "The good LORD be merciful to all that set their hearts to seek the God that is the LORD God of their fathers, though they do it not according to the cleanness of the holy place." And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people. And so the children of Israel that were found at Jerusalem, held the feast of sweet bread seven days with great gladness, and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day with loud instruments. And Hezekiah spake heartily unto the Levites that had good understanding of the LORD. And they did eat that feast seven days long and offered peace offerings and thanked the LORD God of their fathers. And the whole assembly took counsel to keep seven days more: and they held those seven days with gladness. For Hezekiah king of Judah gave for heave offerings to the congregation a thousand oxen and seven thousand sheep. And the lords gave to the congregation for heave offerings a thousand oxen and ten thousand sheep. And the priests sanctified themselves, that they were enough. And all the congregation of Judah with the priests and Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel and the strangers, both that came out of the land of Israel and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced: and there was great joy in Jerusalem. For since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel it happened not so in Jerusalem. And the priests and the Levites arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayer went up unto his holy dwelling place heaven.

And when Ezra prayed after this manner, and knowledged, wept, and lay before the house of God, there resorted unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: For the people wept very sore. And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the children of Elam, answered, and said unto Ezra, "We have trespassed against the LORD our God, in that we have taken strange wives of the people of the land. Now there is hope yet in Israel concerning this: for now will we make a covenant with our God, that we shall put away all the wives - and such as are born of them - according to the counsel of the LORD and of them that fear the commandment of our God, that we may do according to the law.read more.
Get thee up therefore, for the matter belongeth unto thee. We will be with thee; be of good comfort, and do it." Then rose Ezra, and took an oath of the rulers, priests, and Levites, and all of Israel, that they should do according to this word: and they sware. And Ezra stood up before the house of God, and went in to the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib. And when he came thither, he ate no bread, nor drank water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been in captivity. And they caused a proclamation be made throughout Judah and Jerusalem, unto all the children which had been in captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem: And that whosoever came not within three days, according to the device of the rulers and Elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and be put out from the congregation of the captive. Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem in three days, that is on the twentieth day of the ninth month: and all the people sat in the street before of the house of God, and trembled because of this matter, and for the rain. And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, "Ye have transgressed, that have taken strange wives, to make the trespass of Israel yet more: confess now therefore unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure, and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives." Then answered all the congregation and said with a loud voice, "Let it be done as thou hast said. But the people are many, and it is a rainy weather; and the people are too faint to tarry without in the street - neither is this a work of one day or two, for we are many that have offended in this transgression. Let us appoint our rulers therefore in all the congregation, that all they which have taken strange wives in our cities, may come at the time appointed - and the elders of every city and their judges with them - till the wrath of our God be turned away from us for this offense." Then were appointed Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah over this matter: And Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levites helped them. And the children of the captivity did even so. And Ezra the priest, and the ancient heads through the house of their fathers, and all that were now rehearsed by name, separated themselves; and sat them down on the first day of the tenth month to examine this matter. And on the first day of the first month they made an end of all the men that had taken strange wives. And among the children of the priests there were men found that had taken strange wives, namely among the children of Jeshua the son of Jozadak and of his brethren, Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah. And they gave their hands thereupon, that they would put away their wives: and for their trespass offering to give a ram for their trespass. Among the children of Immer: Hanani, and Zebadiah. Among the children of Harim: Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah. Among the children of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah. Among the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, and Kelaiah, which same is Kelita, Pethahiah, Judah and Eliezer. Among the singers: Eliashib. Among the porters: Shallum, Telem, and Uri. Of Israel: Among the children of Parosh: Ramiah and Izziah, and Malchiah, Mijamin, and Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah. Among the children Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jerimoth and Elijah. Among the children of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jerimoth, Zabad and Aziza. Among the children of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. Among the children of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jerimoth. Among the children of Pahathmoab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui and Manasseh. Among the children of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah. Among the children of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei. Among the children of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel, Benaiah, Cheluhi, Bedeiah, Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu, Bani, Binnui, Shimei, Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph. Among the children of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, Benaiah. All these had taken strange wives; and among the same wives there were some that had born children.

When Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests: The word of God came unto John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. And he came into all the coasts about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of the sayings of Isaiah the prophet, which sayeth, "The voice of a crier in wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.read more.
Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low: And crooked things shall be made straight: and the rough ways shall be made smooth. And all flesh shall see the saviour sent of God." Then said he to the people that were come to be baptised of him, "O generation of vipers: who hath taught you to fly away from the wrath to come? Bring forth due fruits of repentance; And begin not to say in yourselves, we have Abraham to our father. For I say unto you: God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Now also is the axe laid unto the root of the trees: So that every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down, and cast into the fire." And the people asked him, saying, "What shall we do then?" He answered and said unto them, "He that hath two coats, let him part with him that hath none: And he that hath meat, let him do likewise." Then came there publicans to be baptised, and said unto him, "Master, what shall we do?" And he said unto them, "Require no more than that which is appointed unto you." The soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, "And what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do violence to no man: neither trouble any man wrongfully: But be content with your wages."

The woman then left her water pot behind her, and went her way into the city, and said to the men there, "Come, see a man which told me all things that ever I did. Is not he Christ?" Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.read more.
And in the meanwhile his disciples prayed him, saying, "Master, eat." He said unto them, "I have meat to eat, that ye know not of." Then said the disciples between themselves, "Hath any man brought him meat?" Jesus said unto them, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me. And to finish his work. Say not ye, 'There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest?' Behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the regions: For they are white already unto harvest. And he that reapeth, receiveth reward; and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: That both he that soweth and he that reapeth might rejoice together. And herein is the saying true, That one soweth; And another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor. Other men laboured; And ye are entered into their labors." Many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him, for the woman's saying: which testified, "He told me all things that ever I did." Then, when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them. And he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own words, and said unto the woman, "Now we believe not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is even indeed Christ, the saviour of the world."

When the fiftieth day was come, they were all with one accord gathered together in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as it had been the coming of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they sat. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as they had been fire, and it sat upon each of them:read more.
and they were all filled with the holy ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, even as the spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, which were of all nations under heaven. When this was noised about, the multitude came together and were astonished, because that every man heard them speak his own tongue. They wondered all, and marveled: saying among themselves, "Behold, are not all these which speak of Galilee? And how hear we every man his own tongue wherein we were born? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites and the inhabiters of Mesopotamia, of Jewry and of Cappadocia, of Pontus and of Asia; Phrigia, Pamphylia, and of Egypt, and of the parts of Libya, which is beside Cyrene; And strangers of Rome; Jews and converts, Greeks and Arabians: We have heard them speak with our own tongues the great works of God." They were all amazed, and wondered: saying one to another, "What meaneth this?" Others mocked them saying, "They are full of new wine." But Peter stepped forth with the eleven, and lift up his voice, and said unto them, "Ye men of Jewry, and all ye that inhabit Jerusalem: be this known unto you, and with your ears hear my words. These are not drunken, as ye suppose - For it is yet but the third hour of the day - but this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel, 'It shall be in the last days, saith God, of my spirit I will pour out upon all flesh. And your sons, and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions. And your old men shall dream dreams. And on my servants, and on my handmaidens I will pour out of my spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in heaven above, and tokens in the earth beneath, blood and fire, and the vapour of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great, and notable day of the Lord come.' And it shall be that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved. "Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you with miracles and wonders, and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves know: him have ye taken by the hands of unrighteous persons, after he was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, and have crucified and slain him whom God hath raised up: and loosed the sorrows of death, because it was impossible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh of him, 'Aforehand, saw I God always before me: For he is on my righthand, that I should not be moved. Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad. Moreover also, my flesh shall rest in hope because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt suffer thine holy to see corruption. Thou hast showed me the ways of life; and shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.' "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David: For he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre remaineth with us unto his day. Therefore seeing he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn with an oath to him, that the fruit of his loins should sit on his seat - in that Christ should rise again in the flesh - He saw before, and spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul should not be left in hell: neither his flesh should see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Since now that he by the righthand of God exalted is, and hath received of the father the promise of the holy ghost, he hath shed forth that which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into heaven, but he said, 'The Lord said to my Lord sit on my right hand, until I make thy foes, thy footstool.' So therefore let all the house of Israel know for a surety, that God hath made the same Jesus whom ye have crucified, Lord and Christ." When they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter, and unto the other apostles, "Ye men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptised every one of of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy ghost. "For the promise was made unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar, even as many as the Lord God shall call." And with many other words bare he witness, and exhorted them saying, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." Then they that gladly received his preaching were baptised; And the same day, there were added unto them about a three thousand souls. And they continued in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayer. And fear came over every soul. And many wonders and signs were showed by the apostles. And all that believed kept themselves together, and had all things common. And sold their possessions and goods, and departed them to all men, as every man had need. And they continued daily with one accord in the temple, and brake bread in every house, and did eat their meat together with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and had favour with all the people, and the Lord added to the congregation daily such as should be saved.

Then came Philip into a city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people gave heed unto those things which Philip spake with one accord, in that they heard and saw the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed of them. And many taken with palsies, and many that halted, were healed.read more.
And there was great joy in that city.

And many that believed came, and confessed and showed their works. Many of them which used curious crafts, brought their books and burned them before all men, and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand silverlings. So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed.