Who Was Smith Wigglesworth?

Smith Wigglesworth (1859–1947) was a prominent British evangelist and faith healer known for his dynamic ministry in the early 20th century, particularly within the Pentecostal movement. He was often referred to as the “Apostle of Faith” due to his extraordinary ministry of healing, miracles, and his bold, unapologetic approach to faith in God. He believed in the power of the Holy Spirit to heal, deliver, and empower believers to live victoriously.

Famous Quotes:

1. “Only believe!”

   • This was one of his most famous statements, emphasizing the simplicity and power of faith in God. He believed that a simple, unwavering trust in God’s promises could bring about miraculous results.

2. “I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved by what I believe.”

   • This quote reveals Wigglesworth’s strong conviction in standing on the Word of God, regardless of physical circumstances or feelings. He consistently taught that faith transcended sight and emotion.

3. “Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests.”

   • Wigglesworth saw trials as opportunities to build faith, and he believed that overcoming adversity would lead to powerful testimonies of God’s greatness.

4. “You will never be able to believe God for the impossible until you first believe God for the possible.”

   • This quote reflects his teaching that faith must start with the smaller things before one can step into greater realms of belief.

Miracles in His Ministry:

Wigglesworth was known for numerous miraculous healings, including raising the dead. Some of the most famous miracles include:

1. Raising the Dead:
   There are several accounts of Wigglesworth praying for people who had died and seeing them come back to life. One particularly well-known incident was when he prayed for a man who had been dead for several hours. The man was resurrected after Smith commanded life to return to him.

2. Healing the Sick:
   He was known to have healed countless individuals of diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, and paralysis. Wigglesworth would sometimes lay hands on the sick or speak a word of faith, and miraculous healings would follow.

3. Miraculous Provision:
   In one instance, when there was no food in his home, Smith believed God for provision. Shortly after praying, a man knocked at the door with a delivery of food, which he had brought by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

4. The Power of Faith in Prayer:
   He often ministered with a strong emphasis on prayer, teaching that miracles could be unlocked through passionate, persistent prayer and believing.

His Message of Faith:

Smith Wigglesworth’s message was rooted in his deep belief that faith in God could move mountains, heal the sick, and transform lives. His key principles were:

1. Faith Over Sight:
   Wigglesworth preached that believers should not be moved by what they saw or felt but should stand firm on God’s promises. He encouraged people to speak words of faith, no matter the circumstances, and to believe that God would bring about the impossible.

2. The Power of the Holy Spirit:
   He emphasized the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, particularly in empowering them for ministry and for experiencing supernatural healing and miracles.

3. Healing as a Part of the Atonement:
   Wigglesworth believed that healing was as much a part of salvation as forgiveness of sins. He taught that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross provided both physical healing and spiritual redemption.

4. Unyielding Trust in God’s Word:
   He urged believers to rely on the Word of God, and not to let doubts or negative circumstances shake their faith. He would often speak directly to situations with authoritative faith, believing that God’s word would come to pass.

5. Living a Spirit-filled Life:
   Wigglesworth lived a life fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit. He believed that Christians should seek to be continually filled with the Spirit, as this would empower them to live victorious lives and perform miracles.

Smith Wigglesworth’s legacy continues to inspire many Pentecostals and Charismatics, with his teachings on faith and the power of prayer having a lasting impact on Christian healing ministries around the world.