Who Was Smith Wigglesworth?
Smith Wigglesworth was a British evangelist known for his deep faith, dynamic preaching, and miraculous healing ministry. He was born on June 8, 1859, in Menston, Yorkshire, England, and died on March 12, 1947. Wigglesworth is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the Pentecostal movement, inspiring many with his unwavering belief in the power of God to heal and perform miracles.
Background
Early Life:
Smith Wigglesworth came from humble beginnings. His family was quite poor, and he started working at a very young age to help support them. Wigglesworth had little formal education and was illiterate for much of his early life. Despite these challenges, he was deeply religious from a young age, often attending church with his grandmother.
Conversion and Ministry:
Wigglesworth was converted to Christianity at the age of eight. He later married Polly Featherstone, a dedicated Salvation Army worker, who helped him learn to read. This was significant because it allowed him to read the Bible, which became his constant companion and the foundation of his ministry.
Wigglesworth was involved in various forms of Christian work, but his ministry took a dramatic turn when he was baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1907. This experience empowered him with a boldness and faith that marked the rest of his life. He began to preach with remarkable power, often accompanied by signs and wonders such as healings and other miraculous events.
Impact on the Christian Faith
Healing Ministry:
Smith Wigglesworth is perhaps best known for his healing ministry. He believed strongly in the power of God to heal the sick and often prayed for people with various ailments. Reports of miraculous healings were common in his meetings, including cases of blindness, deafness, and even raising the dead. His bold approach, including sometimes unconventional methods like punching or slapping the afflicted area (believing it was a way to combat the devil’s work), drew both criticism and admiration.
Pentecostal Movement:
Wigglesworth played a significant role in the early Pentecostal movement. His teachings and ministry helped to spread Pentecostal beliefs, especially the practice of speaking in tongues and divine healing. He traveled extensively, preaching in many countries, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and parts of Europe, significantly influencing the global Pentecostal and Charismatic movements.
Faith and Boldness:
Wigglesworth’s unwavering faith and boldness in preaching the gospel encouraged many Christians to trust God more deeply. His life story and testimonies of miraculous healings have been a source of inspiration and have strengthened the faith of countless believers. Wigglesworth often emphasized the importance of faith and prayer, challenging people to believe God for the impossible.
Books Written by Smith Wigglesworth
Smith Wigglesworth did not write many books himself, but his sermons, teachings, and testimonies were compiled into several books by his followers and biographers. Here are some notable ones:
- “Smith Wigglesworth on Healing”: This book is a compilation of Wigglesworth’s teachings on divine healing. It includes his sermons, personal experiences, and testimonies of those who were healed through his ministry.
- “Smith Wigglesworth on the Holy Spirit”: This collection features Wigglesworth’s teachings on the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the baptism of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and the power of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life.
- “Smith Wigglesworth on Faith”: This book highlights Wigglesworth’s teachings on faith, encouraging believers to trust God completely and live a life of bold faith.
- “Smith Wigglesworth: Apostle of Faith”: Written by Stanley Howard Frodsham, this biography provides a detailed account of Wigglesworth’s life, ministry, and the impact he had on the Christian faith. It includes many of his sermons and personal testimonies.
- “Ever Increasing Faith”: This is one of the most popular compilations of Wigglesworth’s sermons and writings. It focuses on his teachings on faith, healing, and the power of God in the believer’s life.
Conclusion
Smith Wigglesworth’s life and ministry had a profound impact on the Christian faith, particularly within the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. His remarkable healing ministry, bold faith, and powerful preaching inspired many to seek a deeper relationship with God and to believe in the miraculous. Despite his lack of formal education, Wigglesworth’s influence continues through his writings and the testimonies of those whose lives were changed by his ministry. His legacy is a testament to the power of faith and the belief that with God, all things are possible.