Why does this teaching matter?
David Wilkerson preached this powerful warning in 1982 — twelve years before the Toronto Blessing erupted. Drawing on Frank Bartleman's warning from the 1906 Azusa Street Revival about 'a Christless Pentecost,' Wilkerson prophetically warned that Pentecostal and charismatic gatherings could be full of spiritual excitement yet entirely devoid of Christ's presence. He noted that when given the choice between POWER and PURITY, congregations overwhelmingly chose power — yet in Acts, 'Pentecost was synonymous with purity more than power. The one with the power is the one with the purity!' The Toronto Blessing fulfilled this warning precisely: spectacular manifestations without genuine holiness, conviction, or Christlikeness.
What did David Wilkerson teach?
"The danger of a Christless Pentecost is very real today. It is possible to gather Spirit-filled people in one place, praising and lifting up their hands — and still have Christ walking among them as a stranger!"
Speaker: David Wilkerson
Source: David Wilkerson, 'A Christless Pentecost' sermon, Times Square Church (January 10, 1982) — worldchallenge.org
What does Scripture confirm?
Revelation 3:20
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."
— NKJV
Jesus speaks to the CHURCH — not to the world. Christ can stand outside His own church and knock! The Toronto movement was full of manifestations but lacked Christ's true presence: repentance, holiness, brokenness. Exactly as Wilkerson warned: a Christless Pentecost.
Matthew 7:22-23
"Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"
— NKJV
The most terrifying passage in the Bible: people who perform miracles, prophesy, and cast out demons — in Jesus' name — but whom Jesus never knew. Manifestations, signs, and wonders without a true relationship with Christ lead to rejection. The Toronto movement focused on power manifestations without building true holiness.
2 Corinthians 11:4
"For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted — you may well put up with it!"
— NKJV
Paul warns of 'another spirit' — a spirit pretending to be the Holy Spirit but producing different fruit. The Toronto movement's 'spirit' produced chaos, animal sounds, and loss of self-control, while the Holy Spirit produces order, peace, and self-control. It could be ANOTHER spirit.
1 Timothy 4:1
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons."
— NKJV
The Holy Spirit warns clearly: in the last times people will follow DECEIVING SPIRITS — seducing spirits that imitate the Holy Spirit's work. Wilkerson's warning about a 'Christless Pentecost' is precisely about this: a movement that has spiritual power but is driven by the wrong spirit.