Bible Study by G. B. THOMPSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 27, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 21.

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Bible Study

By G. B. THOMPSON

Conditions of Receiving the Holy Spirit

May 16, 9:15 A. M.

G. B. THOMPSON

“AND when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” John 20: 22.

This is among the parting words of instruction that Jesus gave to his disciples before he ascended to heaven, after he had chosen and ordained them to do his work.

Now put with this another verse (John 14: 26): “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Again, in Luke 24: 49, we read: “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

Now, brethren and sisters, whatever has been the need of God’s people in any age of this world’s history for proper equipment for doing his work, we have the same need to-day. No other people have ever had committed to them a greater work than is committed to Seventh-day Adventists. When we look out into the world, and see the tremendous work yet to be accomplished, and compare it with the shortness of time, we can see that some mighty power must come to help us finish the work in this generation. Notice what the Saviour said to his disciples, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” How was the Saviour sent? Let us read (Acts 10: 38): “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

Our Saviour went forth to his work anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power. And he said to his disciples, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” He sent his disciples forth with the same anointing and the same power that he had in his work. Notice the instruction he gave. He promised the Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, and direct them. Then he said, “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem.” How long?—“Until ye be endued with power from on high.”

In the first chapter of Acts, the promise of the Holy Spirit is repeated and referred to: “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”

Almost the very last promise that the Saviour gave the disciples to encourage them was that the Comforter would come upon them, and abide with them, and stay with them. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Then just as long as there is a sinner on the face of the earth, and some one must be sent to carry him the message of salvation, just so long will that promise remain true, “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.”

Before this message shall be finished, somebody will see it attended with mighty power under the operation of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. In connection with this there is to be a shaking time, when some will step out of the ranks, and will leave the truth that they once professed to love; but the promise is that others will come in and take their places. If a man is ever clothed with power from heaven, he will be in harmony with the third angel’s message, for it is this message that is to be proclaimed with great power. The angel that comes down from heaven with great power unites his voice to the voice of the third angel. He joins that movement, and it is under the direction of that angel that the work of God is closed up in the world.

O that the Lord might be permitted to take criticism, suspicion, bad temper, and all these evil traits, out of our hearts and lives, and fill us with the fulness of his Spirit! The Holy Spirit is given to point out these evils, and to help us put them away; and when we yield fully

to the Lord, he will richly bless us with the fulness of his grace. Let us, O let us, my brethren and sisters, continue to be seek God for the victory over every evil besetment, and determine by his grace to keep working and praying until we shall unitedly share in the blessing of the Holy Spirit.