Introduction by G. B. THOMPSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 16, 1913

Introduction

By G. B. THOMPSON

The Holy Spirit — No. 1

Introduction

G. B. THOMPSON

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter [Greek, Paraclete], that he may abide with you forever.” John 14:16.

In writing concerning the office and work of the Holy Spirit promised to the church, I have no desire to present merely some theory concerning the ministration of this divine Guide and Teacher, the “third person of the Godhead.” I believe it to be true that the greatest need of God’s people to-day is not mere theory, but a greater fulness of the Holy Spirit. It is not more light as to what is Christian duty, but more power to do what is known to be duty. It is not some theory aside from the message and work of God we need, but the power of the Spirit to preach the message.

That there is a dire need of deeper spirituality and more fervent zeal in the church, not alone with the laity, but with the ministry as well, all will readily admit. Apostolic power, though promised, is far from being freely realized. With far too many it is a theory rather than a living experience.

God’s watchmen need this heavenly anointing. The minister is an ambassador of Christ. He is one entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. God is engaged in the work of reconciling a world given over to rebellion. The minister is sent, in God’s stead, with terms of peace. This is a work so great and so exceedingly difficult that all the treaties and peace compacts of nations are as nothing. This high and holy calling of reconciling a sinner to God can never fulfil its mission through anything but deep spirituality and earnest piety.

“We have heard much of late about a learned ministry, and God forbid we should ever be afflicted by so great an evil as an unlearned one. We have been often reminded of the necessity of an educated ministry; but in this case, as in every other, men must be educated for

their vocation. But then that education must be strictly appropriate and specific. We are very properly told from many quarters that we can do nothing without a pious ministry. Nothing can be more true, nor can any truth bearing upon this subject be more momentous; for of all the curses which God ever pours from the vials of his wrath upon a nation which he intends to scourge, there is not one so fearful as giving them up to an unholy ministry. I trust our churches will ever consider piety as the first and most essential qualification in their pastors, for which talents, genius, learning, and eloquence would and could be no substitutes. It will be a dark and evil day when personal godliness shall be placed second to anything else in those who serve at the altar of God.”—“An Earnest Ministry, page 31.

A cold, formal ministry may, through learning, eloquence, and logic, make men think; but a ministry vitalized by the Holy Spirit will stir men’s hearts and make them feel, as well as think.

That which is the need of the ministry, is the need also of the laity. We have entered upon uncommon times. Wolves are masquerading in sheep’s clothing; new and old controversies commingle; dangerous heresies, dressed in the livery of heaven, seek admission into the church. A power from beneath is exerting a strange, bewitching power everywhere. The church is traveling over enchanted ground. Many of the elect of God, who believe the Word, have been peering through the fog of unbelief about them for several decades, looking for the return of the Bridegroom from the wedding. Some have become drowsy, and some are fast asleep. The cares of the world, love of money and pleasure, have choked the word in the hearts of some, and no fruit is brought to perfection. A few are awake, but these are in danger of being thought “peculiar,” “extreme,” “good men or women, but unpractical.” Without doubt the holy unction promised in our text is the greatest need in every church to-day.

It is not some demonstration for which we are to look. “The kingdom of God cometh not with outward show.” Luke 17: 20, margin.

“Take a Leyden jar that is not charged with electricity. You may handle it freely and without care. Now place the jar for a few minutes in contact with an electrical machine. What is the result? The contact has not produced any visible change in the jar; to all outward appearance it is just as it was before, a simple glass jar partly coated with tin-foil and having some metal attachments. But touch it carelessly, and you are at once made aware that a great change has taken place. You receive a shock, perhaps slight, perhaps severe enough to kill you. What has caused it?—The invisible electricity with which the jar had been charged.

“Precisely in the same way let a church that is without influence or effectiveness in the community be filled with the Holy Spirit, and although there may be no external change, although the services may be the same in form and esthetic value, although its preaching may touch no fresh themes and may be uttered by the same voice, yet every one who comes within its walls will feel the divine influence. No new methods, no new workers, no new instrumentalities, it may be; but the old methods, the old workers, the old instrumentalities, filled with a new life and power. Such a church will make its influence felt throughout the town or city where it is established. It will be a spiritual generator, and every member will be a live wire, transmitting the divine life to all whom he meets. The weakest disciple will become a channel of this power, the indifferent will be aroused, the careless will be moved, souls will be saved.”—“Spiritual Power at Work, page 23.

As we read the farewell discourse of our Saviour to his disciples in the upper room, just before he was to die on the shameful cross and bring to an end his personal work on earth, we are impressed with the fact that just as clearly as he foretold his return to the Father he announced the coming of another, a Comforter or Advocate, whose presence is guaranteed to the church till her warfare is accomplished and she becomes the church triumphant. This was the burden of his message to the disciples in his farewell discourse to them.

When Saladin looked at the sword of Richard Cœur de Lion, he is said to have wondered that a blade so ordinary should have wrought such mighty deeds. But the English king bared his arm and said, “It is not the sword that did these things; it is the arm of Richard.”

In like manner we may, through the Spirit, be the instrument of God in the conquest against sin. We may be as spiritually dry as was Gideon’s fleece—possessing no power, no life, going to prayer-meeting, expecting nothing and getting nothing. But let the dew of the Holy Spirit fall upon us, and a wonderful change is seen. Where once there was drought, there is seen moisture; and where there was no sign of life, the dry bones live again; where there was only weakness, there is seen the manifestations of power; where there was no earnestness or burden of soul, the zeal of God consumes us.

The spirit of God is that unseen yet mighty agency which imparts spiritual life and power to the human soul. Without it men are dead, and Christianity is but a form. “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Rom. 8: 9. Only those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. The Holy Spirit is the connecting link between the throne of God and the human heart, regenerating, sanctifying, and purifying the soul.

As we look over the world, we are forced to admit that there is a distressing dearth of spirituality everywhere. Many churches have withered and died. Their leaders are cold and lifeless. Real ministerial power is seldom witnessed. Much labor and money is often expended with but little results. Sinners are not moved as they once were. When calls are made for laborers to help carry the gospel to the regions beyond, but few respond. Like Elijah, men should pray now for rain, until “endued with power from on high.” This is the greatest need of the church of Christ.