The Power of the Church

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 11, 1915

The Power of the Church

THE power of the church of Christ does not consist in a large membership, but in a living connection with the divine Lord. The church may employ various agencies for carrying forward its work. Its efforts may be directed by thorough organization. It may make use of the material and the concrete, but it cannot place dependence upon these auxiliaries for motive power. The danger of the church in every age has been in trusting in human devisings and in material resources. Its power today, the same as in the days of Christ and his apostles, is that which comes from a connection with Heaven. “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” this is Christianity. Christ filling the heart of every believer, and all the believers united in Christ to do his will and to carry forward his work in the earth,—in this union there is power; and in this union will the church reach its highest efficiency and achieve its greatest results. Let us thank God that in connection with this movement the Lord has furnished us with a splendid organization, with excellent facilities, with well-equipped institutions; but let us remember that these, after all, are but auxiliaries, and that the power of this movement will be found in a living connection with Christ. Our help comes from the Lord, and in direct proportion as we seek that help and place ourselves in such relationship to Heaven that the Holy Spirit can use us and work through us, will this message be attended with the power of the living God as it goes forth to the nations of men.