The Church’s Need by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 10, 1915

The Church’s Need

By G. B. Thompson

THE Lord has made ample provision for all the spiritual needs of his people. Though men and devils may oppose, he has assured the militant church that the very gates of hell shall not prevail against it. He gave his disciples “power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” He bade them “heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils.” “Raise the dead,”—that was great power indeed.

To the seventy he said, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Before Jesus ascended, standing ready to return to his Father, but looking at the future and the needs of his disciples to the end of time, he commanded them to tarry in the city of Jerusalem until they were endowed with power from on high. Beyond all question this is the church’s greatest need at this time, as the shadows lengthen and the deepening twilight gathers. It has been the need of saints and prophets in all ages. But—

“Where is that spirit, Lord, which dwelt In Abram’s breast, and sealed him thine? Which made Paul’s heart with sorrow melt, And glow with energy divine?”

“Is not thy grace as mighty now As when Elijah felt its power? When glory beamed from Moses’ brow, Or Job endured the trying hour?”

We need the power that has made psalmists and prophets and mighty men of God. We need the power which enabled Moses to lead Israel from bondage to freedom. We need the power, courage, and faith of Joshua, who challenged and stayed the sun in its course that victory might rest on the banners of Israel. We need that panoply of power which made the sword of Gideon the sword of God, and enabled him, with only a little band of faithful believers, to win a great victory over the Midianites.

The church in the days after Pentecost was numerically weak, and without prestige. It was despised and poverty-stricken. It had no history to which it could refer with pride as an example of what it could do. It was, so to speak, a new religion, a sect, everywhere spoken against. It had no colleges, or printing press, or literature. It had no modern or popular means of reaching the masses. It had to meet the wisdom of the Greek, and the skill and learning of scribes and Pharisees.

But the gospel they preached triumphed. The Spirit like a mighty, rushing wind had blown upon them, and given them tongues of fire. Humble men had experienced a baptism of the Spirit. It had put the courage of a lion into timid men. It pressed home upon the Jews the murder of the Son of God with such power that in the agony of an awakened conscience, enlightened by the Spirit of God, they exclaimed, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

We believe that the work of God cannot be carried forward now any more successfully than then without the power of the Spirit to open minds, search hearts, burn away the dross, melt prejudice, and perfect the character. Our theology may be ever so correct, and the organization for carrying forward the work in all parts of the world ever so properly arranged in every detail, but this of itself will not give the power to touch the heart and win men to Christ. There must be the holy fire in the individual experience to consume sin, and make us more than conquerors through him who has loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Let us constantly pray for this mighty power, “this living flame which burned so bright in saints of old.”

G. B. Thompson.