WE NEED THE POWER by George Ide Butler

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 7, 1868

WE NEED THE POWER.

By George Ide Butler

As I have been reading of late, in the word, of the dealings of God in apostolic times with his servants, and of what they accomplished through the power he bestowed upon them, and have reflected upon the mighty work committed to our trust, as a people, and what must be done before the coming of Christ, I have felt the force of the sentiment at the head of this article.

There is an opinion very prevalent at the present time, that this is a progressive age; and no doubt there are many valuable inventions, and useful improvements, especially of a mechanical nature, which are ahead of ages preceding this. But the candid observer must admit that in the realm of religion the progression is in the wrong direction. This is foretold in the forcible prophecy of Paul in 2 Tim. iii, 1-5, one special characteristic being a "form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." That we see this wonderfully fulfilled around us hardly any will deny. There is a general skepticism prevailing all through the country in regard to the power of religion. Anything out of the ordinary course of things is looked upon with suspicion. Preaching and praying, and a name upon the church book, and leaving off some of the grosser forms of sin, is about all that is to be expected according to most people, at the present time.

I am well aware that we, as a people, have a different theory; but may it not be possible that this sentiment has imperceptibly had a great influence upon us, and caused us to be too well satisfied with the general forms of religion, and with making a greater effort of course than some others, yet too easy, without that power which is revealed to us in the word as being the privilege of the true disciple to enjoy?

As we come in contact with this opinion at every turn almost, and have to meet the same temptations from Satan that others do, and tenfold more, and as this seems to be one very successful mode for him to attack us, and cause unbelief, which is very hateful to God, it seems to me we have lost sight, sometimes, of the absolute necessity of having power from God to enable us to do successfully the work committed to our hands. It is pleasant to turn away from this age of unbelief and formality, and let the mind go back to ancient times, when the mighty workings of God were manifest among his servants. It is evident at the slightest investigation, that God uses man as an instrument merely in the accomplishment of his purposes, and in that proportion as he lives near to him, and according to his humility and faithfulness. The “power belongs to God.” Ps. lxii, 11. He gives this power to his people. Ps. lxviii, 35. Man can exercise it upon certain conditions, and within certain limits as God gives permission. Thus Jacob had power over the angel of God and prevailed. Hosea xii, 4. One of the mighty ones of Heaven, that could destroy one hundred and eighty-five thousand men in one night, Isa. xxxvii, 36, was held all night by one puny man, and he finally prevailed over the angel. He got his request, and was thus called Israel, or a prevailer, and thus became the father of all the faithful, all of whom must prevail also, with a measure of his power. In Micah iii, 8, we learn that we receive this power through the Spirit of the Lord.

We learn in the New Testament that before the disciples could go out on their mission to spread the knowledge of the crucified One, they must “tarry at Jerusalem till they were endued with power from on high” (Luke xxiv, 49), although they had been with Jesus all through his ministry, and familiarly associated with him, and heard his teachings, and heard him explain the prophecies concerning himself, and had performed mighty works themselves under his directions, and seen him ascend into Heaven.

They must have had a good theory by that time, and understood the argument well. But Jesus knew too well the hardness of men's hearts, and the blindness of their minds. To send out his disciples to the great work before them without a special preparation for it, and a power to accompany them, which would set the truth home to the heart with more than mortal energy, something was needed to give a force and edge to the truth, that would cause it to pierce the thick shell which Satan had thrown around the heart. This was done when the power descended from above, on the day of Pentecost. What a striking contrast was seen within a few days! Then all fled, and left their Master like a flock of sheep before the ravenous beast. Now what boldness! Peter denied even that he knew Jesus at all. Now he could stand before the council and declare plainly that he should obey God in preference to them; he could go forth fearless of consequences with his life in his hand. The apostles could now stand up before that throng who had cried for the blood of the Son of God, and before whom they had cowardly fled, and tell them boldly that “God hath made that same Jesus whom ye crucified both Lord and Christ.” That they had denied the Holy One and the just and desired a murderer to be granted unto them, and killed the Prince of Life; and the consequences arising from this plain, searching sermon were that thousands of them were cut to the heart, and believed on the One they had assisted to crucify. Here we see the effects of the power; and we only need to imagine what they would have done before the power was given to see the mighty contrast.

Stephen's case is another one forcibly showing another effect. We learn that he was full of faith, and power. In Acts vii, we have the sermon that he preached to the Jews, who had, no doubt, by this time resisted much light; accordingly it was very pointed, and their sins were set before them in their true light. As a consequence they were cut to the heart, and gnashed upon him with their teeth, and finally put him to death. Preaching, with the power of God, will always work some result, either convert, or enrage. It will take hold somewhere; it will arouse; and the fact that there is so much preaching now, and so little effected, is because the power is gone. It is wonderful to contemplate the effect produced by the preaching of those humble fishermen, as they went forth with a new religion, battling against old and venerable institutions; presenting before their hearers that which required humility, lowliness of mind, and correction of evil habits, unpopularity, and everything, nearly, which is contrary to the natural heart. It would seem, to look at it from any common point of view, they must fail, and there could have been no other result had it not been for the power.

In the case of Ananias and Sapphira, we see another illustration of this power. No doubt these individuals thought they could get credit for being whole hearted, and putting their all into the common fund, and retain a portion also, by using a little deceit. But Peter could see through their designs, and knew the very thoughts of their hearts, because of the power which was given. No wonder “great fear came upon all the church, and as many as heard these things.”

In Acts viii, we read of Simon, the sorcerer, desiring to obtain this power. It is hardly to be wondered at that unsanctified men should desire to obtain it to use for their own selfish purposes. But God never gives it for such objects; and may it not be one great reason why we see so little of it manifested in this age, because the all-wise God knows it will be used for selfish purposes, and not to glorify his name alone? Our motives are often, if not always, wicked; and while we desire to forward the cause of God, many times we desire to forward our own interests, or reputation, also. I think this is why God does not give more of his spirit. Oh! for humility, that the creature may sink out of sight, and the Creator occupy the whole heart.

We learn that Paul, “through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, fully preached the gospel of Christ.” Rom. xv, 19. Here is the secret of his success. What could he have done with all his learning and eloquence without this? He might, perhaps, have established a reputation as a great man, but those glorious results would never have occurred, which we see were brought about, if he had been devoid of power; for we read in 1 Cor. ii, 4, his “preaching was not with enticing words of men's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” The preaching of the great modern pulpit orators that we hear and read so much about now-a-days, is an exact contrast to that of Paul; enticing words of men's wisdom, but alas, the power is lacking. Hence we see the great efforts put forth to bring religion down where it will be pleasant and agreeable to the masses. Such as is seen in some of those of the popular clergymen of New York City to convert the bowling alleys, and coffee saloons into Christian institutions, &c. Oh! for a little of the power that Paul had to set before them true gospel preaching. And we read in chap. iv, verse 19, “But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power, for the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” Thus we learn the test the apostle would apply to ascertain their standing. I suppose it is as good an one to-day as anciently. But what a lack it would show everywhere at the present time. “Speech” is plenty; fine words, and professions, but the power lacking. The apostle also tells us that “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Cor. iv, 7. What a great honor is bestowed upon fallen man when the mighty power of God is given him to use. Something exterior and entirely beyond himself, which allies him to the God of Heaven. How careful he should be to show he receives it to glorify God and advance his cause! Here is humility again. How plain it is that “earthen vessels” will not be entrusted with it till they are enabled to see their true relation to God through humility. And may it not be that the reason we do not have more of it is because we shall not give all the glory to God, but appropriate some of it to the poor “earthen vessel?” As though that could by any possibility be entitled to any credit arising from this power.

It must be evident that this age is peculiarly distinguished for a lack in this respect. Martin Luther and his associates, as we read of them, must have had much of the Spirit of God to help them do the mighty work they accomplished. Although he did not have the truth on all points as clearly as we do, yet, I judge he was willing to bear much more and lived nearer to God than many do at the present time; and he was greatly blessed of God.

John Wesley and many others must have preached more searchingly, and been blessed with more of the spirit than we often see now-a-days. When thousands were cut down, as it were, before God by the sword of the spirit, and great devotion, and humility, and faithfulness was seen. Preaching took effect, and the vilest sinners were converted by hundreds.

Many can remember the power that attended the first message. Although but a youth, I well remember a few sermons, and what terrible solemnity rested upon all, as if the Judgment scenes were present. Men springing up in all directions, who had never been distinguished

as preachers before; and many from all the different professions who started out with the Spirit of God to help them sound the cry, under whose labors scores and hundreds were cut to the heart and converted to God. And both effects were seen as in apostolic times; men either converted or enraged; the truth accomplishes something, having some effect. It does seem to be a sad truth that this power is very much lacking among us. The truth is clear as the noon-day sun. Beautiful and consistent in all its parts. Our faithful brethren have dug and studied the word of God till we need fear nothing now on the strength of the argument. But now we need the power to send it home to the heart, through the thick shell with which it is enshrouded. It is like a goodly bow and arrow, all beautiful, with a polished shaft that looks as if it might pierce through the armor. But what can it do without the power behind it? It is lifeless; and the more power is applied, the greater effect. I would not be understood that we are lacking entirely in this direction; far from it. But do we not need a mighty addition? Look at the work before us, and the very moderate effect produced by preaching at this stage of the work; and what a small portion of the necessary work is accomplished when a person nominally comes into the truth. Now the more power we have the greater the work done at the first stage. We need the power that Peter had when he scanned Ananias, and saw the hidden emotions of the heart.

We all feel the need of more laborers. The harvest is truly great, and the laborers are few, and the fields are truly white for the harvest. And the field is truly a great one. Let any person take a map of any State, and place a dot here and there where the truth has been preached, and he will see how small a part has been visited already. This shows the need of the power. I believe if we had it, preachers would spring up as they did soon after the day of Pentecost, and in the first message. And while it is right that we should pray mightily that the Lord should raise up laborers for the harvest, yet it is more necessary that we have more of the power given through which alone the work can be accomplished. But I will not carry further these ideas, but leave them for others of more experience. And the question how we shall get it is for others to solve. It seems to me humility will be one mighty means of its attainment. I confess a great lack of power as an individual, and shall try henceforth to live in a way that God may in mercy bestow it, if he can upon one so unworthy. Without it I feel truly useless. May God help us all to send up a mighty cry for the power, that we may be enabled to perform the work committed to our trust. Geo. I. Butler.