Presiding in the Church by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 6, 1913

Presiding in the Church

By G. B. Thompson

The Holy Spirit — No. 8

Presiding in the Church

G. B. THOMPSON

The article last week was given to a consideration of the advent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, in fulfilment of prophecy and the promise of Jesus to his disciples. It was seen how the Holy Spirit, from Pentecost till the end of the church's warfare against sin, has taken up his abode with the church on earth. The Spirit has his home and office in the church. The church is a “holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” The Spirit tabernacles in the church, and God tabernacles there also, through the Spirit. The only temple the Lord has on earth, during the present dispensation, is his church. And while Christ is ministering in the “true tabernacle” in heaven, the Spirit, his own representative, is ministering in the temple on earth, the church.

“If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23. It is through the Spirit that Jesus abides with his people, for, speaking of the Spirit, the Saviour said, “He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” John 14:17. The Spirit not only dwells with us, but is in us as well. Blessed mystery!

Through this Spirit, who comes not to speak of himself, but to exalt and glorify Christ, we have access unto God, and he will take of the things of God and show them unto us. He sits, not as a critic, but as a helper, enabling us to overcome sin and proclaim the gospel “with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.”

Our need is not so much the sending from heaven in some mysterious way some new power in answer to prayer, as it is the recognition of a power already here. We need consecration and the forsaking of sin, the yielding to the Spirit, that we may be used to do God’s work.

Having found that the Spirit has a place in the church, not simply as an influence, as light radiates from the sun, but as a real presence, it will be interesting to notice briefly a few instances recorded in the book of Acts which clearly indicate his presiding presence in the early church.

After Pentecost Ananias and his wife Sapphira, members of the church at Jerusalem, having sold a possession, conspired together to withhold “part of the price.” When Ananias came to make his gift, Peter said to him, “Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?” Acts 5:3. And a little later when Sapphira came in, Peter said to her, “How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?” Verse 9. The lie was “to the Holy Ghost.” Back of the visible church to whom the vow was made, there was One presiding over the church as Christ’s representative, who by an awful act of judgment made known his presence in their midst. And this lesson is for the church for all time, and should not be forgotten. Once for all God has made “an example of an offender in some of the prominent forms of sin; such as, of Cain in murder, of Lot’s wife in loitering, of Achan in coveting, of Korah in presumption, of Uzziah in profanation, of Saul in disobedience.” This instance stands as an awful warning against the sin of breaking vows, and thus lying to the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit is in the true church now as truly as at Pentecost.

In the sixth chapter of Acts we have an account of the choosing of certain officers—deacons—in the church. Notice the qualification of these officers. “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” The Spirit of God was recognized. It was not fluent talkers, shrewd business men, secular brethren who would deal in a cold, legal manner, that were to be selected, but spiritual men, men filled with the Holy Ghost.

Here also is another lesson for the church to-day. If there was ever a time when the church needed spiritual leaders, it is now. And in selecting church officers the consideration should not be how long they have been in office, just how they will feel if not continued in the responsible position, but, Are they spiritual leaders? Will they feed the church? Has the Holy Spirit set his seal of approval upon them?

“A unique lesson on church life, indeed! Let us lay stress on it, by repetition. Secular men—men of worldly type of character and a secular spirit—have no place in the church of Christ; above all, no official place, though it be only in administering ‘secular’ affairs, and though they be men both of honest report and of wisdom. The natural man, even when that term is used of the princes of this world, can not receive the things of the Spirit, because they are spiritually discerned; and therefore, so far as we put into office or allow to occupy official positions in the church, men who have not the Spirit of God, who are chosen without reference to spiritual qualifications, we at least consent to an administration which is unspiritual in character, which is an offense to the Spirit, a virtual disputing of his headship, and, we hesitate not to add, in so far an actual unseating of the Spirit from his throne of control!”

“If this appears to any to be an extreme position, let such consider what, in other spheres of business, is the common course pursued when it is desired to rid a corporate body of its controlling or presiding head. We shall suppose a corporation to have a man as president whom for some reason it is deemed desirable quietly to oust, or displace. Gradually, in the subordinate offices and board of trustees or directors, men are placed who are opposed to the presiding officer in method and spirit. They quietly antagonize his measures, obstruct his plans, thwart his policy. Instead of co-operation and support, he meets inertia and indifference, if not violent opposition; until at last, unable to conduct affairs, he resigns from sheer inability to carry out what he regards as a true policy of administration.”—“Acts of the Holy Spirit,” pages 62, 63.

Again, in what has been called “The birth hour of early missions to the Gentiles” we read, “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. . . . So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia: and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.” Acts 13:2-4.

“I have called them.” The pronouns I and me refer to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit speaks here in the first person. He speaks, calls by name, and sends forth chosen missionaries. The personality and activity of the Spirit of God in the direction of the church could hardly be any more clearly shown than here. We should not overlook the obvious lesson that this teaches. The Holy Spirit is present in the church to-day, the same as in apostolic times, and should be recognized. Those to-day who go forth in the work of saving souls, should be “sent forth by the Holy Ghost.” God, of course, desires at all times to work through his organized body on earth. This calls for great consecration of life in those entrusted with official responsibility in the church of God.

At the council at Jerusalem, where matters which greatly disturbed the church were studied and after careful consideration decisions reached, in narrating the conclusions of the council the record says, “It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us.” Acts 15:28. Here the Holy Spirit is first. He is recognized, and treated as a fellow counselor whose presence had been with them in their deliberations. On the lesson here taught Dr. A. T. Pierson says:—

“Here is a lesson for all ages on the true character of church councils. What we call a ‘court of Jesus Christ’ has too often been more like an assembly of unbelievers, if not like a ‘synagogue of Satan.’ When in church meetings for business,—even business so sacred as the election of a pastor,—and when in those higher courts where the wider interests of the churches are adjusted, we find subtlety and diplomacy, worldly policy and temporizing expediency, even downright deception and dishonesty, practised; when we find a party spirit existing, and warring factions, hot with controversy, waging ecclesiastical warfare, and politicians pulling wires and pursuing personal and selfish schemes; when we hear little prayer or praise, and much noise and confusion and clamor of excited if not angry debate, and occasionally witness scenes of uproar that would disgrace a political caucus,—we have been compelled to stop and ask, Is this a court of Christ? Is the Holy Ghost here? Is this the see of a divine Archbishop, or is it the ‘seat of Satan’?”—“Acts of the Holy Spirit,” page 109.

We have perhaps never witnessed just such scenes in the church as are here described. We devoutly hope not. But wherever “pulling wires,” “debate” or “caucus” may have appeared among us, whether in different form or lesser degree, the principle remains the same. The Holy Spirit is greatly grieved.

When Paul and his companions in labor were seeking to know the place where they should labor for God, they were “forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,” and when they “assayed to go into Bithynia,” “the Spirit suffered them not.” But while restrained from certain fields, they were directed to Macedonia. In some marked way the Spirit of God was present, directing his chosen laborers. And though they were soon imprisoned at Philippi, yet the Lord glorified his name, and before the morning dawn they were encouraged by having a company of baptized believers.

To-day, as truly as in Paul’s time, the Spirit of God is present to help and strengthen his church. It “awaits our demand and reception.” Speaking concerning the great conflict through which his laborers must pass, the following most encouraging words have been written:—

“They [his laborers] are to contend with supernatural forces, but they are assured of supernatural help. All the intelligences of heaven are in this army. And more than angels are in the ranks. The Holy Spirit, the representative of the Captain of the Lord’s host, comes down to direct the battle. Our infirmities may be many, our sins and mistakes grievous; but the grace of God is for all who seek it with contrition. The power of Omnipotence is enlisted in behalf of those who trust in God.”—“Desire of Ages,” page 352.

“More than angels” in the ranks! The Holy Spirit, who is here called the “representative of the Captain of the Lord’s host,” is present, directing the battle, and commanding all the “intelligences of heaven.” The Spirit, by means of these heavenly intelligences, is everywhere present. With such a mighty leader in our midst as the direct representative of Heaven, with “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” of mighty angels, cherubim, and seraphim at his command, truly the powers of hell shall not prevail against the church.

O that we might recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in a fuller sense than ever before, and allow him to preside in our lives, to be the presiding officer in the General Conference, every union conference, every local conference, every church, and every individual heart.