THE PROMISE OF POWER by J. O. Corliss

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 1, 1902

THE PROMISE OF POWER.

By J. O. Corliss

THE word “power” is commonly used in a relative sense, being applied to the brute force of animals as well as to the mental influence of men. This may be proper in a way, since both man and beast are dependent on a Superior agency, by which to live and move. So the conclusion is easily reached that “power belongeth unto God.” Ps. 62:11. But when considering the delegated power of man, as manifested in his life-work, one scarcely realizes that it is a portion of that power by which the earth moves through space, and the waters above are retained in vapory clouds; by which also, in the revolutions of the earth, its waters are compassed in well-defined limits, as day and night succeed each other. Heb. 11:3. But these, while they are manifestations of power beyond the comprehension of finite minds, are but parts of God’s workings. They are but the gentle sighing of the summer breeze in the pine-top, as compared with the “thunder of His power.” Job 26:14.

Because the human mind had not been educated more fully to contemplate the source of all power, the works of the Lord Jesus, when in person among men, attracted the greatest attention. His ability to restore sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, voice to the dumb, health to the sick, and even life to the dead, so amazed men, that they were constrained to say to the glory of God, “We never saw it on this fashion.” Mark 2:12. The very words of the Master were so different from the ordinary, because they carried spirit and life in their train, that influential men of the world said, “Never man spake like this man.” John 7:46.

But strange to say, Christ’s immediate disciples, they who lived in closest earthly relation to Him, upon witnessing the quieting of the stormy sea, said in an undertone of fear to one another, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” Mark 4:41.

But that which men were then permitted to see was only the operation of power. The Son of God had come to earth with the entire supply of heaven at command, with which to uplift humanity to the enjoyment of that which it had been deprived of through sin. The privilege of witnessing this working of heaven’s power was designed to be a special blessing to Christ’s disciples, both in point of ambition and of purpose. Matt. 13:16, 17. The seers of old who had been given prophetic views of this, longed to be recipients of the same privilege. Even the angels themselves desired to penetrate the deeper motions of that power in its contact with sinful hearts. 1 Peter 1:10–13.

So deep indeed was the mystery of changing men’s hearts from sinful longings to yearning after God, that nothing but the highest and strongest power could be expected to accomplish such a transformation. So when Jesus sent His disciples out to win men, He endued them with a special gift, which would be adequate to the fulfilment of their mission. “Behold,” said He, “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.” Luke 10:19. But there was danger that this gift would be misinterpreted, and so misused; therefore the Saviour added words of caution to prevent His followers from using this gift to a wrong purpose. They were told not to rejoice because the power received brought others in subjection to them, but rather because their names were registered in heaven.

The power in heaven is not, therefore, to uplift its recipient to a place of temporary superiority, but is rather to make one feel under obligation to everybody else in this world, in behalf of their advancement to equal power with himself. Rom. 1:14. This is clearly shown in the great commission of Christ to all of His followers: “All authority hath been given unto Me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” Matt. 28:18, 19, R. V.

Authority is power. All of this was conferred upon Christ for His work, and He in turn gave authority,—the same as His own,—to His followers by which to assume the work He laid on them. This commission was, however, not to go into effect with any one until he should receive the power with which to execute it; for its demands were infinitely too high to be met by the fragment of power sin has left in the possession of fallen humanity. Therefore the last charge of the Saviour to His followers before giving up His earthly work was: “Behold, I send forth the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49.

The promise of God to Christ’s disciples is thus seen to be “power from on high.” When those words were uttered, the Father’s only Son, heaven’s best gift, was on the point of leaving the scenes of His earthly sojourn, once more to sit on the throne of heaven. He therefore recalled a previous promise, when He had said to them that it was advantageous for Him to go away, but that upon doing so He would send the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, unto them. John 16:7. He had told them some things, as far as they were able to bear them; but when the Spirit of truth should take the place of His personal presence, He would guide them into all truth, and show them things to come. Verse 13.

This help sent to man was not to be a temporary gift, but was to abide with him forever. More than this, He was to become so closely identified with those whom He would help as to be in them, and live in them, not only to admonish for wrong-doing, but to direct in the path of life. John 14:16–18, 26. The operation of this power was to be such as to reveal God and Christ dwelling in the individual, causing him to do the will of Heaven in all things. Verses 21–23.

This promise of an actual indwelling of divine power must have been difficult to grasp by those who had been taught to know God only from outward demonstrations. To offset this difficulty the Lord sought His disciples after He was raised from the dead, and for forty days He taught them the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. All this time He exhorted them to continue steadfast in waiting for the promise of the Spirit, which they had heard from His lips. But notwithstanding His care to instruct them, they did not quite comprehend His meaning. They thought that because the promised power was about to be bestowed, they should quickly see the throne of Judah restored to the people of that nation, with Christ as king over them. His power to return from the grave, was evidence to them that nothing was beyond His ability to accomplish; so they asked Him, “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:2–6.

In answer to this question the Lord did not say that such a thing would not be, but His reply was just as decisive as if He had said so. The word was: “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

This, then, was to be the object of giving men power; not that they should be able to control thereby earthly governments, since that was something the Father holds in His own hand. But power is bestowed solely with the object of men witnessing for Christ’s power to save from sin. With this information given, we hear no more about the disciples supposing that the gift of power was to fit them to take part in subjecting civil power to the decrees of heaven. Inasmuch as when the fulfilment of the promise came, the disciples used it in the order of Christ’s efforts, we may be assured that they had taken to heart the divine lesson. But the consideration of that point is reserved for another article.

J. O. CORLISS.