p. 4 | THE SPIRIT THAT SAVES by G. E. Burch

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 11, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 32.

THE SPIRIT THAT SAVES.

By G. E. Burch

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.” John 12:32. These are the words of Christ to the world. “How does Christ draw men to Him?” is the question I hear you ask.

When Christ was anointed with the Holy Ghost, He went forth teaching in all the land. When He had finished His work and was about to take His departure from this earth, the disciples were sorrowful because He was going away. But He comforted them with these words: “It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.” John 16:7. Christ tells us that He receives all His power from the Father. He also told His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endowed with “power from on high.” Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4. Then, as they were assembled together, all of one accord, they received the Holy Ghost and went forth teaching, baptizing, and imparting, as active agents of God, the Holy Ghost to as many as would receive Him. Acts 2:7.

We see by these words of truth that all true Christians have a living connection with Christ and the Father. We have the same mind and power of Christ. Now as Christ receives His power from the Father, and all true Christians receive the same power from Him, we are attracted one to another by that same divine power, which is love.

It is very important for you and me to receive the power of Christ, “the Holy Spirit,” in our hearts and lives, and let Him keep us free from all the contaminating influences of the world, so that when Jesus comes, the Spirit of Christ in us will respond to His voice, and be “caught up to meet the Lord in the air.” Are we ready? G. E. BURCH.