2:41 Corinthians 2:4

Paul's speech and preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom but in active proof by the Holy Spirit and by God's power.JIOKP 17.2–18.1+2 He purposely set aside excellency of speech, eloquence, learning, and philosophical display to declare the testimony of God in plain simplicity, making Christ and Him crucified the sum and center of the whole gospel.SLP 102.1–2+4 The aim was that faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of effect.JIOKP 17.2–18.1+4 That demonstration bears the test of trial, breaking down opposition, convicting and converting sinners, transforming character, and producing results human effort alone cannot produce.7MR 293.2+4 The same blessing given in apostolic days remains for laborers now, for God is just as ready to give power to His servants today when they hide self in Christ and present eternal truths plainly in humble dependence on the Spirit.Ms 70, 1901, par. 9–13+3

Paul's speech and his preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.JIOKP 17.2–18.1+4 He had chosen to proclaim salvation through Christ, especially Christ crucified, rather than rely on elaborate arguments and theories.SLP 102.1–2+1 His preaching did not depend on persuasive human wisdom, elaborate argument, or philosophical display, but was made effective by the Spirit's power.AA 402.1+2 The truths he proclaimed were revealed and taught by the Spirit, who knows the deep things of God, with spiritual things understood by comparing spiritual things with spiritual.AA 402.1

Not with enticing wisdom means without excellency of speech, ornate and impressive speech, elaborate argument, philosophical display, eloquence, learning, oratory, and proof-giving.Ms 128, 1908, par. 7–14+4 It also means without human sciences, pompous show of science, boasting, ruling over conscience, and repeating the errors of the world.Ms 128, 1908, par. 7–14 He preached in simple, eloquent words in the wisdom of the Lord Jesus Christ learned from the divine Teacher, presenting divine revelation and the affirmative truth of God's law as obedience unto life or disobedience unto death, with Jesus Christ and Him crucified as the sum and substance of the whole gospel.Ms 128, 1908, par. 7–14+1 He pointed simply to Christ and preached in the Spirit's power so that hearers' faith would stand not in the wisdom of men but in connection with the power of God.Ms 128, 1908, par. 7–14+1

Enticing wisdom to be refused also includes high-flown ideas soaring away from the simplicity of Christ's teaching, and lecture-room or theater subjects and illustrations.Lt 9, 1892, par. 3–10 It includes relating anecdotes and using commonplace cheap illustrations to hold attention, and employing symbols and representations that do not uplift the mind and purify the heart.Lt 9, 1892, par. 3–10 It includes mingling the sacred and the common, teaching phrenology and marriage, seeking out many inventions of human devising, and such ministry belittles truth, confuses minds, plants imaginings and feelings that harm youth and prevent yielding the will to God, leaves the minister to his own foolish devising without Heaven's cooperation, and molds the work out of harmony with the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus.Lt 9, 1892, par. 3–10

He came in weakness and in fear and in much trembling when declaring the testimony of God, having determined to know nothing save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+3 His fear and trembling reflected humility, self-distrust, and concern that his own imperfections might obscure the Word's power, dishonor truth, or grieve the Holy Spirit.JIOKP 17.2–18.1+1 His restraint in using eloquence kept hearers' faith from resting on human skill and directed them to the power of God.Ms 93, 1903, par. 13–14

Demonstration means active proof by the Holy Spirit and by God's power.Lt 350, 1907, par. 20–21+1 The truths are revealed and taught by the Spirit who searches all things, even the deep things of God, and the Spirit sanctifies intellectual gifts and gives preaching power to convict and convert sinners.AA 402.1+1 His ministry had power and authority because he received instruction from God in vision, and what he saw in visions in the heavenly courts was woven into his teachings, though many things he saw were not lawful to utter.Ms 46, 1905, par. 14–17+1 The impressions made upon his mind by the Holy Spirit were strong and vivid, so truth flashed from his lips as a sharp two-edged sword in a way no one else could present it, and education and rhetorical skill even when used to advance the gospel cannot replace power from God.Ms 114, 1898, par. 17–19+1

For a year and a half in Corinth the preaching was purposely kept in simplicity, declaring the testimony of God in demonstration of the Spirit and of power rather than with excellency of speech or human wisdom.RH Aug 17, 1911 The teaching was adapted to hearers who were carnal babes in Christ needing milk and not meat, unable to bear meat or to comprehend the mysteries of salvation, with hearts closed by jealousy and evil-surmising and accusation against the full working of the Holy Spirit.RH Aug 17, 1911 After Athens, where reasoning had silenced philosophers yet few accepted the gospel, the choice at Corinth was deliberate for a plain approach pointing people to Christ crucified rather than relying on learning and eloquence.ST Sep 22, 1914+1 That plain message without worldly wisdom or ornament, centered on Christ and His mission, was contrasted by the hearers with the eloquent and learned preaching of Apollos.8RED 67.1–2+1

The new manner of preaching Christ followed Christ revealing Himself and changing a persecutor into a disciple, with the message demonstrated through the Spirit and power so that faith would rest not on human wisdom but on God.Lt 332, 1907, par. 4–5 Grasping the call to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God and not from men, and feeling the greatness of the work, led to deep study of the Scriptures in order to preach without human wisdom and persuasive skill but with proof given by the Spirit and divine power.RH Mar 30, 1911 By that light the wisdom of the world in which trust had once been placed was judged by the cross, with the determination to know nothing but Jesus Christ crucified and to draw wisdom and strength continually from Christ alone.RH Mar 30, 1911 What had been seen in visions in the heavenly courts was woven into the teachings, though many things seen were not lawful to utter, and the impressions made upon the mind by the Holy Spirit were strong and vivid so that truth flashed forth as a sharp two-edged sword in a way no one else could present.Lt 105, 1901, par. 4–6

Among the Corinthian hearers were proud believers in human theories, exponents of false worship seeking in nature for theories against spiritual and immortal life, critics of the revealed Word, skeptics, and the licentious.RH Aug 17, 1911 Great truths were introduced carefully and such hearers were not rebuked directly but were led to the foot of the cross by setting before them the true object of life, practical godliness and holiness, with the burden of Christ and Him crucified.RH Aug 17, 1911 Their earnest study and greatest joy were to become salvation through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, to lift them from worldliness and sin to purity and righteousness.RH Aug 17, 1911

Paul determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified, making Christ crucified the sum and substance and center of the whole gospel.SLP 102.1–2+4 His preaching in demonstration of the Spirit and of power set aside elaborate argument and theory to proclaim salvation through Christ, presenting divine revelation and the affirmative truth of God's law as obedience unto life or disobedience unto death.SLP 102.1–2+2 This choice directed faith away from human wisdom toward God's power.SLP 102.1–2+1

The wisdom he did speak is spoken among them that are perfect, meaning those with discernment and experience in the things of the Spirit given to humble, praying, believing saints.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+2 It is not the wisdom of this world nor of its princes that come to nought, but the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom ordained before the world unto glory.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+4 None of the princes of this world knew that wisdom, for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+4 In ignorance and blindness of mind they did not apply the prophecies of Christ where they belong and rejected the crucified Christ, a human-origin opposition counterworking the Spirit of God.Ms 128, 1908, par. 15–19

What eye has not seen nor ear heard nor entered the heart of man, God has prepared for them that love Him and has revealed by His Spirit.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+4 The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God, and the truths proclaimed were revealed and taught by the Spirit who knows those deep things.AA 402.1+4 Believers have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit of God that they might know the things freely given by God, speaking not in words man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Ghost teaches, by comparing spiritual things with spiritual.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+1 That hidden wisdom includes the truth about Christ as Priest and Sacrifice in His human and divine nature, obedient unto death and now taken into eternal unison as both God and man as priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.Ms 115, 1897, par. 28 No man can explain it to human senses by human wisdom, but when seen by faith it is because God has revealed Him in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.Ms 115, 1897, par. 28

True preaching makes the sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin uplifted on the cross of Calvary the theme of every discourse, the great central truth around which all other truths cluster.Ms 70, 1901, par. 9–13+1 Every truth from Genesis to Revelation is to be understood in the light streaming from the cross.20MR 336.4–6 Demonstration of the Spirit and of power means setting forth the fullness of Christ, dwelling on His preciousness, mercy, and glory, putting Christ into every sermon, for Christ formed within is the hope of glory and gives marrow and fatness to the gospel.20MR 336.4–6+1

The aim and result of this manner of speaking and preaching is that faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.JIOKP 17.2–18.1+4 It is preaching without reliance on persuasive human wisdom, marked instead by the Spirit's demonstration and power.JIOKP 17.2–18.1+3 It is joined with weakness and fear and much trembling, with setting aside impressive speech and excellency of speech in declaring the testimony of God.JIOKP 17.2–18.1+2 It comes from determining to know nothing save Jesus Christ and Him crucified, choosing to proclaim salvation through Christ, especially Christ crucified, rather than relying on elaborate arguments and theories.SLP 102.1–2+2

That Spirit-empowered preaching rests on active proof by the Holy Spirit and by God's power.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+1 It carries the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom ordained before the world unto glory.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+1 None of the princes or rulers of this world knew that wisdom, for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+1 What eye has not seen nor ear heard nor entered into the heart of man, God has prepared for them that love Him and has revealed by His Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+1 Believers have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit of God that they might know the things freely given by God, speaking not in words man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Ghost teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual, which requires study of the Word.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3 The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God because they are spiritually discerned, so spiritual knowledge and spiritual experience are needed to face the future, meet opposition, and be transferred to immortal life, changed if alive or raised if in the grave.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3

Restraint in using eloquence keeps hearers' faith from resting on human skill and directs them to the power of God.Ms 93, 1903, par. 13–14+1 That fear and trembling reflects humility and concern that personal imperfections might obscure the Word's power, dishonor truth, or grieve the Holy Spirit.Ms 93, 1903, par. 13–14 The greatness of the work led to deep study of the Scriptures so as to preach without human wisdom and persuasive skill but with proof given by the Spirit and divine power, judging the wisdom of the world by the light of the cross and continually drawing wisdom and strength from Christ alone.RH Mar 30, 1911 In this way the cross of Christ is not emptied of effect.RH Mar 30, 1911 The apostle feared lest his work should stand in the wisdom of men and not in the power of God and thus prove a work that produces no harvest, so gospel workers must not preach with excellency of speech, enticing words of man's wisdom, or to please the ears, but must present eternal truths plainly, keep before the people their peril in neglecting eternal interests, keep self out of sight, and ever lift up Jesus Christ and Him crucified to bring people to the cross and do solid work.Ms 29, 1893, par. 6–7

The converting success among thousands of Jews and Gentiles was not to be attributed to the man but to the power of God upon him, with angels making the Word effective.Ms 128, 1908, par. 7–14 That refusal meant no fine oratory, debate, deep philosophy, pompous show of science or eloquence, boasting, ruling over conscience, or repeating the errors of the world.Ms 128, 1908, par. 7–14 It meant preaching in the wisdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, learned from the divine Teacher, presenting divine revelation and the affirmative truth of God's law as a life-and-death question of obedience unto life or disobedience unto death, with Jesus Christ and Him crucified as the sum and substance of the whole gospel.Ms 128, 1908, par. 7–14 It meant preaching in demonstration of the Spirit and of power so that hearers' faith would stand not in the wisdom of men but in connection with the power of God.Ms 128, 1908, par. 7–14

The power in which speech and preaching are demonstrated bears the test of trial, breaking down opposition, melting away scientific reasoning, overcoming opposing influences, and bringing men and women to recognize, value and appreciate the truth on a solid foundation.7MR 293.2+1 Saving truth must come from God and be accompanied by His Spirit when communicated, for without that it is powerless against opposing influences, and ministry must therefore present truth with spiritual power and not in a lifeless manner.GW92 66.2+1 The same demonstration gives warning to hold fast to past experience that has kept hearers where they are.Lt 40, 1906, par. 7–8

Spirit-led work brings deep, genuine conversion, convicting and converting sinners, transforming character, and producing results that human effort alone cannot produce.Ms 142, 1909, par. 9–12+3 God alone transforms character, and He can use even a poor, foolish man who can present no reasons and only repeats a text to bring the Spirit to rest on hearers, convict a learned man of pomp and pride, bring him to his knees in confession, and change the heart.Ms 12, 1893, par. 19–21 The message so empowered centers on Jesus Christ and Him crucified, with the Spirit sanctifying intellectual gifts and giving preaching power to convict and convert so that faith rests on God's power rather than human wisdom, bringing people to understand God's gifts.Ms 114, 1898, par. 17–19+2 Ministers who are pure in heart and life and closely connected with Heaven have greater power to convict and convert, and the message is to be presented with the force of God's power and not merely as words.8RED 60.1–61.1+1 Education and rhetorical skill, even when used to advance the gospel, cannot replace power from God, for Paul could meet oratory with oratory and philosophy with philosophy yet determined to know only Jesus Christ and Him crucified, working not by enticing words of man's wisdom, learning, oratory, philosophy, proof-giving, or human sciences.Ms 114, 1898, par. 17–19+1

Preaching that demonstrates the Spirit confronts the natural heart with truth, law, and coming judgment, and can awaken opposition and rebellion, exposing the conflict between Christ and the world and sometimes bringing persecution.GW92 66.2+2 It must be more than human argument or a correct theory of truth, for God's Spirit must actively work through the messenger, giving the word spiritual power to reveal God's glory, convict sinners, and call them to repentance.TBC1882b 9.3–11.1 Without that Spirit-given demonstration, teaching may retain Christianity's outward form but will not bring saving change, while preaching truth in Christ's simplicity and power lays bare that conflict.TBC1882b 9.3–11.1

Such preaching stirs hearts, for in the early apostolic days the gospel was preached through the demonstration of the Spirit and power, and its force came from the Holy Spirit and not merely from human speech or human effort.STM2 3.2+3 Without them labor to proclaim the truth is fruitless, but the same blessing remains for laborers now, for God is no less willing to bestow it in this age than in the apostles' day, so preaching of the truth now should move the people with the same power.ST2 19.2–3+1 Preaching the Word in Christlike simplicity with fervor holds even outside hearers spellbound to believe present truth and keep the Sabbath, with thirty-five new Sabbathkeepers and many more believing, though it requires moral courage to walk in the light and obey the commandments at the risk of losing employment and the means to support the family.Lt 91, 1897, par. 1–5 It holds large crowds without abating for one to nearly two hours, astonishes hearers, moves them to search the Scriptures, brings conviction, tears, testimony, and whole families to interest, with the Bible becoming a new revelation.STM2 3.2+4

That demonstration unfolds Jesus, glorifying Him and lifting Him up before eyes that before saw no beauty in Him to desire Him, presenting the inner beauties of His work and character which are not discerned with natural eyes, for it is the Spirit that quickens.Lt 49, 1892, par. 4–5 With Jesus lifted up as Prince and Saviour exalted to give repentance and forgiveness of sins, and beheld as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, such preaching has tremendous effect to bring souls to repentance, converting three thousand souls in one day.Lt 49, 1892, par. 4–5 Jesus' own teaching was of the same character, not grounded in human wisdom or formal learning but in God's Spirit and divine power, carrying God-given authority and reaching hearts unlike the cold, customary teaching of the scribes and elders.3RED 39.2–4 He taught simply enough for a child to understand, yet with truths lofty enough to move the highest mind, proclaiming God's kingdom and His power to free people from Satan's rule.3RED 39.2–4

Christian teaching and work do not gain effectiveness from human learning, ability, status, book-learning, or eloquence, but from the Holy Spirit and God's power.OEWP 19.2–23.1+4 Education guided by this truth seeks God's wisdom, brings people to know God, equips them to share that light in good works, and refuses to let book-learning displace spiritual knowledge or God's word.OEWP 19.2–23.1+4 Gospel preaching succeeds because the Spirit quickens and directs the worker's mind, helps present the truth, and, when truth is a living reality within a consecrated worker, uses that worker to speak to hearts and lift up Jesus.MH 215.3+1 That same power can work on the minds of rich and influential people and lead them to conversion.MH 215.3

God chooses what the world counts foolish, weak, lowly, base, and despised to confound the wise and mighty and to bring to nothing the things that are, and He has made foolish the wisdom of this world.STE 132.1+1 He does this so that no flesh should glory in His presence.STE 132.1+1 Christ is made by God to believers wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so he who glories must glory in the Lord.STE 132.1+1 Those who have given life to worldly pursuits and cultivated sharp worldly business traits see the preaching of the cross as foolishness, so not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called or come into the truth in large numbers.Lt 56, 1893, par. 22–25

The instruction in the first, second, and third chapters belongs together and is of greatest importance to all who have entered the Lord's army.Ms 67, 1900, par. 14–16 The weakness of the church is envy and strife cherished by members who walk as men and are carnal by saying I am of Paul and I am of Apollos, withdrawing from some and binding up with others.Ms 67, 1900, par. 14–16 Paul and Apollos are only ministers by whom believers believed, one planting and one watering while God gives the increase.Ms 67, 1900, par. 14–16

The wisdom spoken is among the perfect, meaning those with discernment and experience in the things of the Spirit given to humble, praying, believing saints, not the wisdom of this world nor of its princes that come to nothing, but the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom ordained before the world unto glory.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+2 None of the princes of this world knew it, for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory, but in ignorance and blindness they did not apply the prophecies of Christ where they belong and rejected Him in human-origin opposition counterworking the Spirit.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+2 What eye has not seen nor ear heard nor entered the heart of man, God has prepared for them that love Him and has revealed by His Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God, and believers have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit of God to know the things freely given by God, speaking not in words man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Ghost teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+2 This requires diligent study of the Word with humility and close seeking of God, because the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit as foolishness and cannot know them since they are spiritually discerned, while he who is spiritual judges all things yet is judged of no man, having the mind of Christ, so no one is to set himself as judge of another's experience and conscience or define another's duties.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+2 Spiritual knowledge and spiritual experience are needed to face the future, meet opposition, and be fitted for immortal life, whether changed if alive or raised if in the grave, with each receiving light from the highest authority and moving guardedly lest he interrupt the Lord's plans.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+1

The points of faith were accepted under the Spirit's demonstration, as the Spirit brought truth to mind during prayerful Scripture study and gave clear understanding of what was true and what was error.GW 302.2–3 The chapter is to be thought over at home and personally applied to show one's present condition and whether one is truly prepared for the Lord's coming.Lt 51a, 1895, par. 27+2 So applied it calls for separating from all hindrances, knowing the will of God and walking in that pathway, confessing Christ and coming out of darkness into His marvelous light to be all light in the Lord, growing beyond babes in Christ into right relation to truth and close connection with God, and, while mercy still lingers, falling on the Rock to be broken so that Jesus builds the soul into His own likeness rather than leading others in false paths.Lt 51a, 1895, par. 27+2 It also instructs overcoming indulged appetite and unnatural craving for alcohol and stimulating drinks by total abstinence, with aroused moral powers, looking to Jesus and trusting His grace, presenting the body a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, keeping it in healthful condition to do His will, and keeping the intellect clear and active to think soberly and control all powers in His service.20MR 106.2–107.1 The demonstration of the Spirit produces written instruction that establishes present truth for this time, giving reason for thankfulness and for praise to the Lord with heart and soul and voice, and for prayer that all who are willing to be led will be led into all truth.Lt 50, 1906, par. 9

Ministers understand this preaching when they feel deeply their own inefficiency and entire dependence on Christ for success, refusing to seek prominence above their brethren, hiding self in Christ so that Christ alone appears as chiefest among ten thousand and altogether lovely, keeping self out of sight while presenting eternal truths plainly with the burden of Christ crucified and the sacrifice for sin uplifted on Calvary as the theme of every discourse to win souls and do solid work that will not prove harvestless.Ms 70, 1901, par. 9–13+3 Such preaching comes from studying the life of Christ until self is fully surrendered and His words are practiced, walking with Him so that truth becomes a living reality within, sitting at His feet to listen to His instruction, emptying the soul-temple of foolishness, pride and folly, and inviting Him to take possession of heart and soul and character with no pride of spirit but a fuller sense of how much remains to be learned.Ms 84, 1901, par. 11–12+4 It is labor as shepherds and guardians faithfully and humbly for the spiritual welfare of the church, discerning essential truth, with circumspect deportment, tact and skill, zeal according to knowledge, sincerity, and the meekness of Christ as true witnesses and a sweet savor in every place.Lt 52, 1908, par. 5–7

The same blessing given in apostolic days remains for laborers now, for God is no less willing to bestow it in this age than in the apostles' day, just as ready to give power to servants today as to Paul and Apollos, Silas and Timothy, Peter, James, and John, so that preaching of the truth now should move people with the same power, turn many from darkness to light, establish many churches, and accomplish a work that will withstand Satan's assaults.STA 74.1+1 Messages must be charged with the Spirit through thorough consecration and special guidance, and power must be demonstrated in life and work.Lt 66, 1911, par. 2 That endowment comes by earnest persevering prayer and by looking to Jesus as author and finisher of faith, giving freedom and strength to hold forth the Word of life even in great pain and bodily weakness, in travel and fatigue and difficult conditions, under the sense of standing before God's judgment seat with the hearers and leaving nothing unsaid that might lead a soul to make peace with God.RH Aug 24, 1911+4

Preaching is not to rely on human force, skill, influence, ability, efficiency, learning, self-display, excitement, display, boasting, or open challenge to opponents, but on quiet humble dependence on God.RH Mar 24, 1903+3 Workers are to study the field, keep plans from the enemy, move without show, present important soul-testing truth line by line, pray and believe and trust, let God's strength advance and follow it, and leave the result to the Lord, for those who trust in themselves fail while simple humble believers who know where their help comes from accomplish more, and plain truth attended by the Spirit reaches hearts where self-exalting meetings grieve the Spirit.Lt 24, 1880, par. 9+1 When truth is spoken under the Spirit's influence it reaches the heart and removes idols, for the preacher lets God's truth do the cutting and correcting.GW92 90.2

The last-day message with light about things taking place in the last remnant of time must be proclaimed to the world with pen and voice openly and boldly, without cringing, without covering or concealing its origin and purpose, and without making less prominent the special truths that have separated God's people from the world because they are fraught with eternal interests.STA 121.1+1 Those commissioned as messengers and stewards bound by solemn vows must faithfully declare the whole counsel of God and hold not their peace day nor night, not in a tame spiritless lifeless way but with living divine power openly shown, because the mightiest conflicts with results of moment to heaven and earth are involved in advancing the message.STA 121.1+4 A living message for the needs of the time is to be preached with that spiritual power.Lt 21a, 1888, par. 21

The warning of present truth is to be proclaimed without outward display in the simplicity of the gospel and in the Scriptures, grounded in Scripture and shaped by Christ's wisdom and Spirit so work can persuade without creating needless opposition, presenting together faith, Christ's love, the claims of God's law, repentance, conversion, pardon and cleansing, so the message itself has life-giving power to convict and convert souls and transform character, which sound logic and persuasive argument alone cannot do.Ms 6, 1889, par. 72–73+3 Truth loses its power when clothed in verbal wisdom while the Spirit is absent, and preaching in the Spirit's power cannot come from those who are without Christ.4T 314.1+3 Christless sermons lack spiritual power and nourishment, and even ministers may drift from piety and principle unless truth as it is in Jesus is planted in the heart by God's Spirit.11MR 90.3–91.1+1

Appeals should be made in demonstration of the Spirit with earnest concern for the impenitent and unbelieving, presenting truth directly and plainly while letting it do the convicting, with tenderness, patience, pity and burden for souls rather than harsh attacks, sharp remarks, ridicule of other churches, or self-importance, and resisting messages given in such power is resisting God's Spirit.1T 383.1+4 That demonstration is hindered by lengthy discourses, which tax speaker and hearers, bury up the matter presented, wear away the first forcible impression, and leave a confused mass that cannot be retained and digested, so that one half the matter would be of more benefit than the whole.Lt 40a, 1894, par. 1–3 Lips touched with a live coal from the altar present truth in demonstration rather than in long taxing form.Lt 40a, 1894, par. 1–3

When God's light shines through human agents the truth is revealed clearly through the Spirit's demonstration, and this work begins in the home.RH Jul 15, 1902 Those who have heard truth so spoken are to lay hold upon God by living faith, be vitalized by His Spirit, lift up Jesus before their own families and neighborhoods and churches, trade upon the Lord's goods in home responsibilities and extended effort, and increase in tact and wisdom, for the Spirit cooperates with the willing God-fearing humble worker, while seeing Christians live and work together without conflict prepares minds such as Chinese hearers to accept the truth presented with the Spirit's demonstration.Lt 39, 1894, par. 13–15+1 Solemn heart-searching truths and warnings heard from God's servants in God's house carry accountability to affect heart and character if heeded, but ignored appeals will stand in judgment against those who continue in vanity, levity, and pride.3T 363.1+1

Effective testimony like John's rests not on persuasive human wisdom but on witness of what was personally seen and heard and handled, publicly known rather than hidden.ST Nov 13, 1893 The power is revealed through a life surrendered to God through Christ, marked by faith, love, purity, peace, self-denial, self-sacrifice, humble meek service and good works, not by bodily movements.6MR 60.1–3 God works in power through servants who proclaim a special message for the people, endowing the preacher in remarkable visitation so that power and spirit come from human lips and flow in rich currents, eagerly heard even by preachers and people not of the faith who beg for copies, with entire families interested, the Bible becoming a new revelation, deep interest prolonging meetings and leading hearers to decide to obey.Ms 23, 1895, par. 8+1 Jesus works among His people in awakening to give new ministerial power and open rich treasures as a new revelation to a consecrated people of pleasing faith, needed where law-making powers will soon make their power felt and darkness with its confederacy works to void God's law.Ms 53, 1890, par. 15–17

Ministers as shepherds must labor faithfully and humbly for the church's welfare, discerning essential truth, and those pure in heart and life and closely connected with Heaven have greater power to convict and convert and turn people from error to truth.Lt 52, 1908, par. 5–7+2 True preaching is not enticing words and not many argumentative sermons that seldom soften the soul, but setting forth the fullness of Christ with marrow and fatness because Jesus is the living center, putting Christ into every sermon and dwelling on His preciousness, mercy and glory, for Christ formed within is the hope of glory; where the free gift of Christ's righteousness is not presented discourses are dry and spiritless and sheep and lambs are not fed.Lt 15, 1892, par. 3–7 The disciples gathered in Jerusalem to receive the promised Spirit so they could preach in this way, and the apostles bore the word of life preaching Christ crucified with willingness to deny self, take up the cross, and give up convenience for the good of others and the saving of souls.TCBMP 31.2+1

Preaching must not pile up rubbish of criticism and needless vain foolish words, must not be diluted by human tradition, and must not please ears, but must determine to know only Jesus Christ and Him crucified, minister in weakness and fear and much trembling, present God's life-and-death message as it is in all its telling force, keep before people their peril in neglecting eternal interests, minister the sacred solemn work, and expect large things, for the demonstration makes the message effectual to convict and convert and do solid work.Lt 119, 1899, par. 1–2+3 The simple yet solemn worship where such preaching is heard recalls the early Christian assemblies where Paul or Peter might preside, marked not by lifeless formality or human display but by the Spirit's presence and power, and the same simplicity marked the Moravian service that recalled those gatherings.GC 255.2+1 Speaking in demonstration is also holding forth the Word of life in freedom, telling what the Lord has opened including hidden counsels, which makes a deep impression that convicts hearers to tears and humble confession and turns them from wrong to right, rather than a smooth half-hearted message that leaves people worse or lulled into careless security.Lt 33, 1861, par. 6–7+2

The verse gives warning to hold fast to past experience on a solid foundation, for God's power bears the test of trial, breaking down opposition, melting away scientific reasoning, and bringing men and women to value the truth that has kept them where they are.Lt 40, 1906, par. 7–8 Its power is shown when God speaks through reformers with superior power bringing results they could not achieve alone, approving those who set self aside and rely on Him for success in saving souls.RH Mar 24, 1903 Even Paul, a very great teacher who could meet oratory with oratory and philosophy with philosophy, knew all his education was of little account without the Spirit working with him, showing education and rhetorical skill even for the gospel cannot replace God's power; effective speech does not require elaborate education or polished words, for God can give the words needed and can even use a poor foolish man who presents no reasons and only repeats a text to bring the Spirit upon hearers, convict a learned man of pomp and pride, bring him to confession, and change the heart.Ms 12, 1893, par. 19–21+2

Men who have given life to worldly pursuits and cultivated sharp worldly business traits see the preaching of the cross as foolishness, so not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called and do not come into the truth in large numbers; God has chosen the foolish, weak, base and despised to confound the wise and mighty and bring to nought things that are, that no flesh should glory, but he that glories glories in the Lord who is made unto believers wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.Lt 56, 1893, par. 22–25 The testing truths for the time are to be proclaimed by consecrated messengers whose standing as a spectacle to world, angels, and men comes not from high status but from the Spirit strengthening and helping them, in contrast to persuasive eloquence used to win applause and to what is usually heard.Ms 165, 1899, par. 57 The message is to be borne through demonstration rather than human wisdom or persuasive skill, with the Word presented with spiritual power when God works through both teacher and hearer to bring understanding and desire.2MR 323.2+1 Presenting arguments alone cannot make ministry effective without spiritual energy awakening consciences, and Christ's simple way reached every station, so genuine piety, closeness to God, and daily knowledge of Christ can make even a stammering speaker eloquent.Lt 26, 1873, par. 4+1

The message should be presented not in a tame lifeless manner but with force as more than words, with the Spirit's demonstration as the power that convicts and converts, and a living message for the needs of the time preached with that power.6T 61.3+2 That power works through faithful human agents to convert even wealthy and influential people, whose intellect and position do not place them beyond God's reach.MH 215.4–216.1