Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 228, 1902

Bible Writers Inspired, Not Extinguished

1902

This manuscript is published in entirety in 11MR 347.

The Lord takes the instrument that will submit to the Holy Spirit’s influence. He works through the human instrument that accepts that holy influence. He works in giving the heavenly mold, but He waits for the human agency to co-operate with the divine. The Holy Spirit inspired John; He did not extinguish John. He inspired Matthew, but He did not make Matthew into some other person. 17LtMs, Ms 228, 1902, par. 1

We have a whole far-reaching history. Christ’s prayer is: “Sanctify them through thy truth” [John 17:17]—that is, make the human agent holy through the sanctification of Thy Word. The human agent is not to take Christ’s place, or to receive the glory that was to be His living ministration. He was to behold and bear witness to the Light, pointing out the way, a witness attesting to the glory—a voice in the desert, “Behold the Lamb of God.” [John 1:29.] That you may understand more clearly, John [the Baptist] says he was not that Light, but was appointed for this office, “to bear witness of that Light.” [Verse 8.] 17LtMs, Ms 228, 1902, par. 2

Here is to be a lesson for all ministers who wish to fill the place Christ would have them fill. The minister of the gospel is to keep his hearer’s attention to the fact he is a witness crying in the wilderness, “Behold the Lamb of God.” [Verse 29.] He was the True Light. 17LtMs, Ms 228, 1902, par. 3