The Signs of the Times, vol. 21

October 3, 1895

“The Spirit and the Word” The Signs of the Times, 21, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

The Spirit and the Word.— “He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God; for he giveth not the Spirit by measure.” John 3:34, R.V. In the common version the words “unto him” are added, although they are not in the original, as is indicated by their being in italics. However, it makes really no difference whether they are in or not, for the meaning is the same either way. The plainly expressed idea is that God gives the Spirit without measure unto the one whom he sends, and who fulfills his mission by speaking the words of God. SITI October 3, 1895, page 609.1

Of course there is no question but that this refers primarily to Christ. God “send his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10. God had said to Moses concerning Christ, “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” Deuteronomy 18:18. So Jesus said, “Whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.” John 12:50. And again, “The word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” John 14:24. SITI October 3, 1895, page 609.2

It was “through the eternal Spirit” that Jesus offered Himself to God. Hebrews 9:14. It was by the Spirit, therefore, that he spoke. But the word was not simply in his mouth but in his heart. The testimony of Christ was, “I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation, lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.” Psalm 40:8, 9. The word being in his heart, it guided all his acts as well as his speech; so that Jesus both lived and spoke the words of God. And the Spirit was with him, without measure, both to speak and to do whatever the Father required of him. SITI October 3, 1895, page 609.3

But Jesus said of his disciples, “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” John 13:18. He said also, “I have given them thy word.” Verse 14. Because he whom God has sent it sent to speak the word of God. This word of testimony can not be truly spoken except by the Spirit; for “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” 1 Corinthians 12:3. SITI October 3, 1895, page 609.4

The word of truth can not be spoken unless it fills the heart; “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matthew 12:34. See also Deuteronomy 6:6, 7. Therefore it is evident that he who truly speaks the word of God, lives the word of God. Such an one lives “by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” He does not slight one precept. SITI October 3, 1895, page 609.5

Now come in the fullness of the promise that he who fulfills the mission on which he is sent, namely, to speak the word of God, will have the Spirit without measure. It is for this special purpose that the Spirit was promised and given. Jesus said, “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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8. SITI October 3, 1895, page 609.6

The Spirit was manifest in the church without limit, as long as the church held forth the word of God. It was only when the professed people of God turned from the mission on which they were sent, leaving the word of God for fables, that the powerful manifestations of the Spirit disappeared. Would you have to the full the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Give yourself wholly to the word of God, to hold it forth in its wholeness and perfection, and the Spirit will be given without measure. E. J. W. SITI October 3, 1895, page 609.7

“Hearing the Word” The Signs of the Times, 21, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

Hearing the Word.— But let it be remembered that it is the word of God, and not that of men, that is to be heard. If men are really sent from God, and preach only the word, then it is all right; but let it never be forgotten that faith can not come from hearing the word of men. It is evident, therefore, that when men speak we must be able to discern whether or not they are speaking the word of God. That means that we must know the word of God for ourselves. We must study it for ourselves, recognizing God’s voice in it, to know exactly what he says. If this is done, there will be no difficulty in the matter of faith. That man who gives himself patiently to the study of the word of God, will have faith just as surely as he will have strength if he eats good food and breathes pure air. E. J. W. SITI October 3, 1895, page 609.8

“Everything from Heaven” The Signs of the Times, 21, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

When John the Baptist was reminded by some of his disciples that his influence among the people was waning, and that the multitudes were flocking to Jesus, he replied, “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” John 3:27. SITI October 3, 1895, page 609.9

If the truth of this answer was recognized and believed by all men, there would be a perfect condition of society. It is well worth studying. SITI October 3, 1895, page 609.10

In the first place, it shows us the uselessness of seeking position and influence for ourselves. “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from Heaven.” Therefore he does not really possess that which he has gained by his own self-seeking. Or, to put it more correctly, that which one gets by his own selfish seeking is nothing. Whoever, therefore seeks position and influence for himself, is pursuing a shadow. Such seeking is worse than useless. SITI October 3, 1895, page 609.11

Again, the will of heaven towards us cannot be thwarted by any other person. The reception of the gifts of heaven depend solely upon ourselves. If we are willing to receive what Heaven has for us, no person on earth can stay it from bestowing them. Therefore it follows that we shall more certainly have everything that the God of heaven wishes us to have. A belief of this would produce perfect contentment in us. Moreover, if any position or influence is taken from us, we may know that it was taken by the will of Heaven. We are not to blame men for it. Even the man who may possess it instead of us is not to be blamed. If there be any blame, we are the ones to whom it belongs. God may have taken it away because we did not use it properly. Or there may be no blame at all, but the purpose for which God gave it to us may have been served. But in any case we are not to blame men for what we have lost, since gifts are only at God’s disposal. SITI October 3, 1895, page 609.12

With these words of John we may place those written by the apostle James, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17. Therefore we need not mourn if we lose the position which was good, and which offered such facilities for serving God; because when it goes we may know that it would not be good for us any more. Not only are we certain to have every good thing that God has for us, if we are willing to receive it, but everything that comes from God is good. “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Who can not see that it is worse than foolish to complain when good comes to him? SITI October 3, 1895, page 609.13

“Let good or ill befall,
It must be good for me,
Secure of having Thee in all,
Of having all in Thee.” SITI October 3, 1895, page 610.1

One thing more should be learned, and that is not to boast. Since a man can receive nothing except that which is given him from Heaven, what wickedness it is to boast of any gifts that we may possess! “For who maketh thee to differ [from another]? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” 1 Corinthians 4:7. SITI October 3, 1895, page 610.2

He who remembers that God gives only good things, and everything that is good, and who lives in constant recognition of the fact that he is dependent on heaven alone, and who therefore commits himself to the heavenly keeping, will, though poor and unknown, find even on earth the riches and satisfaction of heaven. E. J. W. SITI October 3, 1895, page 610.3