Bible Training School
April 1, 1906
The Work of the Spirit
Many have become hard-spirited because they are verily strangers to the working of the Holy Spirit. There needs to be a great reformation in the lives of believers, in their words and works and spiritual understanding. We need to catch the inspiration of the angels in the heavenly courts. We need daily to breathe the atmosphere of heaven. BTS April 1, 1906, par. 1
O how my heart trembles for us all. Unless the hard-heartedness is melted away by the grace of Jesus Christ, we shall never know what heaven is. I am pained beyond measure when I see and feel the hard-hearted methods of dealing with the Lord's heritage. I feel so ashamed in behalf of Christ, as I see how little respect and reverence are shown towards the purchase of His blood. BTS April 1, 1906, par. 2
There is need of the converting power of God in every family. Were this power present, there would not be seen a lack of sympathy; instead, there would be seen a most earnest receiving of the grace of Christ to impart to others. BTS April 1, 1906, par. 3
Let every root of bitterness be rooted out of the heart. Let most thorough work be done with self. Let the men who are in office keep their hearts under the control of the Holy Spirit. Let them be careful of their actions. BTS April 1, 1906, par. 4
Just before our Saviour left this earth, He commissioned His disciples to go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In My name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” “Behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.” Power to do what?—To preach the gospel and proclaim the conditions of salvation. BTS April 1, 1906, par. 5
The disciples obeyed the divine injunction. While they were engaged in prayer, being of one accord in one place, the Holy Spirit came upon them as a rushing mighty wind, and filled all the house where they were sitting. Peter was re-anointed with the Holy Unction from on high. So wonderful was the out-pouring of the Spirit that “the same day there was added unto them about three thousand souls.” BTS April 1, 1906, par. 6
It is this baptism of the Holy Spirit that the churches need today. There are backslidden church-members and backslidden ministers who need re-converting, who need the softening, subduing influence of the baptism of the Spirit, that they may rise in newness of life and make thorough work for eternity. I have seen the irreligion and the self-sufficiency cherished, and I have heard the words spoken, “Except ye repent and be converted, ye shall never see the kingdom of heaven.” There are many who will need re-baptizing, but let them never go down into the water until they are dead to sin, cured of selfishness and self-exaltation until they can come up out of the water to live a new life unto God. Faith and repentance are conditions, essential to the forgiveness of sin. BTS April 1, 1906, par. 7
What is needed now are men chosen of God and precious who will go forth full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the gospel, calling upon God for His grace to aid them in their work. The Lord has warned us that a large number of believers should not congregate in one place. Let men go out in the name of the Lord, humble and devoted, as colporteurs and canvassers to sell the books that bring light to the souls of those who know not the truth. When this is done, there will be seen striking instances of conversion. BTS April 1, 1906, par. 8