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T H E K I N G ’ S
B U S I N E S S
October 1924
Our Continual Meed of the Hol$ Spirit for Service Dr. i . E. Marsh, England This is the first of a series o f three articles of unusual merit on “ The Holy Spirit” by Dr. F . E. Marsh, the well known and well beloved preacher, teacher, author of many books and pamphlets, and editor of “ The Prophetic Witness.” The subject is treated at greater length in his book “Fully Furnished.” Dr. Marsh’s messages have, for many years, been' a source of great blessing and inspiration to thousands of believers the world over. We are looking forward to his coming to Eos Angeles in the early part of 1925 for a series of Bible expositions. Few men have equalled Dr. Marsh in the ability to analyze, expound and illuminate so acceptably the Word of God.
continue to rest upon us and work through us to the glory of His name. I One who is filled with the Holy Spirit is full of faith to convict the sinner of his sin of unbelief. Have we not the Lord’s own Word for it? “ When He is come He will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on Me.” Are we to understand this as the work of the Spirit apart from the believer? I think not; but rather the Spirit of God working through the believer. Bowen says in reference to this passage “ What is here promised is* such an outpouring of the Holy Spirit as shall not only reveal itself in the consciousness of believers, but substantiate itself as an undeniable and wonderful fact to the onlooking world. Is not the great thing which is wanted this,— that the Spirit of God should be so poured out on Christ’s people that men should be made aware of His presence at the right hand of God?” : , •
HE truth about the Holy Spirit has been called the “Host Gospel,” and the neglect of the subject has entailed upon the Church of God a great loss. We are not sure if the answer that a woman in the north of Scotland is said to have given to the minister, when he was catechising her, might not be givèn by sòme today. “How many Persons are there in the Godhead?” he asked. To the astonishment of all present she replied, “ There are two Persons in the Godhead, the Father and thè Son.” Again the minister put the question, and this time with a caution. This woman was known for her love and zeal in Christian work: so when she gave the same answer the second time, the minister turned to his elders and the others present in a pompous manner, and said, “ You see what comes of high-flown zeal and hypocrisy. This woman seeks to teach others, and herself is more ignorant than a child. What gross ignorance! Woman! Don’t you know that the correct answer is, ‘There are three Persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.’ ” “ Sir,” , replied the woman, “ I ken verra weel that the catechism says sae, but whether am I to believe the cate chism or yersel? We; hear you mention the Father; an’ sometimés, but nae aften, ye mak’ mention o’ the Son in yer preachin’ ; but wha ever heard you speak aboot the Holy Ghost? ’Deed, sir, ye never sae muckle as tauld us whether there be ony Holy Ghost, lat alane oor need o’ His grace.” , Somehow the notion has got abroad that because the Holy Spirit does not speak from Himself ( “ from Himself” is the correct reading of John 16:13, as brought out in the Revised Version), therefore He does not speak of Himself. This is most erroneous, for right through the Word He speaks of Himself as the Executor of the Father’s plans, and the Unfolder of the Person of Christ. In creation, in provi dence, and in redemption, He speaks of Himself in the Word which He has inspired, as the active agent of the God head. ’We need the baptism, the filling, the anointing of the Spirit to rest upon us, and to work through us as a definite and continuous experience as the Servants of God. Martin Luther, Richard Baxter, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, Robert Haldane, and others like them, sought, received, and were carried on in their life and service by the power of the Holy Spirit'. *-'“ The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,” said Christ, in speaking of Himself as the servant of God. So also in the Acts of the Apostles, the servants of Christ are spoken of as being “ full of the Holy Ghost.’’ : It is as servants o f’Christ that we now invite your atten tion to a few of the marks of thorfe servants who are filled with the Holy Ghost. It may lead some who have not yet received this definite baptism or filling of the Spirit to seek it from the Lord, while those who have known something of the filling of the Spirit may be reminded that it is as we remain in the right attitude of soul, as we continue to fulfill the conditions which He has laid down, that His power will
DR. F. E. MARSH, OF LONDON,' ENGLAND We read of Stephen and Barnabas as “ full of faith.” They were full of faith because full of the Spirit, and full of the Spirit because full of faith. Unless we have a simple and strong faith in God ourselves, we cannot expect to convince others; but if, on the other hand, we are allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us we shall be full of faith, and thus His influence, through us shall be felt. As life gives brightness to the. eye, spring to the steps, and vigor, to the whole human frame,, so the Holy Spirit filling us shall give vjgor of spirit, earnestness of manner, boldness of utter ance, and spiritual perception, (Continued on page 676)
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