How to bring men to ChristTorrey, R. A. (Reuben Archer)
Religion
How to bring men to Christ
Torrey, R. A. (Reuben Archer)
Evangelistic work; Witness bearing (Christianity)
3. _The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is always connected with testimony or
service_, (see 1 Cor. xii. 4‒13; Acts i. 5‒8; Luke xxiv. 49; Acts ii. 4;
iv. 8, 31; vii. 55; ix. 17, 20; x. 45‒46; xix. 6.) The Baptism of the
Holy Spirit has no direct reference to cleansing from sin. This is an
important point to bear in mind for many reasons. There is a line of
teaching on this subject that leads men to expect that if they receive
the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the old carnal nature will be
eradicated. There is not a line of scripture to support this position.
As said above, and as any one can learn for himself if he will examine
all the passages in which the baptism of the Holy Spirit is mentioned,
it is always connected with testimony and service. It is indeed
accompanied with a great moral and spiritual uplifting and pre–supposes,
as we shall see, an entire surrender of the will to Christ, but its
primary and immediate purpose is fitting for service. We will get a more
definite idea of what the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is, if we consider
its manifestations and results as stated in the Bible. (a.) Let us look
first at the passage that goes most into detail on this subject, 1 Cor.
xii. 4‒13. We see at once that _the manifestations or results of the
Baptism of the Holy Spirit are not precisely the same in all persons_.
For example, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit will not make every one who
receives it a successful evangelist or teacher. Some quite different
gift may be imparted. This fact is often overlooked and much
disappointment and doubt are the result. The manifestations or results
vary with the lines of service to which God has called different
individuals. One receives the gift of an evangelist, another of a
teacher, another of government, another of a helper, another of a
mother, (1 Cor. xii. 28‒31; Eph. iv. 8, 11.) (b.) 1 Cor. xii. 7, 11.
_There will be some gift in every case._ Not the same gift but some
gift, of an evangelist, or a pastor, or of a teacher or some other. (c.)
1 Cor. xii. 11. _The Holy Spirit is Himself the one who decides what the
gift or gifts shall be which he will impart to each individual._ It is
not for us to select some place of service and then ask the Holy Spirit
to qualify us for that service, nor for us to select some gift, and then
ask the Spirit to impart to us that gift. It is for us to put ourselves
entirely at the disposal of the Holy Spirit to send us where “He will,”
into what line of service “He will” (Acts xiii. 2,) and to impart what
gift “He will.” He is absolutely sovereign and our rightful position is
that of absolute and unconditional surrender to Him. This is where many
fail of a blessing and meet with disappointment. I know a most sincere
and self–sacrificing man who gave up a lucrative business and took up
the work of an evangelist. He had heard of the Baptism of the Holy
Spirit; and had been led to suppose that, if he received it, it would
qualify him for the work of an evangelist.
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