The Promise Of The Spirit By Lois J. Stucky

In S. A. Keen’s article on page 4, "The Spirit’s Power Indispensable," fail not to notice the words, "the Holy Spirit of promise" and "the promise of the Spirit." It is always good to have an encouraging promise, but never better than when it is God who gives a promise, for He always keeps His Word. God gave the promise of the Gift of His Spirit. It is up to us to believe it and to receive it. God took the initiative in giving us the Spirit as He did in giving us the Gift of His Son. He made provision so His people, His Church, would be saved and equipped to do the work He was giving them to do: "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 Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." The disciples believed the promise and they obeyed the conditions. They tarried until they were endued and then they and those won by them went everywhere preaching the Gospel, and by the power of the Holy Spirit many souls came into the Kingdom of God as they moved to the far ends of the earth. There were riots and persecutions and martyrdoms. It was certainly not an easy task committed to them, but they had the enduement of power from on high. They received grace to endure and God prospered them in the task. Today, we Christians have the same commission as had the disciples. Oh, that we might fulfill it as they did! It is remarkable how Christians today are utilizing the technology of the age to advance with the Gospel--radio, television, satellite, films, videos, air travel, huge and fast printing presses, computers, etc. Are we seeking along with all of this technology, for the greatest power of the universe, the power of the Holy Spirit, for the part we take in going into all the world with the Gospel? We should ask ourselves also, are we seeking the power from on high for what is perhaps our first step in that direction, and that is going to our unsaved brother or sister, or neighbor with the Gospel? We are without excuse if we lack the power, for God has promised the Holy Spirit for our witness, however limited or great our opportunities might be! If we are filled with the Holy Spirit all the time, our lives will witness by example as we witness by word. James A. Stewart’s articles, have been a great blessing and help when printed from time to time in Herald of His Coming. One appears on page five of this issue. James Stewart began his witness and preaching of the Gospel at the age of fourteen. Early mornings he would close himself in a room and cry out to God for the power of the Holy Spirit for what he would face that day. He knew if he were to be a true witness, his life, his spirit must manifest the Christ he preached, and this is possible only by the power of the indwelling Spirit. The words that he spoke must have power to convict and enlighten, and that would be only through the Spirit. Early in life James Stewart learned the secret of the Holy Spirit’s power and in time he went from the streets of his native Scotland to become a dynamic revivalist in continental Europe and in America. His writings continue to move people greatly today, years after he has gone to be with the Lord. There is an immense task to be completed. World population has now passed six billion. Each Christian is needed to fill his or her place by the grace and power of God, to finish the task. We find great incentive in Matthew 24:14: "The gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Let us press on for the fullness of the Spirit, that we might do our part, for the sake of our dear Lord and Saviour.