This is among the parting words of instruction that Jesus gave to his disciples before he ascended to heaven, after he had chosen and ordained them to do his work.GCB May 17, 1909, page 31.10

Now put with this another verse (John 14:26): “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in may name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”GCB May 17, 1909, page 31.11

Again, in Luke 24:49, we read: “And, 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.”GCB May 17, 1909, page 31.12

Now, brethren and sisters, whatever has been the need of God’s people in any age of this world’s history for proper equipment for doing his work, we have the same need to-day. No other people have ever had committed to them a greater work than is committed to Seventh-day Adventists. When we look out into the world, and see the tremendous work yet to be accomplished, and compare it with the shortness of time, we can see that some mighty power must come to help us finish the work in this generation. Notice what the Saviour said to his disciples, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” How was the Saviour sent? Let us read (Acts 10:38): “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”GCB May 17, 1909, page 31.13

Our Saviour went forth to his work anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power. And he said to his disciples, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” He sent his disciples forth with the same anointing and the same power that he had in his work. Notice the instruction he gave. He promised the Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, and direct them. Then he said, “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem.” How long?—“Until ye be endued with power from on high.”GCB May 17, 1909, page 31.14

The disciples had been with the Lord, the greatest teacher the world has ever seen. They had heard his instruction, they had seen his miracles, they had seen him raise the dead, they had seen him heal the lepers, and perform many other miracles. Yet being with the Lord and hearing his instruction and seeing his works did not qualify them for the work. They were to tarry in the city. They might have said, and truthfully, that they had a great work to do. But the Lord wanted them to stay where they were until they were equipped to do effective service when they went into the field. So the disciples remained in Jerusalem until that divine enduement came upon them; and when they did go forth to the work, something was accomplished.GCB May 17, 1909, page 31.15

I will read a few statements regarding the Holy Spirit. In The Desire of Ages, 672, I find these words: “Christ has promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to his church, and the promise belongs to us as much as to the first disciples.” Whatever was in that promise for the apostles in their labors, is also for those engaged in proclaiming the third angel’s message. And whatever the Holy Spirit did for the apostles in their work, is just as much for you and for me in this great work.GCB May 17, 1909, page 31.16

Again we read: “Only to those who wait humbly upon God, who watch for his guidance and grace, is the Spirit given. The power of God awaits our demand and reception. This promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessings in its train.”GCB May 17, 1909, page 31.17

Wonderful, blessed promise! We should have that blessing in our own personal experience. Can you think of any blessings that we need at this time? Do you desire any laborers for your fields, or any money to send and support them there? One thing this Conference can take hold of that will bring everything else that we need, and that is the blessing of the power of God, which awaits our demand and reception. We may form plans; but what will they accomplish unless we have power to turn the machinery? While we are making plans, we want to reach up the hand of faith, and get hold of that one thing that will bring every blessing we need. The time has fully come when we should do that, and nothing should divert our minds from it. We need many blessings, but everything is dependent upon the reception of this one promised blessing. The first thing for us to do is to believe what the Holy Spirit says,—that the Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. The Holy Spirit is a free gift to God’s people.GCB May 17, 1909, page 31.18

In Testimonies for the Church 8:21, this statement is made: “It is the absence of the Spirit that makes the gospel ministry so powerless.”GCB May 17, 1909, page 31.19

If there is anything that has been a source of discouragement to me, it is the little power that I have seen manifested in my labors. Is that your experience? Have you ever mourned over that fact? This says it is the absence of the Holy Spirit that makes the gospel minister powerless. Then what is the matter with me when I have no power?—It is because the Holy Spirit is not in my life. I believe that, as preachers, we ought to seek God for the divine power that we need to proclaim the third angel’s message. I am glad for a gospel that makes preachers pray, and confess their sins, and seek the Lord for his blessing.GCB May 17, 1909, page 31.20

Learning, talent, eloquence, every natural and acquired endowment, may be possessed, but without the presence of the Spirit of God, no heart will be touched, no sinner won to Christ. We can study the theory of the truth, we ought to know how to present the truth clearly, but with it there must come the divine power of God if it shall change men’s hearts.GCB May 17, 1909, page 31.21

Again, I read: “For the baptism of the Spirit every worker should be pleading with God. Companies should be gathered together to ask for special help, for heavenly wisdom, that they may know how to plan and execute wisely.” I am glad the Holy Spirit can come into the thirty-seventh session of this Conference, and guide us in every plan we shall make. The very fact that the Spirit of the Lord has come into our midst indicates that he wants to stay here, and not only stay, but come in with greater power and efficiency as the work of God moves on. “My brethren and sisters, plead for the Holy Spirit. God stands back of every promise he has made. With your Bibles in your hands, say, I have done as thou hast said. I present thy promise, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.’ The rainbow about the throne is an assurance that God is true, that in him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” As long as the rainbow is about the throne, so long will the gift of the Holy Spirit be available. Let us take hold of this promise, and receive the blessing that comes to us.GCB May 17, 1909, page 31.22

In the first chapter of Acts, the promise of the Holy Spirit is repeated and referred to: “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.1

Almost the very last promise that the Saviour gave the disciples to encourage them was that the Comforter would come upon them, and abide with them, and stay with them. “But 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.” Then just as long as there is a sinner on the face of the earth, and some one must be sent to carry him the message of salvation, just so long will that promise remain true, “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.”GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.2

Before this message shall be finished, somebody will see it attended with mighty power under the operation of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. In connection with this there is to be a shaking time, when some will step out of the ranks, and will leave the truth that they once professed to love; but the promise is that others will come in and take their places. If a man is ever clothed with power from heaven, he will be in harmony with the third angel’s message, for it is this message that is to be proclaimed with great power. The angel that comes down from heaven with great power unites his voice to the voice of the third angel. He joins that movement, and it is under the direction of that angel that the work of God is closed up in the world.GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.3

Again, I read from “Early Writings:” “I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their husbands, and some children by their parents. The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth, now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and the truth alone was exalted to them. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, ‘It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.’”GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.4

Now, brethren, while we are watching the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, there are some other signs we are going to see before the end of time. “Signs and wonders followed the believers.” There are going to be some signs among the believers in the third angel’s message. We are going to see these. Brethren, while we do not want to look for signs and wonders, and desire the Spirit of God to perform miracles, we do want the Spirit of God for work. Let us read what the Lord did in the early church (Mark 16:20): “And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” That is the way the Lord worked in those days, and he will work again in the same way. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the blessing of God will come greatly upon his people.GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.5

Brethren, why do we not see the manifestation of this great power? Is it because the time has not come? There was a General Conference held in 1857,—fifty-three years ago. A vision was given on May 17 of that year, which is recorded as follows: “I saw the company present at the Conference. Said the angel, ‘Some food for worms; some for the seven last plagues; and some will be alive and translated at the coming of Jesus.” When was that?—In 1856. The members of that company have been thinned by death. But some of them are living yet, thank God. I am glad that we have come down the stream of time until gray-haired men and women will live until Jesus comes. We are right down in the very closing scenes of the third angel’s message. Brethren, we occupy the most solemn and terrible hour that man ever lived in. The time has come for God to finish this work, and close it in power. The time is here. Why, then, do we not receive the baptism of the Spirit?—It is because we do not fulfill the conditions; for while God promises the Holy Spirit, he makes conditions.GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.6

Let me read a little from “The Desire of Ages:” “Christ has promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to his church, and the promise belongs to us as much as to the first disciples. But like every other promise, it is given on conditions. There are many who believe and profess to claim the Lord’s promise; they talk about Christ, and about the Holy Spirit, yet receive no benefit.” Brethren, do you suppose we shall be like that? I hope the Lord will give us something better. “They do not surrender the soul to be guided and controlled by the divine agencies. We can not use the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is to use us. Through the Spirit, God works in his people ‘to will and to do of his good pleasure.’ But many will not submit to this. They want to manage themselves. This is why they do not receive the heavenly gift. Only to those who wait humbly upon God, who watch for his guidance and grace, is the Spirit given.”GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.7

This is a statement of some of the conditions upon which the Spirit of God is received. I want to read another statement concerning this question: “In my dream last night, a sentinel stood at the door of an important building, and said to every one that came for entrance, ‘Have you received the Holy Ghost?’ A measuring line was in his hand, and only very, very few were admitted into the building.” Suppose, brethren, that had been the question at the door this morning, as we came in, what would we have said? I believe God has bestowed the Holy Spirit upon this people. But I understand that there is a difference between receiving the Holy Spirit to lead us to conversion, and the receiving a baptism of the Holy Ghost for labor. That is what we need, brethren. We all have the Holy Spirit in a sense, but we need a special endowment of the Holy Ghost to go forth to finish the work. My brethren in the ministry, I believe there is something better for all of us. I believe there is need that we as preachers receive the Holy Ghost.GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.8

Oh, that the Lord might be permitted to take criticism, suspicion, bad temper, and all these evil traits, out of our hearts and lives, and fill us with the fulness of his Spirit! The Holy Spirit is given to point out these evils, and to help us put them away; and when we yield fully to the Lord, he will richly bless us with the fulness of his grace. Let us, O let us, my brethren and sisters, continue to seek God for the victory over every evil besetment, and determine by his grace to keep working and praying until we shall unitedly share in the blessing of the Holy Spirit.GCB May 17, 1909, page 32.9

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Conference Proceedings. SIXTH MEETING