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Testimonies for the Church Volume 7
of praise for sins forgiven. Words of thanksgiving and of prophecy
were heard. All heaven bent low to behold and to adore the wisdom of
matchless, incomprehensible Love. Lost in wonder, the apostles and
disciples exclaimed: “Herein is love.”
1 John 4:10
. They grasped the
imparted gift. And what followed? Thousands were converted in a
day. The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power and bathed in
the lightnings of heaven, cut its way through unbelief.
The hearts of the disciples were surcharged with a benevolence so
full, so deep, so far-reaching, that it impelled them to go to the ends of
the earth testifying: God forbid that we should glory, save in the cross
of our Lord Jesus Christ. They were filled with an intense longing
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to add to the church of such as should be saved. They called on the
believers to arouse and do their part, that all nations might hear the
truth and the earth be filled with the glory of the Lord.
The Same Power to be Revealed Today
By the grace of Christ the apostles were made what they were. It
was sincere devotion and humble, earnest prayer that brought them into
close communion with Him. They sat together with Him in heavenly
places. They realized the greatness of their debt to Him. By earnest,
persevering prayer they obtained the endowment of the Holy Spirit,
and then they went forth, weighted with the burden of saving souls,
filled with zeal to extend the triumphs of the cross. And under their
labors many souls were brought from darkness to light, and many
churches were raised up.
Shall we be less earnest than were the apostles? Shall we not
by living faith claim the promises that moved them to the depths
of their being to call upon the Lord Jesus for the fulfillment of His
word: “Ask, and ye shall receive”?
John 16:24
. Is not the Spirit of
God to come today in answer to earnest, persevering prayer, and fill
men with power? Is not God saying today to His praying, trusting,
believing workers, who are opening the Scriptures to those ignorant of
the precious truth they contain: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto
the end of the world”?
Matthew 28:20
. Why, then, is the church so
weak and spiritless?
As the disciples, filled with the power of the Spirit, went forth to
proclaim the gospel, so God’s servants are to go forth today. Filled