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The
Presidency Of The
Holy Spirit
It is the office work of the Holy Spirit
to preside over the entire work of God on earth, to infuse
with divine power, and to invest with heavenly authority.
No religious assembly is legal without His presence, and
no transaction valid without His presidency. The first and
all important thing is to see that He is installed as
chairman n every assembly. Sectarian organizers have
grasped the right idea in having archbishops and presiding
officials, but they have installed the wrong person. The
Bible recognizes an archbishop, but ascribes the office to
Jesus Christ. "And when the Chief Shepherd shall
appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not
away." I Peter 5:4.
Chief Shepherd in the above text is
taken from the word "arxiepiskopos" in the
Greek, which is the word for archbishop. The Bible plainly
advocates that one is our archbishop, even Christ, and all
we are brethren: but the man has exalted himself to take
the place of the Son of God. Protestants would start with
horror at the thought of wearing the inscription, "Vicarius
Filii Dei" ("In the place of the Son of
God"), which the Pope wears on his mitre; and yet
they take His seat and authority without the least
compunction of conscience. It is sad indeed to hear the
Pope say that he is the vicar of the Son of God, but how
much better is it for the Protestants to say the same in
actions, and dare to take His seat?
The Bible authorizes a presiding
official, or a representative of Christ on earth, to dwell
with men till He, the archbishop, comes again: but man has
dethroned (?) God's president or presiding official and
enthroned himself. God and the Bible say, Down with human
authority, and up with the divine; and all the holy shout,
Amen! The Holy Spirit uses human agents to execute His
work, but reserves to Himself the prerogative of using
whom He will and when He will in all things, and under all
circumstances.
MEMBERSHIP.—The Holy Spirit
reserves to Himself the sole right of inducting members
into the church of God. "And the Lord added to the
church daily such as should be saved." Acts 2:47.
"And our Lord added daily to the assembly those
who became alive."—Syriac. "For by one Spirit
are we all baptized into one body . . . But now hath God
set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath
pleased him.... Now ye are the body of Christ, and members
in particular." I Cor. 12:13, 18, 27. "Now ye
are the body of Messiah, and members in your
place."—Syriac.
When the Holy Spirit places a
member in the body it has its proper place, but when men
assume this prerogative of the Holy Spirit and take into
their own hands that which belongs to God, confusion
always follows. When the Holy Spirit is allowed to work
uninterrupted by human authority each member of the body
of Christ has its proper place, and the church of God
works together with Him in perfect unity to accomplish the
salvation of the lost. God assigned this work to the Holy
Spirit because He alone is able to qualify souls for
membership in the church of God, as every member in God's
church or kingdom must be "born from above."
John 3:3-5.
Another reason is, man cannot open
the door of God's church. "And to the angel of the
church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that
is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David,
he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no
man openeth." Rev. 3:7. God reserves to Himself the
right through the Spirit of excluding men from His church.
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned
against me, him will I blot out of my book." Ex.
32:33. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the
husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he
taketh away." John 15:1, 2.
While this is the case, God has not
left His church without the proper officers; such as,
apostles, prophets, elders, deacons, pastors, and
evangelists, etc., etc., "And he gave some, apostles,
and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints,
for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body
of Christ." Eph. 4: 11, 12. Nevertheless man can only
do that part which God assigns to him and qualifies him
for; and when he goes beyond this, God withdraws and man
is left in confusion without divine authority. Hundreds of
ministers today are struggling along through life in a
formal intellectual way wholly void of divine authority,
simply because they are unwilling to fill the humble place
assigned to them by God. God can use a man only as he will
work in harmony with His plans, and if man will do this
God will invest him with all authority needed. Seeing that
the Holy Spirit uses men to accomplish part of the
redemption work, it now remains for us to notice—
THE CHOICE OF OFFICERS.—The Holy
Spirit does not always choose the one we might think would
be the most competent: but very often He chooses the sheep
herder or the fisherman, while those whom the world calls
mighty sit unemployed. Neither does He delegate this power
to some conference, synod, or council of men; but the Word
of God declares specifically that God through the Holy
Spirit makes men overseers. "Pray ye therefore the
Lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers into
his harvest." Matt. 9:38. "Take heed therefore
unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the
Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of
God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."
Acts 20:28. "And God hath set some in the church,
first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers,
after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,
governments, diversities of tongues." 1 Cor. 12:28.
"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy
Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work
whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and
prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto
Seleucia." Acts 13:2-4.
While the laying on of the hands of
the presbytery is all right by way of ordination (Titus
1:5) or recognition, yet it has nothing to do with the
choosing of officers, for they must be chosen of God and
proven before they are fit subjects for ordination. 1 Tim.
5:22; 3:10. If God is allowed to carry out his plans he
will have a pure ministry, because he chooses only the
pure. As he alone knows the hearts of all men, he alone
can choose the pure and reject the vile. While we know the
tree by its fruits, God knows it at sight. "Shall not
God search this out? For he knoweth the secrets of the
heart." Psa. 44:21. We might often conclude from a
man's natural abilities, education, etc., that he would
make an efficient minister, when God would say to us, as
he did Samuel, "Look not on his countenance, or the
height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the
Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the
outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the
heart." 1 Sam. 16:7.
THE ANOINTING OF
OFFICERS—Anointing with oil was an ancient custom. Under
the Old Testament men who were called to certain offices
had first to be anointed with oil; as in the case of Aaron
(Lev.. 8:10), Saul (1 Sam. 10:1), David (1 Sam. 16:12),
Solomon and Joash. This anointing had two special
meanings.
(1)To set apart for a sacred
office. (2) To confer authority power. The setting apart
was not merely civil authority, but a divine
appointment accompanied with a spiritual blessing. When
David was anointed it is said, "The Spirit of the Lord
came upon David from that day forward."
The anointing oil was to be made
most holy. "Thou shalt make it an oil of holy
ointment . . . Tempered together, pure and holy." Ex.
30:25, 35, 36. This type meets its antitype in the New
Testament in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. The
Holy anointing oil was a type of the Holy Spirit. This
divine authority every child of God receives in
sanctification: for . . . "thou hast made them kings
and priests to our God and they reign on earth." Rev.
5:10—SYRIAC. "But ye are en erect race, officiating
as priests of the kingdom; a holy people, a redeemed
congregation." 1 Pet. 5:9.—SYRIAC.
While every child of God officiates
as a priest, it is more probable that the setting apart to
a sacred office had more direct reference to the office of
a minister. No king or priest was allowed to take his
seat, nor was he invested with authority, until he had
received the anointing. Jesus complied with this law and
did not enter on His kingly mission until He had received
the anointing. However His anointing was not with olive
oil, but with the Holy Spirit and the oil of gladness.
"And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove,
and lighting upon him." Matt. 3:16. "The Spirit
of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me."
Luke 4:18. "Thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast
anointed." Acts 4:27. "How God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power." Acts
10:38. "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated
iniquity; therefore God, even thy God hath anointed thee
with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." Heb.
1:9.
The apostles were forbidden to
enter their evangelistic work after the departure of Jesus
till they should receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:4. This anointing they received not of men, but of
God. "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ,
and hath anointed us, is God." 2 Cor. 1:21.
THIS ANOINTING ENDUES WITH POWER
AND AUTHORITY. "But ye shall receive power after that
the Holy Ghost is come upon you." Acts 1:8. "But
the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in
you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the
same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth,
and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall
abide in him." 1 John 2:27.
This anointing is not a thorough
education, nor yet natural ability, but a divine unction
from God. While education and natural ability have their
place, there is nothing which can be substituted for the
anointing of the Holy Spirit. Without this anointing no
man is fit to take upon himself the high and holy calling
of a minister of the gospel or to occupy the sacred place
of an elder in the church of God. Without the anointing of
the Holy Spirit all learning, oratory, philosophy, etc.,
is like "sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal"
to those who know the joyful sound.
With the anointing of the Holy
Spirit and power God's ministers are enabled to execute
the judgments of His Word against all ungodliness and thus
keep the church pure and spotless. They are also able to
obey the command which says, "Preach the word; be
instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort
with all long suffering and doctrine." 2 Tim. 4:2.
Many suppose because God's ministers are not sent forth by
human authority that they are not divinely authorized; but
the power and authority which comes from God is rather to
be chosen than all the ecclesiastical authority of the
Roman See, or the sanction of Protestant synods. The
Mormons may boast of their fanciful authority through the
feverish dreams of the fickle mind of Joseph Smith; and
the Baptists may claim an unbroken succession from the
days of John the Baptist through all eternity, if they
wish: but, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord
and spread His everlasting truth to the ends of the earth,
endued with power and glory by the Holy Spirit, standing
on the unchanging commission, "Go ye into all the
world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark
16:15. Many who boast of great authority deny the very
work of grace by which alone divine authority comes; viz.,
the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Among the last words of Jesus to
His apostles were: "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." Luke 24:49. These men had had some experience
in preaching the gospel and in healing the sick. Luke
9:1,2. They were not of the world. John 17:14. Their names
were written in heaven. Luke 10:20. While Jesus was with
them in person He sent them forth, but now that He was
going away He forbade them to go farther until they should
receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ commands every man whom
He calls to the ministry to "tarry" till he
shall have been endued with the anointing and power of the
Holy Spirit; yet many run to the field whose abilities are
far inferior to that of the apostles before Pentecost, and
claim that God has sent them. This qualification is a
definite and instantaneous work of grace received
subsequent to regeneration.
As we have before noted, the
apostles before the day of Pentecost were regenerated or
forgiven and had their names written in heaven. Jesus
further declares that they belonged to God. John 17:9.
They glorified Jesus, which sinners can not do. John 17:10
None of them were lost save Judas. John 17:12. They were
"not of the world, even as Christ was not of the
world." John 17: 14-16. This is a better testimony
Than ninety nine per cent of professed ministers of today
can give, and yet Jesus prayed that they might be
sanctified, which is identical with the reception of the
Holy Spirit. Rom. 15:16. Jesus also told 'them to tarry
till they should receive an additional qualification for
the work of the ministry.
Some teach that the apostles were
never converted before Pentecost, from the fact that Jesus
said to Peter, "When thou art converted, strengthen
thy brethren." Luke 22:32. A careful reading of the
context here will reveal the fact that Jesus had just
foretold Peter's downfall, and it is only natural that He
should speak to him of being converted again when He knew
he would curse and swear and thrice deny that he knew his
Lord. Sure enough, when the test came Peter denied, cursed
and swore, and immediately Peter went out and wept
bitterly, and we have every reason to believe that he was
converted, seeing that he was penitent. And on the day of
Pentecost we find him in one accord with the rest in
prayer. Acts 2:1-14. It is also clear from the reading of
the thirty first verse of the twenty second chapter of
Luke that Satan did not have Peter, else why should he
desire him? This completely sweeps away the last refuge
for those who are unwilling to see the truth, and leaves
the plain undeniable fact, that Peter with all the rest of
the apostles was converted before Pentecost. And on the
day of Pentecost they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and by Him anointed for their priestly offices. Shame on
professed preachers who not only neglect and reject the
anointing of the Holy Spirit themselves, but also teach
their followers that it is impossible to live a sinless
life by the grace of God, when a sinless life is the
lowest state of divine grace. Every professed minister who
denies the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a second,
definite, and instantaneous work of divine grace,
subsequent to regeneration, not only denies the only means
of anointing and power with God, but also exposes his
total ignorance of God's redemption plan and is wholly
unfit and disqualified to fill the sacred and holy calling
of an ambassador for Christ.
WHERE THE HOLY SPIRIT PRESIDES
UNITY PREVAILS— The Holy Spirit leads into all truth,
end the truth never contradicts itself; hence all who are
led by the Spirit never contradict each other in things
pertaining to the plan of redemption. All jangling,
division, and confusion is contrary to the Holy Spirit,
and where He presides every bill (doctrine) which does not
agree with the New Testament is vetoed. Thus perfect peace
and harmony is maintained throughout the entire universe
of grace. Every man who propagates doctrine contrary to
the "law of the spirit of life," which is the
New Testament, deserves but to be condemned.
To ascertain what the President of
the United States approves or disapproves of as regards
the lawfulness of anything, we refer to the statute books
or laws of the United States; so to learn what the Holy
Spirit approves or disapproves of, we refer to the statute
books of the kingdom of grace—the New Testament. So we
will now appeal to the Word and to the testimony on the
subject of unity.
1. It is the office work of the
Holy Spirit to maintain unity among God's people.
"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one
body,. . . and have been all made to drink into one
Spirit." 1 Cor. 12:13. "There is one body
(church, Eph. 1:22,23), and one Spirit, even as ye are
called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith,
one baptism, one God and Father of all." Eph. 4:4-6.
As there is but one Spirit of God, and God can not be
divided against Himself, there can be no division so long
as all are drinking into that one Spirit. The inevitable
conclusion is that where there is division there is some
spirit which is foreign to the Spirit of God, and, more
than that, some one is drinking into the foreign spirit.
2. The Holy Spirit demands and
upholds perfect unity throughout the entire kingdom of
God. "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and
that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be
perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgment." 1 Cor. 1:10. The Holy Spirit accomplishes
this by leading the people of God to avoid all who cause
division, and execute the judgments written. "Now I
beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and
offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned;
and avoid them." Rom. 16:17.
3. The last thing for which Jesus
prayed while on earth was the unity of His followers.
"Neither pray I for these (apostles) alone, but for
them also which shall believe on me through their word;
that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and
I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world
may believe that thou hast sent me." John 17:20,21.
Jesus knew that if unity prevailed the world would
believe; but if division ensued the world would doubt, and
the principal object of His death would be hindered; hence
He prayed that His followers might be "all one."
How very sad it is to look out upon the world of
professing Christians today and see them divided into
hundreds of factions, when the last earnest prayer of the
Son of God which ascended from His suffering lips was,
"Father, make them all one." The worst stumbling
block the world knows to day is the division existing
among the professed followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Many try to make themselves believe that exact unity is
not essential but we insist that Jesus would not have
dwelt on a nonessential point in the last hours of such an
all important mission.
UNITY IS A LAW OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT.—Everything has its law, which if regarded brings
success; but if disregarded brings disaster. There is a
law which governs the locomotive, which says, "Place
the fire in the fire box and the water in the
boiler." This law if regarded, with other minor laws,
will bring perfect satisfaction, and the monarch machine
will move tons and do wonders: but if this law is
disregarded, and the water poured into the fire box, and
the fire thrown into the boiler, the giant is shorn of his
strength and rendered more helpless than an infant.
The law of the Spirit says,
"And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that
kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against
itself, that house cannot stand." Mark 3:24, 25.. For
this reason the mighty angel of power and glory proclaims
to earth the loud message, "Babylon the great is
fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils,
and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every
unclean and hateful bird. And I heard another voice from
heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not
partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her
plagues." Rev. 18:2, 4.
Why is she fallen? Answer: Because
she has disregarded the law of the Spirit and is divided
against herself, and in her is brought to pass the saying
of the prophet which he prophesied against Egypt saying:
"And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians:
and they shall fight every one against his brother, and
every one against his neighbor; city against city, and
kingdom against kingdom." Isa. 19:2.
While the church of God stands on
the summit of everlasting victory, where the law of love
and unity reigns supreme, and all confusion is banished to
the shades of eternal night, the army of sectism wanders
in the mists and fogs of confusion in the dark valley of
division. While the locomotive of sectism stands cold and
dead on the track of error, and her formal engineers try
to make her go, the locomotive of eternal truth with a
full head of steam speeds up the narrow way, drawing the
lightning express of full salvation fast to the depot of
immortality in the city of the glory world.
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