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Heavenly Visions

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    GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT.-NO. 1

    >J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

    HAVING exhorted the church on the importance of unity of action in all their movements, the apostle Paul continues the theme by calling especial attention to the aids which the Lord has provided for securing such unity. In his epistle to the Ephesians, we read: “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive [“a multitude of captives,” margin], and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 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: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:8-16.HEVI 16.1

    Of the working of the Spirit we read in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians: “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” 1 Corinthians 12:7. This is not simply profit to the man, but the manifestation is for the glory of God and the advancement of his cause in the earth. In the furtherance of his truth the Lord uses men as agents. Through these he works by his Spirit when and as it pleases him. This he can do when their will is fully submitted to him.HEVI 16.2

    That the Lord designs that his Spirit shall have free course in the gospel church is not only clear from such admonitions as, “Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19), and, “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30), but we have the plain testimony of Christ and his apostles in regard to its working. In John’s record of the teachings of Christ we read: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of the world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye can not bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all Truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” John 16:7-14.HEVI 16.3

    Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, makes a comparison of the present dispensation with the past. He gives a name to this dispensation that very strongly suggests that the Spirit of God has much to do in the carrying out of God’s purpose with the people. He calls the dispensation “the ministration of the Spirit.” He says: “How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious? for if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.” 2 Corinthians 3:8, 9.HEVI 16.4

    We learn through the promise made by the prophet Joel that the Holy Spirit should be poured out in the last days. But let us see what is to be the result when that Spirit is poured out: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:28.HEVI 16.5

    On the day of Pentecost, Peter quoted this from the prophecy of Joel, showing that the promise there made was beginning to receive its accomplishment. He said: “For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit: and they shall prophesy: and I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come.” Acts 2:15-20. The Review and Herald, April 18, 1899.HEVI 16.6

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