Chapter 8—For the Spiritual Upbuilding of the Church
“Unto the building up of the body of Christ” (the church). Ephesians 4:12, R.V.SPIAM 57.1
That is the purpose of all the gifts—of apostles, teachers, evangelists, pastors, and all the rest. All these gifts have wrought in the advent movement, ministering the word of God. That word it is that “builds up.” In the apostle Paul’s farewell to the elders of Ephesus, warning them of the apostasy that would sweep into the church after his death, he said: “Now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Acts 20:32.SPIAM 57.2
Always to the fore in ministering this word that builds up in the advent movement, has been the gift of the Spirit of prophecy. Observers without, have noted the spiritual influence of this gift in the church.SPIAM 57.3