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The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church

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    Chapter 6—The Prophetic Gift

    In studying the subject of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, one needs to bear in mind continually the place of the fruit of the Spirit in the plan of God. This is vital, for after all, the fruit is the acid test of a Christian experience. Man may make a profession, but if the life is not in harmony with it, that profession becomes null and void. The Pharisees in the days of Jesus made great pretensions to holiness, but Jesus, who could read the hearts of men, and who knew that what they had was mere outward show, declared, “Ye are like unto whited sepulchres.” Matthew 23:27. “Wherefore,” said the Savior, “by their fruits you shall know them.” Matthew 7:20.BSPC 91.1

    This lesson Jesus sought to impress upon His disciples when He taught them the figure of the vine and its branches. True religion is not made up of exteriors; it is something within; it pertains to the heart. It is not “the outward adorning,” but “the hidden man of the heart.” It is this which “in the sight of God [is] of great price.” 1 Peter 3:4, 5.BSPC 91.2

    The New Testament record emphasizes the thought that “the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth” (Ephesians 5:9); that “the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace” (James 3:18). Again we read:BSPC 91.3

    “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22, 23.BSPC 91.4

    This fruit God longs to see in the lives of His followers. It is this that will recommend the religion of Christ Jesus to men. The fruit of the Spirit can be summed up in the word “love.” This is to be manifested in the lives of the children of God. We read further:BSPC 91.5

    “A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.” John 13:34, 35.BSPC 91.6

    It is to such, to those who are surrendered to Christ Jesus, to those in whose hearts the Spirit of God dwells, that the Lord delights to manifest the gifts of His Holy Spirit.BSPC 92.1

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