John: the essential ingredient

Sunday, May 24, 2015
    Pentecost
    Feast of John and Charles Wesley, Priests, Poets, Teachers, 1791 & 1788
Meditation:
    Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
    —Acts 9:31 (NIV)
Quotation:
    Are we [missionaries] not dependent upon [the Holy Ghost] for every spiritual qualification necessary for our work, and for every real success in it? Do we want native pastors, teachers, evangelists, or deacons? It is the Holy Ghost who calls the right men to office, and fits them for the successful discharge of their duties. Do we long to see this people turn from their dumb idols and sins to the living God? It is the Holy Ghost alone that can convince them of sin, reveal Christ to their inmost consciousness, regenerate their souls, and lead them to faith and repentance. Do we wish to build up a holy spiritual Church in this land? Do we wish to see the Churches become self-supporting, self-governing, self-propagating? The Holy Ghost is the source of all power and efficiency, whether in the members individually, or in the Church collectively.
    ... Griffith John (1831-1912), Records of the General Conference of the Protestant Missionaries of China, Shanghai: Presbyterian Mission Press, 1878, p. 39 (see the book)
    See also Acts 9:31; 6:2-3; 14:23; Rom. 8:13-14,28; 1 Cor. 1:22-24; 12:2-3; 2 Cor. 5:20; 2 Tim. 1:14; 1 Pet. 2:9
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, Your Spirit alone is the source of the church’s strength. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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