E. Smith
This audio file (full transcript) presents the recounting of a brother’s first experience among those so-called ‘Brethren.’ What was impressed upon him that day was the importance of giving the Holy Spirit His place to operate freely in the assembly.
Some quotes that are notable :
The Church, an Organism — and Giving the Holy Spirit His Place
“What impressed me, dear ones, was the gracious leading of Spirit of God. Are we becoming less interested in that glorious fact that the Spirit of God is able (and abundantly able) to guide us, whether in ministry or in worship? The Church, my dear ones, is not an organization. I was brought up to think that the Church was an organization. It is not an organization, dear ones, it is an organism. Souls redeemed with the precious blood of Christ brought into the family of God through simple faith. What a wonderful thing it is to belong to Christ! Are we becoming indifferent to this that we would, instead of the gracious leading of the Spirit of God, trust more to organized services? We try not, we do not want that, beloved. That’s not good. He is able! The Spirit of God is able!”
An Open Meeting
“This is very interesting to my soul to recount this because we seek to give the Holy Spirit His place. And we long for the days to come back when the assemblies were spiritual enough to leave the meeting as an open meeting1. Those who were in the energy of the flesh dared not get up because of the power of the Spirit of God there.”
Note:
- Open Meeting according to the order of 1 Corinthians 14:29-31:
“And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if there be a revelation to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For ye can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all be encouraged.”