the power in the name by w. v. grant, sr

8/2/2019 The Power in the Name by W. v. Grant, Sr

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Chapter ITHE "VONDERFUL CHRIST

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and hisname shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The MightyGod, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" (Isa.9:6).I looked up the word wonderful, and it means "mar-velous, miraculous, extraordinary, exciting, magnificent."

Every time I 'write the word wonderful, I 'want to remem-ber these wonderful words. Every time you read the wordwonderful, I want you to remember the words marvelous,miraculous, extraordinary, exciting, magnificent.It seems to me that Isaiah was a

Gospel PreacherHe preached as much Gospel as any of the writers inthe New Testament. He saw Jesus as He was high andlifted up. He was never the same again. elsa. 6: 1). Hegot out from the church that had people with unclean lipsand got into a church with the people who had had a coalof fire touched to their tongues, which said, "Here am Isend me."Isaiah looked down through the telescope of time, overseven hundred years in the future, and saw Jesus as Hehung on the cross, and with rapture he said, "and withhis stripes we are healed:' He received his healing throughthe atonement, in the same way we do. He carried KingHezekiah a message of healing and saw him healed, for heknew where healing came from!Isaiah saw the wonderful life of Christ. With his pendipped into the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he wrote,"And the Spirit of the Lord shall be upon him, thespirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counseland might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of theLord" elsa. 11 :2).

Seek the SaviourPeople will seek for years to be saved from hell. Theyare thinking of themselves. They want to be saved justto keep from going to torment. If they would seek the-1-


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vior instead of seeking to be saved they would receiveething! Get in love with the Savior! Get the \Vonderfulrist into your life! The things of the world will thenw strangely dim! Then you will become Christ-like.If you are seeking to be saved, seek a person. When Is married 1 did not receive a "marriage-religion". I didt get theologv. 1 did not join something or become amber of anything. 1 received a person. \Vhen I was saveddid not get religion. I received the Savior. I becamequainted with a Person, a Friend, a Companion.When you went to school with your wife you knewr. \Vhen you began to court her you became better ac-ainted with her. When vou married her, and moved intohouse with her, you became better acquainted. Afternv vears you know her better. Let [esus move in and live with you. He will becomere real and more dear to you as the years go by.Seek the SanctifierSome people will seek for years to be delivered frombits, just because their church does not believe in habits.

ev want to be like other members. They want to be pular with their church. They want to measure up tostandards required by people. Some know that the

bits are not good for them, so they want better health.All this is wonderful, but wouldn't it be better andier, if they would seek Jesus until they became so fullthe divine nature and virtue of Christ that the habitsuld no longer stay there? Would it not be a bettertive to want to become like your Master?"According to his divine power hath given us ALLINGS that pertaineth unto life and godliness, throughknowledge of him that hath called us to glory and"\ Vherebv are given unto us exceeding great and pre-us promises that by these ve might be partakers of theVINE NATURE .... " (2 Peter 1:3-4).S eek . th e B ap tizerIn DOWllville , Louisiana, soon after I started to holdivals, twenty-two people were filled with the Holyost one night in a small church. Then in a few nightsre were eighty-eight filled with the Holy Ghost. I remem-r one night a soldier grabbed me and pulled me down

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on top of him as he fell down to the floor! He was so over-joyed that he cried, "Oh, Brother Grant, you are the mostwonderful man I have ever seen!"Immediately I said, "Jesus is wonderful. Look up andtell Jesus how wonderful He is!"He looked up and said, "Wonderful Jesus, WonderfulJesus, Wonderful Jesus!"About that time he said, "I see Him now coming towardme. There He is! He is in 1\1E!" Then he lay there andspoke and said, "Wonderful Jesus'! over and over again.He had Jesus on the inside of him. When you have theHoly Ghost you have Jesus on the inside of you, dwellingthere!Jesus said that when the Holy Ghost comes He shallnot speak of Himself, but He will take Jesus and showHim unto you. He will speak of Jesus! (John 16: 13).When we preach about receiving the Holy Ghost manypeople will say, "I think you should exalt Christ insteadof the Holy Ghost." Brother, the Holy Ghost will make

Jesus a hundred times more real in your life. "He shallglorify me." (John 16: 14). He will glorify Jesus insteadof yourself. .Seek the H ealer

Many people will seek healing in order to be healed, sothey will not suffer, or so they will not need to spendmoney for doctor bills. But if they would get in love withthe Healer they would receive the divine nature and ALLthings that pertain to life and godliness!

We were praying for a man in Louisiana who had notwalked for years. He looked up and began to praise Jesus.As he was magnifying the wonderful Christ he jumped upand walked round and round that church! He, and therest of them rejoiced so much that a neighbor came downand tried to close the revival!One night we were praying for the sick. A little Baptistlady looked up and began to glorify Jesus. She jumped upand walked for the first time in nearly twenty years!

Jesus Is the HealerWe were having a wonderful meeting in Blytheville,Arkansas. People were being healed of blind eyes, deafears, arthritis, and most all manner of disease.

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Two old men came from another state to be prayedr. They did not want to stav for church. Thev had long. , ,vars in their mouths. Thcv wanted to know where the". .uld find the "healer:' Some people brought them to meout an hour before service. Thev asked me if I was the,ealer" I told them that I was not, but if they wouldait until service the Healer would be there, but thev.ould first be saved. Thev did not have time for that, so,

on a bench. He received a beautiful experience of the HolyGhost. He could hear a whisper with that ear that hadbeen deaf for five vears! I looked around and saw his wifereceive the Holv Ghost then and there! Then she reportedthat Jesus heal~d her of gall stones. They had contactedthe Healer! \Sed'? the Giver

ev went hack home.Some people would like to steal healing, without con-ssing that they arc in love with the Healer. They wantaling, but the, do not want the Healer. They would go~ ,a witch-doctor just as quickly or a little quicker. Theyuld go to a spirit-medium, because the spiritists do notquire -one to stop committing their sins. They can still, cheat and steal, and vet receive treatments.Jesus treats all people alike.All C lasses o f People

ok the same to Him, regardless of their race, creed, orlor. He demands obedience. He required people to obeyim in Bible times. He is just the same yesterday, todayd forever.An owner of a large plantation came to our meeting inytheville one time. I asked his wife if she wanted thelv Ghost.She looked straight at me and said, "I can't receivee HoI\' Ghost I know, if mv husband can't receive heal-, .g. He has been seeking healing for five years. He is notaled vet!"I went to her husband and asked him if he wanted theoI\' Ghost. He said something like this:"I have been deaf in this ear and I can't be healed.""You can be healed tonight," I explained."No, you don't understand," he said. "I have been to-ese regular healing meetings, and I never received any-ing. I have been prayed for by the very best, and I havet been healed. I have been prayed for by people in thegular healing business, and I did not receive anything!""Oh brother, Jesus is in the regular healing business.e is the Healer. Get Him to touch you."That proud man was not proud long. He looked up andt a glimpse of the Wonderful Christ. He fell on his back

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Far too many people do not know how to seck the gifb.If they would seek the Giver then the gifts wou,lll takecare of themselves. Jesus can be in your life, domg thesame work He one time did. He can dwell within.A lady came to me and began to tell me about all the"wonderful" men who had laid hands on her."I have been far and near. I have had the best of menlay hands on me. It is wonderful to have these men tolay hands on you."'''I know one man that can lav hands on you and youwill never be the same aoain," I explained. "It will pay

t) "you to go any distance to get this man to lay hands on you."Who is it?" she asked anxiously."His name is Jesus," I whispered. IThat is right. Instead of seeking the gifts we need to getin love with the Giver, become more like Him. He is our

example. His Power and HolinessIn Seattle, Washington a man who carried a victrolawith him in cverv service wanted a "special interview

with me." One night I promised to see him at noon thenext dav. He came and began a conversation."I h~ve five gifts," he said, "but I don't know how tomake them work. I can give people gifts anytime I wantto. I would like to know how to make the gifts work."I sat dumbfounded for awhile. I thought. Then I spoke."You are too far advanced for me. I can't help you."He smiled and looked wiselv. Then he said, "Yes, but Inotice that the gifts have be~n working in your revival.Can't vou tell me how to get the gifts to work?"I v~r\' carefully, in love and consideration, explained."In the -Bible I never read that people went around saying

thev had so many gifts, naming them, but did no~ kn~)\\'hO\~' to make them work. I read that Peter, instead of t rvingto figure out what he had, telling the name and the num-

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r of the gifts, he said, 'Such as I have give I thee,' andworked! The man, who had been lame from his mother'somb, jumped up and walked!"He agreed with me.Peter also made a discovery that it was not his power, orI wish we could make the same discovery.". . . Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or whyok ye so earnestly on us, as though by OUR O\"N powerholiness WE had made this man to walk? . . . And hisme through faith in his name hath made this manrong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is byim hath given him this perfect soundness in the presenceyou all." (Acts 3: 12-16).

Seek the PreacherSo many people want to preach as a vocation in life.ut when they see their responsibility they shrink from it.hen they see they are taking up the ministry that Jesusft off, and are expected to be like Christ, they shrink intoe background! .We feel like hiding behind the pulpit. We feel like noting in our name, but in His name.It was told that some members put a sign on the pulpit,e would see Jesus". .When the pastor came along and saw the sign it humil-ted him to the extent that he slipped away and fasted foranv davs. He came back "prayed up". His face shone! He. .as dead. His life was hid with Christ in God. The life heen lived he lived bv Christ. It was Christ in him thepe of glory. He preached until they took knowledge ofm that he had been with Iesusl When he came back tourch he saw the sign "We would see Jesus" had beenoved. Instead there was a new sign, "Then was the dis-ples glad when they saw the Lord.", The Testim any af Jesusthe Spirit of Prophecy (Rev. 19: 10). You may not bevery good preacher, but when you learn to preach therd will stand back and say, "You know how, you don'ted me to help you." He will let you go on and preach.If you can testifv about Jesus and make people wantim, you have made a success as a minister.Philip went down to Samaria and preached Christ unto

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them. (Acts 8.5). Unclean spirits came out crying ~vithloud voices. Both men and women were saved and baptized.\Ve need more men like Peter who will go down to anotherclass of people and preach Jesus unto them.Peter went to the household of Cornelius and openedhis mouth and preached to them Jesus. (Acts 10.38).While he was yet preaching the Holy Ghost fell upon allthem that heard the word.

Isn 'It H e W o nd erf1 ll!A man with education stood behind the pulpit andpreached. The people said, "Isn't this a wonderful man?"Another man stood behind the pulpit and preached. The

people said, "Isn't that a wonderful sermon."Another man stood in the same place and preached asermon.The people said, all with one accord, "Isn't Jesus won-derful."A certain preacher was conducting a revival. He asked.one night, "How many have been saved in my revival?"Several people held up their hands. . ."How many people have been filled with the Holy Spiritin mv revival?"Quite a few lifted their hands."How many have been healed in my revival?" he asked.

More people lifted their hands.A Baptist lady on the back seat, who came to a F~llGospel Church for the first time in her life, arose and said,"Well, glory be to I. Let everybody stand and pr~ise me."Of course he did not understand. The evangelist meantwell but the ladv took it for granted that he was preaching, -himself instead of Christ."For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus theLord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." (2Cor. 4: 5).

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Some evangelists are accused of preaching personalitiesnstead of Jesus. They arc accused of preaching themselves.ome pastors are accused of preaching places.One pastor talks more of his organization than he doesf Jesus. He tells the people when the organization wasormed, why it was formed, and how it is better them thether organizations. He recommends people to join it.

One pastor preaches a church. He says there is nother place in town like his church, that the Lord blesseshat church more than any place in town. He makes theeople think that they cannot receive a blessing anvwherelse like they can there. Therefore, they are isolated fromll other groups, not knowing that the Lord is big enougho bless all over the countrv.,Perhaps one preacher in Kansas talks about "Faith(I sav that because there are many Faith, .abernacles in the land). He tells the people that no otheruilding in the world is built like his building, that it is.different kind of structure than any other. He tells howuch copper tubing it took to build it, how much wire,ow manv tons of concrete, and how much marble. Whene is through you have a feeling that he is preaching auilding instead of the Lord Jesus Christ.Lord help us to not criticize any of these fine pastorshat are doing great works greater than many of us areoing, All these places, buildings, and organizations areecessary. I'm merely stressing the truth that we shouldreach Jesus instead of putting our main stress on buildings,organizations, places, and members.The woman who received the living water was happy.She had a well in her springing up to everlasting life. Sheforgot her water pot and took the well back with her! (John

4: 14-28).The Samaritan woman ran over town and said, "Comesee a Man". She did not sav, "Come see a church". Shedid not say, "Come and sec an organization". She did notreach herself. She did not preach education, talents, or-8-

rituals. She preached Christ. Although she did not holdpapers she preached Jesus and won a city to God!\Vhen Philip met the Ethopian who was hungry for God,he opened his mouth and preached unto him Jesus. Philos-,ophy would not do it. But there is pow~r in the name ofJesus. That man took Jesus back to hIS people and theresult was that that continent received the Gospel of theLord Jesus Christ."Then Philip opened his mouth ... and preached untohim Jesus." (Acts 8: 35).At Pentecost

Peter looked into the faces of that mob of Jews andtold them about Jesus. \Vhen Paul was brought beforegovernors, kings, and rulers he arose and explai.ned to themthat Jesus rose from the dead, The resurrect-on o.f Jesuswas the theme of that dav. Educated Paul determined toknow nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified, forChrist is the spirit of the Gospel, which is the power ofGod unto salvation to all people! \Ve need the power of theWonderful Christ to rest upon us.John peeked through the door of heaven and saw tenthousand times ten thousand, and then lost count. Helooked out into space and said thousands of thou.s~nds ofangels were all doing one thing: They were pralsmg theLamb who was worth". The four beasts fell down aroundthe throne doing nothing but praising the Lamb. who hadredeemed people from every tribe, people and nation.

G ur R ew ard sI know a boy who won a wonderful medal at school. Atthe commencement exercise, when he was presented withthe medal of honor he said, "\Vait a minute." He walkedback into the audience and led a little lady to the front."Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "this is the one wh.o

is due all this honor. This is my mother. She made Itpossible for me to be here tonight."Some dav I mav receive a harp and a crown. I mayreceive a long \Vhit~ robe. I expect to cast it at the feet ?fthe Saviour and say, "\ Vorthy is the Lamb that was slainto receive power. and riches, and wisdom, and strength,and honour, and glory, and blessing.""And every creature which is in heaven, and on theearth, and un'der the earth, and such as are in the sea, and

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Chapter IIPLACES OR PERSONALITIES


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l that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor,d glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon therone, and unto the Lamb forever and ever."A Day 's Journey

Some people ?o a day's journey without feeling Jesusith them. The earthly parents of Jesus went a day'surney supposing that Jesus was somewhere. among thensfolk and acquaintances. They went back seeking forim sorrowinglv. \Vhen they found Him He was about Histher's business. It took them longer to find Him than itok to lose Him. (Luke 2: 46).Many people today become so busy, even working inurch, that the" go a day's journey, supposing that Jesuswith the rest - of the members, with the preacher, theacon, the teacher; with mother or dad. They have notlt the presence of the Lord in days. They need to feels presence and hear His voice for themselves. They needknow that Jesus Christ is in them lest they be reprobates.Cor. 13 : 5).Thev need to seek for the Lord. When they find Himey will find Him right where they left Him. He will beout His Father's business. \Vhen you go back to yourther's business there vou will find the presence of therd just as you used to have him. Itmay be back to themily altar, the place of prayer, reading the Bible, in yourace as a teacher, witnessing for Him, in the street meet-gs or jail services. You will find Him about His Father'ssiness. .Many people have gone several days journey since theyve received a blessing. They need the strength thatsus gives for the work of the Lord. They cannot do it ineir own strength. If they did it would do no good.Have you felt His presence today? Or have you allowede cares of this life to push Him out of your heart?

1 em s Should Receive the PraiseIn man" revivals even if Jesus healed someone He wouldt recei~e the praise for it. People want to. be healedthev can work better, so they can spend their strengthr themselves.In manv revivals the evangelist would take a lot of theaise, or the people would give the evangelist more praise

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than they would give Jesus Himself. The Lord's glory Hewill not give to another. (Isa. 42: 8).I have seen a few pastors receive the credit, or the praise,when someone was healed by the power of the Lord. Peoplewould sing praises to the pastor and tell what a wonderfulman he was, giving him more praise than they gave Jesus.We would not forget that it is Jesus that does the heal-ing. It is Paul that plants, another that waters, but it isGod that delivers.Sister A needed healing. She was going to thehospital. Sister B asked her to let Evangelist C--pray for her. She even took the evangelist to her. He wasburdened for her and had the anointing of the Lord restingupon him. He told Sister A that if she would meethim and the rest of the party at a certain time on a certainday that he would fast and pray for her and she would behealed.Sister A did not even appear at that hour. Shewould rather Brother D pray for her. She went toBrother D and had him to pray for her healing. Sheevidently wanted him to receive the credit for it. He couldhave published it, you see, how he had prayed for her,and how she received her healing!Had somone else prayed the prayer of faith for SisterA Jesus would likely have received the praise for it.I don't know for sure the attitude Sister A had, but Ido know that she did not receive healing. She went on tothe hospital.. .We do not need to put all our faith in one man's prayers.We do not need to put all our eggs into one basket. Sup-pose that man should fall by the wayside and backslide.If we have all our confidence in him then we would fallalso!Let's not put all our

Confidence in One ChurchI know we should have confidence in the church, butnot in one church only, for there are many good churches.When I was pastoring a certain church I, more or less,had my people isolated. Some way or other I had them feel--- ing that was the only church that was spiritual, that theothers were backslidden, or formal.When they moved and went to another community they/ 11-


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d not want to go to church because they thought no otherurch ',"ClSas spiritual as our church. They would eitherckslide or see how foolish they were while thev were in. ,church I pastorecl.Inotice that many pastors today have their membersinking, unconsciously of course, that they are the only

who are spiritual, that the other churches areElijah thought he was the only one who was living right,

evervone else had backslidden. The Lord told hirrat he had seven thousand more who were still livingThe members need to know that the Lord is big enoughhave other people who are spiritual also, that no man isispensable, that the workman may die, but God's workes on! \Vhen Moses died God had a Joshua. Whenshua died, God had a Gideon. If some pastors would

the sheep would be scattered, for they have their faithd confidence all in one man. Jesus is the Rock for youbuild vour house on.To listen to some men vou would think there was onlv,

bers into our organization. That is why some people rundown other churches, in order to gain mem bel'S. The rightprinciple is to build the Kingdom of God, gi\'e God thepraise, and the Lord will see that we get our share, thawe are taken care of, that no man that does good for theLord will lose his reward. But if we do it for the creditwe will receive no reward!Everv man's work w ill be tried as bv nrc. It dependson the' attitude in which we do the work what kind ofreward we will receive in that day.

In our day there are manv. 'Isolated ChurchesOne man measures all his efforts by the members he

receives from it, not by the people who are born into thekingdom of God. Therefore, in a union meeting, he feel"that it is a failure if he does not receive so many memberseven if distant churches receive hundreds. In the naturalwe are all likely to look at things and measure their value. ,by what we receive from it. .I started to resign from a church which I built and pas-tored five veal's. A sincere man came to me and said, "Bro-ther Grant if vou leave this church it will go dead."

At first, 'I must admit, that made me feel very important!Then I thought, after the Lord talked to me, what a miser-able failure I had been if I had built myself, and failed topreach that Jesus had other ministers also.

After thinking seriously and soberly I answered thehonest man, "If I did all this work myself it ought to godead; but if God did it then it will not go dead, for Hewill carrv on His work which He has started." Sure enoughthe work is still going on after many years!

That is the reason many people have

011C True OrganizationYou would think that any Christian that belonged to anyer church or organization was "off color," that thespel preached anywhere else is adulterated. You wouldink that anyone who was born again in any other organ-tion was an illegitimate child.Perhaps his organization is a little better than any

perhaps his church is built on the \ Vord of Godre so than anv other, yet we should preach Jesus as theght of the \\TorId. Jesus has a church. Every born againild of God is in that church. Jesus should have the praised the honor for saving us. We should recognize theildren of God wherever they mav be, even if they wor-. . ,ip in a cottage by the side of the road; if they are savedy are part of the body of Christ. \\'e should teach ourmbers that there are other Christians that arc not in ouranization, that al l other ministers are not false prophets.

should teach our members that the Lord is bigger thanr ideas, theories, or creeds; that the Lord has other sheepat are not of this fold. The Lord deserves the credittead of our taking the credit in order to proselyte mem-

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Pet Doctrineswhich do not amount to a "thin dime" in the sight of theLord. Thev do it, consciously, or. unconsciously, in order towin and h'old members for themselves instead of the Lord.They don't know what manner of spirit they are of. LikeJames and John they forbid people because they do n(~tfollow them. He that is not against the Lord is on HISside. (Mark 9:40).I know a certain sect that teaches that everyonethe devil but them. They teach that we have a false

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host, that we are anti-christ, that we are taking the markf the beast if we don't join them. They have their mem-ers thinking that. They were good people, they shouted,hey received the same Holy Ghost as we did. They thoughte were of the devil until thev came to our tent meet-

ng. They received the same kind' of blessing as they did atome. They shouted, they fell under the power. They wereWhen they went home their pastor could nevergain make them believe that everyone was wrong, thathey were the only group going to heaven. They saw howtterly ridiculous he was in teaching such devilish ideas!

In Chile three hundred thousand Italians have the Holyhost Baptism as the people received it on the Day of Pen-ecost. In the same country there are about two' hundredhousand Methodists with 'the same experience.

The Methodists teach their people that the Italians havefalse experience, that thev have a false Holv Ghost that,heir tongues are of the devil. The Italians te~ch their peo-

le the same things about the Methodists. It is pitiful whenach group wants to receive the credit for beginning theove of God, instead of giving Jesus credit for it all!When God starts a revival and begins to use a few good

en that He picked from the cotton patch, it is pitiful whenhey begin to build hedges around the blessings of God, andet no one else have the blessing unless they come. overnd are branded with their mark. They will think of someittle pet theory that is a little different, or some little mani-estation or demonstration. Thev will call themselves bv aame of some kind, and teach the people that they .areHE church which God is blessing. They shut other peopleff and brand them wrong if they don't join their groupnd fight everyone else.

You must wear their brand, and help them fight thether churches or yOU are branded off color, or a com-romiser. They want to monopolize the blessings of Godnd make merchandise of people.

Certain groups which God has blessed could have takenhe world for Jesus had they let Jesus have the credit andot tried to make merchandise of the Gospel of the Lordsus Christ.I know a prophet of God that went to Africa and tookities for Jesus. People were saved from all denominations.

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Thousands were influenced by those meetings. Then on hissecond trip a certain organization capitalized him. Th-- - -people used him to promote their own cause. The results?Jesus did not receive the praise. He was left out. He wasnot interested in giving his glory to man or a group of men.

Peter wanted to buildThree Tabernacles

He was on the mountain top. He had a wonderful expe-rience. But his trouble was, he wanted to remain on thatone mountain top!He wanted to build a tabernacle to Elijah, one to Moses,and one to Jesus.

People today are yet trying to build a tabernacle toElijah. They carry a chart and preach prophet y. They tellhow wonderful Jesus will be during the thousand years'feign, how the devil will be bound over there.But Jesus is wonderful now! The devil can be boundin our lives now!Those men will figure out certain things in prophecy,and S?y things are going to happen a certain wavl Thevthink everybody in false doctrine if they do not figure outthe right number of days, months, and vears in the tribula-- -tion days. Ifyou don't figure out the certain time the rapturewill take place they will be afraid to let you preach forthem. Thev make their members afraid to come hear vou- -preach Jesus, because they have their pet ideas built arounda supposi tion.The Pharisees had prophecy figured out a certain way.They had the first coming of Jesus "pin-poin ted" in a cer-tain way. They counted them "off-brands". Therefore, theymissed Jesus' first coming. They loved the doctrine aboutJesus more than they did Jesus. They liked to preach aboutJesus but hated Jesus Himself.It is possible to have Pentecostal Pharisees todav. The,'- -may spend much of their time -figuring out the SecondComing of Jesus, and neglect Jesus. They may miss Hissecond coming, especially if they hate al l other groups ofChristians.Some build a -'Tabernacle to Moses

They would have us be bound by the Old Law.tell us if we don't observe days, years, and months,

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T abernacle to JesusThey call Him Lord, Lord, but they do not do the thingsat He says. They put His name on their church. Theyse His name in praying, in ceremonies. But they will con-emn everyone else to hell that do not say the same cere-ony exactly as they say it. They do this to make a differ-ce, in order to hold their membership, to build them-lves a kingdom instead of building the Kingdom of God!In the last days there will be seven women to one man."hey will be willing to wear their own clothes, make theirwn living, but they will want to be called by his name toke away their reproach.It is happening in two ways in our day.\Ve have many churches today that want to put Jesus'me on their church, but they do not want His garments,ey do not want His holiness. Thev want their own man-, -

ade theories and pet doctrines, in order to build formselves a name.Like the people who built the Tower of Babel manynisters say,"Let's Build a Nam e"After the Lord uses a minister in a great way, manymes, he wants to start himself an organization and getme followers. He, or she, stops on the mountain top,here there are many people already saved, and buildemselves a tabernacle. They make it appear that theye the only ones in town that are spiritual. The resultse they have spiritual pride.A voice spoke it was God's voice the voice spokeom heaven and told Peter, who wanted to remain in one

place and build a tabernacle, "This is my beloved Son .Hear him."That is what we all should do. We should hear the LordFor ourselves instead of being carried to and fro with everywind of doctrine.The Full Gospel people have the same experience, butthey BeUe17e i n S eg r ega ti onThey will segregate God's people with some pet doctrine.They will say this group believes in deliverance and thisone does not. Both sides will go on extremes to be different.All God's Holv Ghost ministers believe in deliverance ..-Thev all believe in miracles. Thev all believe in the Word.-of Knowledge. They all believe in discerning of spirits.They all believe in the gifts. They all believe in layinghands on people for the Holy Ghost. They all believe intarrying. They all believe in faith. They all believe in theGifts of the Spirit. They all have the same Holy Ghost.They all have the Full Gospel experience. But it is too badwhen some begin a "side-line," and neglect the rest of theBible, just to win people to themselves instead of Jesus.

Hall Baked C akesThe Bible says that Ephraim was a cake unturned.(Hosea 7: 8).That means he was done on one side and raw on theother side.There are different types of ministers, for the perfectingof the saints. It was that way in the Bible days. Saints needall types of ministers for their perfection (Eph. 4). The',need pastors, evangelists, teachers and exhorters. They needsome men with gifts of healing, some with gifts of prophecy,and some with discerning of spirits, for the perfecting ofthe saints. (1 Cor. 13:10).Woe be unto the group, or groups, that try to establisha church on one ministry or one gift. They become as halfbaked cakes! They are raw on one side and burned on theother side.There is such a thing as

B ib le F as ti ngOne man came to me and said, "The Bible savs thatwhen you fast you must fast in secret and not let anyoneknow anything about it."

n't throw away meats, if we don't have the same convic-ons as they, we are false ministers. We could not preachr them. They would not let anyone join their churchless thev believed everv "side-line" theory they believe.. . . . '" '"Jesus were here He would have a hard time joining theirurch. They would put Paul and Peter on the carpet. Theyould have some pet doctrine to condemn the other minis-r, to make themselves look more holy than other Chris-ans, in order to hold their members. Finally they haveeir members so bound by every pet doctrine and law, justbe different, that they are miserable!Some build a

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He was right, but the Bible also tells us in many placest public fasts were called. \Ve have as much scriptureone as we do for the other.Some people think we cannot teach secret fasting unlessfight the people who call a public fast. Nonsense!iculous! \Ve can teach both truths! \Ve can teach the

LL Gospel.There are alsoTwo K inds o f G ivingI have heard some people say that they give absolutelysecret and do not let anyone know they give.Jesus told the Pharisees not to sound a trumpet beforem when the" started to give alms. He said they shouldt give alms to be seen of men. He said for us not to gi"~receive glory of men. He said for us not to let our leftnd know what our right hand does.So we see there is such a thing as secret giving. Butere is another truth that is just as important. The Bibleys just as much, and more, about public giving. Jesus com-ended a little ladv for bringing the last money she had.e put it into th~ treasury. People were there ~v~tchingr. Jesus used her as an object lesson, to teach millions of

ople yet to be born. (Mark 12:42). .'God had Moses have the people of God brmg thenferings into the tabernacle and put them into the treasury.ople brought their tithes and offerings into the .temple.seph and Mary brought two pigeons and a dove mto themple to offer them to the Lord.Both private and public giving are. Biblical. \Vhy does aan, like a fish with an eye on one side only just see oneuth? \Vhv do men only see one truth, and fight the othere? Most' of the time it is to gain followers.Whv would I fight the President of the United States?ost ~f the time, whether I realize it or not, it is to makeappear to people that I know more than t?e. Preside~t;is not to lower the President so much as It IS to build-If vou will stop to think you will realize that there are- Trro K il ;z ds o f P ra yi ngIt is true that Jesus says for us to pray to our Fatherhich is in secret; but He also say that if we do we will bewarded openly. That means we cannot keep it a secret.

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Show me a man that never is rewarded openly, and I'll showyou a man who never prays in secret.You can't live right very long at a time if you keep allyour praying a secret and never let anyone know aboutit, and if you never pray in public; if you are ashamedfor people to know that you pray.I don't have anv confidence in the man who does all-'his praying in public and never prays in secret.We find about nineteen times in the Bible that Jesusprayed in public. He is our example. He also slipped awayto the mountains and prayed all night alone.Why do men only see one truth? \Vhy do they thinkthey must fight the other truth to build theirs? \Vhy wouldthey be like a cake unturned?\Ve find that Peter prayed in public; we also read thathe lay on top of the house tarrying before the Lord inprayer, and received great results! He, and all the dis-ciples, and Jesus, believed and practiced both public andprivate praying.'Why do people establish a doctrine on one side of thescripture? It is to build a following; to build for them-selves instead of pointing people to Jesus; to hold their\ members!There is more than one way to

Receive the H : o l y GhostIn the Bible we read that the people received the HolyGhost in several different ways. We find in our day thatpeople receive the Holy Ghost while praying, while prais-ing God, while worshipping the Lord in many differentways.1. We have scripture for laying hands on people andtheir receiving the Holy Ghost Baptism:"And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Hal"Ghost came upon them; and they spake with tongues andprophesied." (Acts 19 :6 ) .2. We have scripture for people praying to receive theHoly Ghost: ."If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts toyour children: how much more shall your heavenly Fathergive the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11: 13)."If ye shall ask anything in my name I will do it . . .And I will pray t~e Father, and he shall give you another

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mforter, that he m av abide with vo u forever ... "_: 16-17).3. We have scripture for praying plus laying"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heardat Samaria had received the word of God, they sent untoem P .ter and John: \Vho, when they were come down,ayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.. Then laid their hands upon them, and they receivede Holy Ghost." (Acts 8: 14-17).4. \Ve find in the Bible that people received the Holyhost while the preacher was preaching:"\ Vhile Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fellail them that heard the word." (Acts 10: 44).5. \Ve have scripture for people receiving the Holyhost while they were worshipping the Lord in praises:"And when the dav of Pentecost was fully come, they,.ere all filled with one accord in one place." (Acts 2: 1).6. \Ve have many Scriptures saying people prayed awhile'fore they received the Holv Ghost:,

(John

I

first reader many, many years ago. 1 think it would dol~lany Pentecostal people good to go back and read th afirst reader with the little children. This story is about,The Ai a gp ie B ir dthat started to teach all the other birds how to build a nestA magpie builds a complete nest. The story goes thatshe met with all the other birds to show them how to builda nest. About the time she laid down some sticks the oldcrow flew away in a great hurry, crying, "I know how;1 know how; 1 know how". Awav she flew and built a nestout of some sticks. '\Vh.en the magpie put some straw on the sticks the whip-poorwill flew away screaming, "1 know how; 1 know how;

1 know how". She built a nest with sticks and straw.\Vhen the cotton was put on the nest another birddeclared she knew how, and built a nest with some sticks,straw and some cotton.\Vhen the bird put some feathers into the nest, anothebird flew away thinking she knew how!The truth is, each bird had only part of a nest.There are far too many birds today trvinv to buildthemselves a nest instead of bUilding' for' the Kingdomof Goel. 1 received a letter from a minister the othe; dmthat stated, "I'm getting old now. If 1 ever intend to haveanything for myoid age 1 guess I'd better settle down andbuild a church of my own. 1 want you to come and have ameeting. If 1 can have a few healing campaigns Ican payfor the building, and it will be mine." .That is probably all right. Ihave no stones to throw athim, but 1 could not keep from wondering what angle, orwhat new revelation he was goirig to teach in order to hold?is members, to keep the other pastors from taking them,III order to hold people to himself. Idon't sec whv heshould start by telling the people that all the other pastorsare wrong and he is the only one , , ' 1 1 0 is completely right.Each man has his way to tell people

H01I' to Receive the Holy GlzostOne man tells them to pray for the HoI\' Ghost. He isright; but just because he has one truth \vhv should hefight another truth which is also in the Bible? _One man tells the people that the Bible way is to lavhands on the people and they will receive the Holv Ghost.

.I

. ,on o.

"These all continued with one accord in prayer and sup-lication, with the women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus,nd with his brethren." (Acts 1: 14).Just before Paul received the Holy Ghost he prayed aboutree days; and Ananias did much talking to the Lordefore he went to Straight Street (Acts 9:10-14)."And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into thereet which is called Straight, and inquire in the House

f Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, HFRAYETH." (Acts 9: 11).\Ve find that about eight thousand people received tholy Ghost when they prayed."And when they had praved, the place was shaken whereey were assembled together: and they were ALL filledith the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of Godith boldness." (Acts 4:31).I don't know what you may be doing, but I do knowat everv time vou obev the Lord vou will receive the. ..., .oly Ghost (Acts 5: 32), whether it is praying, shouting,nging, or having hands laid upon you.Before I tell you the message the Lord has laid upon meart 1 would like to relate to you a story that was in a-.20-

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is right. He has much scripture on his side. But whyuld he criticize the man who prays the people throughthe Holy Ghost? I don't know unless he is trying to getollowing and build people unto himself.Each man has his own ministry that God has given, but God help him to see that the other man has anistry also.Some members become so confused listening to bothachers and hearing each one sav that the other one isc ong that they are about to believe both of them.In some places people are afraid to go into the prayerm and pray with people. They are afraid they will do itwrong way and will be preached at for the way they do.e result is the churches will dry up. People lose Godm their lives sitting back shaking and shivering, waitingone man to have a nervous breakdown praying everyoneough himself!I know that when the gifts of miracles are in operationcan lay hands on people and they will receive the Holyost. When the anointing is there people can be filledantlv .But let's tell our people if no one is there with thatinting and most of the time there is not that they canin the prayer room and pray people through any time.ev don't need to wait! If the anointing is there, layds on them and let them receive the Holv Ghost. If-t, g-et them through! Tell them not to leave until they

eive the Holy Ghost. Don't criticize people for prayingm through, get them through in your own way, and let "other people do the same. I don't care how you' do it,t so vou do it!Just whv some folk establish a doctrine on praying 'ande build a doctrine on laying on of hands is beyond me,en both truths are found in the Bible!

I have one book on LORD TEACH US TO PRAY. Ie another, HO\V TO RECEIVE \VITHOUT ASKING.meone asked which did I mean, Both truths are right!e reason I wrote both books is I wanted to preach thel gospel and have a rounded out ministry, and not bee-sided. I had no church or members. So I did not needteach one truth and fight the other to hold my members.There is more than one wav to-

,,iI

Receive YOllr HealingThe Bible says that we can anoint with oil and prayfor the sick and they will be healed (James 5: 14), It alsosays that we can confess our faults one to another andpray for another and be healed (vs. 16), The Bible saysthat we can agree on touchinv anvthinv and it shall be, (-,done. That scripture is still in the Bible that if we askanything in His Name He will do it."But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and

prayed; and turning him to the bod" said, Tabitha, arise"( ., .. Acts 9: 40) .Healing is the children's bread. If we ask Him for bread

He will not give us a stone. He knows how to givp goodgifts to them tha t ask him.Paul believed in praying for the sick."And it came to pass that the father of Publius lav sickof a fever and of a blood" flux: to whom Paul enter~d in. 'AND PRAYED, and laid his hands on him, and healedhim" (Acts 28: 8),In most instances in the Bible the Apostles just spokethe word and people were healed. In manv cases the" laidtheir hands on them and they were heale~I. .

I

It is like this when the gifts of healing are in operation:people may be healed all over the house, even at a com-mand, even without being prayed for.But brother, if that special gift is not in operation andin many cases it is not, we will have to admit if the

anointing is not present to deliver people instantlv, thenpeople may snll receive healing for their body bv prayer.They can do like Hezekiah. Thev can consecrate their livesto the Lord. God will still heal them!Suppose you had been shipwrecked for fourteen days, asPaul was, with not a chance to get alone with God, to' wait

upon him for a special anointing. Then you might do as hedid, He prayed before he laid his hands on the man. Peterfirst knelt down and prayed before he commanded Dorcasto arise (Acts 9:40).I may preach all my life that we can lay hands on peopleand they will receive healing, but that ccrtainlv does makethe other truth of none effect. People can vet be healed by

prayer.The man who teaches that we can still gather around

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e sick and pray for them should not fight the man whoays for the anointing and lays hands on people and seesem healed instantlv!'Ve arc all one. Let's put people in healing lines. Let'sv until we are anointed. Let's fast until ~he gifts ofaling are in operation. Let's see them healed instantlv.But if the anointing is not there sometimes, if someoneawav from God, if someone docs not have the faith, wen still instruct them. 'Ve can yet pray with them to bealed. Let's not let them lav there and die just because went to teach one truth an'd fight the other!Get them healed instantly if you can; if you can't, get

em healed some way!Should one man form a doctrine and teach praying fore sick, and fight the gifts? Should one man teach layingof hands, and fight praying for the sick? Are not bothths right? Let's preach the truths of God and stop criticiz-g the ~man who preaches and practices another truth,st to run people away from the other man and draw themus!God may put you

On the Shelf

III

The Bible teaches both oneness and trinitv. There are,three in heaven and these three are one.There are a lot of good people who are preaching th.:truth of trinity but they are foaming at the mouth andsaying that the ones who preach oneness are going to hell.On the other side people are teaching the Bible when theyteach oneness. But where some are wrong they arc sayingthat the people who teach trinity are going to hell .Both sides do this to gain members, to draw people untothemselves. They preach their theories. They go to theextreme and get one-sided. They wonder how God canbless the other ones. 'Ve are all God's children. '''e are all

going to heaven. When will we ever preach one truth andnot fight the other truth?Jesus teaches that He and the Father are one. He tellsus how they are one (John 17: 11). The last four wordsin the verse settles it.The extremes on both sides will be against me for tell-ing the plain truth as Jesus tells it. Both sides will thinkI am compromising the Gospel. Both groups will wonderhow I can be a friend to all Christians and be for all thebody of Christ. Some on each side think I should take sidesand fight the opposite side. But Jesus doesn't fight eitherside. He works with all Christians. He is not fighting eitherside. Why should I?Most all of you have heard the story of the

Ninc Blind l\'1enwho examined the elephant. The story was in our readeryears ago.

One of the blind men felt of the elephant's ear and saidhe was like a leaf. He was honest.Another felt of the elephant's tail and declared thathe was just like a rope. He was sincere.The next man felt of his side and reported that he waslike a wall. It was that way.One man felt of his leg and said he was like the trunkof a tree. That was right.Another felt of his snout and said he was like the rootof a tree. He felt that he was correct.Everyone of the men were right, but none of them hadall the truth.They could have argued, debated, and even fought; bu:

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,vou think vou are right and everyone else is wrong. You~ preach that so long until you believe it! You a~e notdispensable. God can set you aside and get alon? withoutvery well. He may let you sit back sometimes andatch Him use the verv people you have been criticizing inis great coming world wide revival.Jesus prayed for the Father to make us all one: Weould pray the same way. I do not believe in segregation ofe body of hrist.I believe here will be a World 'Vide Ievival. God willc people from many different churclcv. whosoever willnsecrate their lives unto Him. The ..iblc teaches

A \Vorld Wide RCFil 'a lBut YOU sa" the Bible says there will be a great fallingav in the last dews. People will grow formal; the lovemanx will wax col~l. \\'hich one of us is right? Both truthse right. Both ~re taking place, I don't want to be a h?lf-aked cake, and just preach one truth and be agamst

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at would not have done any good.Had the nine blind men suddenly all had their eyesened they could have seen the elephant just as he was.l of them could have agreed. They were all right. Thewa~' the" would have been wrong was this: had theyllen out with each other and criticized each other.Paul says that now we see through a glass darkly, buten when that which is perfect is come we shall see faceface. Paul said that he would be in that perfect age whenshall know even as we are known C 1 Cor. 13).Some day we shall all become full grown men; we shalle into perfection (Eph. 4). \Ve shall then have all the

Then we shall see that people will be redeemed out ofery nation and tribe and tongue. \Ve shall see that Godbig enough to have other sheep which are not of our fold."Thou art worthv to take the book, and to open theals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed usGod by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, andople, and nation." (Rev. 5:9).David prayed to the Lord"Open 1\1y Eyes"

\Vhen we get our eyes open we -wi l l not try to get by one demerits of our brother in the Lord. We will dependthe merits of Christ.The soldiers and the sailors used to fight each otherring the war. They would take their belt buckles andhip each other. They would try their skill on each otherey had learned in training. But one day they discoveredat they should be fighting side by side for the same pur-se, against one common enemy. Then they won the war.When we stop fighting and criticizing each other, whene learn that we are fighting sin and the devil, we will allen, as children of God, stop trying to receive the creditd give Jesus the praise for everything! Then we are goinggain a final victory!Today one man preaches love, love, love. The other manpreaching gifts, gifts, gifts. Both of them are right, ifey would not fight the other truth. The Bible does notach gifts without love. It does not each love without gifts.teaches love with gifts.I heard that two men were going from the farm to the-26,-

cotton gin at the next town. They were riding on top awagon load of cotton. They were going to sell the cottonafter it was ginned..One of. them said, "Brother, when we get there theywill examme our cotton. They will not be so interested inwhich road we traveled to get here. The main thing theywill be interested in is this: 'Do you have good cotton?'" -One day we will stand before the Lord. He will not beinterested so much in the name we put on our church?oor. The tags will be gone. The main thing He will beInterested in is this: "Is your soul washed white in theblood that was slain for you, or was that blood shed invain for you?"WHOSOEVER shall be ashamed of Him here, He willbe ashamed of him before the Father. If you confess Himhere He will confess you before the Father in Heaven.Do it today. Why longer delay? You say that there areso many ways that you don't know which way to go. ButJesus said, "I am the Wav." When you find Jesus then youcan sing, "I have found the way." You ask how you mayfind that way? The way is so plain that a fool or wayfaringman need not err therein (Isa. 35). He came to seek thatwhich was lost. He is seeking you! If you seek Him YOLlwill find each other. Everyone that seeketh findeth. Hethat cometh to Him He will in no wise cast out. If weconfess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sinsand to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.

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