"Behold I Come"
WALTER SCHUBERT Associate Secretary, General Conference Ministerial Association
The recent Ministerial Association Precouncil, as well as the General Conference sessions which are now in the past, brought marvelous experiences to those in attendance. The motto of the Ministerial Council was "Thine Be the Glory." That motto made us all realize that for every soul who is being brought to Christ only He can have the glory. For we as human beings are only instruments in the hands of the Holy Spirit for the salvation of the lost. It is well to keep this motto always in mind, in order to keep us humble and obedient to the Paraclete so that we might labor successfully in the Lord's vineyard.
During the General Conference sessions most of the sermons and reports were delivered under the inspiration of the motto "Behold I Come." These words rang through my mind every day as I saw them hanging before me in the great auditorium. Yes, world conditions in the political, economic, social, and moral spheres show that our great hope of the second coming of Christ is on the verge of being realized. The more I pondered the words "Behold I Come," the more I realized that to a certain extent it is for us to decide when He shall come. In Evangelism Ellen G. White wrote in the year 1901 that if the church had fulfilled by that time its commission of evangelizing the world, we would have been in heaven by then. So we are already fifty years behind time. The Lord is anxiously waiting for His church to preach the gospel to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." Let us believe this motto, "Behold I Come," with all of our hearts, and may it move us as ministers into action, praying for the latter rain in our own lives so that He can finish His work through us and the 924,822 church members.
What Could Be Achieved!
According to the last statistical world re port we have at present 14,676 men and women who carry credentials as ordained or licensed ministers, and missionary credentials or licenses. If every one of us under the guidance of the power of the Holy Spirit and with the help and hearty collaboration of our good-sized membership and our institutions would bring into the saving light of the gospel an average of ten souls a year, it would mean 146,760 yearly additions to our church that is waiting anxiously for the Lord's return. If this could be attained, by the next General Conference session there would be 587,040 new believers in the church, who in turn would be helping to finish the work. That can be accomplished, and much more, if we as the ministry at large would really go through the heart-searching experience of desiring, with fasting and prayer, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and commit our will entirely to His will in all branches of our activity. Yes, even greater things would be accomplished and miracles would be wrought.
Larger Plans Must Be Launched
The Spirit of prophecy states: "We are altogether too narrow in our plans. . . . We must get away from our smallness and make larger plans. There must be a wider reaching forth to work for those who are nigh and those who are afar off." Evangelism, p. 46.
Conference and mission committees with faith in the living God can draw greater plans for practical evangelism. Every minister, pastor, or evangelist may conceive a plan of evangelism for his territory and submit it to the president of the field for study. The era of evangelism is not past. The greatest movement of evangelism is still before us. Let us inaugurate a total plan of evangelism in the sense of all types and methods and talents; efforts, small or large; short, long, or of the spearhead type as the talents of workers might warrant, as the means of collaborators are available, and in harmony with the ability of every worker involved. Let us, through public meetings, trans form some of our small struggling groups of believers into strong churches.
Let us double the membership of the smaller churches, injecting new spiritual life into them. Let us enter into virgin territories, raising up new companies and churches ac cording to the Lord's plan.
The minister should not look exclusively upon the heavy burdens of shepherding his assigned flock in his appointed area, when there are hundreds of thousands and some times millions in his territory who do not know the truth and who must be warned. It is so easy to be absorbed in taking care of the 500 or 1,000 members of the district and lose sight of the 500,000 or more in the same territory who must be enlightened with the gospel.
Let us launch out with faith doing great things for God. May every field and minister earnestly seek for ways and means to finish the work in his area and find a solution for bringing the saving message to every man and woman in his territory. Faith in evangelism must be exercised and faith that God will guide us in the preaching of the gospel in every city, town, and village.
God Will Not Fail Us
The following inspired statement is a great encouragement as we consider the many (humanly speaking) unsolvable problems of evangelism, such as indifference of the public to the message, persecution, lack of means or men:
"Faith is the living power that presses through every barrier, overrides all obstacles, and plants its banner in the heart of the enemy's camp." Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 163. Let us move forward from this blessed 1954 Presession Ministerial Association Council and General Conference session with the same undying determination to finish the task before us as was manifested by Paul in conquering the Roman Empire for Christ. His problems, humanly speaking, were insurmountable, but he knew that God who commanded to preach the gospel to every creature could make the impossible possible. Ponder again what he wrote through inspiration: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." So can we also, and we will do it, because He is with us "even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Our Attitude in Public Prayer
A. V. OLSON General Conference Vice-President
I recall in the early days of the Advent Movement when our churches met together for Sabbath school and worship, it was customary to kneel for the opening prayer. This was still the case in the early days of my ministry. I cannot visiting a Seventh-day Adventist church then where the worshipers did not kneel for the opening prayer. Even today this reverent custom prevails in most of our churches. Unfortunately, there seems to be a tendency in some places, for one reason or another, to drift away from it.
Recently, when the Manual for Ministers was being revised, this matter was given careful consideration, with the result that a chapter on "Public Prayer" was prepared and included in the new manual. This chapter sets forth the instruction given us on this subject in the Bible and through the Spirit of prophecy. This chapter, like all the other chapters in the manual, has been approved by the General Conference Committee.
The new manual is now off the press and is available to every worker. However, be cause of the importance of this matter, we are reproducing herewith the entire chapter on "Public Prayer." It is hoped that our workers will give the content of this chapter the attention it deserves, and that they will use their influence in our churches in favor of following the instruction that the Lord has been pleased to give us regarding our attitude and posture during the public prayers connected with our church services. The chapter reads as follows:
"Prayer is an important part of every service of the church. Its content, its length, the manner in which it is offered, the attitude of the petitioner and the worshipers, are all matters of such importance that the Lord has given much instruction concerning them. "All need to 'worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.' 'To the humble, believing soul, the house of God on earth is the gate of heaven. . . . The church is the sanctuary for the congregation. There should be rules in regard to the time, the place, and the manner of worshiping. Nothing that is sacred, nothing that pertains to the worship of God, should be treated with carelessness or indifference. In order that men may do their best work in showing forth the praises of God, their associations must be such as will keep the sacred distinct from the common, in their minds.' Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 491.
"In our private devotions 'there is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to God' (Steps to Christ, p. 103). 'We may speak with Jesus as we walk by the way,' and 'when engaged in our daily labor, we may breathe out our heart's desire' (Gospel Workers^ p. 258). The Lord hears the sincere prayer at all times and on all occasions. The psalmist prayed on his bed during the night watches, Jeremiah was heard 'out of the low dungeon/ where he was 'sunk in the mire,' and Peter was rescued from a watery grave by the prayer, 'Lord, save me.' The publican was justified as he stood 'afar off' and with bowed head cried out in humility, 'God be merciful to me a sinner.
' "The evidence is abundant, however, that the most appropriate and reverential attitude in prayer is shown in the bending of the knees. We read that Solomon, during the dedication ceremony of the Temple, 'kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven' (2 Chron. 6:13), and that Daniel opened the windows of his chamber toward Jerusalem and 'kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God' (Dan. 6:10). The psalmist said: 'O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker' (Ps. 95:6). Of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane we read: 'And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed' (Luke 22:41). After Paul had finished his instruction to the elders of Ephesus at Miletus, 'he kneeled down, and prayed with them all,' and when his ship stopped at Tyre for a few days and was ready to leave, the believers took Paul and his companions out of the city by the sea shore, and Luke says, 'We kneeled down on the shore, and prayed' (see Acts 20:36; 21:5).
" 'To bow down when in prayer to God is the proper attitude to occupy. . . . Both in public and private -worship it is our duty to bow down upon our knees before God when we offer our petitions to Him. This act shows our dependence upon God. . . . We hope that our brethren will not manifest less reverence and awe as they approach the only true and living God than the heathen manifest for their idol deities, or these people will be our judges in the day of final decision. I would speak to all who occupy the place of teachers in our schools. Men and women, do not dis honor God by your irreverence and pomposity. Do not stand up in your Pharisaism and offer your prayers to God. Mistrust your own strength. Depend not in it; but often bow down on your knees before God, and worship Him. And when you assemble to worship God, be sure and bow your knees before Him. Let this act testify that the whole soul, body, and spirit are in subjection to the Spirit of truth.' ELLEN G. WHITE, Notebook Leaflets, vol. 1, Methods, No. 7, pp. 1-3.
"In the church service it is appropriate for both ministers and congregation to kneel facing the pulpit whence goes forth the messages from His Holy Word. " 'When the meeting is opened by prayer, every knee should bow in the presence of the Holy One, and every heart should ascend to God in silent devotion. The prayers of faithful worshipers will be heard, and the ministry of the word will prove effectual.' Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 493.
"When it is necessary for all speakers at a church service to appear before a micro phone, it is recommended that if possible provision for a second microphone at a convenient level be made, so that the one offering the prayer may kneel with the congregation for this part of the service. "Let us conduct our public prayers in a manner which God has indicated as pleasing to Him, that we may ever preserve the spirit of reverence in which man should approach his Maker. In announcing a prayer, it would be well to ask the congregation to kneel in prayer rather than to bow, as the latter does not give direct instruction as to what is expected.
"When It May Be Appropriate to Stand for Prayer"
Although bowing on our knees is the most appropriate attitude "during a public prayer, we must not conclude that the Lord will not accept the petitions when the ministers and congregation remain standing, as during the invocation, benediction, evangelistic services, or when all stand in consecration while prayer is offered. We also find situations in the Scriptures in which, under certain conditions, worshipers stood while prayer was offered, as in 1 Kings 8:55: 'And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice.' Also, when the condition of the floor or the seating arrangements make it impracticable or well-nigh impossible for the congregation to kneel, it is appropriate for the people to stand while prayer is offered.
"The Minister Kneels as He Enters the Pulpit "
'When the minister- enters, it should be with dignified, solemn mien. He should bow down in silent prayer as soon as he steps into the pulpit, and earnestly ask help of God. What an impression this will make! There will be solemnity and awe upon the people. Their minister is communing with God; he is committing him self to God before he dares to stand before the people. Solemnity rests upon all, and angels of God are brought very near. Every one of the congregation, also, who fears God should with bowed head unite in silent prayer with him that God may grace the meeting with His presence and give power to His truth proclaimed from human lips."—Ibid., pp. 492, 493.
"Counsel Regarding Public Prayers
" 'The prayers offered in public should be short and to the point. God does not require us to make the season of worship tedious by lengthy petitions. Christ did not enforce upon His disciples wearisome ceremonies and long prayers. . . . " 'A few minutes is long enough for any ordinary public petition. There may be in stances where supplication is in a special manner indited by the Spirit of God. The yearning soul becomes agonized, and groans after God. The spirit wrestles as did Jacob, and will not be at rest without the special manifestation of the power of God. At such times it may be fitting that the petition be of greater length.' Gospel Workers, p. 175- " 'Prosy, sermonizing prayers are uncalled for and out of place in public. A short prayer, offered in fervor and faith, will soften the hearts of the hearers; but during long prayers they wait impatiently, as if wishing that every word might end it.' Ibid., p. 179. " 'Some think it a mark of humility to pray to God in a common manner, as if talking with a human being. They profane His name by needlessly and irreverently mingling with their prayers the words, "God Almighty," awful, sacred words, which should never pass the lips except in subdued tones and with a feeling of awe. " 'High-flown language is inappropriate in prayer, whether the petition be offered in the pulpit, in the family circle, or in secret. Especially should the one offering public prayer use simple language, that others may understand what is said and unite with the petition.' Ibid., pp. 176, 177.
"How appropriate is the petition offered to God in which the Deity is addressed in the solemn form 'Thee' and 'Thou' in stead of the common form 'you.' "It is our privilege to pray with confidence, the Spirit inditing our petitions. With simplicity we should state our needs to the Lord, and claim His promise with such faith that those in the congregation will know that we have learned to prevail with God in prayer. They will be encouraged to believe that the Lord's presence is in the meeting, and will open their hearts to receive His blessing. Their faith in our sincerity will be increased, and they will listen with willing ears to the instruction given.
" 'Our prayers should be full of tenderness and love. When we yearn for a deeper, broader realization of the Saviour's love, we shall cry to God for more wisdom. If ever there was a need of soul-stirring prayers and sermons, it is now.' Ibid., p. 177." Manual for Ministers, pp. 74-80.
