The Challenge of a Finished Work (Part 1)
by Robert H. Pierson
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DURING recent months two large and important church meetings were held. At these gatherings remarkably parallel actions were taken. From October 26 to November 4, 1966, the World Congress on Evangelism was convened in Berlin. From more than one hundred nations evangelists, pastors, theologians, and other church leaders gathered to discuss ways and means of preaching Christ's gospel to the ends of the earth. As one interested editor wrote prior to the meeting, these Christian leaders from several different evangelical faiths met to search "their souls in view of parting instructions that the Risen Christ gave His followers." 1 Evangelical Christians from many lands focused their eyes and prayers upon this congress fervently hoping that it might "light the fuse for a worldwide evangelistic explosion," for they considered this "the most significant opportunity for evangelistic planning in the modern era."'
These Christian leaders, gathered in Berlin, brought with them a sense of urgency inspired by a firm conviction that the second coming of Christ is near, and that they must hasten greatly to proclaim His saving gospel with increasing power to help prepare the world for this great event.
"They realize that the evangelistic action of the Church in this generation could set the stage for the glorious return of Jesus Christ," wrote one editor just prior to the Berlin meeting. Note well the phrase, "in this generation." Ministers of other faiths share our sense of urgency in these challenging days.
The writer continues in words every Seventh-day Adventist leader understands, for they reflect our own thinking so nearly. "Never before has the task of bringing the Gospel of the living Christ to the human race presented such serious obstacles or demanded such urgent action by the Church of Jesus Christ." ' He then proceeds to place his finger upon those who must accomplish this task. Again note well the Adventist overtones: "The urgent task of bringing the Gospel to the entire human race rests on every Christian believer." 6 Sounds like a lay activities secretary speaking, doesn't it?
Current of Urgency
Through each of these three challenging statements a current of urgency runs swift and strong. At the Berlin Congress there was a revival of the slogan used at Dwight L. Moody's Northfield Conference of 1886—"The evangelization of the world in this generation."
In his opening address to the congress, Dr. Billy Graham stressed the lateness of the hour and emphasized the sense of urgency every Christian should feel today. "The next twenty-five years will be the most decisive years since Christ was on earth," he declared.' "We have one task," he continued, "the penetration of the entire world in our generation with the Gospel!"
"But," Graham added, "one of the great questions before this congress is: Can the Church be revived in order to complete the penetration of the world in our generation?" s
Seventh-day Adventists may well give careful, prayerful consideration to both of these last two points—our task of worldwide penetration with the Advent message and the condition of a church possessing spiritual power to accomplish this task.
Cue From the Lord
The other memorable church meeting held in recent months convened in Washington, D.C., during the month of October, a few days prior to the historic Berlin gathering. It was the 1966 Autumn Council held October 19 to 24. We, too, had representatives from many lands gathered for counsel. In addition to General Conference leaders, the presidents of our great overseas divisions came to meet and to counsel with us. Our North American union officers and local conference presidents, institutional heads, and many others were present for this important convocation.
We, too, met to search our "souls in view of parting instructions that the Risen Christ gave His followers." We, too, sensed the urgency of the hour. We were conscious that this Autumn Council could well be one of the important mileposts in recent denominational history. The words "urgency," "this generation," "revival," "reformation," "sacrifice," and "evangelism" fell frequently from the lips of dedicated leaders during the discussions. Our cue came not from our evangelical friends, but from a deep study of the Word of God and the Spirit of Prophecy.
Since the Fall Council closed, the challenge of this Spirit-filled meeting has gone around the world—no doubt in hundreds of languages—where the Advent message is proclaimed. Through the Review and Herald, through our division and union papers, the clarion call to arms was sounded. Our General Conference leaders, off to the division meetings in many lands, carried the message with them. They passed on the torch to division leaders, who in turn faithfully handed it with undimmed luster to their unions and on to the local conference, mission, and church leaders. There was no break in the line! The word got through. The spirit the Lord was pleased to send among His leaders in Takoma Park last October spread like ripples on the sea to our church's farthest outposts. I know, for I have had scores, probably hundreds, of letters that assure me this is true.
What Is the Challenge?
What is this challenge, this call to arms, that has spanned the seas, penetrated remote jungles, and climbed rugged mountain peaks? Here is the preamble of the resolution adopted by the Autumn Council. No doubt you have read it before: "This program of worldwide revival and reformation calls for total mobilization of the whole church under the power of the Spirit of God in revival, reformation, and a wave of evangelism that will sweep around the world."
There follows a section on the "inreach" of the program—outlining a work of revival and reformation that must be done inside the church before the mighty power of the latter rain is poured out for a speedy finishing of our assigned task. The 'outreach" of the plan not only contained a clarion call to evangelism but outlined a program of coordinated soul winning implicating every department, every worker, and every member in the church.
Consider These Five Points
1. The Holy Spirit must do something for the church. He must do something for you, for me! It is not in us alone to accomplish the great task our Master entrusted to us. There must be a power from outside ourselves. That power must be the mighty working of the Holy Spirit in needy hearts and lives. Nothing less will suffice during this crisis hour in which we live and labor.
2. A revival of primitive godliness must come in among us as a people. The King's highway must be cleared of every obstruction—sin and self must make way for the Saviour and the Holy Spirit.