Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-12-11


To the plan of redemption there are
two sides-the human and the divine.
The human side Of the plan of re-
demption is so simple that child can
clearly understand ii.
The divine side of the plan of re-
delnption is so profound that finite
mind = however gifted = can ever
grasp or comprehend it.
All the perplexity and confusion
that comes to the world and the
church, on the steps necessary to be
saved, come through the failure to
distinguish between the conditions the
sinner must meet, and the VOW o.
Gods plan In meeting the sinners
needs.
When the sinner meets Gods condi-
tions--conditions that are few and
simpIe--then God meets that sinners
needs-the sinner Is completely and
gIoriously transformed and saved.
This fact we know and believe, but
the how Of this fact is not given us
to understand.
The best explanation of the myster-
les Of the new birth ever given leaves
something yet unsaid. and that some
thing, we feel, Is the real heart of the
thing. after ALL
The human side of the plan of re-
demption is so simple that child can
understand It,
Whatever OF mystery there may be
around the steps necessary to find
Christ, has been placed there by hui
man teachers; 1t was not placed there
by our Lord. r
In fact. the steps necessary to be
saved are SO few and SO simple, that
mulutudes are actually stumbling over
their simplicity.
so, too, with the Spirit nlled lie.
just as God the Father did not rine
heaven OF It's fairest jewel that the
door OF eternal hope might be open
cd again 10 the race, and then base
the nnulng OF that door on the posi-
oiiity- of the race mraveiing the IN
trlcacies or the suostitutionary sacri-
nee OF Calvary, 50 lie did not provide
the blessed third person OF the Trim
ity to lead, and teach, and strengthen
his children, ana base the receiving
or that Spirit on the possibility OF our
solving some Tar reaching and pro-
found theory having to DO With the
Spirit-niied experience.
Here, again, whatever OF mystery
there may be around the steps neces-
sary to enjoy the fuiiness OF the bless
ing OF the Holy One, has been placed
there by human teachers, and not by
COO.
Here, again, we believe, thousands
OF Gods people have stumbled over
the simplicity of Gods plans, and have
made mysterious and difficult that
which God intended should be simple
and easy.
Just as 1t is hard for some church
members to understand how God can
do His work without a great deal of
noise, Just so il is hard for others to
understand how God can do His work.
without a great deal of complication.
And Just as 1t is hard for some
church folk to understand how God
could provide redemption fer the race
and place the benefits of that redemp-
tion where all can appropriate their
blessings. so also it's hard for others
the blessings of the Spirit-filled life
without placing those blessings under
meath a vast, complicated system.
Verses are twisted, whole chapters
done violence to; words and phrases
coined, that some man-made theory
may have some semblance of authority
from the Holy Book.
Through this clashing of theories
and this confusing of Bible terms,
multitudes are plunged into hopeless
perplexity and endless despair.
What are the simple facts of the
word of God on this question?
Let us see.
When Is Holy Spirit Received?
Repent. and be baptized every one
of you in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins, and We shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
When is the Holy Spirit received?
On this question there are theories,
many-some of them the antipodes
o. religious thinking. and many of
them undeserying passing notice.
In the organized Church of Christ