An interview between Elder Barton W. Stone and the Christian Ledger.
"Jesus says: Yes! I'm on my way! I'll be there soon!" R.D.Ice 3-24-06
Certainly life was much different on the frontier in Kentucky when the Cane Ridge Revival took place. Our Restoration Movement was just beginning. The language and the customs were not the same. If we could have been there we would have been shocked by some things, but impressed that this was a work of God because lives changed. Communions (annual three- to-five-day meetings climaxed with the Lord's Supper) gathered people in the dozens, maybe the hundreds. Friday, August 6, 1801, wagons and carriages bounced along narrow Kentucky roads, kicking up dust and excitement as hundreds of men, women, and children pressed toward Cane Ridge, a church about 20 miles west of Lexington, the state capital at that time. They hungered to partake in what everyone felt was sure to be an extraordinary "Communion." At this Cane Ridge Communion, though, sometimes 20,000 people swirled about the grounds -watching, praying, preaching, weeping, groaning, falling. Though some stood at the edges and mocked, most left marveling at the wondrous hand of God. The power of this Revival was the engine that drove the "restoration."
If time travel were an option, an interview with Stone might sound something like the following.
Ledger: Brother Stone, now that you have spent a few days in our 21st Century, what surprises you most about our culture?
Stone: I am speechless! I can't believe people can talk on what they call telephones while they drive self- propelled vehicles called cars. And $3.99 for a cup of coffee at, what is it, Starbucks. Americans seem too busy. No time at all for prayer.
Ledger: Now that you have visited some of our large churches and watched our Christian television programs, what do you think about the state of Christianity today?
Stone: (There is an awkward pause while he fidgets with his hat. He says nothing.)
Ledger: We can come back to that question later. Meanwhile, tell us what it was like at the Great Revival at Cane Ridge.
Stone: (He regains some composure.) The services at Cane Ridge ran almost continuously. Preachers were preaching in various parts of the area. Seeking souls were crying out to God almost any hour of the day or night. "Men and brethren what shall we do?" This went on for days. The people came to meet God.
The Revival at Cane Ridge did not depend upon human leaders. God broke hearts with the gospel, shaking strong men and women, then putting them back together again, for His glory. It was a tremendous changing process. Pride and the lust of the flesh and things that had seemed so important and just general boredom with the world could not survive there! Ledger: That is quite a contrast with what we see in our churches today. In 2006 we like our preachers to be celebrities.
Stone: (Another long pause.) We did not even have a platform or pulpit in the beginning. All were on the same level. The preachers were servants in the true meaning of the word. We did not honor men for their advantage in means or education, but rather for their God-given gifts.
Ledger: American Christianity today is big. We like BIG! We are reaching millions with our television programs, our Web sites and huge churches. Doesn't that excite you?
Stone: (He strokes his beard and fidgets with his hat again. No answer.)
Ledger: This is awkward. I'm not enjoying this interview.
Stone: At Cane Ridge, the rich and educated were the same as the poor and ignorant, and found a much harder death to die. We only recognized God. All were equal before Him.
Ledger: How did you end up at Cane Ridge?
Stone: In the winter of 1796 I came from Virginia to Cane Ridge on a preaching tour and stayed a year. Then I came back in 1798 to be the preacher at the Cane Ridge and Concord Churches. But I sensed that God was about to do great things there in the wilderness.
Ledger: Why did God choose you to lead the Cane Ridge Revival?
Stone: A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Like Paul I hear God saying: "My strength is made perfect in weakness." Evidently the Lord found there a company of people through whom He could have the right-of-way. The time had come.
The Revival was like fire in dry stubble driven by the wind. All felt its influence more or less. It silenced contention and promoted unity for a while. It had to be of God, for lives were changed! People confessed Christ, quit their sin and began to be righteous and holy.
Ledger: So we need more humility and prayer today?
Stone: Paul said it was God who gave the increase. The prayer life is needed much more than even church-buildings or organizations. These are often a substitute for the other. At Cane Ridge we all lifted one voice to God and asked Him to do great things! We prayed to the Lord of the harvest! And souls were born into the kingdom through prayer! It was like the great Day of Pentecost all over again! We told them just what Peter said on that day in Acts ch 2.
And the effects did continue for some time. Revival swept across the nation. An utterly lawless community was transformed into a God-fearing one. But some men trying to save their own tottering ark put unholy hands on it. Yet God is able to use even our wrath to praise Himself, as the Psalmist wrote. Like Paul, I want to know HIM and the Power of His Resurrection! And I remember how the Lord promised the church at Philadelphia an open door and that no man can shut it! So I am still hopeful.
About 1844 I wrote: "We have been too long engaged with defending ourselves, rather than the truth as it is in Jesus. Let us trust our little selves with the Lord; and rest not, till by faith in the promised Spirit and by incessant prayer we receive and be filled with it, like they were of old in the ancient order of things."
Ledger: So then you would pray for Revival, Renewal, and Spiritual Awakening.
Stone: Exactly. In 1833 I wrote in my Christian Messenger paper: "How vain are all human attempts to unite a bundle of twigs together, so as to make them grow together and bear fruit! They must first be united with the living stock, and receive its sap and spirit, before they can ever be united with each other. So must we be first united with Christ, and receive his Spirit, before we can ever be in spirit united with one another. The members of the body cannot live unless by union with the head—nor can the members of the church be united, unless first united with Christ, the living head. His Spirit is the bond of union. Men have devised many plans to unite Christians - all are vain. There is but one effectual plan, which is, that all be united with Christ and walk in him."
Again: "When in heart we believe and obey the gospel, God gives us his holy, quickening Spirit; he gives us salvation, and eternal life--In this Spirit we feel a tender concern for sinners, and are led to plead with them, and pray for them. They see our good works, and from conviction are led to glorify God--they see the light of Zion, and flow to it--they see the union of Christians, and are by this means led to believe in Jesus unto salvation and eternal life. God has ordained that the unbelieving world are to be saved by the means of this truth, shining in his church on earth.
Ledger: May the Lord bless you Elder Stone. History records this comment about you. "Bro. D. T. Morton (his physician) remarked to him, 'Father Stone, you have been much persecuted on account of the peculiarities of your teaching. Are you willing to die in the faith you have so long taught to others?' He replied, 'I am. During my long life, I may have had some errors on minor points, but in the main, I conscientiously believe I have taught the truth, and have tried to live what I have preached to others. But it is not by works of righteousness that I have done, but according to his mercy he saved me, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he shed on me abundantly through Jesus Christ. It is of grace, it is all of grace.'”
[The Christian Ledger © is an Internet paper by Rhoderick D. Ice.]
Monday, July 25, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
A House of Prayer
A House of Prayer For All People
"Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations." Isaiah 56:7; Matt 21:10-14
1. God has called all Nations to come to Him.
"And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;" Acts 17:26-27
a) the spiritual Body of Christ.
"And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd." John 10:16
"Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands-- that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Eph 2:11-13
b) the spiritual Harvest.
"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" Rev 7:9-10
c) God spoke through the prophets.
"And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: 'After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.'" Acts 15:15-17; Amos 9:11-12
d) God dwells in His church through the Holy Spirit.
"And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God." Rev 21:3
"in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." Eph 2:22
"They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them." Jeremiah 32:38-39; compare Hebrews 8:7-13
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen." 2 Cor 13:14
"And is it possible that a man shall be a partaker with the Holy Ghost, and not know it! that he shall be full of light and love, and not know it! that he shall have the spirit of adoption, by which he can cry, Abba! Father! and yet know nothing of his relationship to God, but by inference from indirect proofs! In a word, that he shall have the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost with him, and all the while know nothing certain of the grace, as to his portion in it; feel nothing warming from the love, as to its part in him; and nothing energetic from the communion, as to his participation in the gifts and graces of this Divine energy!" —Adam Clarke's Commentary
"Oh Lord our God, You are at all times and in every hour worshipped and given glory. Glory to You - Father, Son, Holy Spirit - as You have revealed Yourself to us. You are long-suffering with us, merciful and compassionate. You love the just and show mercy to the sinners. You call the whole world to salvation through Your promise of good things to come. O Lord, in this hour receive our prayers and direct our lives according to Your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our minds, deliver us from tribulation, from evil, and from distress. Surround us with Your love and mercy. May we all come to the unity of the Faith and to full knowledge of Your amazing grace. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Through Christ the Name above all names, Amen." [from an old prayer]
Oh Lord, bless this house we meet in and bless each of us who meet here. Bless our families. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Bless us and make us a blessing to everyone we meet. Fill our lives with good works which will bring glory to You. May the Light of Christ shine in us and through us. May Your kingdom fill the earth! Through Christ, Amen.
"Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations." Isaiah 56:7; Matt 21:10-14
1. God has called all Nations to come to Him.
"And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;" Acts 17:26-27
a) the spiritual Body of Christ.
"And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd." John 10:16
"Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands-- that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Eph 2:11-13
b) the spiritual Harvest.
"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" Rev 7:9-10
c) God spoke through the prophets.
"And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: 'After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.'" Acts 15:15-17; Amos 9:11-12
d) God dwells in His church through the Holy Spirit.
"And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God." Rev 21:3
"in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." Eph 2:22
"They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them." Jeremiah 32:38-39; compare Hebrews 8:7-13
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen." 2 Cor 13:14
"And is it possible that a man shall be a partaker with the Holy Ghost, and not know it! that he shall be full of light and love, and not know it! that he shall have the spirit of adoption, by which he can cry, Abba! Father! and yet know nothing of his relationship to God, but by inference from indirect proofs! In a word, that he shall have the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost with him, and all the while know nothing certain of the grace, as to his portion in it; feel nothing warming from the love, as to its part in him; and nothing energetic from the communion, as to his participation in the gifts and graces of this Divine energy!" —Adam Clarke's Commentary
"Oh Lord our God, You are at all times and in every hour worshipped and given glory. Glory to You - Father, Son, Holy Spirit - as You have revealed Yourself to us. You are long-suffering with us, merciful and compassionate. You love the just and show mercy to the sinners. You call the whole world to salvation through Your promise of good things to come. O Lord, in this hour receive our prayers and direct our lives according to Your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our minds, deliver us from tribulation, from evil, and from distress. Surround us with Your love and mercy. May we all come to the unity of the Faith and to full knowledge of Your amazing grace. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Through Christ the Name above all names, Amen." [from an old prayer]
Oh Lord, bless this house we meet in and bless each of us who meet here. Bless our families. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Bless us and make us a blessing to everyone we meet. Fill our lives with good works which will bring glory to You. May the Light of Christ shine in us and through us. May Your kingdom fill the earth! Through Christ, Amen.
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