NICHOLSON MISSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22081, 11 October 1933, Page 4

NICHOLSON MISSION

"The great need of the Church today," said the Rev. W. P. Nicholson during the course of his address at the Concert Chamber last night, "Is the pressing need of baptism with the Holy Spirit of God. When we speak of the Church," he continued, "we mean the Church of God —those people who have been truly born again and converted regardless of their creed or demonination."

Speaking on the text in Matthew iii, 11-12, "For I (John the Baptist) indeed baptise you with water unto repentance; but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, Whose shoos I am not worthy to bear, He shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and with fire," Mr Nicholson showed how necessary this baptisnfwas for the power of the Church, both collectively and individually. Pointing out how the Church was in need to-day, the speaker proceeded to show how it was not money that was the great need, it was not men, though the Church was.in need of men, and it was not new methods the Church needed, she had already a multiplicity of methods. "We have plenty of machinery, but no power," added Mr Nicholson, in stressing this point. Education was not what was needed, nor was it the need for more meetings which made the Church to-day so ineffective. " The need of the hour is Holy Ghost power, the baptism of the Holy Ghost which only Christ can give," continued the speaker as he showed what an important and fundamental spiritual experience was this baptism in the life of every Christian. Many people knew Christ as Saviour, but not as the Baptiser; they might even object to the phrase, but none could object to the scriptural fact in the light of cbe Word of God. " This spiritual experience is always subsequent to and quite distinct from conversion," continued Mr Nicholson as he showed from various passages in the New Testament the basis for his remarks.

There were many living to-day in their spiritual experience between the Cross and Pentecost, between conversion and baptism of the Spirit of God, and it was largely due to the fact that they had not appropriated God's gift that they had no power in their Christian lives. " Too many people are concerned with their reputation in the eyes of others and are ignorant of the fact that God judg»s a man's character and not his reputation," Mr Nicholson added in his closing remarks. "May we all take heed of the Scripture ' Ye shall receive power after that the Holy S;>irit is fallen upon you.'" The meetings will be continued every evening.