Certainly every Christian ought to agree that it is more important to get a man to repent of his sins and turn to Christ for salvation than it is to get him baptized. Let us all believe in baptism and teach it as we understand the Bible. But let us never put the water before the blood. I would be glad if all born-again Christians should be immersed, but I would much rather have a man sprinkled and get him to Heaven because he trusted Christ for salvation, than let him go to Hell while I was arguing about immersion. The salvation of souls ought to be first with Christians and an evangelist who centers on the revival of saints and the winning of souls ought to get the cooperation of Bible-believing and devoted Christians. - John R. Rice [How to Have A Revival, pg. 336-337]
Soul winning is the main business of a Christian. The saving of sinners is the thing nearest to the heart of God. For that purpose Christ came to earth, and lived and died and rose again. Even now the angels in Heaven rejoice more over one sinner that repents than over ninety-nine just persons that need no repentance. Soul winning is the eternal business. One sows now, and then reaps throughout the endless ages of glory, when he gives the gospel to sinners. - John R. Rice [The Soul-Winner's Fire, pg. 21]
The greatest event that can ever happen on this earth, aside from the return of Christ Himself, is an old-fashioned, Heaven-sent, Holy Spirit revival when God comes near to the hearts of many men, saving sinners and renewing and rejoicing the hearts of His own people. Revivals are necessary. They are right. They are part of God's plan when dealing with His people and with all mankind. Revivals ought to be the chief concern of pastor and people in every church. - John R. Rice [The Soul-Winner's Fire, pg. 51]
God calls and prepares evangelists, revivalists. Ephesians 4:11, 12 says: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."
God gives evangelists for the work of edifying the saints, as well as for winning sinners. That proves God is in favor of revivals. - John R. Rice [The Soul Winners Fire, pg. 59]
Those who despise revivals ignore the way in which God has dealt with His people, as recorded in the Bible. Again and again throughout the Bible we find accounts of how God sent mighty revivals upon His people. Elijah at Mount Carmel, Daniel in Babylon, Nehemiah in Jerusalem after the captivity, kings Hezekiah and Josiah in Judea before the captivity; John the Baptist by the River Jordan, Peter and others at Pentecost, Philip in Samaria---all these experienced mighty revivals. Bless God for the revivals recorded in the Bible! - John R. Rice [The Soul-Winner's Fire, pg. 60-61]
The history of God's dealings with the race shows that when God sent His prophets to warn the people, the inevitable result was either revival or judgment. Today, surely, the only thing that can prevent the terrible wrath of God upon America is a Heaven-sent revival of His blessing and power, a mighty turning to God. - John R. Rice [The Soul-Winner's Fire, pg. 61]
I believe that a nation is in great danger after it has passed the first stages, when the government is settled, when its frontiers are developed, when prosperity and independence are safely assured, when danger seems a thing of the past. Then comes the slow decay of manhood, corruption in politics, worldliness in the church, atheism in the school and license in the home. When America was young, we believed in God. Our greatest danger has come "in the midst of the years." Oh, the need for revival in the midst of the years! - John R. Rice [The Soul-Winner's Fire, pg. 68, published in 1941]
No comments:
Post a Comment