The Holy Spirit, or Power from on High

It is the second volume of A. B. Simpson's survey of the Holy Spirit through the Bible, tracing His person and work across the New Testament. The chapters began as weekly sermons printed in the Christian Alliance, and Simpson says he writes not for "the wise, the scholarly and the critical" but to give "simple and satisfying bread for the King's children."

Simpson moves book by book through the New Testament. He begins with the Spirit in the life of Christ, the baptism with the Holy Ghost and two parables, turns to John's teaching on the Comforter and the Pentecost chapters of Acts, then takes the epistles from Romans to Jude one at a time, and closes with Revelation and the Spirit's "last message" to the Church.

Simpson argues that in the Old Testament the Spirit came upon special individuals for special service, visiting the earth as occasion required, while in the New He is poured out on all believers and makes His home in them. Once He was with and upon people; now He dwells in them as the Spirit of the Son, so that what believers receive is "not the influence" of the Spirit but His Person.

Simpson teaches that Christ is the Baptizer and the Spirit Himself is the baptism, a union with a living Person rather than a feeling or power. As Jesus was born of the Spirit and later anointed at the Jordan, so the believer comes to a "crisis hour" of self-surrender, dying to self and rising to receive the Spirit, whose fire then searches, purifies and refines the soul.

Yes. Simpson argues that the disciples, and the sealed believers of Ephesians, already had the Spirit in some measure yet still needed to be filled. He compares a shallow stream with an overflowing river, and calls being baptized into the one body an act but drinking into the Spirit a habit. Being filled, he says, brings the fullness of Christ, holiness, joy and the fruit of the Spirit.

Simpson stresses waiting "on the Lord" rather than for Him: time to cease from self, feel one's need, listen and keep receiving, as the disciples waited before Pentecost. He then gives simple conditions: be empty, be hungry, be open, receive by faith as well as ask, wait upon the Lord, and give the blessing away to others, since the Spirit "is given for service."

Simpson explains that "Paraclete" means One at our side, "God at hand," so the main idea is practical sufficiency for every need rather than mere comfort. The Comforter does not take Christ's place but makes Him nearer; His great business is "to stand behind the scenes and make Jesus real." He also teaches, brings truth to remembrance and convicts the world of sin.

Simpson argues that power from on high is first the power of holy character, "power to be, rather than to say and to do," and then power to witness to "the uttermost part of the earth." The Spirit loves believers "to jealousy," separating them from the world, and the closing chapter presents Him preparing the Bride and sending out witnesses for the Lord's coming.