Chapter III
That this outpouring of the Holy Spirit is from God can be clearly seen in that it exactly fulfills the prophecies in the Bible that foretell what results will follow outpourings of the Holy Spirit. We mention some of these results. One of these that was to accompany the work of the Holy Spirit and that was first manifest among us was a
Clear Assurance of Salvation.
Through visions or other workings of the Holy Spirit, sin and the lost condition of each one was made so real that every ground of hope was banished unless the Lord in undeserved mercy would answer prayer for the lost and save him. Then the Holy Spirit made the wonderful salvation and grace of God as real as had been the lost condition. One after another soon came through to a clear “I know” experience of salvation. This made such a transformation in the lives and testimony of the Adullam family that there was no mistaking that the Home was made up of many who were
Born Again. [8]
[8] “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
“Ye received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Rom. 8:15, 16. “Hereby we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.” I John 4:13. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in him.” Gal. 4:6.
The whole atmosphere of the place was changed. The joy unspeakable and full of glory came in until it bubbled over. As the boys were at their work in opening ground for a garden, they praised the Lord so much that some of the boys in the neighborhood mocking them said, “Praise the Lord,” whenever they met our boys. When one boy went into a store to buy nails, before he realized it he said, “Hallelujah! I want some nails.” The tribes boy has had a wonderful experience from the start. One day on his way to work he danced down the street in the joy of the Holy Spirit, praising the Lord somewhat like the style of Billy Bray. Being cleansed from sin and born again of the Holy Spirit and still seeking more and more of the Lord, the children were carried into these deeper things of God until over twenty of the Adullam people
Spoke in Other Tongues
as people did on the day of Pentecost; as they did when the Holy Spirit was poured forth at the House of Cornelius; as they did when they received the fullness of the Spirit at Ephesus; as the apostle Paul did; and as the Samaritan Christians undoubtedly did when they received the Holy Spirit in mysterious power and manifestation, so striking and wonderful that Simon wanted to buy it.
Although most of these Adullam people had never seen any such demonstrations, having been taught to seek the Lord for the Holy Spirit, they were not only rewarded with a great “joy unspeakable and full of glory” in their own hearts, but they got the “I know” satisfaction about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They know they received it the same way the New Testament saints did in the beginning, as shown by the only five recorded passages of scripture just mentioned which tell how the apostles and first disciples received the Holy Spirit and what they did when they were fully immersed, or baptized, in the supernatural Spirit. [9]
[9] “And they were ALL (the one hundred and twenty) filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4.
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word, and they of the circumcision were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit: For they heard them SPEAK WITH TONGUES and magnify God.” Acts 10:44-46. “Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus and found certain disciples and when Paul had laid his hands upon them the Holy Spirit came on them; and they SPAKE WITH TONGUES AND PROPHESIED. And they were in all about twelve men.” Acts 19:1, 6, 7.
“Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. They laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given he offered them money saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8 :14, 17-19.
“And Ananias departed and entered into the house, and laying hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.” Acts 9:17, 18.
Having been “filled with the Holy Spirit” Paul said, “I thank God, I SPEAK WITH TONGUES MORE THAN YOU ALL.” I Cor 14:18.
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation . . . and these signs shall accompany them that believe . . . In my name they shall cast out demons: THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES.” Mark 16:17.
These Chinese boys and girls were saved by the same Lord and baptized with the same Holy Spirit in the same way as the first disciples, for like them, they not only spoke with other tongues but also
Prophesied as the Spirit Gave Them Utterance.
No one present at the time has ever doubted that the Lord spoke to us by direct inspiration in the first days of the outpouring of the Spirit when He spoke through one of the smallest and humblest of the children. There was something about the voice, the penetrating power of those words, a heart-gripping power that cannot be described. We had never heard such a gripping voice from God in any sermon in all our days. We all knew we were hearing directly from the Lord. Quite a number of the Adullam people later spoke in prophecy, insomuch that we marvelled more and more at the miracles that were taking place as the Lord spoke the wonderful things of God, revealing His plans and purposes in picking the outcast “nothings” of the earth, who were recent beggar boys, to make them the mouthpieces of the living God, speaking through them by direct inspiration, edifying and building up this little group of simple blood-washed believers so recently saved out of hopeless physical and spiritual despair.
Another most striking result of the work of the Holy Spirit was the way in which, according to the Word, He fulfilled the promise that when He, the Comforter, came, He would take of the things of Christ to show to His disciples and would show them “things to come.” [10]
[10] “When he, the Spirit of truth is come, he shall guide you into all the truth . . . and he shall declare unto you THINGS THAT ARE TO COME . . . He shall glorify me: for he shall TAKE OF MINE AND SHALL DECLARE IT UNTO YOU.” John 16:13, 14.
It seemed most wonderful how the Spirit revealed to these simple believers, who had only heard of the Bible for a few months, the things of Christ, His salvation, and the things of the future by
Visions of the Unseen Worlds.
Many of these visions were given to several at the same time. Nearly all of the visions were seen by quite a number of persons. In many cases the children came to ask if the Bible said anything about certain things they had seen in vision. [11]
[11] “And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh: . . . and your young men shall see visions.” Acts 2:17.
The visions, seen by even some of the smallest children six years of age, as well as by the older boys, were seen while they were under the Power of the Holy Spirit, not as a dream but as real life.
Some of the visions seen were: Christ tied to a post and scourged; Christ bleeding on the cross while scoffers looked on; the body of Christ taken from the cross, carried to the tomb, placed in the tomb, and the tomb closed; an angel opening the tomb and Christ’s resurrection; His appearance to the women, to the disciples by the sea, and to those in the upper room; the ascension of Christ and the descent of the two angels; heaven; detailed visions inside the New Jerusalem in heaven; angels; the redeemed; hell; the condition of the lost in hell; demons; the devil; the great tribulation and things pertaining to saints and to the subjects of the beast during that time; the battle of Armageddon; the binding and imprisonment of Satan in the pit; the binding of the Anti-Christ; the devil cast out of heaven; the Great Supper of God and birds eating flesh of kings and captains of the earth; the coming of Christ with his angels; the sun and moon changed; heaven quake and earth quake and destruction that attended the coming of Christ; the resurrection of the righteous; the marriage supper of the Lamb in Paradise; detailed views of our mansions in heaven and other heavenly scenes.
This work of the Holy Spirit through visions, as well as in the heart, created such a great interest in
Bible Study
that even the smaller children wanted to know if they could not stop studying “earthly books” and study the Bible only.
Since the unseen world became so real, it is no wonder that there was a change in the life of
Prayer and Praise.
While not all the Adullam people spoke in other tongues, all except those who were too dull of mind to understand much of anything were anointed and filled with the Holy Spirit in a much greater measure than ever before, so that Adullam was often lifted up to heavenly places in Christ to joyfully praise and worship the King. Although there were times when a person almost wondered if these heavenly citizens would come “down to earth” again, there was no need to fear. This anyone would have seen who could have been in one prayer meeting where boy after boy in real intercessory prayer pleaded with God for the lost, praying that God would use us all as real warriors for Him in this battle of righteousness. The experiences already related have made prayer more than a formality. All know now that our foes are spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.
Preach in the Power of the Holy Spirit
After two or three weeks of the Lord’s dealing with them, nearly all the children wanted to preach, even the younger ones. There was some real preaching in the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit. Some of both the younger and older boys hardly seemed like our boys when they preached under the real unction of the Holy Spirit, not timidly and apologetically as before, but as having authority. Hell and heaven, the devil and his power, Christ, His blood, and His salvation, were no myths to these boys. They knew the Lord told them to preach, and they were given the message, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” As we listened to some of these messages preached with great assurance, warning people to flee from the wrath to come and showing them the wonderful salvation in the love of Christ, our hearts rejoiced within us. When the Power of God was especially great in our midst there was some unusually miraculous preaching.
At the Chinese New Year, when the streets were filled with all classes of people out for a holiday, we Adullam people, having circulated thousands of tracts, formed a circle on the street to preach the gospel.
One of the older boys had prepared a sermon on a New Year theme. But when the preaching began, the power of God so fell that this boy suddenly began speaking in other tongues, while another person interpreted. One small boy after another preached as interpreter. As soon as the Lord was through with one interpreter he would step back and another feel the unction to preach. As soon as this one stepped into the circle he would get the interpretation. This went on for an hour or two while as many people listened as could get near enough to hear. There were some people of the type that seldom listen to the gospel who now listened most attentively as these boys spoke with an earnestness that must have seemed strange and unusual. As we came away from that service conducted by the Holy Spirit in such order and beauty, each preacher being of the Lord’s appointment, each one speaking the message from Him under direct inspiration, we could but ponder in our hearts at these wonders of God. We seemed to see something of what the preaching of the church was in the beginning and what it seemed so clear the Lord wanted it to be in the end.
Not that preaching through other tongues and interpretation was in the beginning or subsequently to be the regular order of preaching, but, as I Cor. chapter 14 clearly shows, such preaching constitutes a part of the Lord’s method of preaching the Gospel in the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit.
In such preaching the mind of the speaker is entirely inactive, and before utterance he does not know what words the Spirit will speak through his lips. This is pure prophetic preaching.
In the preaching of the gospel to the nations of the earth and in the building up of believers in the church the mind of the speaker may be active and know, at least momentarily, before utterance what the Spirit will speak through him. The message may be an exposition of the Scriptures, as in the sermon by Stephen, or otherwise. Peter on various occasions “being filled with the Holy Spirit preached as the Spirit gave him utterance.”
Although preaching the gospel under the direct unction of the Holy Spirit is not exactly pure prophecy, it is nevertheless, prophetic when definitely guided and directed by the Holy Spirit.
There were a few other instances of preaching with tongues and interpretation in some of the villages.
The Lord was the preacher on several occasions in our little street chapel. For two or three nights the youthful preachers, under the real unction of the Spirit, preached the most inspiring sermons I have ever heard from Chinese evangelists. It seemed as if those sermons would stir anyone to real repentance. God showed his love in still greater power a few nights later. When a boy in his teens was preaching with real power, his eyes suddenly closed and he began to
Prophesy like an Old Testament Prophet
under direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit in pure prophecy. The manner of the preacher suddenly changed; the form of the Chinese sentences became rhythmic and perfect; the address changed to the first person, such as, “I am the Lord God Almighty, the one true God, who made all things, who now speaks to you through this boy.” “Against me have you sinned.” The penetrating words, the sense of having been ushered into the presence of God, I cannot describe. The seats of our little chapel were soon filled, while as many people as could see gathered about the door, listening in awe and wonder. If there was the least commotion the Lord commanded order, speaking through that boy and saying, “Make no mistake in this matter. Listen carefully and understand. I the Lord God, have all the authority in heaven and on earth. To me every man and every demon must give account. I know all about every one of you. I know all your sins. I know how many hairs are on your head. There are fifty-six of you living in sin here tonight. Repent tonight, and I’ll forgive you.” For half an hour or more we verily were in the presence of a prophet, as the Lord in this way rebuked those people for idolatry, ungodliness, and all their vices, until there was no ground for hope left anywhere. Then, as in the case of the Old Testament prophets, God spake of the glories He had prepared for His people. Like a loving father he pleaded with them to repent that night. He spoke of the coming of distress upon the nations and of the destruction of this ungodly race in the day of God’s wrath. All these things were repeated several times with exhortations to listen to every word as from a God who would hold every person present accountable for his own soul after that night.
When the prophecy was finished the boy sat down. There was not a move or a whisper. It seemed to me that every person must know that God was speaking. Nearly all present had come in while the boy’s eyes were shut. When the Lord spoke saying there were fifty-six present bound by the devil and sin, one of the boys carefully counted those not of our own Christian boys. There were just fifty-six. [12]
[12] “And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters SHALL PROPHESY.” Acts 22:17.
“Now there were at Antioch in the church that was there PROPHETS and teachers.” Acts 13:1.
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For no PROPHECY ever came by the will of man: BUT MEN SPAKE FROM GOD, BEING MOVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.” II Peter 1:21, 22. A striking instance was that of a man from whom
Two Demons Were Cast Out. [13]
[13] “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also.” John 14:12.
“And these signs shall accompany them that believe. In my name shall they cast out demons.” Mark 16:17.
The Lord had told the boys through prophecy and direct revelation, “Demons must obey me.” They saw the Lord prove His word. Had we space to give details, we could prove beyond any other possible explanation that actual living demons were cast out of one devil-possessed man. It would take too long to give the history of this man. We had known him a number of years, and he has since been with us six months. In short, he had been, for many years, the victim of melancholy. Because he was so bound in chains of darkness that he was ready to take his own life we had kept him with us to prevent this. He was always sad. All effort to lead him to any knowledge of salvation through Christ was of no avail. His mind was blind to everything pertaining to the blood.
The Lord used three people in casting out the demons. One demon the size of a man had an awful, black appearance. Several children saw him come out. While being rebuked through the Lord’s using one suddenly “filled with the Holy Spirit” for the particular occasion, the demons put up a final fight for the man of their possession. The man’s hands clenched together; his eyes shut tight; his whole body became rigid and resisting.
Finally the Holy Spirit enlightened the man’s heart; his body relaxed; his hands went up to God in praise.
Angry Demon Grabs School Teacher
[14] “And one of the multitude answered him, Teacher, I brought unto thee my son, who hath a DUMB SPIRIT, and whensoever it taketh him, it DASHETH HIM DOWN: and he foameth, and grindeth his teeth, and pineth away; and he answered. .. Bring him up to me: And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him straightway THE SPIRIT TARE HIM grievously, and HE FELL ON THE GROUND, AND WALLOWED foaming . . . Ofttimes it hath cast him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. And when Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf SPIRIT. I command thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And having cried out, and TORN HIM MUCH, he came out: and the boy became as one dead; insomuch that the more part said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose.” Mark 9:17-27. Several children saw the demon after he came out, rushing about in great anger, seeking whom he might enter or tear. [14] All the children having rushed in from where they had just sat down to their meal, stood about with uplifted hands, thanking and praising Jesus. Among these the demon saw no opportunity, for they were all looking to Jesus whose blood covered them. The school teacher, who was not truly converted, also came in and was looking on in curiosity but was not praying. The angry demon, seeing his opportunity, seized this man and threw him to the floor with a thud. There the second demon sat upon him, so that the teacher could not rise. Several children saw this. Our gardener, who was some years ago miraculously delivered from opium, saw this too. He was suddenly filled with the Holy Spirit and cast the demon out of the room.
I saw only the two men, the one unbound and set free, the other suddenly fall beside him. I supposed the school teacher was prostrated by the Holy Spirit of God that was present in great power. I questioned him when he was able to arise as to why he wept and why he fell. He said, “I wept from sheer terror. Something awful happened. Everything became black; I saw myself about to go into a black pit at the base of a terrible mountain.” When on the floor, he saw himself being bound by demon chains and about to be carried off into terrorizing darkness, but he was set free again.
The physical appearance of the man from whom demons were cast out changed at once. He testified that he had peace and joy in his heart. He was given a vision of heaven at the time he was delivered from demons. When he lay in bed in the evening thinking about the Lord he got so happy that he wondered if it was right for him to have such great joy.