Day 17 Devotional Before United Prayer: (about 1:43 min reading)

A. T. Jones’s Teaching on Complete Victory

Jones and Waggoner also taught this. In a series of articles titled, “Christian Perfection,” in the Review and Herald, July 18, 25; and Aug. 1, 1899, A. T. Jones gave a rather detailed exposition of Romans 6. The following are a few of his statements concerning the victory over temptation and sin the believer is to experience through Christ. They are taken from the book, Lessons on Faith, a compilation of writings by Jones and Waggoner. After discussing Romans 6:1, Jones wrote (page numbers appear in parenthesis):

Then doesn’t he [God] intend that you and I shall be kept from sinning? And when we know that he intends it then we can confidently expect it. If we don’t expect it, it will never be done. (141)

Referring to Romans 6:7, he stated:

Crucifixion, destruction, and then henceforth not serving sin, there, then, is the way to Christian perfection. (143)

He continued:

Then it is plain that the first, the second, the sixth, the seventh, and the eighth verses of the sixth chapter of Romans all intend that we shall be kept from sinning. (144)

After quoting Romans 6:13, he wrote:

The reign of grace lifts the soul above sin, holds it there, reigns against the power of sin, and delivers the soul from sinning. (Ibid.)

Thus from the first verse to the fourteenth of the sixth chapter of Romans, there is preached, over and over, deliverance from sin and from sinning. Ibid.)

Then Jones summarized what he had presented on Romans 6.

“It begins with freedom from sin; that is a great thing. Next upon that, freedom from sinning; and that is a great thing. Next upon that, servants to righteousness; and that is a great thing. Next upon that, unto holiness; and that is a great thing. And upon all, the end, everlasting life; and that is a great thing.

And there is the way to Christian perfection. It is the way of crucifixion, unto destruction of the body of sin, unto freedom from sinning, unto the service of righteousness, unto holiness, unto perfection in Jesus Christ by the Holy Ghost, unto everlasting life.” (146)

Note also his emphasis on the necessity of the Holy Spirit in the victory Christ wants to manifest in our lives. The infilling, baptism of the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary for complete victory.

Day 17 Prayer Focus:  Pray for

  • The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
  • Revival for yourself and the church 
  • God to lead the church and to experience complete victory over sin through faith in Christ
  • Those on your prayer list

 

Day 17 Going Deeper Discussion Questions: (based on pages 59 to 61 of “Righteousness by Faith” by Dennis Smith [pages 79 to 81 of the PDF version])

  1. How can you live without sin? Rom. 6:1-14.
  2. According to A.T. Jones what is the way to Christian perfection?
  3. How does the way to Christian perfection start and how does it end?
  4. What do you understand for infilling, baptism of the Holy Spirit? Jesus said: As parents do not neglect food to their children, the father doesn´t neglect his Holy Spirit from us. (Luke 11:9-11).
  5. Have you eaten today?  Unless you are fasting, you´ve had some food. So, do you have The Holy Spirit?  Do you ask God for him? What´s lacking? Compare Jeremiah 29:13. How did these bible characters look for God with all their heart? Ezra , Esther , Paul , David, , Elijah, Daniel, Church Elders (Ezra 10:6-17, Esther 4:15-17, Acts 9:1-9, 2 Samuel 12:1-23, Acts 13:1-3, Daniel 10:1-4).

Day 17 Heart preparation/challenge:

 

  1. Throughout the day ask God to remind you what He is speaking to you in today’s reading and going deeper discussions and to help you to apply them in your life.
  2. Read “Righteousness by Faith” by Dennis Smith pages 61 to 63 (pages 81 to 83 of the PDF file) in preparation for Day 18.
  3. Prayerfully answer Day 18 discussion questions in preparation to share on Day 18 Going Deeper segment of united prayer.