“Well,” says one, “what of the great numbers who pray for a ’Pentecostal revival’?  Are they all wrong?” Not wrong in what they want, but wrong in what they call it.  All that those people desire, is to be filled with a genuine revival of religious enthusiasm.  Their mistake is in calling it a “Pentecostal shower.”  A Pentecostal shower would lead every preacher under its influence to say, with the apostle Peter, to inquiring sinners:  “Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”  This is what they are careful not to say.  It is a clear evidence that the Spirit which guided Peter is not guiding them.  I assert it to be a fact that everything that is claimed to be effected by a personal indwelling of the Spirit is as clearly accomplished by the Spirit acting through the word of God.

I do not wish to rest content with asserting that statement, but I wish to prove it.  What are the things that might be accomplished by a direct personal indwelling of the Spirit in us?

1.  He might give us faith.

But through the Word he does that.  “So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17).

2.  He might enable us to enjoy a new birth.

But through the Word he does that.  “Having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth” (1 Pet. 1:23).

3.  He might give us light.

But through the Word he does that.  “The entrance of thy word giveth light” (Ps. 119:130).

4.  He might give us wisdom.

But through the Word he does that.  “But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:14, 15).  “The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple” (Ps. 19:7).

5.  He might convert us.

But he does that through the Word.  “The law of Jehovah is perfect, converting the soul” (Ps. 19:7).

6.  He might open our eyes.

But he does that through the Word.  “The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Ps. 19:8).

7.  He might give us understanding.

But he does that through the Word.  “Through thy precepts I get understanding:  Therefore I hate every false way” (Ps. 119:104).

8.  He might quicken us.

But he does that through the Word.  “This is my comfort in my affliction;
For thy word hath quickened me” (Ps. 119:  50).

9.  He might save us.

But he does that through the Word.  “Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls” (Jas. 1:21).