ways mentioned in 1 Cor. 12:7-10. To draw an earthly parallel, we do not have a wedding day just for its own delights, but because it is the beginning of a life-long intimacy. The Mighty One who entered our bodies at the Baptism, does not desire to sit shackled and dumb, but to use His power constantly to do the things which Our Lord desires. A Pentecostal life is one in which, while we do what we can, the Spirit supplements our efforts by doing what He alone can. The words which we utter are to be constantly confirmed by the miraculous acts which He performs. A Pentecostal Church which lacks the Gifts of the Spirit is like any other godly Church, powerless though sanctified, limited though energetic. For the best efforts of men fall far short of the Power of God. Where God is inactive men are forced back upon themselves and their own abilities. An Israel, which could no longer look to God for the miraculous, fell back upon the standing army begun by an unbelieving Saul (1 Sam. 8:20 and 13:2). Yet the great armies possessed by Asa and Jehoshaphat were too weak to give victories over their more powerful enemies, and both Kings had to pray to God for the miraculous!

The last chapter in Israel's history sees them unable any longer to believe for the miraculous, and led away into a disgraceful captivity in Babylon. Such has been the sad fate of the Christian Churches, until today, the mere mention of the miraculous has brought ostracism and contempt. Let us, who know better, cling to the glorious heritage provided by the Spirit, and resist every effort of the enemy to make us more acceptable as members of an unsupernatural Denomination!