Examining the Role of the Holy Spirit with R.A. Torrey

The life and ministry of the famous 19th-century evangelist R. A. Torrey (1856-1928) are a vivid example of a faithful life of Christian service. He is widely recognized for his pioneering work in the Christian evangelism of America, and his influence and leadership remain alive in churches throughout the country today.

Born in 1856 in the state of Connecticut, R. A. Torrey was an ordained pastor of the Congregational Church. Although he had been raised in a non-believing home in the Congregationalist tradition, Torrey chose to surrender his life to Jesus Christ at the age of 21. Immediately, he fell in love with the simple, powerful message of the gospel, dedicating himself to the full-time work of preaching and evangelism.

In 1878, he began to travel the country, preaching in churches, tents, and auditoriums. By 1887, Torrey had become a well-known evangelist, and he was a founding member of the Evangelical Alliance, a national organization of evangelists who sought to promote the stewardship of the gospel.

He also worked closely with Dwight Moody, another widely known evangelist of the time, and was greatly influenced by his approach to evangelism. In the early 1900s, Torrey began to develop a number of innovative methods for preaching the gospel. He emphasized the need to effectively prepare for an evangelism event beforehand and was known for carefully crafting messages that spoke directly to the hearts of listeners.

He was also instrumental in helping to establish a number of Christian summer camp ministries that continue to operate today, believing that they could provide an effective venue for evangelism efforts. In 1906, Torrey wrote his most well-known book, "How to Bring Men to Christ," which is still popular today as a classic guide for evangelists. He argued that speaking the truth of the gospel was the only way to bring people to a real faith in Christ and that all the forms of human effort and methods of enticing men and women to faith would never be successful. From 1916 until his death in 1928, Torrey worked as the General Secretary of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, an influential Christian school that sought to train people in Christian ministry and evangelism.

His leadership and guidance proved to be invaluable, and the Bible Institute has since become a major Christian school in the United States. Because of his fervent commitment to evangelism and training others in the Christian faith, Torrey will always remain one of the most powerful figures in American evangelism. He left behind a legacy that will continue to touch countless lives for generations to come.

Even today, churches throughout the US and beyond still use some of the techniques he developed in their own outreach efforts. His impact on the church’s mission of evangelism is undeniable, and he will be remembered as a great exemplar of Christian faith. R.A. Torrey's book "What the Bible Teaches about the Holy Spirit" examines the role and importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.

He argues that if one wishes to understand Christianity, one must understand the role of the Holy Spirit. He explores both Scriptural and traditional references to the Holy Spirit in order to paint a balanced picture of the role of the Spirit in the life of the believer. The book is divided into three parts:

Part 1 looks at the work of the Holy Spirit in the church; 

Part 2 examines the Holy Spirit's role in the lives of believers; and

Part 3 looks at the battle against the forces of evil.

Throughout the book, Torrey argues that the Holy Spirit is essential to the life of the believer and is the source of spiritual power and strength.

In conclusion, the life and ministry of the late 19th-century evangelist R. A. Torrey provide a powerful example of a committed life of Christian service. He was instrumental in the development of the evangelistic movement in the United States, and his extensive writings and teachings still influence Christian communities worldwide today.

His tireless efforts for the advancement of the gospel and his focus on careful preparation and preaching of the truth of the gospel have had an indelible impact on millions of lives. In his memory, we honor his legacy and continue to strive to emulate his dedication to the cause of Christ.

Your partner,
(c) Apostle Jonas Clark
www.jonasclark.com