How Does God's Spirit Operate Today?

Holy Spirit in  Our Day

Holy spirit has likewise been working in behalf of true Christians in our day.  This became evident to a small group of Bible students in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., in the later half of the 19th century.  These earnest students of the Bible yearned to know "the truth." -John 8:32; 16:13.

One member of this group, Charles Taze Russell, said regarding his quest for Scriptural truth:  "I prayed . . . that I might be enabled to rid my heart and mind of any prejudice  that might stand in the way and be led of   his spirit into the proper understanding."  God blessed this humble prayer.

As Russell and his associates diligently searched the Scriptures, a number of things became clear.  "We found that for centuries," explained Russell, "various sects and parties had split up the Bible doctrines amongst them, blending them with more or less of human speculation and error."  This resulted in what he called "the misplacement  of the truth."  Indeed, Scriptural truths were buried under a collection of pagan teachings that had infiltrated Christendom over the centuries.  But Russell was determined to know and declare the truth.

Next time: Conclusion of  Holy Spirit in Our Day

Watchtower, 2000