The Power of the Gospel (Part 2) / Romans 1.16

I see the Power of the Gospel in action – and I want you to understand the effectiveness of true conversion! Our faith is in God through Jesus Christ, and in the authority of His Word. Our Gospel has unlimited power to completely deliver and change men! Until you have such an absolute, powerful experience in your own life – that there is no uncertainty, no hesitation that there is one way only, one price, one salvation, complete and life-changing – you cannot demonstrate Christ to the unbelievers! When you yourself have this absolute experience of total salvation in your own life – then this is the demonstration of the Power of the Gospel! 'For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes,' (Romans 1.16, NIV).

In December 1959, I held evangelism in Dewsbury. The local newspaper, the Dewsbury Reporter, published the following report under the headline, ‘REVIVAL CAMPAIGN CLAIMS SUCCESESS’:
‘Some astonishing results were obtained at the meeting on Monday of the Revival and Divine healing campaign run by Rev David G Hathaway and his team in Dewsbury Town Hall. At this meeting which I attended (writes our representative) a girl of twelve claimed the restoration of the sight of one eye which had been blind from the age of two, an elderly woman who could not before raise her arm waved it shakily above her head, an elderly man whose arm was permanently crooked straightened his arm in the meeting, and several others of the dozen subjects of the healing session claimed the loss of pain or at least some improvement in their condition. Long before the time of the meeting the Exchange Hall was filling up and by the time the meeting started the hall was comfortably filled. One of the main items of the campaign was a stirring address in a cheerful but determined and emphatic vein given by Mr Hathaway. In his address Mr Hathaway promised that in the crusade, “we shall hold services and pray for the sick and hope that God will pour out His power for us.” Following the address was prayer with a background of piano music, during which time Mr Hathaway exhorted people to make a decision for Christ by raising their hands. It was said that on Sunday out of 300 people present 170 responses had been made. When those who had made a decision had been instructed on what to do to carry out their decision, the healing campaign began, when about a dozen people presented themselves for healing. Mr Hathaway inquired the trouble of each person and then, placing his hands on the person, Mr Hathaway prayed fervently, the congregation joining in silent prayer. As each person described an improvement the congregation was informed. Mr Hathaway said after the meeting that all names and addresses of people healed are taken and the cases followed.’