Step Into the Book of Acts
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The following article has been excerpted from Ever Increasing Faith by Smith Wigglesworth.
There was a period of time when the author of Ever Increasing Faith was both a healer-evangelist and a plumber, when he simultaneously pursued both callings as if “working for the Lord, and not for man.”
Imagine that. Imagine if your sink was leaking and you rung for the services of a plumber, and in through your door walked a workman, carrying his tools, asking you where the problem was. Imagine him crossing over into your own kitchen, eyeing the sink. Imagine him carrying out the fix, pleasantly chatting to you with a joyous, buoyant sort of spirit, chuckling to himself at the pleasure of finding a new friend in you. Now imagine he’s nearly done with his repair; now he’s just packing up. And imagine him noticing how you’re limping a little, how you favor one leg.
“What’s this, friend?” the suddenly serious plumber asks of you.
“Just an old injury,” you reply, somewhat guardedly.
The plumber is now regarding you with an intense stare. He takes a step forward. “May I pray for your healing?” he asks.
Imagine facing such a man, a plumber by trade, a healer-evangelist for the ages by divine calling, who was always this direct with healing prayer, no matter the setting. Imagine the glory and grandeur of Jesus finding its wondrous, timeless, boundary-less place right there in the heart and mind of a smiling, mustachioed plumber.
Well, there you’d have the whole picture of what the Kingdom of Heaven can do in a life. There you have the life of Smith Wigglesworth.
Nearly everyone in Christendom, for nearly the entirety of the last two thousand years, has heard or thought thoughts that have sounded something somewhat like this:
“Why don’t we see the Book of Acts happening anymore?”
“I wish I could experience the life of the Early Church for myself!”
“I’ve heard those sorts of miracles are still happening—in other parts of the world.”
In this book, the author is inviting each of us right into the Book of Acts; he sees each one of us as a part of the ever-present Primitive Church of Jesus; he would happily, mightily remind you that the miracles of healing and health experienced in the time of Jesus, in the time of the Apostles, are absolutely available—by faith—no matter where, or who, you are.
Will you step out of the boat?
Miracles were central to the ministry of Jesus and the beginnings of the early church. Yet, for many Christians today, the outrageous provision and promises of God feel like a thing of the past.
Ever Increasing Faith is a collection of Smith Wigglesworth’s sermons that demonstrate all that is possible through belief, with descriptive and inspiring firsthand accounts of healings, deliverances and breathtaking miracles. Wigglesworth's ministry and life were rooted in the unwavering belief that God heals the sick, sets the captives free, and redeems the brokenhearted—during Jesus’ time and now.
A plumber-turned-evangelical-preacher, Smith Wigglesworth (1859-1957) had a radical encounter with the healing power of God. One of the pioneers of the Pentecostal revival, Wigglesworth traveled the world preaching the Gospel and healing the sick. Through his ministry, thousands were saved, hundreds were healed, and 14 people were raised from the dead.
Known as the “Apostle of Faith”, Wigglesworth's formula was simple: “First, read the Word of God. Second, consume the Word of God until it consumes you. Third, believe the Word of God. Fourth, act on the Word.”
In this compilation of sermon transcriptions, the reader will find:
Firsthand accounts of miracles and healings
Reflections on God’s goodness and power
A faith-filled voice that passionately loved God
A challenge to live a life led by the Spirit
Assurance that a life of ever increasing faith is possible for all
Ever Increasing Faith invites the reader on an incredible adventure to trust in God’s power to heal and to live a life guided by the passion, creativity and love of the Holy Spirit.