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The Spirit of Christ
An inspiring and practical devotional study on the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. In 31 clear, concise chapters, this classic writer shares his insights on the person and work of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of Christian growth and maturity. He discusses such practical truths Being filled with the Spirit The relationship between the conscience and the Holy Spirit The biblical differences between flesh and spirit The Spirit's ministry in the church Challenging devotional reading for every believer who desires spiritual maturity.
280 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 1978
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228 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Murray
1,308 books561 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Murray was Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Murray became a noted missionary leader. His father was a Scottish Presbyterian serving the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa, and his mother had connections with both French Huguenots and German Lutherans. This background to some extent explains his ecumenical spirit. He was educated at Aberdeen University, Scotland, and at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. After ordination in 1848 he served pastorates at Bloemfontein, Worcester, Cape Town, and Wellington. He helped to found what are now the University College of the Orange Free State and the Stellenbosch Seminary. He served as Moderator of the Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church and was president of both the YMCA (1865) and the South Africa General Mission (1888-1917), now the Africa Evangelical Fellowship.
He was one of the chief promoters of the call to missions in South Africa. This led to the Dutch Reformed Church missions to blacks in the Transvaal and Malawi. Apart from his evangelistic tours in South Africa, he spoke at the Keswick and Northfield Conventions in 1895, making a great impression. upon his British and American audiences. For his contribution to world missions he was given an honorary doctorate by the universities of Aberdeen (1898) and Cape of Good Hope(1907).
Murray is best known today for his devotional writings, which place great emphasis on the need for a rich, personal devotional life. Many of his 240 publications explain in how he saw this devotion and its outworking in the life of the Christian. Several of his books have become devotional classics. Among these are Abide in Christ, Absolute Surrender, With Christ in the School of Prayer, The Spirit of Christ and Waiting on God.
Murray was Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Murray became a noted missionary leader. His father was a Scottish Presbyterian serving the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa, and his mother had connections with both French Huguenots and German Lutherans. This background to some extent explains his ecumenical spirit. He was educated at Aberdeen University, Scotland, and at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. After ordination in 1848 he served pastorates at Bloemfontein, Worcester, Cape Town, and Wellington. He helped to found what are now the University College of the Orange Free State and the Stellenbosch Seminary. He served as Moderator of the Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church and was president of both the YMCA (1865) and the South Africa General Mission (1888-1917), now the Africa Evangelical Fellowship.
He was one of the chief promoters of the call to missions in South Africa. This led to the Dutch Reformed Church missions to blacks in the Transvaal and Malawi. Apart from his evangelistic tours in South Africa, he spoke at the Keswick and Northfield Conventions in 1895, making a great impression. upon his British and American audiences. For his contribution to world missions he was given an honorary doctorate by the universities of Aberdeen (1898) and Cape of Good Hope(1907).
Murray is best known today for his devotional writings, which place great emphasis on the need for a rich, personal devotional life. Many of his 240 publications explain in how he saw this devotion and its outworking in the life of the Christian. Several of his books have become devotional classics. Among these are Abide in Christ, Absolute Surrender, With Christ in the School of Prayer, The Spirit of Christ and Waiting on God.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 28, 2022
The best part of this book was the last chapter on the unity of the Spirit. I love this quote: A little grace is only needed to know where we differ from other Christians or churches. It is easy to point out our views or to judge their errors in doctrine or conduct. But grace always keeps the unity of the Spirit the first place. Grace has faith in the power of love to maintain the living union amid outward separation.
April 6, 2018
“The indwelling of the Holy Spirit must become the distinguishing feature of the Christian life. We must learn to wait more earnestly for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in the selection of men and fields of labor.”
One of the best books on this vital and often controversial topic. (I may lower my ratings on other similar books because this is so much better.) If you only read one book about the theology and practice of the indwelling Spirit of Christ, read this one. (Written over a hundred years ago, not 1978.)
“Prayer teaches us that it is only to spiritual understanding that the knowledge of God’s will can be given. Spiritual understanding only comes with the growth of the spiritual man and the faithfulness to the spiritual life. The believer who wants the leading of the Spirit must yield himself to have his life completely possessed and filled with the Spirit.”
Written by one of that great generation of Christians a hundred years ago. Murray wrote over 240 books which are still among the gold standards of devotional writings. His writings foreshadowed the twentieth-century Pentecostal movement.
“You can truly witness to just as much of Jesus as the Holy Spirit is witnessing to you in life and truth.” Andrew Murray
This is not a book to read in an evening. Read only one chapter at a time and that one multiple times before going on. This is deep, foundational stuff that even many Christians haven’t heard, or haven’t received. It can change your life--no, not it, the Holy Spirit working through it and the Bible.
“We want to get possession of [spiritual] power and use it. God wants the power to get possession of us and use us.”
One of the best books on this vital and often controversial topic. (I may lower my ratings on other similar books because this is so much better.) If you only read one book about the theology and practice of the indwelling Spirit of Christ, read this one. (Written over a hundred years ago, not 1978.)
“Prayer teaches us that it is only to spiritual understanding that the knowledge of God’s will can be given. Spiritual understanding only comes with the growth of the spiritual man and the faithfulness to the spiritual life. The believer who wants the leading of the Spirit must yield himself to have his life completely possessed and filled with the Spirit.”
Written by one of that great generation of Christians a hundred years ago. Murray wrote over 240 books which are still among the gold standards of devotional writings. His writings foreshadowed the twentieth-century Pentecostal movement.
“You can truly witness to just as much of Jesus as the Holy Spirit is witnessing to you in life and truth.” Andrew Murray
This is not a book to read in an evening. Read only one chapter at a time and that one multiple times before going on. This is deep, foundational stuff that even many Christians haven’t heard, or haven’t received. It can change your life--no, not it, the Holy Spirit working through it and the Bible.
“We want to get possession of [spiritual] power and use it. God wants the power to get possession of us and use us.”
March 5, 2021
This would make an excellent devotional tool, as well as being an excellent study on the Holy Spirit, His power, and His involvement in the lives of those who trust Christ.
I love the structure of the chapters--Murray begins with 2-3 Bible verses about a topic that he is going to discuss concerning the Holy Spirit and His work; draws conclusions and makes observations, using the verses as a springboard; addresses his fellow believers to exhort them to take particular steps in inviting the Holy Spirit into their lives; then concludes with a prayer to the Father to accomplish those steps. The prayers were my favorite part, and I think it is these that could make an excellent devotional tool, especially if you became familiar enough with the principles in the book and the Scriptures for the prayers to tie in to the ideas.
The feel of the book is distinctly late-Victorian (which I like). Somewhat repetitive to begin with, but gets better as it goes on. Some really insightful observations about the Church, the gospel, and living out every day life. Some really convicting portions, particularly about loving our brothers through the outpouring of the Spirit's love.
I love the structure of the chapters--Murray begins with 2-3 Bible verses about a topic that he is going to discuss concerning the Holy Spirit and His work; draws conclusions and makes observations, using the verses as a springboard; addresses his fellow believers to exhort them to take particular steps in inviting the Holy Spirit into their lives; then concludes with a prayer to the Father to accomplish those steps. The prayers were my favorite part, and I think it is these that could make an excellent devotional tool, especially if you became familiar enough with the principles in the book and the Scriptures for the prayers to tie in to the ideas.
The feel of the book is distinctly late-Victorian (which I like). Somewhat repetitive to begin with, but gets better as it goes on. Some really insightful observations about the Church, the gospel, and living out every day life. Some really convicting portions, particularly about loving our brothers through the outpouring of the Spirit's love.
February 18, 2026
Wow. I think this just moved into my all-time top 5. I can’t imagine there’s a better book out there on the Holy Spirit. Maybe I’m just fired up because the Lord revealed mucho to me and moved in my heart in mighty ways. One that I hope to revisit often
July 20, 2012
I read this book when I was deepening my knowledge on the Holy Spirit and it was informative even though I did not agree with everything that was stated in the book. Its goal is to walk you through what the Holy Spirit is by using scripture and at the end be at a place to receive the Holy Spirit through speaking in tongues. Which is something the book states "is a duty, the calling, the privilege of every believer. While I do not agree that speaking in tongues is "the calling" of every believer, I do feel it is important to learn about the Holy Spirit and to know why we believe what we believe about it.
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June 13, 2022This is a remarkable book, by an author who has written many remarkably insightful books which unpack the mean of the Bible. I appreciated the breadth of coverage of the many passages of Scripture which speak of the Holy Spirit and how he integrated them together into a coherent, compelling and convincing explanation of who and how the Holy Spirit operates in the creation. Having read most of Murray's books I think this is one of his best because of how ably he articulates a biblical theology of the Holy Spirit while also describing in concrete terms the meaning for us mortals who God's Spirit is actively working with and in.
June 25, 2017
Filled with the Spirit
I really like this book. I feel as a Christian I was sealed with the Spirit at conversion, but have always struggled with the concept of being "filled". That's the problem, I can wrap my mind around so many things in life but faith is not wrapping my mind around it.
Let go of your thinking and prejudices and read this book in faith, in prayer and worship, and open your heart to hear something you may not be able to wrap your mind around.
I really like this book. I feel as a Christian I was sealed with the Spirit at conversion, but have always struggled with the concept of being "filled". That's the problem, I can wrap my mind around so many things in life but faith is not wrapping my mind around it.
Let go of your thinking and prejudices and read this book in faith, in prayer and worship, and open your heart to hear something you may not be able to wrap your mind around.
September 19, 2023
What a great book on a tough (controversial) subject. A classic written ~150 years ago, but deep in theology and a great devotional book I would put up there with A.W. Tozer. As it says, most Christians do not know or honor the Indwelling Spirit. This book reveals a depth on the theology and intricacy of the Spirit I don't believe I have understood through out most of my life. Much that we understand and study with the natural mind really needs the Spirits personal teaching. Humbling...
March 2, 2025
"The fullness of the Spirit and our waiting are inseparably and forever linked together. This is a reason why so many believers know so little of the joy and the power of the Holy Spirit. They did not know they had to wait for it. "
I read this rich little book about the Holy Spirit as a morning devotional. I looked forward to picking it up every morning.
I read this rich little book about the Holy Spirit as a morning devotional. I looked forward to picking it up every morning.
April 25, 2020
This is a must read for the church today. Full of profound mysteries about the Holy Spirit that I had to just sit and ponder in prayer throughout the entire time I read this book. If you are looking to know what it means to have the fullness of the Life of Christ in you, this is a helpful resource.
January 11, 2023
Deep calling to deep truth. This is not taught in church & is it washstand is missing in being a divine partaker.
Life changing!!
Life changing!!
January 16, 2023
Almost every chapter led me to a deep devotional place. Something I thought I knew became more real and active in my life. That is a win.
March 21, 2014
By far one of the most wonderful books I've ever read. Challenged me for nearly a year, and I still feel I have a long way to go absorbing the material not just in my head, but into my heart and daily experience.
March 15, 2013
More more more deep understanding of who GOD is. Andrew Murray was truly in love with Jesus. Every word shows his understanding of the Sovereign GOD.
April 20, 2017
Please see my review here:
http://iron-diva.blogspot.com/2017/04...
http://iron-diva.blogspot.com/2017/04...
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews