The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

In this deeply spiritual and warmly evangelical book, Dr. Torrey first carefully describes who the Holy Spirit is and how one can come to know Him as a person, just as real as Jesus Christ Himself, an ever-present, loving friend and mighty helper, who is always with us. Then he goes on to describe the work of the Spirit -- in the world and in the lives of Christians. His extensive study of the baptism with the Spirit is especially timely. Few people who read this book will come away without a new understanding of the Holy Spirit and a desire for the rich blessings one can realize through Him. Torrey, although thorough and systematic in his teaching, presents the Holy Spirit in simple, powerful language that will help the believer see the Holy Spirit's role in their lives, the lives of their church, and in the lives of the lost. The overwhelming love that the Holy Spirit shows us, and his role in the believer's life as put forth by Torrey from the Word of God are the focus of this book.

Reuben Archer Torrey (1856-1928), was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Torrey joined Dwight L. Moody in his evangelistic work in Chicago in 1889, and became superintendent of the Bible Institute of the Chicago Evangelization Society (now Moody Bible Institute). Five years later, he became pastor of the Chicago Avenue Church (now The Moody Church) in 1894. In 1898, Torrey served as a chaplain with the YMCA at Camp Chicamauga during the Spanish-American War. Later, during World War I, he performed similar service at Camp Bowie (a POW camp in Texas) and Camp Kearny. In 1902–1903, he preached in nearly every part of the English-speaking world and with song leader Charles McCallon Alexander conducted revival services in Great Britain from 1903 to 1905. During this period, he also visited China, Japan, Australia, and India. Torrey conducted a similar campaign in American and Canadian cities in 1906–1907. Throughout these campaigns, Torrey utilized a meeting style that he borrowed from Moody's campaigns of the 1870s. In 1907, he accepted an honorary doctorate from Wheaton College. In 1912, Torrey was persuaded to build another institution like Moody Bible Institute, and from 1912 to 1924, he served as Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles (now Biola University), also contributing to the BIOLA publication, The King's Business. In 1915, he also served as pastor of the Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles. Torrey was one of the three editors of The Fundamentals, the twelve-volume series that lent its name to what came to be called "fundamentalism". His last evangelistic meeting was in Florida in 1927. Future planned meetings were canceled because of his failing health. He died at home in Asheville, North Carolina, on October 26, 1928, having preached the world over and having left a legacy of over forty books. Torrey Auditorium, for decades the main auditorium at Moody Bible Institute, was named for him. At Biola, the Torrey Honors Institute honors him, as does the university's annual Bible conference.