Bev Carradine

“As I recall this part of my life now, it was while Bro. Hopper was giving his third Bible reading, that like a flash of light breaking on me, I saw the second work of grace, holiness received through consecration and faith, an instantaneous experience, clearly taught in the Word of God.  The instant I beheld the privilege and grace, I wanted it. There was no thought or desire with me to avoid the payment of the price or shirk and escape the difficulties that were in the way; but the dominant purpose and longing was how to get the blessing. The idea of arguing against a doctrine that so exalted Christ and honored the Blood never entered my mind. I wanted the blessing.  The evangelist gave general directions as to the obtainment of the experience that were true and Scriptural, but the Spirit, as He always does, led specifically.”

“As I took other steps in the line of consecration, it soon became evident that I was rendering a full obedience to God as I recognized His will in His Word or heard His voice sounding in my soul calling to particular acts of sacrifice and service.
The words of Christ came back now with a profounder meaning when He said to His disciples, “If you will love Me and keep My commandments I will come and take up My abode in you”. At the same time the condition of spiritual knowledge was made evident in the utterance, “If any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine.”

So I kept saying Yes, Yes, Yes, to all of the divine will and Word, to every call He made upon me, and I found a sweet growing consciousness that I was getting somewhere; that I was on the right road; and was in a way where the light was growing steadily brighter, evidently to some perfect day.  I was three days seeking the blessing, and in all that period kept saying, “Yes” to God.”  The Lord here puts Brother Carradine through remarkable tests of obedience that he recounts in full. Soon after these tests, the glory fell.

“The other step of Faith remained, and this I took and kept taking. Scores of times I said, “The Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses me now. The altar sanctifies me now. Jesus sanctifies me now.” And all blessing to His name, I felt my faith growing. I was approaching the perfected faith talked about by Paul.
Then I prayed! And oh, how I prayed. Hours at a time I would be on my knees or on my face alone in my study or private room.
One morning I arose through the touch of God a great while before day and prayed until eight o’clock. My soul was full of peace, but that which I was after had not come. At 8:30 I could eat nothing at breakfast, and went to my Study up stairs.

It was nine o’clock, the third hour of the day, and I was sitting in my armchair yearning, and expecting. I was singing softly the chorus of “Down at the Cross,” when I got a heavenly telegram that the Blessing was coming. I felt unworthy to receive such grace sitting, and tried to rise and have it come on me as I stood, but He that makes comets fly four hundred miles a second is quicker than all motion, and before I could leave my seat, the fire fell! The blessing came! The Baptism with the Holy Ghost flooded, filled and rolled over my soul in billows of flame and glory!”   (5 pages)
 
 

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