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Our Review:

First published in 1882, this is an enduring classic and is still considered one of the best works on the subject of the Holy Spirit. The work is erudite, orthodox and readable. The book is divided into three main sections. (I) In the first division, Smeaton gives an overview of the Biblical testimony regarding the Holy Spirit in both the Old and New Testaments. (II) The second division is comprised of six lectures of systematic theology on the Holy Spirit. The six lectures are: (1) The personality and procession of the Holy Spirit; (2) The work of the Spirit in the anointing of Christ; (3) The work of the Spirit in connection with revelation and inspiration; (4) The Spirit’s regenerating work on the individual; (5) On the Spirit of holiness; and (6) the work of the Holy Spirit in the church. (III) The third division is a historical survey of the doctrine through church history. Smeaton’s work is excellent throughout, but I most enjoyed his exegetical treatment of passages like John 3 (p. 168-172) and John 16:8-11 (p. 172-183) as well as the third division on the history of the doctrine. This work is not a dry theological treatise. On the contrary, this is a very warm call to Christians to remember the great importance of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. He makes the following statement in his concluding remarks at the close of the book: It is now time to bring this historical sketch to an end. And in doing so I have only to remark – what church history sufficiently verifies – that without a full testimony to the divine personality and agency of the Holy Spirit, no blessing can be expected on the ministrations of any church. He is honored by being invoked in every prayer, and by being referred to in every sermon. Wherever religion comes in power, the presence of the Spirit as connecting the church on earth with Christ in heaven occupies a large place in the church’s consciousness and adorations. The doctrine of the Spirit, not less than the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ’s merits, is the article of a standing or falling church, and without the recognition of it no religious prosperity exists or can exist (p. 366).

Reviewer: Dean Good