Volume 22 Issue 12
On the big stage they, like many others, failed to gain earthly fame or recognition. They never sought it, and I suspect they never actually thought about it. But as an Apostolic ministry team my parents, Riley and Lena Mooney, plowed the fallow ground and sowed the seeds of truth with unshakeable commitment. They initiated four inner-city missions, ministered to groups of believers in small towns across Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, and here in Indiana they conducted regular meetings and evangelistic outreaches in Carthage, Knightstown, Lapel and Connersville.
They were among those who conducted revivals in Windfall during the early days of Pastor Lester McGruder. Tirelessly they preached and taught the Gospel in houses, garages at many other locations that I have long forgotten. I honor them. I never saw a doubtful moment in their work. Our home was visited by strange Pentecostal preachers, at least they seemed strange to me. Spreading out their Bibles, they read, prayed, cried, discussed, agreed, disagreed, and shouted with delight when a particular nugget of truth struck their souls. Later, I came to know a couple of these visitors as famous or infamous characters of Pentecostalism depending on one’s point of view. Among these visitors were men such as William Brannon and Jim Jones who liked to talk to my father, but rejected his emphatic defense of the Apostles’ doctrine.
This document, written by my father, was his actual handout from a sermon he preached in Southeast Missouri in the late 1960s. Hope you enjoy it and see it as an example of the thousands of unlauded soldiers of the Apostolic Pentecostal movement who impacted this nation with their undying love for the truth.
Dwelling Together In Unity
By William R. Mooney
When a saint is being tried by fire, how sweet it is to be dwelling together with those who understand and who will help to lift the load. Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity, for the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore. (Psalms 133:1-3)
There is a lot of difference between brethren dwelling together among those who fear God. It is possible to safety confess your faults one to another, and be not afraid that your reputation would be ruined. They that feared the Lord spoke often one to another. (Malachi 3:16) Saints that dwell together in unity need no together in unity need no television sets to entertain them, neither do they have to run to and fro seeking some kind of religious carnival entertainment.
The 120 Jews on the day of Pentecost were of one accord as a unit or great body, and grace came upon them all. This is a place in God where he has commanded the blessing, even life forevermore. That blessing is delivered only when brethren dwell together in unity. (Psalms 133:1-3) A united body of saints have an untold power given to them (this does not mean particularly the United Pentecostal Church).
Each member is a living active cell which contributes to the function of the complete organism according to the will of the head, which is Christ. This worthy work, if it is to be done to the glory of God, must be done unto his brethren. Inasmuch as ye have done unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. (Hebrews 2:11)
Paul said that being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, (Romans 15:16), is a work of the Spirit: for by one spirit are we all baptized into one body. (I Cor. 12:13) So we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Rom. 12:85)
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (Col 3:15) There is one body and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling, (Eph. 4:4) is ye continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation. (Rom. 1:16) That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the should, both sure and steadfast. (Heb. 6:18-19)
Spiritual unity of the church cannot exist without quality. The spiritual unity of the church is a real thing, but it means nothing to the world until it is manifested to men through the instrumentality of a united body of saints functioning in the everyday world. The kind of unity that will make the world believe, will of necessity, be an outward visible unity which the world can see.
The church on earth would indeed be a symbol of the church in heaven if its members were of one-mind and of one faith. It is those who are not moved by the Holy Ghost that mars God’s plan, and cause divisions and strengthen the forces of darkness and despair. When there is divisions among believers, the world can only conclude, that they cannot be the people of God, because they are working against one another. When believers are one with Christ they will be united among themselves.