CAN WE ATTRACT SOULS?
The question is this, Can we attract souls? As possessing these great privileges, we ought to possess that which is attractive to souls. "Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, which is the ninth hour", (Acts 3:1-11). These two apostles represented, so to speak, the best that God had upon earth. The Thessalonians were only young believers when the apostle Paul wrote to them; he says of them, "Ye became models to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia" (1 Thess.1:7): and the testimony had sounded out from them. I refer to the Thessalonians to show that, although there may be no Peters and Johns, those of us who are in fellowship ought at least to be attractive to others. So, Peter and John say to this man who was at the Beautiful gate of the temple, "Look on us". That word is for our hearts, and I hope it will touch the hearts of all who are in this hall. …
If we are not attractive to young converts, how will they be attracted? It is true that they should be attracted to the Lord; but Peter and John do not say, Look on the Lord. They say that it is in the name of the Lord Jesus that this lame man will be healed; but they also say, "Look on us". There was something spiritually attractive in Peter and John. There was more than that, dear brethren. Peter says to the man, "Silver and gold I have not; but what I have, this give I to thee: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazaræan rise up and walk". Peter speaks of the Lord as being the only One able to help whomsoever it may be. But there is still something else, and I wish you to take note of it. He held out to the man his right hand, or rather, as it says, he took hold of him by the right hand: "And having taken hold of him by the right hand he raised him up". Are we accustomed to act thus? It is not only a question of giving light. The preaching of the gospel is what gives light. But there is also "the right hand". Each of the young persons present has a right hand. Have I taken their right hand? It is true that one can do nothing without the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, but every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has power, and the essential thing is to take the right hand of the one whom we desire to see saved, whom we wish to see baptised, whom we would like to see in fellowship. You make him feel that, as a believer, he possesses a link with you. … I am perfectly sure that if we proceed in this way, many will be added. "Having taken hold of him by the right hand he raised him up". You see how that is done. You say the Lord will do it; but He will not do what you ought to do. That is how I ought to regard the thing. Peter did not leave the care of it to the Lord; he took him by the hand; and not only did he take him, but he lifted him up. That is to say there was a measure of power in that man; and there was power in Peter. He took him; he lifted him up; and then God operated. It says, "Immediately his feet and ankle bones were made strong". That was the operation of God. We can be assured that if we take young Christians by the right hand, God will work immediately. "Immediately his feet and ankle bones were made strong. And leaping up he stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God". … He is immediately linked with Peter and John. He enters immediately with them into the temple; that is to say he is publicly identified with the saints.
Extract from J. Taylor Vol.27 pp.241-244
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