# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1914_S10
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

10 Proceedings of the twenty-fifth convention

yard. Its hedge shall be taken away, that it may be laid waste; and its fence shall be broken down, that it may be trampled down. I will lay it waste, that it shall not be pruned nor hoed, but thistles and thorns shall grow upon it. And I will command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it." (Isa. 5:5, 6.) When the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to these vinedressers? They said to him: "He will miserably destroy those wicked men and let out his vineyard to other vinedressers, who will give him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus said to them: "The kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to the Gentiles, who bring forth its fruits." (Matt. 21:40–43; cf. 13:30, 41, 42.)

Christians, however, are God's good, fruit-bearing husbandry. When the sower scatters the good seed of the Word of God, some falls on good ground, on the field of a fine, good heart, which hears the Word and keeps it and brings forth fruit with patience, some thirty-, some sixty-, some a hundredfold. (Matt. 13:8, 23; Luke 8:8, 15.) — But God, as a good vinedresser, works continually so that the yield may become greater and greater. Every branch that bears fruit he will purge, that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:2.)

God's honor is promoted through fruit. "Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit." (John 15:8.) Therefore Paul prays for the Philippians: "That you may be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Phil. 1:11.) By the fruits, too, the Christians' standing in faith becomes evident before the world. "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another." (John 13:35.) And through this God's praise is in turn exalted. When people see the good works of Christians, they are thereby moved to glorify the Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:16.) Yes, Christians themselves, too, can well perceive their state of grace from their striving to bring forth fruits pleasing to God.

11. Temple of God.
(1 Cor. 3:16.)

"But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built?" (2 Chron. 6:18.) So Solomon prayed at the dedication of the glorious temple at Jerusalem. And the Apostle Paul confirms this in his speech at the place of judgment in Athens: "God, who made the world and everything in it, since he is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands." (Acts 17:24.) But to Christians the Holy Spirit says: "You are