The Christian Minister

GOLDEN TEXT: “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” —Romans 10:14

I CORINTHIANS 9:1, 2, 13-23, 26, 27

PAUL was chosen by the Lord to take the place of Judas, and was therefore one of the “twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Rev. 21:14) But some in the Early Church were not inclined to accept this appointment, so they questioned Paul’s apostleship. In the opening verses of the lesson Paul concedes that this was understandable in some instances, but he was surprised to realize that this viewpoint was held by some in the Corinthian church.

“If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you,” he wrote. Then he added, “For the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.” As a servant of the Lord, Paul was largely responsible for starting the church at Corinth. The fact that the Lord had so abundantly blessed his efforts in that territory was, as he says, a “seal” or attestation of the divine approval and blessing.

Other things being equal, this sort of “seal” upon a work for the Lord can be taken in every instance as an evidence of the Lord’s favor. That is to say, if the Lord blesses our efforts in proclaiming the truth to the point that one or more accept and consecrate themselves to the Lord, it is good evidence that he has blessed our efforts. However, this does not mean that when we endeavor to proclaim the truth, and no one is reached, that the Lord is displeased with the effort. It may mean that he is simply testing our faith in and devotion to him.

There are many professed ministers of the Gospel who do not have Paul’s unselfish viewpoint of serving without remuneration. Paul does not say that it is wrong for one to obtain a living from ministering the Gospel. We are quite sure, though, that he had in mind a bare living. We are quite sure that he would unequivocally condemn the custom of bargaining with some congregation that can pay the largest salary, or selling one’s services to the highest bidder.

Paul himself was happier to earn his living apart from the ministry. He knew that in this way he could be entirely free from obligations of any kind, and could be more impartial and wholehearted in his fellowship with the brethren, and in the service he rendered to them.

This was one way in which Paul kept his body “under,” or as one translation states it, “browbeat his body.” He called upon his body to do double duty, as it were. He used his strength to preach the Gospel, and besides that, he labored to provide his own temporal needs. Surely this is a noble example!

Paul explained that his zeal for preaching the Gospel was nothing in which he could glory. “Necessity is laid upon me,” he wrote, “Yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel!” From one standpoint a Christian’s service to God is voluntary. Yet, when the Lord shines into one’s heart by the Gospel, a failure to respond in terms of sacrificial service would reveal a lack of appreciation for the Lord’s goodness which might easily lead to a loss of divine favor. This would be “woe” indeed.

Our Golden Text is significant. There are two other texts which, when associated with this one, reveal a brief outline of the divine plan for the reconciliation and salvation of the world. One of them is John 3:16; the other is I Timothy 2:3-6. John 3:16 tells us that whosoever believes on Christ will not perish. But, as Paul asks, “How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?”

Throughout the ages, both before and after the first advent of Christ, countless millions have died without having a true knowledge of Christ, most of them never having heard his name. Have these perished forever simply because they were not fortunate enough to have the Gospel testified to them?

No! In I Timothy 2:3-6 Paul informs us that the will of God is for all these to be “saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” This is not a reference to eternal salvation, for knowledge and acceptance of the Gospel are essential before one can be eternally saved. No, this is merely a saving, or awakening from the sleep of death, in order that they might have the truth testified to them. Paul explains that the great truth which will then be made known to all when they are awakened from death is that Christ gave himself a “ransom for all.”

Paul adds, “to be testified in due time.” The present life is the “due time” for some. But how glad we are that this is not the end of God’s grace, that there is a further “due time” for the remainder of mankind to hear, and, if they will, to believe.

QUESTIONS

What is one of the evidences of God’s blessing upon the preaching of the Gospel?

Explain Paul’s statement, “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel!”

Explain the sequence of thought represented in John 3:16, the Golden Text, and I Timothy 2:3-6.

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