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Voices from the Past: The Christian Ministry (Benjamin Franklin)

By Deaton, Steven, on April 1st, 1999

 

American Christian Review, Vol. I, No. 3, March 1856, pp. 75-77
[Reprinted in The Gospel Guardian, Vol. 27, No. 15, August 1, 1975.
Slightly edited to add some scripture references. - sfd]

The church of Christ was not made for the preachers, but the preachers of Christ were made for the world and the church [Rom. 10:14-17]. The church of Christ does not belong to the preachers of Christ–it is not their property but they belong to the church–are its property [2 Cor. 4:5]. The church is not the servant of the preachers, but preachers of Christ are servants of the churches [Eph. 4:11-16]. The church of Christ is not called and sent by preachers, but preachers are called and sent by the church [Acts 11:22]. Preachers in the kingdom of Christ are no more dignitaries, kings, and priests, than any other members [Gal. 3:28; 1 Cor. 4:6]. They are the Lord’s instruments, put forth through the church to do his work, and mighty instruments too, while the Lord is with them, but the poorest, most useless and miserable creatures on this earth when forsaken of God. Or, in other words, when they are doing the Lord’s work, with an eye single to His glory, there are no such instruments for good among men; but when they become selfish, engage simply in their own work, or that which they can turn to their own personal aggrandizement, their usefulness ceases, and they are dead weights upon the cause. Our Lord’s own life is the model of all perfection in human character, both public and private. No community need look for any permanent good from any preacher who does not imitate the character of his Lord and Master. He may be much of a gentleman, very fine, pleasant and interesting to worldly-minded persons, and not do anything or say anything that would remind anyone of the Saviour of the world [Lk. 6:26]. But to come under the name of a preacher of Christ, a disciple of Christ, and not be like Him, not make men think of Him, love Him, and desire to come to Him, is a deception upon the church and the world. Continue reading » Voices from the Past: The Christian Ministry (Benjamin Franklin)

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Editorial: A Final Exchange with David Matthews

By Cox, Stan, on April 1st, 1999

Last month’s issue of Watchman Magazine included a written exchange between myself and David Mathews. His article, entitled Slandering the Denominations, contained assertions I believe to be unsubstantiated and untrue. As a result, I wrote a rebuttal piece I titled Slandering the Brethren?

I would encourage the reader to read both of these articles before continuing with this exchange. If you are already familiar with them, then carefully read the following:

In my reply to Mathews, I used questions as a device to point out the inconsistencies and error of his article. The questions were rhetorical in the sense that those who accepted my argumentation would see his error through the questions posited. While not seeking to answer the arguments I made, David did choose to answer the questions. While this was a bit unexpected, we are grateful for his candor, as his answers serve to further expose the poverty of the position he advocates, and the falseness of the charges he makes. His answers are included below in green type, and my own comments follow. It is hoped that this format will be the most effective in presenting the final thoughts in our exchange. Continue reading » Editorial: A Final Exchange with David Matthews

Comments are closed   Attitudes, Defense of Truth, Denominationalism, Editorials, Subject Index
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