Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

reviled not again`; when he suffered`, he threatened not'; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously'.

XVIII. DUTY OF MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL, AND DUTY TO THEM.

1. Duty of Ministers.-Jer. i. 7, 17, But the Lord said unto me', Say not, I am a child`: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee' thou shalt speak. Thou therefore gird up thy loins', and arise, and speak unto them' all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces', lest I confound thee before them. Ezek. ii. 6, 7, And thou, son of man', be not afraid of them`, neither be afraid of their words, though briars and thorns be with thee', and thou dost dwell among scorpions'; be not afraid of their words', nor be dismayed at their looks', though they be a rebellious house'. And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. Ezek. xxxiii. 7-9, So thou, O son of man', I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel': therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth', and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked', O wicked man', thou shalt surely die`; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way', that wicked man shall die in his iniquity`; but his blood will I require at thine hand`. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn

from it'; if he do not turn from his way', he shall die in his iniquity`; but thou hast delivered' thy soul. Mal. ii. 1, 6, 7, And now, O ye priests', this commandment is for you`. The law of truth was in his mouth', and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity', and did turn many away from iniquity'. For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law' at his mouth': for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. Matth. xxviii. 18-20, And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven' and in earth`. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations`, baptizing them in the name of the Father', and of the Son', and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway', unto the end of the world', Amen'. Acts xx. 20, 26-28, I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you', but have showed you, and have taught you publicly', and from house to house'. Wherefore I take you to record this day', that I am pure from the blood of all men', For I have not shunned to declare unto you' all the counsel of God'. Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves`, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers', to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood'. 1 Cor. iii. 9—11, For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry'; ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me`, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation',

I

and another buildeth thereon`. But let every man take heed' how he buildeth thereon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid', which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. ix. 16, For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of'; for necessity is laid upon me`; yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel. 2 Cor. iv. 2, 5, Not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully'; but, by manifestation of the truth', commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. For we preach not ourselves', but Christ Jesus the Lord'; and ourselves' your servants for Jesus' sake'. 2 Cor. vi. 3, 4, Giving no offence in any thing', that the ministry be not blamed`: But in all things' approving ourselves as the ministers of God'. 1 Tim. iv. 12, 13—15, 16, Be thou an example of the believers, in word', in conversation', in charity', in spirit, in faith', in purity. Give attendance to reading, to exhortation', to doctrine'. Meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them', that thy profiting may appear to all`. Take heed unto thyself', and unto the doctrine'; continue in them': for

save thyself', and them

in doing this thou shalt both that hear thee`. 2 Tim. ii. 15, Study to shew thyself approved unto God', a workman' that needeth not to be ashamed`, rightly dividing' the word of truth. 2 Tim. ii. 22-25, Follow righteousness', faith', charity, peace', with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart'. But foolish' and unlearned questions avoid`, knowing that they do gender strifes`, And the servant of the Lord' must not strive'; but

be gentle unto all men', apt to teach', patient'; In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves`; if God peradventure will give them repentance' to the acknowledging of the truth'. 2 Tim. iv. 2, 5, Preach the word`, be instant in season', out of season`; reprove`, rebuke, exhort', with all long-suffering and doctrine. Watch thou in all things', endure afflictions', do the work of an evangelist,' make full proof of thy ministry'. Titus i. 7-9, A bishop must be blameless', as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry`, not given to wine', no striker, not given to filthy lucre'; But a lover of hospitality`, a lover of good men, sober, just', holy', temperate`; Holding fast the faithful word' as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers`. Titus ii. 1, 7, 8, Speak thou the things' which become sound doctrine: In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works; in doctrine' showing uncorruptness', gravity', sincerity. Sound speech that cannot be con.. demned; that he that is of the contrary part' may be ashamed', having no evil thing to say of you`. 1 Pet. v. 2-4, Feed the flock of God' which is among you', taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint', but willingly`; not for filthy lucre', but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock'; And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away`.

2. Duty to Ministers of the Gospel.-Rom. xv.

27, 30, It hath pleased them verily`; and their debtors' they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things', their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things`. Now, I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit', that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me`. 1 Cor. iv. 1, Let a man so account of us' as of the ministers of Christ', and stewards of the mysteries of God'. 1 Cor. ix. 11, 13, 14, If we have sown unto you spiritual things', is it a great thing if we shall reap` your carnal things'? Do ye not know, that they which minister about holy things` live of the things of the temple'? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar'? Even so hath the Lord ordained, That they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 1 Cor. xvi. 16, Submit yourselves unto such`, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. Gal. vi. 6, Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Phil. ii. 29, Receive him, therefore in the Lord' with all gladness, and hold such' in reputation`. 1 Thes. v. 12, 13, 25, We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you', and are over you in the Lord', and admonish you`; And to esteem them very highly in love' for their work's sake. Brethren', pray for us'. 1 Tim. v. 17, Let the elders that rule well' be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word' and doctrine. Heb. xiii. 7, 8, Remember them which have the rule over you', who

« AnteriorContinuar »