Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-01-02
THE GOSPEL MINISTRY.
Amos Discusses Delicate Su9ject-Whc
= Are Called Of God-POintsd State
ments

Amos Discusses Delicate Supiect-who
= Are Called Of God-Pointsd State
ments
The Gospel ministry is OF divine APP
and stands first and high
csc among INSTRUMENTATION OF spirit
ual good TO the world Whatever
agencies there may be for the spread
ing OF the truths; whether religious
cd ucation, the religious press, or any
other, still the ministry is foremost,
since that is specially orGained of
Christ. The ministry Is appointed 10
instruct aud edify the church. and TO
bear the knowledge OF salvation to the
world.
Every christian disciple is under oh
legation To do this TO the extent OF his
ability but in order that there should
be no failure in this work, Christ or
dained that particular class aud pro-
TessiOn of men should be appointed TO
this work, whose special and exclu-
slve duty il should be TO preach the
Gospel Baptist Church Directory"
GALL TO THE MINISTRY.
A divine call TO the work OF the Cos
pei ministry is, and must ever be in
sisted upon by christian churches il
the spirituality OF religion is TO be
maintained,
NOT ENOUGH.
1t is not enough that a man has pie
ty and talent and education and abill-
" TO explain the scriptures. and faciii-
ty in addressing congregations, and al
earnest desire TO do good, N order 20
inter- this sacred Office. It must not
be the mere choice OF profession, nor
the dictates Of an ambition, which
looks to the pulpit as place for
achieving distinction. 1t must not be
in obedience to the opinions or persua-
sions of friends. No man taketh this
honor unto himself, but he that is cali
ed of God Heb. ga. He that would
lawfully enter the Gospel ministry
and unalterable conviction wrought in
to the heart by the Holy Spirit that
such is the will and good pleasure oil
God concerning him. 1T is no part oil
u call to the ministry that the heart
rises in persistent opposition and OBJ
s1inately rebels against the divine in
dication. Some almost suppose that
IN a satisfactory evidence OF divine
call they must st autly resist the will OF
God. This is a great mistake-Baptist
hurch Directory.
We have examples of God calling to
the ministry OF his word in Isaiah Jer-
emiah and Paul.
HOW MEN ARE CALLED
Listen, o, isles INTO me and heark.
en- We people from affair The Lord hath
called me from the womb. from the
bowels of my mother hath he made
mention of my name, and he hath
made my mouth like a sharp sword il
he shadow OF his hand hath be hid me
and made me a polished shaft. in hi
culver hath he hid me " Isaiah 40
Christ produces his authority from
heaven for the work he had undertas
en-. God had appointed him, and SCI
him apart for i'm Henry.
He did not assume this to himself
but was called of God, his Father
Heb. a 5. l0-Gill
1.-The word of the Lord came unit
me saying, Before / formed thee in tn
belly = knew thee; and before tho
camest forth out Of the womb, sane
titled thee md 1 ordained thee a proph
et unto the nations" Jeremiah l 4
Separating him in his eternal purpo
ses and DEGREES to him the Office OF
prophet before he Nss horn, and eve
before the world began" Gill.
There is a particular purpose an
providence of God cOnversant abou
his prophets end ministers; they az
by special counsel designed for the
work, and what they are designed fo
they are fitted for; that knew the,
sAnctified thee. God destines them I
it, and forms them for il. when he FIR
forms the spirit of man in him n
Henry.
/ Saith Paul: when il pleased GoC
who separated me from my mother
womb, and called me by his grace I
reveal his son in that ! might preac
him among the heather. Immediatel
conferred not with flesh and blood
Ga, 1:l6. Concerning Paul, the Lor
-aid unto Ananias, Go thy way, f
he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bes
my name before the Gentiles aud kinl
and the children of Israel" Acts 8 IL
PAUL's AUTHORITY.
Paul speaking of himself says
: Ephesians 3 II: L was made a mimi
. Ter according to the git of the grace
; God given unto m by the efectu
! working of his power Unto Timoti
! he says; II am appointed a preache
and an apostle, and teacher of Il
Gentiles."
? Concerning the regular Baptists. ar
the Gospel ministry, saith aylan
I'VE believe there is such thing as
Q call to the ministry: that is, that
: man is moved TO enter upon this woi
e by the Holy spirit This call is man
Z tested in two ways, first in his ov
heart, and secondly in the heats of b
brethen"
Ministerial call, term used to d
; note that right or authority which
: person receives TO preach the Rosp'
q This call is considered twofold, divi
: and ecclesiastical The folIowi
d things seem essential to Il divine ca
d 1, A holy, blameless life; 2, An q
r dent and constant inclination and Il
= to do good 3, Abilities suited TO t
y work, such as knowledge, aptness
y teach, courage; An opportunity atfol
y ed in Providence to be useful
" An ecclesiastical call consists, in
U election which is made of any pers
10 TO be q pastor" Emery Religio
J. knowledge.
THAT Special CALL.
d The ministers of the word, receiv,
" special call from God directing TIT
al 10 eeEVlCO Inc L1Oiy oplIlO CdAio W
- ministry of the word none but II
: christian members of Christ's spirit'
10 body. When the Holy Spirit calls m
IN to the ministry, he bsstows on tn
OF quail flea tions for the work. qualiti
q. Iions both of head and heart, a kno'
~ edge of gospel truths, an aptness
" teach, and heart moved by the des
"a to glorify God in the salvation of sou
ba are evidences OF divine call to
"a work of the ministry - Dagg.
1t is an established fact, althou
some do not want to acknowledge
that no man can be a successful gos
preacher. shown the way Of the M
High God. feed the lambs, and she