Page images
PDF
EPUB

which only a true knowledge of the things of God and of his kingdom is revealed.

Rom. viii. 5. For they that are after the flesh; do mind the things of the flesh: but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

13.

1 Cor. ii. 7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory. 8. Which none of the princes of this world knew. 10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

87th Q.-Is the above experience sufficient of itself to qualify for the work of the ministry?

A.-No, for though a man cannot be qualified without it, yet it is further requisite that he receive an immediate call from God to preach the gospel, being "inwardly moved by the Holy Spirit" to take upon himself the office; and in the performance of the various duties of the ministry committed to him, he must act under the same divine influence.

45.

Luke xxiv. 44. And he [Jesus] said unto them [his disciples], These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, 46. And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48. And ye are witnesses of these things. 49. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.*

Acts i. 4. And [Jesus] being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days hence. 8. Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Matt. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Acts ii. 1. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they [the disciples] were all with one accord in one place. 2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them: 4. And they were all filled with the

Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Gal. i. 11. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me, is not after man. 12. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

1 Tim. i. 9. Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient. 10. And if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11. According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 12. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.

Rom. xii. 4. As we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5. So we being many are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6. Having then gifts, differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith: 7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching.

2 Cor. iii. 5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves: but our sufficiency is of God. 6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit, for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

2 Cor. iv. 1. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy we faint not; 2. But having renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceit fully, but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in, the sight of God.

1 Peter iv. 10. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one-to another, as good,stewards. of the manifold grace of God. 11. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man mi nister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth;

that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

88th Q.-Is this inward call a sufficient qualification for the office of the ministry without the aid of human learning?

A. The apostles and first ministers of the gospel, than whom none were better qualified to fulfil the duties of the ministry, were generally illiterate; and since the gospel, and the office of the ministry, continue the same in their nature as in the apostles' days; so the same divine call and influence remain. sufficient without the aid of human learning.

Matt. xi. 25. At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and fearth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. so Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.

26. Even

Acts iv. 13. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled, and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

19.

1 Cor. i. 17. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20. Where is the wise? where is the scribe?" where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 26. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. 27. But God hath chosen the foolish things

1

of the world, to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty; 28. And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: 29. That no flesh should glory in his presence.

1 Cor. ii. 1. And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech, or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4. And my speech, and my preaching, was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power. 5. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Gal. i. 9. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you, than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

89th Q.-Is the aid of human learning then entirely precluded?

A.-No, for though it is not essential to gospel ministry, it may nevertheless be of subordinate use.

90th Q.-Are ministers of the gospel authorized to receive hire for preaching the gospel?

A.-No: as this holy unadulterated gift of God is not to be purchased by money, but is freely committed to chosen instruments; so

« PreviousContinue »