Precious Bible! What Treasure does the Word of God afford!
All I want for life or pleasure, food and medicine, shield and sword;
Let the world account me poor—Christ and this, I need no more.
- John Newton
Nothing is more profound than this- “God has spoken!” The calling of the man of God is a calling to, with, and by the Scriptures. The Bible (the Word written), like Jesus Christ (the Word living), is our passion and priority. We preach Christ! (1 Corinthians 1:23) We preach the Word! (1 Timothy 4:2) The early church leaders understood and maintained their work with and by means of the Word of God and prayer (Acts 6:4).
The Spirit’s Role: The Holy Spirit is the agent of understanding God’s revelation and our indwelling Tutor. He works within the wisdom of God through the Scriptures. See 2 Corinthians 3:18. He is God! He helps us know God, Himself.
Call Defined: A specific action of God in the life of a faithful disciple whereby he directs his life to the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, either as a pastor/teacher or evangelist (missionary).
So What’s the Big Deal? Ministry today is often defined in relation to service rendered to and for people. Some erroneously view gospel ministry as being people-centered. We are not called “to people,” we are called to “the Word.” We serve God. People are “serviced” by Him with salvation and sanctification. See Colossians 3:23, 24.
Social skill and desire are certainly ministry assets, but the “call” of God is work with and by the Word. It works what God wills into the lives of people. We believe in the superiority and sufficiency of the Scripture.
