Acts 22:17-21 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;… I. THE WORK OF FOREIGN MISSIONS IS NOT A DISTINCT PART OF THE GENERAL WORK OF THE CHURCH. The commission under which the Church acts has equal reference to all parts of the field. The work of the missionary is therefore not different from the work of a minister. A man who enlists for a soldier goes wherever he is sent. II. A CALL TO THE WORK OF MISSIONS THEREFORE CAN ONLY BE ANALOGOUS TO THE QUESTION WHETHER A MINISTER IS TO BE SETTLED IN ONE PLACE RATHER THAN ANOTHER. How is a man to decide this point? The question assumes that — 1. The Lord has a purpose in regard to the location of His ministers. (1) This is inferred from — (a) The doctrine of providence, which teaches that God's purpose extends to all things, and that He overrules all things to the accomplishment of His purpose. The place of our birth, our education, profession, and field of labour are all included in His plan. (b) The doctrine of Christ's headship and guidance of His Church by His Spirit, by which He dispenses gifts to each one according to His will, and leads His people in the way in which they should go. (2) It follows from His peculiar relation to ministers. They are stars in His hand, and He assigns to each his sphere. They are His ambassadors, and He sends each on his own mission. They are His labourers, etc. We find, therefore, that He sent Jonah to Nineveh, Paul to the heathen, Peter to the circumcision. 2. He makes that purpose known. (1) This must be inferred from the nature of the case. We are rational creatures and are governed by rational means. If God has a design for us to accomplish He must therefore make it known. (2) As a matter of experience we find that God does make known His purpose. He did so in the case of prophets and apostles, and does so in the case of ordinary ministers. It is not to be inferred, however, that this is always done in such a way as to preclude our investigation, nor so as to prevent mistake. A man may mistake and go counter to God's will, and the consequences are disastrous. We ought therefore to give the matter careful consideration. 3. How does God reveal His will to ministers as to where they shall labour? (1) By inward dealings. (a) He furnishes them with gifts requisite to some special field of labour. (b) He addresses their understandings, presenting the wants of different parts of the field; the facilities for usefulness; the demand for labourers. (c) He addresses their conscience. (d) He addresses their hearts, awakens an interest in particular portions of the field , and infuses into them a desire for the work. (2) By outward dispensations. (a) He removes obstacles out of the way, such as want of health, obligations to parents, etc. (b) He sends messages to them by friends. (c) He stirs up the Church to call them here or there. III. THE DUTY OF CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY. 1. To feel that they are bound to go wherever God calls them — that it is not for them to choose. 2. To feel perfectly submissive and say, "What shall I do, Lord?" 3. To investigate the subject, and use all the means to come to an intelligent decision. IV. THE BLESSEDNESS OF MISSION WORK, because — 1. Its results are so glorious. 2. It is so peculiarly unearthly. 3. The promises are so abundant to those who forsake houses, lands, friends, etc., for Christ's sake. (C. Hodge, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; |
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