Christian ministry by Charles Bridges (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example)
Bridges clearly teaches us that men must be 'called' into the ministry and demonstrates this from texts such as Romans 10:15 - 'How shall they preach, except they be sent?' The 'call' is derived conjointly from God and from the Church and is both external and internal. The external call is a commission received from and recognised by the Church. The internal call is the voice and power of the Holy Ghost, directing the will and the judgment, and conveying personal qualifications.
The requisites for this divine vocation are a desire (
Bridges gave a very helpful statement about how a divine call strengthens the minister: 'The importance of this discussion will be generally allowed. To labour in the dark, without an assured commission, greatly obscures the warrant of faith in the Divine engagements; and the Minister, unable to avail himself of heavenly support, feels his "hands hang down, and his knees feeble" in his work. On the other hand, the confidence that he is acting in obedience to the call of God - that he is in his work, and in his way - nerves him the midst of all difficulty, and under a sense of his responsible obligations, with almighty strength. Yet under no circumstances is there a warranted ground for distress in a simple consecration to the service of God. Let the Minister in seasons of anxiety cast himself upon the mercy of God, and doubt not of acceptance.'
Ascertaining a divine call both internally and externally gives great assurance to a minister to persevere despite the many ministerial difficulties.
Next week's reading
Begin reading Part 3 by reading Chapters 1, 2 and 3.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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