Today we finish looking at how the minister may be described in five ways:
(i) by his titles;
(ii) by his rarity;
(iii) by his office;
(iv) by his blessing;
(v) by his commission and authority.
Last week we saw the first two points. This week the last three.
So firstly this week that the minister's office is to declare unto man his righteousness, particularly by declaring both the law and the gospel.
Secondly a true minister is known by the blessing which God bestows upon his work and service.
Thirdly a a true minister is known by the commission and authority given to him: 'When a minister of God has declared someone to be righteous and has brought him to the state of grace, and God in his favour has had mercy on him, then God says to the minister: 'Deliver that soul from hell, for I have pardoned him in Christ.''
I liked how Perkins told us that we must have both the law and the gospel in our preaching: 'First, the true way to teach and declare righteousness. This is not preaching either the law alone, or the gospel alone, as some unwisely do, with the result that both are preached without profit. Both the law and the gospel must be preached; the law to give birth to repentance and the gospel to lead to faith.'
We cannot fail to include both in our preaching.
Commence Part 2 of the 'Calling of the ministry' by reading the introduction and then beginning Chapter 1 (The vision of God) by reading up to the paragraph heading 'The presence of God.'
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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