An all-round ministry by CH Spurgeon (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Chapter 12 (The Minister in These Times) by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'Now let us turn our earnest attention to the subject OF OUR POSITION TOWARDS OUR LORD.'
Today we begin the last chapter in which Spurgeon gives his opinion of the minister in his times.
Firstly Spurgeon wishes to reflect upon what Jesus' position should be toward the minister:
(i) sacrifice and sin-bearer;
(ii) sole mediator and high priest;
(iii) infallible teacher;
(iv) the one law-giver and only ruler in the church;
(v) example and pattern;
(vi) Lord and God.
Interesting to see Spurgeon's position on altar calls: 'In our revival services, it might be as well to vary our procedure. Sometimes shut up that inquiry-room. I have my fears about that institution if it be used in permanence, and as an inevitable part of the services. It may be a very wise thing to invite persons, who are under concern of soul, to come apart from the rest of the congregation, and have conversation with godly people; but if you should ever see that a notion is fashioning itself that there is something to be got in the private room which is not to be had at once in the assembly, or that God is more at that penitent form than elsewhere, aim a blow at that notion at once. We must not come back by a rapid march to the old way of altars and confessionals, and have Romish trumpery restored in a coarser form. If we make men think that conversation with ourselves or with our helpers is essential to their faith in Christ, we are taking the direct line for priestcraft. In the gospel, the sinner and the Savior are to come together, with none between. Speak upon this point very clearly, "You, sinner, sitting where you are, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, shall have eternal life. Do not stop till you pass into an inquiry-room. Do not think it essential to confer with me. Do not suppose that I have the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, or that these godly men and women associated with me can tell you any other gospel than this, 'He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life."'
Conclude Chapter 12 (The Minister in These Times).
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment