Basic HTML Version
A Call for Gospel Medical Missionaries
When Jesus sent forth the Twelve on their first mission of mercy,
He commissioned them “to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal
the sick.”
Luke 9:2
. “As ye go,” He said, “preach, saying, The
kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers,
raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”
Matthew 10:7, 8
. And as they “went through the towns, preaching
the gospel, and healing everywhere” (
Luke 9:6
), the blessing of
heaven accompanied their labors. The fulfillment of the Saviour’s
commission by the disciples made their message the power of God
unto salvation, and through their efforts many were brought to a
knowledge of the Messiah.
The Seventy who were sent out a little later were also commis-
sioned to “heal the sick” (
Luke 10:9
) as well as to announce the
advent of the promised Redeemer. In their work of teaching and
healing, the disciples followed the example of the Master Teacher,
who ministered to both soul and body. The gospel which He taught
was a message of spiritual life and physical restoration. Deliverance
from sin and the healing of disease were linked together.
[466]
And at the close of His earthly ministry, when He charged His
disciples with a solemn commission to go “into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature,” He declared that their ministry
would receive confirmation through the restoration of the sick to
health. Ye “shall lay hands on the sick,” He said, “and they shall
recover.”
Mark 16:15, 18
. By healing in His name the diseases of
the body, they would testify to His power for the healing of the soul.
The Saviour’s commission to the disciples includes all believers
to the end of time. All to whom the heavenly inspiration has come
are put in trust with the gospel. All who receive the life of Christ
are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men. For this
work the church was established, and all who take upon themselves
its sacred vows are thereby pledged to be co-workers with Christ.
374