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Section 13—Medical Missionary Work and the Gospel Ministry
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Christ was bound up in all branches of the work. He did not make
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any division. He did not feel that he was infringing on physicians
when He healed the sick. He proclaimed the truth, and when the
sick came to Him for healing, He asked them if they believed that
He could make them whole. He was just as ready to lay His hands in
healing on the sick and afflicted as He was to preach the gospel. He
was just as much at home in this work as in proclaiming the truth;
for healing the sick is a part of the gospel.
To take people right where they are, whatever their position,
whatever their condition, and help them in every way possible—this
is gospel ministry. It may be necessary for ministers to go into the
homes of the sick and say, “I am ready to help you, and I will do the
best I can. I am not a physician, but I am a minister, and I like to
minister to the sick and afflicted.” Those who are sick in body are
nearly always sick in soul, and when the soul is sick, the body is
made sick.—
Manuscript 62, 1900
.
To Open Doors
The right hand is used to open doors through which the body
may find entrance. This is the part the medical missionary work
is to act. It is to largely prepare the way for the reception of the
truth for this time. A body without hands is useless. In giving honor
to the body, honor must also be given to the helping hands, which
are agencies of such importance that without them the body can
do nothing. Therefore the body which treats indifferently the right
hand, refusing its aid, is able to accomplish nothing....
All through this country a work must be done that has not yet
been done. The medical missionary work must be recognized. Those
who go forth to engage in the work of the ministry must be intelligent
upon the subject of health reform. Those men who after many years’
experience have yet no appreciation of the medical missionary work,
should not be appointed to preside over our churches. They are not
walking in the light of present truth for this time. Those who love
the truth and appreciate the question of temperance in all its bearings
should not be placed in the charge of a minister who has not heeded
the light God has given upon health reform. What help can a man
be to a church if he is not walking in the light?
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