Visitation of Special Member Groups
241
that was embraced in Christ’s ministry.—
Testimonies for the Church
6:301
.
Church members should be trained to visit the sick—The
churches have been so trained that they feel no special responsibility to
visit, to talk the truth, to pray with and for one another, to visit the sick,
to encourage them, to give sympathy and love, and make it manifest
that in Christ they are members one of another.—
Manuscript Releases
6:69
.
As ministers of strong faith pray for the sick, humanity is
brought in touch with divinity—With awakened conscience many
a troubled soul, suffering bodily ailments as the result of continued
transgression, cries out, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner; make me
Thy child.” It is then that the minister, strong in faith, should be ready
to tell the sufferer that there is hope for the penitent, that in Jesus
every one who longs for help and acceptance may find deliverance
and peace. He who in meekness and love thus brings the gospel to the
afflicted soul so much in need of its message of hope, is a mouthpiece
for the One who gave Himself for mankind. As he speaks helpful,
appropriate words, and as he offers prayer for the one lying on a bed
of suffering, Jesus makes the application. God speaks through hu-
man lips. The heart is reached. Humanity is brought into touch with
divinity.—
Gospel Workers, 213, 214
.
Anointing and Divine Healing
Ministers should not only “preach the kingdom,” but also
pray for the afflicted—When the Saviour sent the disciples out to
preach the Word, He “gave them power ... to cure diseases.” They were
“to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” This was the
two-fold command given them. To our ministers the same command
is given. They are to offer prayer for the afflicted, that the Lord God
of Israel may take these cases under His oversight. If His workers
will cooperate with Him, if they will sense the sacredness of the work
[233]
that Christ did, and the work He would have them do, their ministry
will be marked by a sacredness that will give evidence of its heavenly
inspiration.—
(Australasian) Union Conference Record, February 20,
1911
.