Chapter 55—The Medical Work
Medical missionary work is the pioneer work of the gospel, the
door through which the truth for this time is to find entrance to many
homes. God’s people are to be genuine medical missionaries, for they
are to learn to minister to the needs of both soul and body. The purest
unselfishness is to be shown by our workers as, with the knowledge and
experience gained by practical work, they go out to give treatments to
the sick. As they go from house to house they will find access to many
hearts. Many will be reached who otherwise never would have heard
the gospel message. A demonstration of the principles of health reform
will do much toward removing prejudice against our evangelical work.
The Great Physician, the originator of medical missionary work, will
bless all who thus seek to impart the truth for this time.
Physical healing is bound up with the gospel commission. When
Christ sent His disciples out on their first missionary journey, He bade
them, “As ye go, 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
.
The divine commission needs no reform. Christ’s way of present-
ing truth cannot be improved upon. The Saviour gave the disciples
practical lessons, teaching them how to work in such a way as to
make souls glad in the truth. He sympathized with the weary, the
heavy-laden, the oppressed. He fed the hungry and healed the sick.
Constantly He went about doing good. By the good He accomplished,
by His loving words and kindly deeds, He interpreted the gospel to
men.
Christ’s work in behalf of man is not finished. It continues today.
In like manner His ambassadors are to preach the gospel and to reveal
His pitying love for lost and perishing souls. By an unselfish interest
in those who need help they are to give a practical demonstration of
the truth of the gospel. Much more than mere sermonizing is included
in this work. The evangelization of the world is the work God has
given to those who go forth in His name. They are to be colaborers
397