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The Gospel to All the World, October 29
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world
for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 24:14
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Not upon the ordained minister only rests the responsibility of going
forth to fulfill this commission. Every one who has received Christ is
called to work for the salvation of his fellow men. “The Spirit and the
bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come.”
Revelation 22:17
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The charge to give this invitation includes the entire church. Every one
who has heard the invitation is to echo the message from hill and valley,
saying, “Come.”
It is a fatal mistake to suppose that the work of soulsaving depends
alone upon the ministry. The humble, consecrated believer upon whom
the Master of the vineyard places a burden for souls, is to be given
encouragement by the men upon whom the Lord has laid larger re-
sponsibilities. Those who stand as leaders in the church of God are to
realize that the Saviour’s commission is given to all who believe in His
name. God will send forth into His vineyard many who have not been
dedicated to the ministry by the laying on of hands.
Hundreds, yea, thousands, who have heard the message of salvation,
are still idlers in the market place, when they might be engaged in
some line of active service. To these Christ is saying, “Why stand ye
here all the day idle?” and He adds, “Go ye also into the vineyard.”
Matthew 20:6, 7
. Why is it that many more do not respond to the call?
Is it because they think themselves excused in that they do not stand in
the pulpit? Let them understand that there is a large work to be done
outside the pulpit, by thousands of consecrated lay members.
Long has God waited for the spirit of service to take possession of
the whole church, so that every one shall be working for Him according
to his ability. When the members of the church of God do their appointed
work in the needy fields at home and abroad, in fulfillment of the gospel
commission, the whole world will soon be warned, and the Lord Jesus
will return to this earth with power and great glory.
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