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Be His Messenger, April 14
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel
to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but
he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mark 16:15, 16
.
The workers in the cause of God may learn valuable lessons from the
instruction Jesus gave to the seventy disciples, and from their experiences.
These disciples were sent to the cities and villages whither Jesus Himself was
to follow, to awaken an interest in the work of Jesus, that the people might be
prepared to receive the grand truths that He would impart to them.
“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them
two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself
would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the
labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would
send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth
as lambs among wolves” (
Luke 10:1-3
)....
“And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things
as are set before you: and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them,
The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you” (
Verses 8, 9
).
This was to be the burden of their message. They were not to lose sight of
this message, nor to enter into controversy over matters that were unessential,
or that would close the door to the important truths Jesus had bid them teach.
They were to teach from the Old Testament, explaining the prophecies of the
mission and the work of Christ, and presenting truths that would soften the
hearts of the people, that they might be prepared to receive Christ, when He
should follow....
The seventy had not, like the twelve, been constantly with Jesus, yet they
had often heard His lessons of instruction. They were sent forth under His
direction, to work as He Himself was working. Wherever they went, they
were to sound the message, “The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
All may be admitted into His kingdom who will receive His message and
His Messenger. This is the day of your visitation.” They were to present the
truth of God in such a manner that the people might be led to lay hold upon
the blessings placed within their reach.—
Letter 119, April 14, 1905
, to the
members of the Nashville church.
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