In considering the work of the ministry, there is one word especially, "ambassador," that deserves consideration. The word "ambassador" is commonly used to denote "a public minister of the first rank, accredited and sent by the head of a sovereign state as his personal representative, to negotiate with a foreign government, and to watch over the interests of his own nation abroad."—Encyclopedia Britannica.
Again, "ambassadors represent the person of their sovereigns, as well as the state from which they come, and are entitled to ask an audience at any time with the chief of the state to which they are accredited; to rank next to the blood royal."—The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia.
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ," declared the apostle Paul concerning Christian workers. What unexampled honor and dignity attach to such a high office! In speaking of the exalted station to which the twelve disciples were called at the time of their ordination by the Saviour, the servant of the Lord says:
"The disciples were to go forth as Christ's witnesses, to declare to the world what they had seen and heard of Him. Their office was the most important to which human beings had ever been called, second only to that of Christ Himself. They were to be workers together with God for the saving of men."—"The Acts of the Apostles," p. 19.
The ambassador of an earthly government is called to his high office by the sovereign or executive head of his state. He is sent with proper credentials to a foreign court or country to watch over the interests of his own nation abroad. He is invested with full powers for the accomplishment of the task assigned him. How blessed to know that this is all true of ambassadors for Christ. In earthly governments no man can serve as ambassador except as he is called by the chief executive of his state; so also in the divine government "no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." Heb. 5:4. There must first be a divine commission. The twelve apostles were chosen by our Lord. (See Mark 3: 13, 14.) Paul and Barnabas were likewise chosen by the Lord and sent forth on their mission. (See Acts 9:10-15; 13:2.)
The Father sent His Son into the world to be His ambassador extraordinary, and vested Him with full powers as of confirming His holy covenant with men. He then sent other chosen ambassadors ordinary, vesting them with full powers to act in Christ's stead, to beseech men to be reconciled to God, to enter into covenant relationship with Him. As representatives of the person of their divine Sovereign, they have the right to ask an audience with the highest personages of earth as well as with the lowliest, and their rank is that of the "blood royal." It is not, however, for them ever to demand recognition of their high rank. If faithful, suitable recognition will be accorded them when the Saviour shall say: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant ... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
The last words of our Lord to His chosen representatives before returning to His Father were, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations; . . . and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matt. 28:18-20. He also said to them, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me . . . unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8.
"Christ made full provision for the prosecution of the work intrusted to the disciples, and took upon Himself the responsibility of its success. So long as they obeyed His word, and worked in connection with Him, they could not fail."—"Testimonies," Vol. VIII, pp. 16, 17.
Think for a moment of the Supreme One whom we, as the Lord's ambassadors, have the honor of representing. He is truly "King of kings, and Lord of lords." To be His chosen representative among men; to have the privilege of speaking for Him and in His name; that our hands may be extended in loving ministry in the place of His wounded hands; to bring old and young into covenant relationship with Him; to bind up broken hearts; to set at liberty the captives to sin; to give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness,—this is an honor far more glorious than any the world can ever give. Man can never give to his fellow man power to do such a glorious work, or confer upon him the honor of performing a task so heavenly in its every aspect. The One who came down from heaven to show us how to be ministers of righteousness returned to His Father; and now as our advocate at the right hand of God, He is enshrined in the hearts of multiplied thousands as the chiefest among ten thousand and the One altogether lovely.
The one who is a faithful ambassador for Christ is greatly beloved in the heavenly courts, and ranks among those most highly honored; but upon earth he may be the prince of sufferers. The greater his power to turn men from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God, the greater will be the efforts of the evil one to cast aspersion upon him, to defame his good name, to malign his character. When one is called to occupy such a high station, to engage in such a glorious work, how important that his life be so clean, his robes of character so blameless, so unsullied, that never for one moment will he misrepresent his divine Lord. True humility will grace his every action. Such a life can be lived only by maintaining an hourly contact, a conscious, living communion with God.
Representing, as he does, the person of his Sovereign, Jesus, how carefully should the ambassador walk in all his intercourse with men, —as a husband and father, a friend, a citizen; in the home, in the church, and in the community,—lest he fail in properly representing Jesus. Paul was an ideal ambassador. In writing to the Thessalonians, he says: "Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe." 1 Thess. 2:10. Such a life creates an atmosphere about the man of God and imparts to him a power that makes him invincible.
"Carefulness in dress is an important consideration. The minister should be clothed in a manner befitting the dignity of his position." —"Gospel Workers." p. 173. Anciently "everything connected with the apparel and deportment of the priests was to be such as to impress the beholder with a sense of the holiness of God, the sacredness of His worship, and the purity required of those who came into His presence."—"Patriarchs and Prophets," p. 351. It would be well for every minister to give careful study to Exodus, chapters 28 and 29.
That the person and the clothing should be perfectly clean while ministering in the sacred desk, is of prime importance; also while visiting among the people. A soiled shirt, collar, or handkerchief is particularly out of order. "The God of heaven, whose arm moves the world, who gives us life and sustains us in health, is honored or dishonored by the apparel of those who officiate in His honor."—"Gospel Workers," p. 173.
The clothing to be worn in the pulpit should be chosen with reference to its appropriateness to this holy office. "Black or dark material is more becoming to a minister in the desk."—"Testimonies," Vol. II, p. 610. An ordinary business suit seems quite inappropriate for one who stands in the pulpit as the special envoy to represent the Supreme One, and who speaks in His stead. The garments should be spotless and should be kept well pressed. The tie worn should be black or dark in color and never flashy. The shoes should always be kept clean and polished. A lack of good taste in regard to what is appropriate in apparel and general appearance is reason for questioning one's call to this high office.
Upon all occasions the minister of God should maintain a quiet, dignified, godly bearing. This must become natural; it must be as unstudied and as unconscious as the life of a little child. It must come from the heart where Christ is enthroned. He must be cheerful and happy in the consciousness of his Saviour's approval. He should be conscious of possessing power and authority from God; but that consciousness will make him the willing and cheerful servant of servants. In all things he will closely follow the pattern set by his divine Lord.
The minister of God will approach the pulpit with a quiet dignity becoming to his high calling. His deportment while in the pulpit, his attitude, his manner, and his speech will reveal culture and refinement. "Solemnity and a certain godly authority mingled with meekness, should characterize his demeanor." "His discourses should have an earnestness, a fervor, a power of persuasion, that will lead sinners to take refuge in Christ."—"Gospel Workers," pp. 172, 173.
His demeanor and his conversation out of the pulpit will be in keeping with the sacred truth that he is commissioned to bear. Like the ancient high priest, he will bear at all times upon his heart, and especially as he approaches the throne of grace, the people for whom he labors. Constantly beholding Jesus, "the Apostle and High Priest of our profession," "all the powers of the mind and of the whole being will be elevated, refined, and directed in the loftiest, holiest channel."
Balboa. Canal Zone.
