In a world filled with distracting elements, there is necessity for laying increasingly wise plans by which the message due the world may be proclaimed. Much instruction has been given, and much effort expended, in searching for the best and most effective methods. Evangelism, true, powerful, and direct, will be increasingly necessary, for a great work must be done, and that in a very short time. Although strong evangelistic efforts have been conducted, there is a possibility that our efforts might have been productive of greater results had there been a more complete following of the instruction given us by our divine Leader.
Without question we recognize that the operation of the Holy Spirit, whatever the method employed, is of uppermost importance. Would it not, therefore, be logical to accept plans that the Spirit Himself has advised? There is, for example, the question of ministers laboring "two and two." There are records in the Scripture that indicate there were times when one man was engaged as an evangelist working alone. We do not presume to suggest that this should never be done, but we do wish to emphasize the plan of working "two and two."
Let us note the prominence of this method in the Scriptures. The Saviour called the twelve and began to send them forth by "two and two." Mark 6:7. Afterward He called "other seventy also," and sent them "two and two." Luke Io:I. In the record of the Acts of the Apostles we read of Peter and John, of Barnabas and Saul, of Paul and Silas, of Paul and Doctor Luke, of Barnabas and John Mark, of Silas and Timothy, and of Paul and Timothy. Although we think of Paul as the great evangelist to the Gentiles, there are numerous records of his having associated with him one, two, or more men. There are at least ten records of individual men who worked with Paul in his evangelistic work, associating with him as "fellow laborers."
The record of Philip the evangelist, evidently working alone in Samaria, aroused an interest which, "when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John."
That we may see the Spirit's recommendation for the two-men method in conducting evangelistic work, I quote from "Testimonies to Ministers:"
"I am urged by the Spirit of God to counsel my brethren to unite with one another in labor. Love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous, be true as steel to one another, but crush that feeling of superiority over your brother ministers which leads one to feel that he cannot link up with others in labor. No one man should feel that he must do the whole work. However experienced or well qualified he may be, there is need of other talents to unite with his. It is a mistake to think that one man's train of thought will accomplish the work for all hearts in a religious effort. Men of different minds are needed, men whose hearts are tenderly led out to win souls. Different methods of labor are really essential in sowing the seeds of truth and gathering in the harvest. It is often the case that men of the humblest ability will reach hearts that have been steeled against another man's labors."—Page 251.
Much instruction is contained in this quotation apart from the point that we are endeavoring to emphasize here, but it will be noted that the Spirit emphatically urges the brethren "to unite with one another in labor," and that in religious efforts "men of different minds are needed." Add to this a statement from "Medical Ministry," page 249, that deals with the same principle:
"Medical missionaries come under the head of evangelists. The workers should go forth two by two, that they may pray and consult together. Never should they be sent out alone. The Lord Jesus Christ sent forth His disciples two and two into all the cities of Israel."
For further emphasis we quote a passage from "The Desire of Ages" concerning the methods us&l by Christ affecting this particular point:
"Calling the twelve about Him, Jesus bade them go out two and two through the towns and villages. None were sent forth alone, but brother was associated with brother, friend with friend. Thus they could help and encourage each other, counseling and praying together, each one's strength supplementing the other's weakness. In the same manner He afterward sent forth the seventy. It was the Saviour's purpose that the messengers of the gospel should be associated in this way. In our own time evangelistic work would be far more successful if this example were more closely followed."—Page 350.
Perhaps there might be some in opposition to this plan, but bear in mind the injunction, "Crush that feeling of superiority over your brother ministers which leads one to feel that he cannot link up with others in labor." This comes with peculiar force, and indicates that any argument we might endeavor to produce to the contrary could hardly be valid, and might mean a contending for plans contrary to the Lord's. Yet, as stated before, this is not an effort on our part to oppose the work of a single evangelist in every particular, for we have Scriptural evidence to the contrary. But the general tendency should not be in that direction. The general method, the method Jesus pursued with the twelve and the seventy, is that they were sent out two and two, so that the hearers might have the benefit of two minds rather than one. "Without counsel purposes are disappointed." "Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war." Prov. 15 :22 ; 20 :18.
In the labors of the apostle Paul, many illustrations are afforded us which indicate that strong men, as Paul and Barnabas, though sent out together by the Spirit of God, afterward took with them young men to give them the benefit of their experience. So it was not always two men of equal ability or nearly equal who were associated. The strong men trained the younger men in the ministry, and later spoke of them as "fellow laborers," evidently on an equal basis.
I wish to call to your attention another desirable combination in evangelistic work—that of Paul and Doctor Luke, preacher and physician—medical missionary work combined in the hands of two men. The health work is spoken of again and again as being "the right arm." It is spoken of as an "entering wedge." Note this statement from the Spirit of prophecy:
"The health reform is closely connected with the work of the third message, yet it is not the message. Our preachers should teach the health reform, yet they should not make this the leading theme in the place of the message. Its place is among those subjects which set forth the preparatory work to meet the events brought to view by the message; among these it is prominent. We should take hold of every reform with zeal, yet should avoid giving the impression that we are vacillating, and subject to fanaticism."—"Testimonies," Vol.1, p, 559.
"Every gospel worker should feel that the giving of instruction in the principles of healthful living, is a part of his appointed work. Of this work there is great need, and the world is open for it."—"Ministry of Healing," p. 147.
"Let the teachings of health reform be brought into every effort made to get the light of truth before the people."—"Medical Ministry," p. 304.
Here is a very positive statement to the effect that in every effort that is conducted to get the light of truth before the people, health reform is to be made prominent. Some have said, "But my training gave me no experience in these lines. What am I to do?" We answer with the following quotations:
"Let our ministers, who have gained an experience in preaching the word, learn how to give simple treatments, and then labor intelligently as medical missionary evangelists."—"Testimonies," Vol. IX, p. 172.
"Those who go forth to engage in the work of the ministry must be intelligent upon the subject of health reform."—"Medical Ministry," p. 238.
These statements indicate the necessity for ministers themselves gaining an experience and learning how to do these things, and without doubt one of the reasons is found in the following:
"In the preparation of a people for the Lord's second coming, a great work is to be accomplished through the promulgation of health principles"—"Counsels on Health," p. 206.
"I wish to tell you that soon there will be no work done in ministerial lines but medical missionary work. I.D--p. 533.
These statements bring to our minds very forcefully the need of combining with the third angel's message the health-reform message. If a man is not qualified, he may have associated with him another worker who is qualified. The minister will benefit by the instruction given at the hand of the medical missionary associate. Shall we not give careful study to doing our best to discover every method possible that will make our work more effective, even though it may be a direct contrast to what we have done heretofore?
"'Some of the methods used in this work will be different from the methods used in the past, but let no one, because of this, block the way by criticism.' " —"Testimonies," Vol. Vii, p. 25.
