Our Responsibility to Reach All Classes

Taking the great commission to the all men.

By NAN MAcKENZIE, Bible Worker, Oakland, California

The attractive letterhead which accompanies this article is used by Evangelist Paul Campbell of Oakland, California, who recognizes ALL the workers in his company by placing their names on his letterhead. This gives them a decided advantage in making con­tacts and gaining entrance into the homes of the people, and thus they feel that they are definitely an integral Part of the evangelistic company. Such recognition is to be commended. Note the neat design of the tabernacle, as shown in the cut in the center. —Editors.

The greatest commission ever entrusted to mortal man is set forth in the command, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." What a responsibility ! and what a privilege ! Here is a commission which has in it nothing of caste or nationality, but the proclamation of a faith that is adapted to meet the needs of all peoples, all nations, all classes of men.

To whom has this commission been given ? We are told that "the church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men," and the church includes every member. But although every member is included, and there is work for all, the minister has been ordained of God to lead out in this great work. This, then, is the great responsibility which the minister and the Bible teacher must accept.

To whom must the gospel be preached? "To every creature," rich and poor, bond and free. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:28. Yes, as workers for God we must reach men where they are. (See "Christ's Object Lessons," p. 511.)

There seems to be a tendency to confine our efforts to those in the humbler walks of life, for they seem to respond more readily to the pleading of the Holy Spirit. But God is no respecter of persons. Should we not therefore put forth greater effort to reach the better class of people—not better in the sight of God, but better in the eyes of the world? We must reach those who have a supposedly superior education, worldly position, and honor, and an abundance of this world's goods, as well as the poor, less-privileged class of people.

We must not look upon this class as hope­less; for many among them are searching for truth. They have tasted of sin's pleasures, and have been blinded and dazed by earth's fading glory. But they have not found that which brings lasting peace—"the more abun­dant life." To them the acceptance of the Saviour would bring "a glow of perfect peace, perfect love, perfect assurance."—"Christ's Object Lessons," p. 420. We read further in the writings of the Spirit of prophecy:

"The compassionate Redeemer bids His servants give to rich and poor the call to the supper. . . By your persevering, determined efforts, compel them to come in. Let ministers of the gospel take hold of these worldly moneyed men, and bring them to the banquet of truth that Christ has prepared for them. He who gave His precious life for them says, 'Bring them in, and seat them at My table, and I will serve them.' "—"Gospel Workers," p. 350.

I believe that much depends upon the man­ner in which the truth is presented. We must vary our presentation with the class of people among whom we work. As we study the man­ner in which Paul carried the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, we find that he shaped his message to the circumstances under which he was placed.

Let us bear in mind that the work is the Lord's, and that it will take more than human wisdom to reach souls. As we go to them with our hearts aglow with the love of God, our faces radiant with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and our lives pure and "fragrant with the perfume from the garden of the Lord," hearts will respond, and souls will be won to the Master.

Courtesy, refinement, and dignity are neces­sary, a lack of which may greatly hinder our work. This instruction from the pen of God's messenger will aid us in our efforts for others:

"There is the greatest necessity that men and women who have a knowledge of the will of God, should learn to become successful workers in His cause. They should be persons of polish, of under­standing, not having the deceptive outside gloss and simpering affection of the worldling, but that refine­ment and true courteousness which savors of heaven, and which every Christian will have if he is a par­taker of the divine nature.

The Lord has placed upon His church the responsibility of determining the time of His coming: "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations ; and then shall the end come." Shall we not, with renewed courage, rise and finish our God-given task—the giving of the gospel to every creature—and hasten the day of His return?

By NAN MAcKENZIE, Bible Worker, Oakland, California

February 1942

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