Ways of Working by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 28, 1912

Ways of Working

By F. M. W.

How I Was Won, or How I Won Others, for Christ

In your conversion to the Christian life there stands out in bold relief some service or incident which you feel was chiefly instrumental in leading you to Christ. It may have been a revival service, the prayers of friends, the kindly interest of a neighbor, the example of a godly life, even a pleasant smile or loving word. In turn, you may have found these or similar methods effective in reaching other hearts. In a few short, well-chosen sentences, tell others of your experiences. It will prove an incentive to Christian service. These experiences will be printed in this department, under the above heading, as received. Let all our readers contribute missionary incidents to this symposium.

Christ's Manner of Working

Personal work is the chief factor in successful Christian ministry. This has been illustrated in the lives of all great Christian workers. The earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus was very largely one of personal labor. While he oftentimes addressed the multitude that thronged his steps, it was the service of personal ministry which gave to the world the great proof of his divinity. By tactfully asking for a drink of water from the woman of Samaria, Christ opened the way for the conversation that followed, resulting in her conversion to the Lord, and later in the conversion of many of her associates. See John 4. The earnest personal effort which the Master put forth in securing the salvation of even one soul is forcibly illustrated in the long journey which he took up to the borders of Tyre and Sidon in order to give the gospel to a Greek Syrophenician woman. Mark 7:24-30. The only work that he did in this region, so far as we have any record, was to heal this woman's daughter and to bring to the mother comfort and salvation.

Some Methods Employed by the Disciples

The first impulse of the truly converted soul is to carry to others the good news. How beautifully this is illustrated in the experiences of the early disciples as brought to view in the first chapter of John. Andrew first found the Lord. He went in search of Simon, and brought him to Jesus. Philip was converted, and he in turn sought Nathanael, and through this personal ministry “an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile,” became a disciple of the Master.

In the gospel record we find many encouraging incidents which show how God prepares the heart to receive the gospel message at the same time that he sends the messenger to sow the gospel seed. Philip was sent from Samaria down to the road that led from Jerusalem to Gaza to preach the gospel to an Ethiopian eunuch. At the very time that Philip met the chariot, the eunuch was reading a prophecy relating to the Lord, and was questioning in his own heart the meaning of the scripture that he was reading. This afforded Philip the opportunity he sought; and beginning with that scripture, he preached to him the Lord, which resulted in the conversion and baptism of the eunuch. Acts 8.

Peter was instructed by the Lord to go to Cesarea to preach the gospel to Cornelius, a Roman centurion. Previous to Peter's arrival, the Lord by his Spirit had prepared the heart of the centurion to receive the instruction that Peter was sent to give. Acts 10.

There are many ways of working for those outside of Christ. A study of the lives of the Master and the early disciples reveals the employment of various means and methods in order to find entrance for the truth. The apostle Paul was a tent-maker by trade. On reaching Corinth in his travels, he found a Jew named Aquila, and his wife Priscilla. These followed the same trade that had been learned by the apostle. This created a common interest. Taking advantage of this, Paul abode with them and assisted them in their work, at the same time preaching to them the gospel of Christ. Acts 18:1-4. This worthy family, in turn, after they had received the gospel, made personal effort for others, and through their ministry Apollos, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, but knowing only the baptism of John, was instructed more perfectly in the Lord, and became an efficient laborer in the gospel cause. Acts 18:24-28.

These are but a few of the many instances which the Scriptures give of personal missionary effort. We invite all our readers, in this column, to tell others of the manner in which they were won to Christ, and the simple, direct ways they have effectively employed in telling the gospel story to others.

F. M. W.