Prominent, Though Slighted.
MANY consider prophecy as something dark, while in a far different manner does the Holy Spirit speak of it. He tells us it is “a light that shineth in a dark place,” that “it is sure,” and something concerning which it is well to take heed. Paul considered it a proper subject upon which to preach to his converts from heathendom in Thessalonica—mere babes in Christ—and that when his stay amongst them was but for the short period of three or four weeks; for in his second letter to them, after giving instruction concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together unto him, he remarks, Remember ye not that when I was yet with you, I told you these things? It may surprise some of our readers to learn that Bickersteth claims, after a careful examination of the subject, that one verse in every thirty in the New Testament relates to this doctrine, while should we add the hundreds of allusions to it that may be found in the Old Testament, we would have some idea of the large part of God’s word which refers to this much slighted truth. Does God mean “all,” when he distinctly states that all Scripture is profitable for doctrine and for instruction in righteousness, that the believer may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works? And if he does, then is not the minister who is indifferent to this portion of his word something worse than being wise in his own conceit? and is his flock, as God sees it, “thoroughly furnished”? The sacred and important ordinance of baptism is scarcely mentioned in the New Testament in comparison with the doctrine before us. In fact, in thirteen of the epistles there is no allusion to it whatever, and yet we know the great prominence it has always held in the teachings of the universal church. Let us not slight this ordinance because the Holy Spirit has not so frequently referred to it; and upon the other hand, let us be careful not to close our eyes to that truth which he has thought sufficiently important to bring before our notice as frequently as we have already seen. Paul, speaking by the Spirit to Titus, says a great deal about sound doctrine, sound speech, and soundness in the faith; and then, after referring to the blessed hope and glorious appearing, is most careful to say to his son in the faith, “These things speak.” Frequently we hear the remark that such or such a man “is a good preacher;” now the Holy Spirit’s definition of a “good minister” may be found in Paul’s first letter to Timothy. Speaking of the end of this age, Paul says, “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ.” How this test reduces the number of the “good preachers” of the present day. It should be remembered that the last book of the Bible is not the Apocalypse of St. John, but the Revelation of Jesus Christ. And in conclusion, we would say to that vast majority of God’s ministers who are yet in darkness concerning this important subject, Awake, awake, thou that sleepest, and Christ shall give thee light.—Episcopal Recorder.