5:202 Corinthians 5:20

God appeals to people through human representatives who speak and minister in Christ's place, urging in His stead to be reconciled to God.DA 510.1+4 That offer rests on God being in Christ reconciling the world to Himself by not imputing trespasses, Christ who knew no sin being made sin to bear the penalty and taste death for every man so sinners may become the righteousness of God.Ms 130, 1901, par. 12–15+4 Ordained ministers of the gospel are called as His ambassadors and stewards, and every Christian, youth and child, is also called to urge others to be reconciled as fellow laborers with God.HMW 17.1+4 Their work is to plead earnestly in public and from house to house, winning and persuading with Christ's tenderness and not compelling, presenting Christ crucified as the only remedy while faithfully declaring the whole counsel of God.DA 838.1–2+4 They must match teaching with holy example in self-denying, prayerful connection with God, for their words are to be heard as the Saviour speaking through them so that receiving or disregarding the message honors or disrespects Christ Himself.ST Apr 15, 1880+4

All true ministers are Christ's ambassadors, representing His doctrine and the interests of His cause in this world.LS 406.2 They surrender their own judgment and will to the Christ who sent them, for no one can be His ambassador without complete surrender of the right of private judgment to Christ.LS 406.2 No one who surrenders his judgment to his fellow man can properly represent Christ.LS 406.2

Christ carries forward His work on earth through chosen ambassadors who speak and minister in His stead.GW 13.2+2 Those called to labor in word and doctrine, to preach and teach, bear the solemn responsibility of urging people to be reconciled to God, a mission they can fulfill only through wisdom and power from above.GW 13.2+2 Men ordained of God derive commission, authority, wisdom and power from Christ as great Teacher, chief Shepherd, true Minister and great Head of the church, serving as His delegated messengers, teachers of the faith, undershepherds and stewards from His ascension to the present day.4T 393.1+3 Christ speaks to people through these chosen delegates and ministers to human need through human instrumentality under His superintendence, carrying forward His work through them on earth just as when He moved visibly on earth, while He Himself serves in behalf of people as minister in the sanctuary above.4T 393.1+3 Preachers of the Word are therefore not mere orators or public lecturers delivering lectures, but are to both preach the Word and practice the Word they present, watching for the sheep and feeding the sheep, with lasting benefit coming from looking beyond the instrument to Christ whose energizing presence causes the words to find lodgment in the heart.Lt 174, 1909, par. 5–6+1 Their commission is to carry His gospel from generation to generation, a truth that can be communicated by men and women even in old age.Lt 174, 1909, par. 5–6+1

God appeals to people through these representatives as though God Himself were pleading through them, and Christ pleads in their words as they urge in Christ's place to be reconciled to God.DA 510.1+4 Those entrusted with the ministry and message of reconciliation labor for the benefit of others by declaring spiritual truths that lead people to live with Christ dwelling in them.DA 510.1 This ministry is reconciliation, not contention or strife, and rests on God being in Christ reconciling the world to Himself by not counting trespasses against them, made possible because the sinless Christ who knew no sin was made sin and a sin offering for sinners so that in Him they might become the righteousness of God.Ms 56, 1902, par. 50–51+2 People become God's children by believing in Christ, not through human favors or their own power, and Christ's followers therefore represent God's mercy, forgiveness and love to others.Ms 56, 1902, par. 50–51+1

The work of Christ's ministers is not to compel but to win, not to command but to persuade and beseech.DA 838.1–2+1 It establishes perfect freedom of choice as regards religious belief or non-belief, proving that true Christian religion exercises no compulsion.DA 838.1–2 They win souls by persuasion, pleading on Christ's behalf for sinners to be made right with God in personal and practical work, visiting from house to house and opening the Scriptures to those who do not understand them, to win the weary and heavy-laden who are perishing without Christ and to gather the ripe harvest of souls waiting on the verge of the kingdom.Lt 10, 1899, par. 29–32

Christ's ministers upon earth are appointed to act in His stead, and Ananias illustrates this ambassadorship toward Saul.SLP 31.1–32.1+4 In Christ's stead Ananias touches Saul's eyes that they may receive sight, in Christ's stead he places his hands upon him, and praying in Christ's name Saul receives the Holy Ghost, all done in the name and by the authority of Christ.SLP 31.1–32.1+4 Though Jesus is the friend of sinners with all power in heaven and on earth, He does not sanction religious experience independent of His organized and acknowledged church but respects the means He has ordained for the enlightenment and salvation of men, directing sinners to the church which He has made a channel of light and communication to the world and the light of the world.SLP 31.1–32.1+2 Jesus does not teach Saul directly but places him in connection with His church to be told what he must do, thus acknowledging the power He has invested in the church as His organized body upon earth, to whose ordinances respect is required, so that even a learned teacher like Saul becomes a learner of the disciples.ST Dec 19, 1878+1

Paul was the ambassador of Christ, standing before Nero as the representative of Christianity and of God's spiritual power against the slave of Satan and the power of darkness.SLP 311.2–312.1 The ambassador lives a life of utter self-sacrifice and self-denying endurance, ready to give up life itself for the good of others, poor and suffering to relieve the burdens of humanity and to exemplify the life of Christ, with a heart at peace with God and man.SLP 311.2–312.1 His despised, hated and fettered position before the earthly judgment-seat, set against the purple-robed power of wickedness on the throne, shows to what extent the course of this world is under the rule of the prince of darkness.SLP 311.2–312.1 Preaching the Word is speaking to people in Christ's stead, so solemn a work that Luther felt unworthy to do so and hesitated before yielding to the call to preach.GC 124.1+3

Those who speak for Christ are to serve as God's messengers and light-bearers, carrying His message to reprove, warn and encourage His people and standing in defense of the truth.4T 523.2–3+2 To prepare them God may separate them from early associations and human influences that would interfere with His instruction and turn them from their work, so that He can educate and qualify them for service.4T 523.2–3+1 Abraham's separation from his former ties placed him among strangers, where he would not rely on human aid or be governed by others' influence, with motives and actions beyond the understanding of his idolatrous relatives, because spiritual things are spiritually discerned.4T 523.2–3 Ministers stand under divine commission and solemn vows to God with heaven to gain and hell to shun, as messengers in Christ's stead, stewards of the mysteries of God and of His grace, and ambassadors of the King of kings and Lord of lords.Ms 4, 1883, par. 66–68+2 Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses with heavenly intelligences looking upon them, they realize the dignity of their calling and the sacredness of their work, lift the standard high, declare faithfully the whole counsel of God, speak plain reproof rather than smooth men-pleasing words, humble themselves under the mighty hand of God lest God humble them, walk modestly and humbly before the Lord so He will accept them, and continue without ill will even when opposed by those who claim faith but show the spirit of scribes, Pharisees, priests, lawyers and rulers who watched Christ to entrap Him in His words, did not love His doctrines and precepts, and were displeased when attention turned from them to Him.Ms 4, 1883, par. 66–68+2

God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself by not counting trespasses against them, and He has entrusted to His people the ministry and word of reconciliation rather than contention, alienation and strife.Ms 130, 1901, par. 12–15 Those in Christ are new creatures with old things passed away and all things become new, and as His ambassadors they speak in His place as though God were pleading through them to be reconciled to God.Ms 130, 1901, par. 12–15 This charge rests on His covenant to reveal infinite love in humanity by becoming one with humanity, taking human nature, bearing every temptation as man, giving His life and tasting death for every person that they might live by faith in His redeeming power.Ms 130, 1901, par. 12–15 It rests further on God making Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that in Him sinners might become the righteousness of God, a principle to be carried out practically in loving one another as Christ has loved.Ms 130, 1901, par. 12–15 The church has received great light for the blessing of the world, and with power from on high it is to urge this reconciliation and pray for success with assurance of being heard, expecting greater power in answer to united prayer in proportion to the unity and mutual love of its members.Lt 32, 1903, par. 15–16+1

The call to be reconciled stands on Christ suffering the penalty of sin as the only means of showing God's love to a disobedient race, God giving His only begotten Son to humiliation and suffering in an offering of unsurpassed value that astonished heaven.Lt 72, 1906, par. 9 The Son of the infinite God manifested that love, and the One who knew no sin became a sin offering and propitiation, so that fallen sinners through repentance, confession, humbling of self and receiving His merits may obtain pardon and be made the righteousness of God in Him.Lt 72, 1906, par. 9 As sin-bearer and substitute He took the punishment for transgression so that sinners may be pardoned through faith, return to allegiance, and respond with contrition and belief in Him as the atoning sacrifice.FE 369.1+1 Those thus reconciled are to make His forgiveness known to the world and to the universe.STE 227.1

His work joined man to God through humanity that reached to the very depths of wretchedness and identified with the weaknesses and needs of fallen man, and joined God to man through divinity that grasped the Eternal.2RED 36.1–3 In bearing the guilt of transgression He gave no license to keep violating the law, for transgression made man a debtor to the law which He Himself was paying by His own suffering.2RED 36.1–3 His trials and sufferings impress the sense of great sin in breaking God's law and lead to repentance and obedience, and through obedience to acceptance with God, while He imputes His righteousness and so raises man's moral value that obedient effort to keep the divine law is acceptable.2RED 36.1–3 He came as prophecy foretold to call to repentance and restore a right relation, giving willing believers grounds for faith, directing attention to the Father and carrying out the Father's will by giving Himself to reclaim the fallen and join them to Himself so He can work through them for salvation, though His humility and suffering without expected splendor led many to reject Him.2SP 40.1+2

God in Christ daily pleads with outstretched arms to receive and welcome not only the sinner but the prodigal, restoring to divine favor through goodness and mercy.Lt 15a, 1890, par. 9–11+1 His dying love on Calvary is the assurance of acceptance, peace and love, to be taught in simplest form so that the sin-darkened soul may see light shining from the cross and may look and live.Lt 15a, 1890, par. 9–11+1 The work is to win souls by lifting up Jesus crucified and feeding them not on peculiar human ideas but on the flesh and blood of the Son of God, pointing to Jesus rather than making personal ideas a condition of salvation.Ms 82, 1894, par. 22–24+1 God's love in sending Christ to die is reason strong enough to bring men back into peace, for He bears long with lawbreakers, gives ever greater chances to repent, leaves nothing undone to bring them to glorify Him, and His long patient mercy should lead to repentance, though those who persist after so great a price will at last reach the boundary of mercy where forbearance can do no more good and God will show Himself strong to punish sin.Lt 83, 1904, par. 9–10 Those who have received salvation, especially ministers, are stewards of grace to dwell largely on that love in giving His only begotten Son as atonement for the whole world, teaching all He commanded, since every person may receive its benefits and all who accept Christ pledge to minister that grace to those dead in trespasses with His promise to be with them to the end.Ms 148, 1903, par. 19–21

Reconciliation comes only by prostrating the soul at the foot of the cross in contrite, penitent, humble surrender, seeing personal poverty and wretchedness, submitting will and ways, dying to self, being converted and consenting to be saved in God's appointed way so Jesus can heal and save.2T 83.1+1 Those who come on their own footing, serving in their own way and strength and lifting themselves in their own righteousness, are cast down, while those who humble themselves are lifted to stand before Him without fear, beholding His face with comfort and joy, clothed in Christ's righteousness.Lt 18d, 1890, par. 10 It means confessing sins to God and to one another, covenanting that the past life of doing the enemy's will is enough, seeking God with whole heart, might, mind and strength, confessing and forsaking sin, and taking personally the promises of pardon and a righteousness which alone God will accept.Lt 27, 1890, par. 13–14 It requires striving to enter the strait gate in Christ's strength and not one's own, resisting the destroyer whose grasp is on the soul with foes before and behind and on either hand, putting away avarice and clinging to one's own ways and will, and falling upon the Rock to be broken as the only hope of the crown of immortality.Lt 27, 1890, par. 13–14 To stand reconciled is to desire His way above all, to have His will plainly manifested, to do moment by moment only what pleases Him and promotes His glory, to put self out of sight, to watch for His tokens and listen with mind and heart for His voice, directions, reproofs and commands in order to walk with God in the way of His commandments, with humble self-estimate as a daily learner rather than claiming fitness to teach.Lt 18d, 1890, par. 10 It also means listening to Scripture, hearing aright, purifying the heart from selfishness, guarding against deception and seducing spirits, seeking the pearl of great price, receiving the engrafted word with meekness, and obeying the commandments so that body, soul and spirit are sanctified, since sinners bought with the price of the only begotten Son's death and kept by His unceasing guardian care owe gratitude, joy, sacred consecration, thorough conversion from selfishness, and the putting away of all plans that do not advance His plans for perishing souls.Lt 32, 1907, par. 3 The path back to the Father includes repentance, contrition, obedience and faith, for true faith leads to obedience to His requirements, and God is ready to help, bless and impart strength to all who feel need and take hold of His strength, giving pure religion, good works that lead others to glorify the Father, and true happiness instead of misery.2T 83.1+1

Those reconciled are converted partakers of the divine nature, with robes of character washed white in the Lamb's blood, corruption through lust overcome, and children brought into harmony with God and heaven by laying hold of His mighty power so He can work for and through them.Ms 95, 1909, par. 23–24 To be reconciled is to learn to love Jesus, to see Him as He is, to press into the ranks without wasting the remnant of time, and to become laborers together with God for others.Ms 95, 1909, par. 23–24 It means seeking the Lord with the whole heart until He is found, having the heart filled with His grace, leaving the rut of past failure to walk and talk with God, and reflecting the light and joy of heaven with power from on high that reveals His grace before the world, before the heavenly universe, and before the synagogue of Satan, proving He has not died in vain.Ms 38, 1901, par. 27 Fallen minds debased and enfeebled by sin are thus recovered and restored to their original relation, for the Maker of the mind gave His life on the cross and through the Spirit brings sinners to see their position and surrender the will, sanctifies and cleanses each receiver, removes destructive tendencies, turns perverted powers to His service, gives power to become a child of God, implants heavenly principles in place of diseased evil ones, and sends the restored as an aggressive agent of good to redeem those broken from allegiance and unite them to their proper Center.18MR 208.2–3 This is full conversion wrought by the Spirit upon character, not half service to God and mammon, devoting every capability to His service and obeying His requirements, giving understanding of spiritual things that unites believers with Christ and one another in love and prospers striving to do good and be good unto all riches of full assurance.17MR 44.3–4 Refusing leaves a person without God and without hope at the last great day, while receiving causes God Himself to rejoice over them with singing.Ms 38, 1901, par. 27

That appeal was seen in the fruit of Advent preaching, when people were reconciled to God through faith in Christ and the sprinkling of His blood.GC88 405.3–406.2 The same ambassadorship meets the doubting unbeliever who fears there is no hope, bidding him hope in God and take courage from the love that gave the Son so that whoever believes will not perish but have everlasting life, and answering the reminder that he is a sinner with the truth that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.5T 629.1

Those called to labor in word and doctrine, the ordained ministers of the gospel, are Christ's ambassadors and under-shepherds, deriving their commission, authority, wisdom and power from Christ and acting as His delegated messengers and stewards of the mysteries of God.RH May 29, 1900+4 They belong to the Lord and not to themselves, and God has right to use all their abilities for the honor and glory of His name, while they remain in perfect union with Christ whom they represent and wholly focused on saving souls.RH May 29, 1900+1 A human soul is of infinite worth to God, more valuable than earthly wealth and the trash of earth, for Christ died for each soul and one soul saved will shine in the kingdom of heaven through eternal ages.GW92 71.2+1 Their earnestness, perseverance, self-denial and spirit of sacrifice must therefore go far beyond the diligence of those working for earthly gain, for all worldly enterprises are trifling beside this work and earthly things do not endure though they cost much.2T 336.1 The minister, especially one in responsible position, is entrusted with the highest and noblest work given to mortal man, and this lays sacred and weighty obligations of integrity and faithfulness upon him.5T 371.2

He must make eternal interests first and temporal matters secondary, allowing nothing to come between him and this sacred work to absorb his mind and confuse his judgment.5T 371.2 He must encourage those under his charge to seek higher spiritual attainments and to live holier and purer lives, laboring with tact, wisdom and power gained through constant communion with God to save souls from perdition and to build up the church in truth and righteousness.5T 371.2 He shows loyalty to his crucified Redeemer by acting with the sense of a solemn charge to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, wanting in nothing, and by watching over souls as one who must give account while remaining closely connected with God.RH May 29, 1900+1 As Christ's ambassadors the ministers proclaim His message of salvation to a perishing world and communicate God's messages to people, pleading earnestly for them to turn to the Saviour and serving willingly and wholeheartedly.RH Mar 24, 1903+1 The church should sustain and respect them in this work, for attacking a minister is an attack on Christ in the person of His messenger.RH Jan 6, 1903

Every Christian is called to this ministry, for the appeal to be reconciled is not the minister's work alone.6T 427.1–2 The church, all its members, youth, children, and even the backslidden restored to Christ are to urge others to be reconciled, helping to make Christ known and to win souls.HMW 17.1+4 To the church in every conference God has committed the work of diffusing light and bearing the message of His love, beseeching men to be reconciled to God and carrying light into all the highways and byways of the earth.Ms 151, 1897, par. 43 That reconciling work is not to condemn or denounce but to draw people to Christ with love, to encourage souls, attract them and win them to Jesus.6T 427.1–2+1 With power from on high its members urge people to be reconciled to God, cooperating with heaven in a work even angels cannot do as human channels to fellow men.9MR 303.2–3

God's people are to stand out distinctly from the world while urging reconciliation, in the world but not of it, pure, holy and undefiled, reflecting the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness.HMW 17.1+1 Young men and young people who cleanse their hearts and lives of impurity and enthrone Christ within are equipped to persuade others with energetic zeal and to continue the work Christ began.RH Apr 10, 1913+1

Physicians, nurses and medical missionary workers, Sabbath-school teachers, educators, institutional workers and publishing workers are Christ's ambassadors in their specific spheres.HPMMW 40.3+4 Physicians are charged to watch for souls as those who must give an account, working for soul-saving as well as for body-saving, and through faith in God they are qualified to minister to the soul as well as to the body.Lt 61, 1904, par. 16 By being alive to the importance of this ambassador work in sanitariums many more souls would be won to the truth, and fulfilling it means making God their counselor and never undertaking a case without placing themselves under the direction of the One who is Lord of body and soul.Lt 61, 1904, par. 16 Being such an ambassador means making the fact that they are Christians prominent by a godly life and conversation instead of giving prominence to a special theory of medicine they advocate.HPMMW 40.3 No school of medicine lauded in the world is approved in the courts above or bears the heavenly endorsement, so an ambassador is not justified in advocating one school above the others as though it were the only one worthy of respect, and vindicating one school and bitterly condemning another from pharisaic pride over diplomas violates that calling.HPMMW 40.3

Christ's followers carry on His work by preaching the gospel and showing His pitying love to people who are lost and perishing, and their service includes practical help, especially medical missionary work, which can reach people's hearts and prepare the way for a clearer proclamation of the truth.CH 543.2 Their work of urging people to be reconciled to God as those entrusted with God's living oracles is made more effective when they know how to help the sick, for practical knowledge of health reform better equips them to proclaim God's message of mercy and retribution.6T 302.1 God makes His people His representatives and ambassadors, calling them to carry out His final work of salvation by giving the world the truth and His solemn warnings.7T 138.1–3 Christ's representatives are to make Him known through their words and example, and their divinely formed character bears witness before the world and points people to God.7T 149.1

Ambassadors plead earnestly for people to turn to the Saviour, and their work is only begun when public preaching ends, continuing afterward in seeking people personally, conversing with them, visiting house to house, organizing teams for house-to-house labor, and following up with private effort rather than leaving hearers without further concern.1T 431.1–432.2+4 They are to come close to hearts with concentrated labor aimed at the very ones worked for, conversing around the fireside and in judicious conversation on present truth, making practical application of truth to individual cases, appealing to families and individuals personally, and building up the soul just entering a new experience in truth and righteousness.RH Jan 19, 1864+2 This requires maintained consecration to saving souls, being a living epistle known and read of all men, adorning profession by godly conversation and circumspect deportment, living out what is preached, daily communion with God, constant watchfulness as a watchman on the walls of Zion, speaking words received from His mouth in warning, reproving, correcting and comforting with select sound speech, doing everything possible in every line to save a soul from perdition, seeking results rather than praise, and discharging duty by holy living, fervent prayer, painstaking effort, self-denial and willingness to suffer for Christ rather than seeking personal ease or comfort.1T 431.1–432.2+3 They speak kindly and faithfully both in public preaching and outside it, echoing prophets, apostles and Christ, urging people to understand Scripture for themselves, especially those who have not heard the message, since personal contact does more than preaching alone.Lt 148, 1902, par. 8–9+2

They draw with love rather than condemning or denouncing, coming as visible friends with Christ's tenderness, patience, pity and forgiving compassion to the perplexed, weak, poor, helpless, ignorant and those burdened with infirmities, doubt and weakness of faith who are unable to grasp the unseen and need such a connecting link.Ms 151, 1897, par. 43+3 As Christ pitied and helped in weakness and sinfulness, they pity and help others, bearing the infirmities of the weak and pleasing the neighbor for good to edification rather than pleasing self, accepting responsibility for other people, and failing to help when within power to do so contradicts the ministry.5T 245.3+1 They encourage souls, attract them and win them to Jesus, carrying light into all the highways and byways of the earth, leading the erring step by step toward the right way and to the foot of the cross to behold the Man of Calvary, the uplifted crucified Redeemer, that they may live.Ms 151, 1897, par. 43+2 This blessed work is to be done in Christ's name with a loving, tender spirit, without pride and selfishness preventing it, without driving sinners, through sanctification of the Word by direct personal appeal to erring individuals even in the shadows of their own houses of worship, knowing they are judgment-bound and must soon give an account of stewardship, and they are inexcusable if they neglect it, while to do it the church must stand out separate and distinct from the world, in the world but not of it, pure, holy and undefiled, reflecting the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness.Ms 151, 1897, par. 43+3

They carry the light of truth received from God to those in darkness, and through their message God brings understanding and warmth to those who receive it.ST Jan 8, 1880+1 They present Christ and not themselves, living as light-bearers whose lives lead others to glorify God, representing Him through self-denial and lives shaped by His grace, bringing the truth clearly to people, teaching those who repent to come to Christ in faith, and laboring until they choose obedience to God's commandments and show transformation by grace.ST+1 Their work is to persuade men to be reconciled to God, not to settle temporal affairs or temporal disputes, and their power to bless humanity lies in this reconciling work.COL 254.2+1 Preaching the gospel of grace with the Spirit sent from heaven and working for men's benefit as Christ did is the only remedy for human sin and sorrow, curing the evils that curse society by eradicating selfishness through submission to Christ, who gives the selfish heart of sin a new heart of love, blessing and uplifting mankind in ways wholly impossible to human power, while Christ is the remedy for sin and gives righteousness to the sincere penitent, and as they preach the light of truth shines forth in clear rays and with convincing power that awakens the interest of hearers.COL 254.2+2

They faithfully declare the whole counsel of God without hiding distinguishing truths, heralding salvation in season and out of season as bold last-day soldiers, giving the third angel's message with a loud voice and the final invitation of mercy even under opposition, danger and reproach, leaving results to God.4SP 427.2+4 They must not remain silent when proclaiming truth brings opposition or danger, but must do duty and leave consequences with God, faithfully proclaiming the truth God gives for the needs of the people even when it brings persecution.4SP 427.2+1 To be an ambassador is to be a faithful, unashamed bearer of the banner of truth who never ceases proclaiming it however unpopular, in all places facing danger, privation, hardship and reproach for truth's sake yet still holding the banner aloft, with earnest work rapidly performed like the third angel crying with a loud voice in the midst of heaven, declaring the last message of mercy as brave unashamed witnesses with uplifted heads rejoicing that redemption draws nigh.20MR 43.6–44.3+1 These last-day ambassadors are bold soldiers of Jesus Christ who have tasted of the powers of the world to come, standing on solid rock and not easily moved from the faith once delivered to the saints, strengthened to cope with difficulties as messengers of righteousness and representatives of Christ revealing the triumphs of grace, from whom truth shines forth in lips, countenance and life, marked by purity and uncorruptness through the refining influence of the grace of Christ, giving evidence of the power of Christianity and flashing gospel truth upon those in darkness with unswerving fidelity.20MR 43.6–44.3 Commissioned as messengers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of the grace of God under solemn vows, they are under obligation to declare faithfully the whole counsel without holding peace day nor night, without cringing, without covering or concealing the origin and purpose of the message, and without making less prominent the special truths that have separated God's people from the world, for they are fraught with eternal interests, bearing light given regarding things now taking place in the last remnant of time to be proclaimed with pen and voice not in a tame spiritless way but in demonstration of the Spirit and power of God, in mightiest conflicts whose results are of moment to heaven and earth, standing between the living and the dead with the Spirit and power that marked Pentecost and stirred people mightily in the 1844 movement again to be revealed.5T 252.2+1

Their service includes practical help that reaches hearts and prepares the way for clearer truth, especially medical missionary work, making salvation known in many languages, giving the world truth and solemn warnings through publishing, and explaining prophecy with charts in large tent meetings that lead to baptism and surrender of idols.RH Oct 29, 1914+4 Clothed with Christ's righteousness and filled with the joy of His indwelling Spirit, they are moved by God's love to speak and to present Christ and the realities of the world to come, including making truth available in many languages so all nations may receive its life-giving influence, and carrying the message to people who have not heard it with earnest desire to save them.RH Oct 29, 1914+1 Their commission includes proclaiming the gospel and serving people in practical ways following Christ's example, revealing Christ's pitying love through unselfish help, which demonstrates the gospel's power, reaches hearts, and prepares people to hear a clearer proclamation of truth.RH Mar 4, 1902+2 Preaching with power in cities scarcely touched means beseeching sinners to reconciliation in large public tent meetings to thousands by explaining prophecy with charts and making plain that the end of all things is at hand, bringing hearers over the ground from the beginning through prophecies of past, present and future, with the result of baptism of many from all denominations, whole families obeying God, hearts taking hold of truth in an earnest quiet work with no excitement and no fanaticism, shown by voluntary surrender of idols such as costly rings, bracelets and jewelry brought as an offering without being called for.14MR 250.3–4 A worker for God is also Christ's ambassador when appealing to fellow believers as stewards of the Lord's means to give for urgent mission needs, calling those favored with talent in one field to help supply what is lacking in another so aggressive moves can be made, a suitable plain house of worship provided to give character to the work and invite outsiders, laborers trained, and the cause uplifted, ennobled, dignified and made successful.Lt 29, 1892, par. 6–8

With power from on high and in answer to united prayer they expect success, having received great light entrusted for the benefit and blessing of the world and the ministry of reconciliation, so they beseech men to be reconciled and pray for success with divine assurance that prayers will be heard and answered, expecting in answer to united prayer a greater power proportionate to the unity of members and their love for God and one another.Lt 32, 1903, par. 15–16 Indifference to that work grieves the Holy Spirit, and doing it requires neglecting no means that will advance it, with no self-exaltation and far more prayer.Lt 170, 1907, par. 12+1 Heavenly agencies stand ready to cooperate with those who do the work, and the Holy Spirit waits to unite in sympathy with every true believer to make him a laborer together with God, beholding Christ as the pattern who travailed in soul for salvation, making Him the all in all who gives dignity to the work, guides the mind, sanctifies by the truth, and through acknowledgment as Redeemer brings oneness with Him even as He is one with the Father.Lt 170, 1907, par. 12+1

As stewards they reprove, rebuke, exhort, warn and encourage with long-suffering, correcting wrong with meekness and love, warning against side issues and erratic ideas, reproving injustice and dishonest practice, and speaking plain loving reproof even to family.GW 150.2–3+4 They serve as divinely appointed messengers laboring in a sacred office and holy work of awful responsibility, bearing sacred responsibility to speak God's message and not their own, encouraging the obedient and warning the disobedient, faithfully delivering what God has commanded without yielding to worldly policy or fear of consequences.GW 150.2–3+2 With the courage of Elijah, Nathan and John the Baptist they never swerve from the path Jesus bids them walk but go forward in faith remembering they are surrounded with a cloud of witnesses, speaking not their own words but words One greater than potentates of earth has bidden them speak, with Thus saith the Lord, bearing it faithfully regardless of consequences though it call for sacrifice of all they have.RH Sep 11, 1913 God cannot use men who in time of peril are afraid to take firm stand for the right, but calls for men who will do faithful battle against wrong, against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places, and to such faithful ones He will say Well done and bid them enter the joy of their Lord, while a warning brought by such an ambassador is a call to heed God's counsel, and faithful correction of wrong with love and meekness will not be without effect nor prove unavailing.RH Sep 11, 1913+3

Christ's messengers sent in His stead share His earnest concern for those they teach, laboring with patient love while feeling deep sorrow when the message is resisted.GW 48.3–49.1

To be an ambassador for Christ is to act in His stead, and conduct must be worthy of that responsibility because conduct, words, and actions influence souls toward accepting or rejecting truth while the Spirit convicts them.GW 174.3–4+2 Example must match teaching in daily life, conversation, and deportment, for a minister must be an example to the flock and live out what is preached so as not to undermine the message, especially around the young.TEPD 46.4+2 The ambassadorship continues out of the desk and requires walking circumspectly with an example worthy of imitation, teaching others by personal life how to educate children in the example of Jesus and the principles of truth and in lifting the burdens of Christ rather than leading children away by self-centered plans and indulgence.TEPD 46.4+1 Conversation must be free from levity, jesting, murmuring, and careless speech that would undo good and bring reproach, for light jesting that entertains and provokes mirth causes believers and unbelievers to lose confidence.3T 427.4+1 Unless the sanctifying power of truth is felt on the soul, presentation of the theory of truth will have little effect, and laying aside righteousness exposes to Satan's darts and temptation where a single thoughtless act or light and trifling word can balance a soul in the wrong direction and decide eternal destinies.GW92 415.2–416.1

The work calls for self-denial and sacrifice rather than concern for ease, comfort, pleasure, desires, convenience, reputation, or sympathy, sharing in Christ's sufferings and forgetting self to live and labor for the salvation of perishing people.ST Apr 15, 1880+3 Those who stand for Christ to call people back to God must show by teaching and life a never-dying interest to save souls, in perfect union with Christ whom they represent and wholly focused on saving souls.GW92 71.2+1 Earnestness, perseverance, self-denial, and spirit of sacrifice must go far beyond the diligence of people working for earthly gain, because the soul is more valuable than earthly wealth and trash of earth, Christ died for each soul, and earthly enterprises are trifling and do not endure beside this more elevated work.GW92 71.2+1 Faithful care, earnest warnings, entreaties, watchfulness, prayer, careful service, and tender appeals can remove obstacles and stumbling blocks and win souls to Christ, showing others that truth and righteousness are available, and ambassadors are accountable for those they should have helped.STMW7 38.1+2

The office requires giving heart, mind, and body wholly to the Lord as one set apart to a special work as Christ's representative on earth, with all entirely subject to Him.TEPD 24.1+2 A representative of Christ cannot engage in entangling business transactions and keep heart and mind unaffected and uninjured, for entering such enterprises weakens influence as a minister of Christ and imperils the soul.TEPD 24.1 Faithfulness as ambassador in the church depends on faithfulness as priest and discerning shepherd in the home, guiding wife and children to right characters for present and eternal good and making the home a symbol of the heavenly family, for he who fails as shepherd in the home will surely fail as shepherd to the flock, and parental unfaithfulness in ministers' families is tenfold greater in evil because failure to control the household and permitting or excusing sin in children misleads many, sanctions evil instead of repressing it, and effaces the distinction between right and wrong, purity and vice.Ms 42, 1903, par. 3–4+1 As God's ambassador and not his own servant, he must practice temperance in all things, in preaching and praying and writing and rest, not overworking, over-preaching, praying long, or writing too much, but resting the brain, exercising physically, keeping reserve strength, sharing speaking labor, speaking less so as to speak with clearness and force, forgetting self, not centering thoughts on self or trials, but being cheerful and happy and enjoying family.Lt 24, 1885, par. 10–12 Those enlisted carry the special charge to represent Christ in character by entire conformity to God's eternal, unchangeable, immutable law, keeping the cross as perpetual memorial, seeing Him who is invisible by faith, coming out and being separate, loving not the world, setting affections above, and living as those waiting for perfection of character to fully represent the Saviour, while also moving understandingly and intelligently with due consideration in pledged means, carefully investigating, protesting and adjusting figures where ardor would embarrass families, so vows are preserved without demoralization and confidence is established.Lt 247, 1904, par. 8+1

Ministers as ambassadors must come up to a high standard where God can accept them, which nothing of themselves can accomplish, but only firm reliance on God and strong active faith working in them what God requires, giving new anointing to discern sacred things clearly and forming a holy blameless character.2T 506.2 They have no right to instruct others in the way to life unless they possess knowledge of the word of life, understand their Bibles, and become acquainted with the evidences of faith, which requires diligent study of Scripture adding to faith virtue and knowledge and temperance and patience and godliness and brotherly kindness and charity, so as to present faith intelligently and give reasons of hope with meekness and fear.2T 342.2–343.1 Familiarity with Scripture gives qualifications to represent Christ, and the Holy Spirit's illumination gives instruction and prayer force and directness, while true eloquence comes from genuine piety, close connection with God, and daily living experience in the knowledge of Christ, so that even a stammering tongue becomes eloquent and both the most elevated and the lowliest are reached.4T 314.1+2 They are God's workmen to be led and taught by Him and to declare His will plainly and carry out their elevated mission as He directs, not controlled by human authority, presenting truth in Christ's simplicity instead of clothing gems of truth in wisdom of words that leaves them powerless for lack of the Spirit.4T 314.1+1 Their labor must be marked by meekness and humility yet by fearful earnestness that makes people understand these things are reality with life and death set before them, with serious deportment, simplicity, true Christian politeness, plain faithful loving appeal, continuance in well-doing, decided perseverance in righteousness, and disciplined mind loving devotion and heavenly things.2T 506.2

They are God's messengers and stewards commissioned to preach Christ crucified and to proclaim faithfully the whole counsel of God, including distinguishing truths, without hiding or weakening the message, speaking from Christ's Spirit rather than human impulse with self restrained and liberty governed by God's law.13MR 310.3–311.1+1 Their lips must speak words of knowledge and their tongues give utterance to clean, refined, and sanctified expressions of truth, giving a solemn and well-chosen representation of Jesus and revealing Christ in conduct.13MR 310.3–311.1+1 They must do Christ's kind of work by turning from lines that consume time and studying earnestly His life, example, and manner of teaching, for as the greatest educator He met people just where they were, preached few sermons, went about doing good with a great heart of love touched by human woe, and helped people where they were.Ms 20, 1891, par. 29–32 So they must set truth low enough that sheep and lambs receive nourishment and gain deeper knowledge of Christ, themselves feeling converting power and drinking deeply of the water of life under the poured-out Spirit in order to minister to others, working with God in His plan, speaking truth in love, and calling people to respond to received light, labor for themselves and those in darkness and unbelief, and come to living waters.Ms 20, 1891, par. 29–32+2

All who bear Christ's name are to represent Him with pure thoughts and noble uplifting words, with the religion of Christ interwoven with everything done and said, as a sanctified, purified, holy people communicating light to all met and by exemplifying truth becoming a praise in the earth.CT 322.2 Fitness for service rests not on learning, eloquence, or wealth, but on humility, teachability, willingness to speak His words, receiving His Spirit, and living in a way that reflects His character and principles, with courtesy and grace and divinely formed character bearing witness before the world and pointing people to God.STPW91 35.3+2 Those belonging to the church are called to stand before the world as God's commandment-keeping people, with the Sabbath as the sign distinguishing them from the world, and this is an honor.Ms 182, 1905, par. 25 They must be just what they profess, Christlike, elevating the standard and glorifying God now, receiving divine toning and fresh breezes from heaven for stagnant spirituality, with will surrendered and heart so united to Christ that grace flows in, overcoming in the name of Jesus by earnest determined effort that makes the life easy.Lt 16a, 1891, par. 25–26 The work must be done for the heart, not merely correcting outward acts like picking leaves off a living tree that will grow again, but beholding Jesus and becoming changed into His likeness, producing Christian courtesy, propriety, high-toned morality, carefulness in little things, and faithful attention to nearest neglected duties instead of teaching others while neglecting self, so influence elevates and ennobles other lives.Lt 16a, 1891, par. 25–26

To profess to be Christ's ambassador means to serve Christ in works as well as profession, with intelligent knowledge of and full obedience to moral and physical law and perfect faith in Jesus, overcoming appetite and passion as Christ overcame and following His example of self-denial.RH Jun 22, 1916+1 Men in the ministry cannot truly stand in Christ's place while exhorting to holiness yet yielding to appetite and tobacco defilement, acknowledging it as filthy, expensive, and hurtful yet excusing it as a formed habit that cannot be overcome, for such indulgence declares in actions that Satan has greater power than God, shows subjection to Satan's sway because it costs least inconvenience, leads people to despise law, and will meet a fearful record.2RED 77.2–3+2 Their claim to represent Him is contradicted when actions yield to temptation and lead people to despise physical and moral law, and a perverted appetite is unfit for heaven where nothing defiling enters, so the appeal to be reconciled calls for turning from sinful habits including tobacco use.Ms 192, 1905, par. 46–47+1 Those who profess to be ambassadors are accountable before God for influence exerted on others, for example in tobacco use presses boys toward the habit and they will answer for results at final judgment, so service must be clean and temperate in all things.CTBH 194.3–195.1

The ambassador's words are to be heard as the Saviour Himself speaking through His representatives, for Christ appeals, beseeches, and pleads through them in His stead to be reconciled to God.4T 393.2+2 To disregard, reject, or treat with indifference their instruction, warnings, counsel, and appeal brings reproach on God's cause and shows disrespect not to men only but to Christ and the Master who sent them, while reverent reception honors God.4T 393.2+3 All personal considerations must be laid aside so that the word of God may be heard through them as Christ ever sending messages to those who listen for His voice, which requires placing oneself in communication with Heaven in constant moment-by-moment connection and obedience lest Satan impress and control the mind.4T 542.1 Belittling their judgment and accusing them for carrying out this work is recorded against the offender and will bring shame in the day of God.3T 451.2

The church is to sustain, respect, and uphold gospel ministers in opening the living Oracles of truth, for they are God's appointed means of communicating His messages and no tirade should be made against any minister.RH Jan 6, 1903+1 An attack on a minister is an attack on Christ in the person of His messenger.RH Jan 6, 1903+1 Ministers of the Word as Christ's ambassadors are to be respected and treated as such, and the gospel ministry must not be made of no account by exalting medical missionary or other lines as a body above it, but the work must go forward under God's guidance.Lt 92, 1900, par. 25–27 Their work is high and worthy of honor, and brain-work of the ministry is not of less value than muscle-work with the hands, so setting their wages far below hand labor and leaving them in pinching want with no heart to work, as by urging those already on small wages to sell books without profit, lowers and degrades the ambassadorship.Lt 55, 1880, par. 5–8 When the ambassador feels appreciated and encouraged with just support he can labor and young men are encouraged to enter the field, whereas when his work is degraded ministers are lost and young men have no encouragement to become ministers; it is the duty of the people to respect them and of the conferences to support them, for they are as entitled to their wages as workers in institutions, and their labor, trials, and sacrifices are known to God.Lt 55, 1880, par. 5–8+2

The office lays sacred and weighty obligations of integrity and faithfulness, for the minister and especially one in responsible position is entrusted with the highest and noblest work given to mortal man, the saving of souls.5T 371.2+1 Ambassadors belong to the Lord and not to themselves, and God has right to use all their abilities for the honor and glory of His name, requiring them to remain closely connected with God and to make eternal interests first and temporal matters secondary, allowing nothing to come between them and this sacred work to absorb the mind and confuse judgment.RH May 29, 1900+1 Their influence can lead souls for whom Christ died to life or to death, and their earnest appeals and warnings should awaken sinners and lead them in penitence to the Saviour, so consecration and wisdom matter eternally.3T 60.1+1 The worker stands as Christ's messenger and steward of the mysteries of God, which requires calm, holy trust, and when that spirit is absent he must stop where he is and not speak lest he speak unadvisedly and dishonor God.Lt 18, 1895, par. 3 As ambassadors in the church they must exemplify Christ's character, watch faithfully for souls as those who must give an account with no carelessness or inattentive work, acting with the sense of a solemn charge to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus and encouraging those under their charge to higher spiritual attainments and holier lives with tact, wisdom, and power gained through constant communion.5T 371.2+1 Faithfulness as ambassador depends on faithfulness as priest and discerning shepherd in the home, improving God-given talents to make the home a symbol of the heavenly family and guide wife and children to right character for present and eternal good, for he who fails as shepherd in the home will surely fail as shepherd to the flock.Ms 42, 1903, par. 3–4

When an ambassador neglects his watch or lets down his guard and loses connection with heaven he can become a strong influence for wrong, and Satan can use his weakness and use him to lead many souls astray from God.GW92 25.1+1 Those who minister in sacred things speak to the people in Christ's stead carrying God's message of mercy and reconciliation, and their conduct should lead people to reverence God; when they use their calling for selfish or sensual ends they bring disgrace on ministry, shake confidence in religion, and cause God's word to be received with doubt and lose its power.PP 580.1 When members of the church as Christ's representatives unite in prayer and loving entreaty for an offender to be restored, the Holy Spirit speaks through His servants and God beseeches the wanderer by them with Christ pleading in their words to return and be reconciled, so that rejecting that united overture breaks the tie binding him to Christ and severs him from fellowship of the church.DA 441.1–4

The call to be reconciled is urgent while opportunity and probation remain, for now is the hour of probation, now the day of salvation, now God's time, and God's Spirit strives with the entire family to save them if willing to be saved in God's appointed way.2T 102.1+1 Parents and children, youth, families, and all must come into line, press into the ranks, and respond while they may and while pardon can still be found while Christ's blood is pleading and before the day is spent, with each having his own work no one else can do that cannot be shifted to another.Ms 2, 1868, par. 45–46+1 To be reconciled means to listen to Scripture, hear aright, purify the heart from selfishness, receive with meekness the engrafted word, obey God's commandments so body, soul, and spirit are sanctified, seek the pearl of great price, and guard against Satan's deceptions and the suggestions of those departed to seducing spirits, because eternal welfare is at stake on the ground of redemption by the death of God's only begotten Son whose unceasing guardian care preserves every heartbeat and demands gratitude, joy, sacred consecration, thorough conversion, and putting away all plans that do not advance His plans for perishing souls.Lt 32, 1907, par. 3 The appeal is joined to loving one another as Christ has shown His love, and unfaithfulness and neglect that withholds light leaves someone in darkness.5T 463.3–464.2+1

Specific entreaty calls the believer to inquire into thoughts, tempers, purposes, words, and works, comparing the record of religious life with the Bible standard to see whether fruits of righteousness testify to faith, with thorough impartial examination to see defects and make decided advance in overcoming unholy traits that left unovercome will separate from a pure holy sin-hating God and close heaven's doors.ST Jan 4, 1883 It directly implores the man enslaved by Satan through repeated yielding to temptation, who has broken chastity, corrupted his ways before the Lord in presence of sinless angels, violated conscience, sacrificed truth, honesty, and virtue to base selfish desire and become a tempter to others, to be reconciled as his only hope through repentance and confession to pitying Jesus who will pardon abundantly, falling on the Rock to be broken and made a vessel unto honor by thorough conversion and laying hold of divine strength in Christ to form habits of purity and steadfast principle after Joseph refusing to sin against God.Lt 22c, 1890, par. 8–10 It tells the doubting unbeliever who fears no hope remains to hope in God and take courage from His love in giving His Son that whoever believes will not perish but have everlasting life, answering Satan's reminder of sin with Christ Jesus come to save sinners.5T 629.1 Toward one who confesses and pleads for another trial it stands in Christ's place doing what Christ would do by opening the door and welcoming him back and restoring connection without asking promises, calling only to die to self and live unto Jesus, pointing away from self or any human to Him alone as efficiency with the eye fixed on Jesus who takes away sin.Ms 12d, 1896, par. 5–6

Those who respond accept God's appointed way and work out salvation with humility, fear, and trembling.2T 102.1+1 All who come to Christ confessing sins may be received, reconciled to God, and given everlasting life, with mercy to go first to Israel then to every nation gathering believing Jews and Gentiles into one church.DA 821.1 God's delegated messengers acting in His place keep self out of sight and let Christ appear through a patient, kind, forbearing spirit with pure calm words even when adversaries wrest Scripture, misinterpret truth to sustain error, and threaten to provoke retaliation, with angels standing close to keep them in peace and give words as a sweet odor proving the Spirit of Christ and of truth, for Christ is revealed not by show of knowledge, talent, or philosophy but by a soul emptied of natural self.Ms 109, 1897, par. 6–7 To slight and set at nought their testimony is to do the same to the Son of God, and God fits such ambassadors through peculiar trials, poverty, and adversity, obtaining valuable experience qualifying them for the last closing work.Ms 8, 1867, par. 4–6 God's representatives in an evil selfish generation are responsible for discerning righteousness from unrighteousness and truth from error while maintaining the sanctified dignity of their calling.MWISDAP 25.3