And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
Christ gave this charge to the twelve on their first missionary tour to the lost sheep of Israel, with full directions for preaching, healing, traveling without provision, and meeting rejection, so they would understand the plan and cost of the work before them. On entering a city or town they were to inquire with judgment and discrimination for a household of good repute who would value the message and receive them warmly as Christ Himself, and there to abide until they left that place, accepting food and lodging as the test of where to bestow labor. To abide meant not moving from house to house for entertainment nor pressing in where unwelcome, but remaining where the peace could rest and the testimony was received, and going on to new ground when refused. Receiving such hospitality opened the way to bless the home by conversation, Scripture, song, and prayer, while how the messengers were received brought solemn accountability. That same commission is the pattern for work today in medical missionary labor, canvassing, Bible readings, and house-to-house effort, carrying truth with mercy, love, and healing into homes, cities, and sanitariums to reach souls preaching alone would not reach.
Context and Meaning
The instruction was given to the twelve on their first missionary tour when they were sent to the lost sheep of Israel, as part of detailed directions about preaching the kingdom, healing, going without money or extra clothing, greeting houses, and facing rejection. It was given beforehand from complete knowledge of the struggles they would encounter, to show them the plan of the battle and its dangers so they would count the cost and not enter the work blind. The mission was to carry the light of truth first to the Jewish nation, who had the honor of first hearing the message of salvation as lost sheep sought by their Shepherd, and only afterward to Samaritans and Gentiles and to all the world, because beginning elsewhere would have closed entrance to the Jews.
Worthy means a person of good repute whose influence will benefit the cause. It means a suitable home where people value the blessing of the message and receive the messengers warmly as though welcoming Christ himself. How people receive or reject such servants brings accountability. On entering a city or town the workers were to inquire with judgment and discrimination to find that worthy household and abide there until leaving that place. They were to accept offered food, lodging, and support rather than paying for it, and willingness to receive and provide for them tests where time and instruction should be given, so strength is not wasted where it produces no good result.
Abiding means not moving from house to house seeking entertainment and not pressing into homes whether welcome or not. If their peace cannot rest there they are to leave and seek a home where they are received, continuing where the testimony is received and going into new territory when refused. Receiving hospitality creates opportunity to bless the household by talking with them, explaining Scripture, singing Bible songs, and praying.
Present Work and Application
The commission to the first disciples is the pattern for medical missionary work carried on in connection with the third angel's message today. Those sent now go on the same errand, with the Spirit preparing the way before them, carrying a message of truth to give and blessings of mercy, love, and healing to impart. Because of what they bear they are to expect a welcome in the homes of the people, seeking out the worthy household and remaining there during their stay. It is a sanctifying, unifying work that accomplishes wonderful results, and the whole chapter is to be read to prepare workers for their labors.
The same direction is the pattern for giving Bible readings. On entering a city the worker must inquire with judgment and discrimination who is worthy and abide there, with peace resting in the houses where the call is given. Careful judgment is required whether the master of the house should receive labor, so that precious strength and time are not wasted where no good result follows. The workers are not to pay those they visit but to be provided for by the houses where they stay, and willingness to receive and support them tests where time and instruction should be given.
The directions for that first journey are the rule for canvassing work. Canvassers are to go into cities and towns and gain entrance to homes, even the homes of unbelievers, and abide there. By personal contact they are to speak freely of the love of Christ and tell their own experience in first serving the Master. That simple story of Christ's love opens doors and reaches souls that preaching from the pulpit would not reach. The chapter is also full of excellent instruction for receiving all classes into sanitariums and for laboring for the poor and suffering ones.
The instruction to enter homes and remain among people calls church members to present divine truth from house to house and in family circles. It is to be done in love and simplicity and sympathy, in the homes of friends and neighbors who have not yet received full evidence of the truth, reaching those in the highways and byways of life. The poor, the sick, and the bereaved are to be served through kindness so that truth may reach their hearts. The work is carried forward by songs of praise to God and humble, heartfelt prayer, with the divine Worker present to send conviction to hearts. In this house-to-house evangelism the talents of the humble cottager can accomplish more than brilliant gifts.
Those instructions must govern work in the great centers now, with even greater necessity than in that time. Strong men are to be appointed to labor in the cities, with many young men and women associated with them to labor in a humble manner in harmony with those instructions. They are to present the words of eternal life with great ingenuity so that souls are reached and converted. The workers themselves must be thoroughly converted, so they present the Word of truth in a spirit of tenderness that will win hearts.
Christ gave this charge to the twelve on their first missionary tour to the lost sheep of Israel, with full directions for preaching, healing, traveling without provision, and meeting rejection, so they would understand the plan and cost of the work before them. On entering a city or town they were to inquire with judgment and discrimination for a household of good repute who would value the message and receive them warmly as Christ Himself, and there to abide until they left that place, accepting food and lodging as the test of where to bestow labor. To abide meant not moving from house to house for entertainment nor pressing in where unwelcome, but remaining where the peace could rest and the testimony was received, and going on to new ground when refused. Receiving such hospitality opened the way to bless the home by conversation, Scripture, song, and prayer, while how the messengers were received brought solemn accountability. That same commission is the pattern for work today in medical missionary labor, canvassing, Bible readings, and house-to-house effort, carrying truth with mercy, love, and healing into homes, cities, and sanitariums to reach souls preaching alone would not reach.
Context and Meaning
The instruction was given to the twelve on their first missionary tour when they were sent to the lost sheep of Israel, as part of detailed directions about preaching the kingdom, healing, going without money or extra clothing, greeting houses, and facing rejection. It was given beforehand from complete knowledge of the struggles they would encounter, to show them the plan of the battle and its dangers so they would count the cost and not enter the work blind. The mission was to carry the light of truth first to the Jewish nation, who had the honor of first hearing the message of salvation as lost sheep sought by their Shepherd, and only afterward to Samaritans and Gentiles and to all the world, because beginning elsewhere would have closed entrance to the Jews.
Worthy means a person of good repute whose influence will benefit the cause. It means a suitable home where people value the blessing of the message and receive the messengers warmly as though welcoming Christ himself. How people receive or reject such servants brings accountability. On entering a city or town the workers were to inquire with judgment and discrimination to find that worthy household and abide there until leaving that place. They were to accept offered food, lodging, and support rather than paying for it, and willingness to receive and provide for them tests where time and instruction should be given, so strength is not wasted where it produces no good result.
Abiding means not moving from house to house seeking entertainment and not pressing into homes whether welcome or not. If their peace cannot rest there they are to leave and seek a home where they are received, continuing where the testimony is received and going into new territory when refused. Receiving hospitality creates opportunity to bless the household by talking with them, explaining Scripture, singing Bible songs, and praying.
Present Work and Application
The commission to the first disciples is the pattern for medical missionary work carried on in connection with the third angel's message today. Those sent now go on the same errand, with the Spirit preparing the way before them, carrying a message of truth to give and blessings of mercy, love, and healing to impart. Because of what they bear they are to expect a welcome in the homes of the people, seeking out the worthy household and remaining there during their stay. It is a sanctifying, unifying work that accomplishes wonderful results, and the whole chapter is to be read to prepare workers for their labors.
The same direction is the pattern for giving Bible readings. On entering a city the worker must inquire with judgment and discrimination who is worthy and abide there, with peace resting in the houses where the call is given. Careful judgment is required whether the master of the house should receive labor, so that precious strength and time are not wasted where no good result follows. The workers are not to pay those they visit but to be provided for by the houses where they stay, and willingness to receive and support them tests where time and instruction should be given.
The directions for that first journey are the rule for canvassing work. Canvassers are to go into cities and towns and gain entrance to homes, even the homes of unbelievers, and abide there. By personal contact they are to speak freely of the love of Christ and tell their own experience in first serving the Master. That simple story of Christ's love opens doors and reaches souls that preaching from the pulpit would not reach. The chapter is also full of excellent instruction for receiving all classes into sanitariums and for laboring for the poor and suffering ones.
The instruction to enter homes and remain among people calls church members to present divine truth from house to house and in family circles. It is to be done in love and simplicity and sympathy, in the homes of friends and neighbors who have not yet received full evidence of the truth, reaching those in the highways and byways of life. The poor, the sick, and the bereaved are to be served through kindness so that truth may reach their hearts. The work is carried forward by songs of praise to God and humble, heartfelt prayer, with the divine Worker present to send conviction to hearts. In this house-to-house evangelism the talents of the humble cottager can accomplish more than brilliant gifts.
Those instructions must govern work in the great centers now, with even greater necessity than in that time. Strong men are to be appointed to labor in the cities, with many young men and women associated with them to labor in a humble manner in harmony with those instructions. They are to present the words of eternal life with great ingenuity so that souls are reached and converted. The workers themselves must be thoroughly converted, so they present the Word of truth in a spirit of tenderness that will win hearts.