September 19

Take heed unto yourselves and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28.

God works saving faith through the office which preaches the Word of Reconciliation, that is, the ministerial office. And this ministerial office is a divine institution. For Paul says to the Corinthians: "God hath committed unto us the Word of Reconciliation. Now, then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, Be ye reconciled to God." Hence, if God has committed the ministry to His servants, and if they are His ambassadors, the ministerial office must be a divine institution. It is God's will and ordinance that the Christians upon this earth should band together, form Christian congregations, and have capable men to whom they extend the ministerial call, and through whom they preach the Gospel publicly and administer the holy Sacraments. Did not Paul say to the elders, the preachers, at Ephesus: "The Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God"? If the Holy Ghost has made the ministers overseers to feed the Church of God, must not their office be a divine institution?

Those sects, therefore, in the Christian Church which despise the ministerial office and refuse to call a minister, or to have a called and ordained servant of the Word preach to them and administer the Sacraments, are at fault and are at open variance with Scripture. They say that they do not believe in a salaried ministry; but how can they say this in the face of such plain statements as: "The laborer is worthy of his hire," or: "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel shall live of the Gospel"? If they believe the plain words of the Bible, they must admit that the ministerial office is a divine institution. The tie uniting pastor and congregation is a sacred tie. Ministers are made overseers by the Holy Ghost. They are stewards of the mysteries of God and servants of Christ.

Prayer.

Lord, grant us Thy grace that the preaching of Thy Word may be effective with us. Thou hast given us the promise that Thy Word shall not return void, but accomplish that which pleases Thee and prosper in the thing whereto it has been sent. Let us

receive Thy Word into a good and honest heart, with true devotion, that it may benefit us, edify us, bring us into closer communion with Thee, increase our faith, and endue us with power to lead a truly Christian life. Be Thou our Light on the path of life. Amen.

Shine on the darkened and the cold, Recall the wand'rers from Thy fold, Unite all those who walk apart Confirm the weak and doubting heart.

So they with us may evermore Such grace with wondering thanks adore And endless praise to Thee be given By all Thy Church in earth and heaven.