Vol.VIII No.IV Pg.7
June 1971

Queries And Answers

Robert F. Turner

Bro. Turner:

Must a preacher be sent forth by a church to preach? Please explain Rom. 10:15. IQ

Reply:

In Rom. 10: Paul. is saying that all (both Jew AND Gentile) may call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. He then reasons, how call except they believe, and how believe except they hear, and how hear without a preacher or proclaimer, and how preach to both and Gentile except GOD send messengers to all nations. Paul is saying that GOD sent messengers to ALL NATIONS, as it had been prophesied He would do.

The passage first cited by Paul is How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace — and this is from Isa. 52:7, clearly a Messianic prophecy, and one that says further, Jehovah hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations: and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Paul further reasons: Have they (i.e., all nations) not heard? And he answers, Yes verily, their sound (i.e., the proclaimers sound) went into all the earth —. (Rom. 10: 18) Paul then shows (vs. 19-20) that Jews should have known that God was going to send messengers to the Gentiles, for both Moses and Isaiah had said that this would happen.

The person who uses Rom. 10:15 to prove (?) that a church must send a preacher before he is authorized to preach, shows very little regard for the context of Rom. 10:11-21.

Our High Priest, Jesus Christ, has as a priesthood all saints: any and every child of God. These lively stones are built up a spiritual house a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices — or a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, — (1 Pet. 2:5,9). Christians have no clergy-laity distinctions, but one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. (Matt. 23:8)

The Holy Spirit sent forth Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:4) and the church at Antioch but encouraged and wished them God-speed in that work they would have been obligated to do, even if Antioch had disapproved. Note 3 John where a church refused to aid God—approved workers. Churches should encourage and support those who go forth preaching the Word (Phil. 4:15f) but each saint is obligated to the Lord to serve in keeping with his ability, and needs no other authorization than this.

Sometimes the above question comes to the front when there are differences in judgement concerning the starting of a new congregation, or judgement as to the most opportune time or place for some work; or even judgement concerning someones qualifications to preach here or there. We must not confuse matters of judgement and expediency with Bible truth concerning the right to preach. And it would be hard for me to respect the judgement of those who sought to advise me —on the basis that I had no authority to preach the gospel of Christ until some church or board of elders laid hands on me.