22. It is utterly sinful for Preachers to neglect “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) — which counsel includes Gen. 1:28, etc.! — and to limit themselves to the so-called “saving truths.” This constitutes a tacit denial of the greater truth of the universal Sovereignty of God.
23. In Scripture, there is no such thing as “the ministry,” but only “ministry.” All Christians are ministers of God, and there are also special ministries – such as governmental ministry in politics (Rom. 13), the female diaconal ministry in the Church (Rom. 16:1f), and the ministry of the Word (Luke 1:1-4). It is, of course, correct for Preachers to remind their congregations of the need for more Preachers and Missionaries, etc. There is such a need, and it is great! But, if this is done in such a way as to raise any suggestion that the calling of Preachers and Missionaries is a higher calling than that of other Christian careers, we have here a remnant of Romish priestcraft contrary to the priesthood of all believers (I Pet. 2:9). Actually, God tells us to remain in our callings (such as unmarriedness or slavery) until He calls us elsewhere (I Cor. 7). God can and does call some from the ministry of law (Rom. 13) into the ministry of the Word — such as Paul; but also calls some out of the “priesthood” into politics, too — such as Moses. Doubtless Paul achieved more for God as a Preacher than he did as a Lawyer, but doubtless too David achieved more for the Lord as a King than he would have as a Priest. And it must be remembered that all believers are called to be Prophets, Priests, and Kings.
