The Word of God shows clearly that there were gifts for ministry of different kinds, but it never intimates that the Church either bestowed the gifts, or gave authority to use them. The gifts are divinely given, and authority flows directly from the Word of God. "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord." 1 Cor. 12:45. Here the Spirit distributes the gifts, and the Lord directs the services. Man's appointment and man's will are both excluded.
Human appointment to ministry has been the source of much evil throughout the professing Church. It has been the means of pushing many into the work who have no fitness for it. And it has hindered the ministry of many who have gift for it, but who were unable to reach the requirements of a human system in order to be appointed. How solemn for men to put themselves between God and one whom He has gifted for ministry, or to appoint to the work of ministry those whom God has never gifted.
May we realize how solemn it is and seek to build with God and in His fear, even though it should separate us from the mass who are building under the authority of man. The Lord's servant is bound to be faithful at all cost, and though he should serve alone, better this with the Lord's approval, than all the praise of men without it.
The world may call it folly, and his brethren may call him mad, but what of that? Was not Paul rejected and hated and persecuted? Did not even those who were the seal of his ministry become ashamed of his chain? All in Asia forsook him, but the Lord stood with him and strengthened him. Has not the servant of the Lord the same resource now? Can he not count upon the Lord? The Lord is faithful, and this is enough for the servant who really knows his Master. The reward is not now; it will come by and by.
No doubt the true servant will find plenty of difficulties. It has always been so, and not less so now. Confusion has come in and his path lies through its midst. The members of Christ have been scattered through many sects, and the servant must hold himself ready and be at the Lord's bidding to go to any of these members and minister to their need. If it interferes with the plans and arrangements of men, he cannot help it. It is before God that he is to justify himself, not before men.
The path is difficult because of existing confusion, and men will seek to make it more difficult, but He who has the key of David, who opens and no man shuts, and shuts and no man opens, is able to set an open door before him which no man can shut. Blessed will be that servant who holds his commission directly from the Head, and who acts as under His eye alone seeking His glory and the blessing of all His members. However his work may appear in the eyes of men, it will be found in that coming day of testing that his work will abide on the foundation and that he has built gold, silver and precious stones that will endure forever.
In this day of confusion and ruin, may we take both warning and encouragement from Paul's last charge to Timothy, his son in the faith: "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine." 2 Tim. 4:1, 2.
A. H. Rule