Chapter 4, THOSE WHO ARE CALLED TO DO MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK

The medical missionary commission

1 - EVERY CHURCH MEMBER IS CALLED TO DO MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK

“Workers—gospel medical missionaries—are needed now. You cannot afford to spend years in prepa- ration. Soon doors now open to the truth will be for- ever closed. Carry the message now. Do not wait, al- lowing the enemy to take possession of the fields now open before you. Let little companies go forth to do the work to which Christ appointed His disciples. Let them labor as evangelists, scattering our publications, and talking of the truth to those they meet. Let them pray for the sick, ministering to their necessities, not with drugs, but with nature’s remedies, and teaching them how to regain health and avoid disease.”—9 Testimonies 172.

2 – EVERY MOTHER IS CALLED TO MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK

“There are many ways in which water can be applied to relieve pain and check disease. All should become intelligent in its use in simple home treatments. Mothers, especially, should know how to care for their families in both health and sickness.”—Ministry of Healing, 237.

3 – EVERY CHILD IS CALLED TO MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK

“The Lord has appointed the youth to be His helping hands. If in every church they would consecrate themselves to Him, if they would practice self-denial in the home, relieving their careworn mother, the mother could find time to make neighborly visits, and when opportunity offered, they could themselves give assistance by doing little errands of mercy and love. Books and papers treating on the subject of health and temperance could be placed in many homes. The circulation of this literature is an important matter; for thus precious knowledge can be imparted in regard to the treatment of disease.”—7 Testimonies, 64- 65.

4 – EVERY MINISTER IS CALLED TO MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK

“Let our ministers who have gained an experience in preaching the Word, learn how to give simple treatments, and then labor intelligently as medical missionary evangelists.”—Counsels on Health, 397.

5 – EVERY PHYSICIAN IS CALLED TO MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK

“Christ has given us an example. He taught from the Scriptures the gospel truths, and He also healed the afflicted ones who came to Him for relief . . And thus should our physicians labor. They are doing the Lord’s work when they labor as evangelists, giving instruction as to how the soul may be healed by the Lord Jesus. Every physician should know how to pray in faith for the sick, as well as to administer the proper treatment. At the same time He should labor as one of God’s ministers, to teach repentance and conversion, and the salvation of soul and body.”—Counsels on Health 544.

6 – EVERY BIBLE WORKER IS CALLED TO MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK

“All gospel workers should know how to give the simple treatments that do so much to relieve pain and remove disease.”—Counsels on Health, 389. “The voice of the third angel’s message is to be heard with power. Let the teachings of health reform be brought into every effort made to get the light of truth before the people.”—Evangelism 533 (Medical Ministry, 304).

7 – EVERY NURSE IS CALLED TO MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK “Missionary nurses who care for the sick and relieve the distress of the poor will find many opportunities to pray with them, to read to them from God’s Word, and to speak of the Saviour. They can pray with and for the helpless ones who have not strength of will to control the appetites that passion has degraded . . The revelation of unselfish love, manifested in acts of disinterested kindness, will make it easier for these suffering ones to believe in the love of Christ.”—Counsels on Health, 388.

8 – EVERY COLPORTEUR IS CALLED TO MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK “As the canvasser goes from place to place, he will find many who are sick. He should have a practical knowledge of the causes of disease, and should understand how to give simple treatments, that he may relieve the suffering ones. More than this, he should pray in faith and simplicity for the sick, pointing them to the Great Physician. As he thus walks and works with God, ministering angels are beside him, giving him access to hearts. What a wide field for missionary effort lies before the faithful, consecrated canvasser; what a blessing will be his in the diligent performance of his work.”—Counsels on Health, 463-464.

9 – EVERY FOLLOWER OF JESUS IS CALLED TO MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK “And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease . . ‘Go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.’ ”—Matthew 10:1,7-8.

“To many of the afflicted ones who received healing, Christ said, ‘Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee’ (John 5:14). Thus He taught that disease is the result of violating God’s laws, both natural and spiritual. The great misery in the world would not exist did men but live in harmony with the Creator’s plan . . We are to be workers together with God for the restoration of health to the body as well as to the soul. “And we should teach others how to preserve and to recover health. For the sick we should use the rem- edies which God has provided in nature, and we should point them to Him who alone can restore. It is our work to present the sick and suffering to Christ in the arms of our faith. We should teach them to believe in the great Healer. We should lay hold on His promise, and pray for the manifestation of His power. The very essence of the gospel is restoration, and the Saviour would have us bid the sick, the hopeless, and the afflicted take hold upon His strength . . “It is in doing Christ’s work that the church has the promise of His presence. ‘Go teach all nations,’ He said; ‘and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ To take His yoke is one of the first conditions of receiving His power. The very life of the church depends upon her faithfulness in fulfilling the

Lord’s commission.”—Desire of Ages, 823-825.