Holy Bible (Family Version) John A Hertel 1969-70 A Guide for Religious Workers and Bible Teachers Part 1-Personal work

“A Guide for Religious Workers and Bible Teachers” from The John A Hertel Co. 1969-1970 ********************************* Disclaimer: This is but a section of the Holy Bible published by Mr. Hertel. The information is unique to his version of family Bible and extremely instructive. It has been converted to modern English Standard Version (ESV) and, in some sections, reformatted. The writings will be in italics. I have updated spelling according to current conventions and put those words in brackets once only. Any mistakes made are solely mine. ******************************************* The "A Guide for Religious Workers and Bible Teachers" is rather long so I will bring it to you in sections. The next section is on "Assurance- How you may know you are saved." I think it is essential and very informational on every subject pertaining to being, staying and teaching as a Christian. This section lays out what we are to do as Christians and the supporting scriptures. The work will be in Italics. ****************************************** Section contents: Part 1: [On Becoming Soul Winners] **************************************** As soon as one has been saved by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”), he has the impulse to reveal to others the glorious facts of such a wonderful Savior. In order to help such persons to become efficient soul winners, the following instructions have been compiled. They should be much practical help to Ministers, Bible School Teachers, and Young People’s Workers. *********************************************** 1. WHAT IS MEANT BY PERSONAL WORK? ****************************************** Personal work means individual effort to lead others to an acceptance of the “Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world.” It is distinguished from mass or united effort. It is the impact of one personality upon another personality, with the definite objective of leading that one to a knowledge of the [Savior] and the power and simplicity of his gospel. ************************************ 2. WHAT ARE THE OBLIGATIONS OF PERSONAL WORK? ****************************************** It is not only a high privilege but an imperative obligation to engage in personal work. Christ commanded it: ********************************** “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt. 28:19, 20 *********************** “And he said to them, Go into all the world, and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized, will be saved; but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15, 16 ************************************* “Hence, the command to the Christian is to “go[“], and the command to the sinner is to “come.”” Matt. 11:28-30: [“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”] ************************************************* Christianity is [preeminently] a teaching religion, and as such it appeals to the understanding as well as the emotions of man. No one can come to God until he has a knowledge of how to come. The process of salvation, of becoming a christian, is not one of accident or chance. The will of God must be known by the sinner before he can intelligently obey its provision and accept its promises, but these things cannot be known until they are revealed by some authoritative or qualified source; hence, the great need for efficient, well-trained personal workers in the kingdom of God at all times. ******************************************** The plan and will of God is that the teacher of his word and the untaught be brought into personal contact with each other for the express purpose of teaching and being taught “the way of life and salvation.” This is true in every recorded instance of conversion in Acts of the Apostles. **************************** It is through the teaching and the hearing of God’s word that faith is made possible. (Rom. 10:17:[“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”) Jesus, in quoting an Old Testament prophecy, said: ***************************************** “It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me-” John 6:45 ************************** Therefore, the divine plan or procedure is as follows: ****************************** 1. Teaching. w. Hearing. 3. Learning. 4. Believing. 5. Coming to the Lord Jesus. ************************** 3. WHO CAN AND SHOULD DO PERSONAL WORK? ****************************** Every Christian has an influence and comes in contact with others daily. Those who have “tasted the joys of salvation” will greatly desire, and even feel obligated to tell others. Comparatively few can speak in the public assembly; however, every individual christian should be qualified to lead others quietly and privately to a knowledge of the saving power of our Lord. ********************* As soon as Andrew knew Christ, he told his brother Peter: ************************** “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah”, which means Christ.” John 1:41 *********************** The Samaritan woman left her water pot, and told the men of the city that she had found Christ. ************************************* “The woman then left her water jar, and away into town, and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” John 4: 28, 29 *********************************** 4. WHERE CAN PERSONAL WORK BE DONE? ********************** At home: Mark 5:19 ******************************* “And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.” ************************** Personal work should always begin in the home because the family is the basis of society. On the street: Acts 17:17: “So He reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.” ****************************** Where people meet casually is an ideal place to do personal work. ********************************* As you go walking: Luke 24:32: “They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?” **************************************** In this passage Christ sets the example for carrying on personal work. ************************ At places of business: Mark 2:14: “And He passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow me.” and he rose and followed Him.” ********************* Here, Christ called Matthew from his place as a tax gatherer and asked him to become His follower. *******************************************