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Laying on of Hands - A Call to Service by J-me 10/1/2009 6:42:33 AM
The fourth principle of the Doctrine of Christ according to Hebrews 6:1-2 Jesus Christ the Lord of all glory has called every believer to service. This is evidenced by the Great Commission.
• Mark 16:15-20, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirmaing the word with signs following. Amen."
As evidenced by the scripture, Jesus tells every believer to, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." This is the call to service by Jesus to every believer; to join the battle for the lost souls of mankind. What is the result of this battle? The salvation or damnation of the souls of men.
Who is called to service? Every born again believer. God has given every believer a calling and gifts to perform his assigned calling.
How can a believer know what his calling is? Or what gifts God has given him?
First, every believer from least to greatest has been given the power to testify for Jesus Christ.
• Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth."
Every believer has the power to witness about his personal repentance and salvation experience through Jesus Christ, and can attest to God's great love for all mankind. This is the foundation from which even greater power and witnessing can be performed, for no person can possibly witness about Jesus Christ without first having experienced his saving, transforming power.
Is witnessing for Christ an option. No. Absolutely not.
• Matthew 10:32-34, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."
It is important that every believer realize that he is called into the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Part two will discuss the call to Leadership Service.