gospel medical missionary work/health evangelism
“The education that meet's the world's standard
is to be less and less valued, by those who are seeking for efficiency
in carrying the Medical Missionary Work in connection with the Third Angel's Message.” 9T 175
is to be less and less valued, by those who are seeking for efficiency
in carrying the Medical Missionary Work in connection with the Third Angel's Message.” 9T 175
LAYING THE FOUNDATION
Many professed medical missionaries are confused as to what constitutes true Medical Missionary Work (MMW). They have laid a faulty foundation by first studying non-Christian secular authors, and thus have introduced New Age and spiritualistic theories into the ranks of Christian believers which can do great harm both physically and spiritually. Christ says, “Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:1, 10. “Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul…” Prov. 29:24.
Medical missionaries must build upon a solid foundation. Paul said, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 3:10, 11. In order to have a solid foundation, there are several books you should study that cover the subject in depth. Before you take up any secular books, you should read the Bible stories that teach the principles of health and Medical Missionary Work along with the writings of inspiration. If you study the Bible and books that teach these principles, you will begin building upon a foundation of truth, and will by God’s grace have the spiritual discernment to detect false theories. There are no shortcuts to learning MMW; you must go through the door.
THE ORIGIN OF MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK
To build upon a solid foundation you need to understand the origin of MMW. The whole concept of Health Evangelism originated in the mind of God. Inspiration writes:
“True medical missionary work is of heavenly origin. It was not originated by any person who lives…In all its bearings it is to be in conformity with Christ’s work.”
Medical Ministry 24
This means that God is the one that defines this sacred work. Therefore, God's methods for healing body, mind, and spirit must be followed in order to experience true success. Inspiration teaches, "There are many ways of practicing the healing art, but there is only one way that Heaven approves." 5T 443. It also means that He is the one who calls and ordains His workers. It is God who gives the Health Evangelist the authority to do this work and assigns them their field of labor. Because it did not originate with unconsecrated men, we should not expect most people to endorse this work. We should not expect men and women who lack spiritual vision to endorse the individuals God has chosen to carry this work. Notice how the Bible describes Jesus giving the commission to His disciples. “Then said Jesus to them, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." John 20:21. “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and ordained you that ye should go forth and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” John 15:16. These lay-evangelists who were chosen, trained and authorized to work outside of the regular channels were steadfastly opposed by the status quo church machinery.
THE GOSPEL IN PRACTICE
Medical Missionary Work is the gospel in practice. When Christ walked the earth and laid hands on the sick to heal them of their infirmities, He was preaching the gospel. "The union of Christlike work for the body and Christlike work for the soul is the true interpretation of the gospel." Evangelism 514. Christ reaches hearts through the relief of physical suffering.
BIBLE STORIES TO STUDY
"The principles of health reform are found in the Word of God." CD 75. Besides individual verses, there are whole chapters in the Old and New Testaments that are devoted to teaching the principles of healing the body, mind, spirit, emotions and social relationships. Below are a few examples. For a more exhausted list please email your request.
SPIRIT OF PROPHECY BOOKS TO STUDY
These are the main spiritual books you should start with before you read other authors:
Many professed medical missionaries are confused as to what constitutes true Medical Missionary Work (MMW). They have laid a faulty foundation by first studying non-Christian secular authors, and thus have introduced New Age and spiritualistic theories into the ranks of Christian believers which can do great harm both physically and spiritually. Christ says, “Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:1, 10. “Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul…” Prov. 29:24.
Medical missionaries must build upon a solid foundation. Paul said, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 3:10, 11. In order to have a solid foundation, there are several books you should study that cover the subject in depth. Before you take up any secular books, you should read the Bible stories that teach the principles of health and Medical Missionary Work along with the writings of inspiration. If you study the Bible and books that teach these principles, you will begin building upon a foundation of truth, and will by God’s grace have the spiritual discernment to detect false theories. There are no shortcuts to learning MMW; you must go through the door.
THE ORIGIN OF MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK
To build upon a solid foundation you need to understand the origin of MMW. The whole concept of Health Evangelism originated in the mind of God. Inspiration writes:
“True medical missionary work is of heavenly origin. It was not originated by any person who lives…In all its bearings it is to be in conformity with Christ’s work.”
Medical Ministry 24
This means that God is the one that defines this sacred work. Therefore, God's methods for healing body, mind, and spirit must be followed in order to experience true success. Inspiration teaches, "There are many ways of practicing the healing art, but there is only one way that Heaven approves." 5T 443. It also means that He is the one who calls and ordains His workers. It is God who gives the Health Evangelist the authority to do this work and assigns them their field of labor. Because it did not originate with unconsecrated men, we should not expect most people to endorse this work. We should not expect men and women who lack spiritual vision to endorse the individuals God has chosen to carry this work. Notice how the Bible describes Jesus giving the commission to His disciples. “Then said Jesus to them, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." John 20:21. “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and ordained you that ye should go forth and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” John 15:16. These lay-evangelists who were chosen, trained and authorized to work outside of the regular channels were steadfastly opposed by the status quo church machinery.
THE GOSPEL IN PRACTICE
Medical Missionary Work is the gospel in practice. When Christ walked the earth and laid hands on the sick to heal them of their infirmities, He was preaching the gospel. "The union of Christlike work for the body and Christlike work for the soul is the true interpretation of the gospel." Evangelism 514. Christ reaches hearts through the relief of physical suffering.
BIBLE STORIES TO STUDY
"The principles of health reform are found in the Word of God." CD 75. Besides individual verses, there are whole chapters in the Old and New Testaments that are devoted to teaching the principles of healing the body, mind, spirit, emotions and social relationships. Below are a few examples. For a more exhausted list please email your request.
- Gen. 1,2 The original health-promoting environment when the world was created.
- Gen. 3:1-7 Sin enters the world by trusting senses and eating something God forbade.
- Gen. 3:18,19 Man’s diet changed after sin. (Gen. 1:29 man first given fruits and grains).
- Gen. 9:1-7 Mankind is allowed to eat flesh after the flood to shorten his life (See Gen. 6:3).
- Gen. 9:20-27 Noah’s drinking causes nakedness. Ham sins and brings curse on his son. Brothers remedy.
- Gen. 25:29-34 Esau sells his birthright, forfeits spiritual blessing for a favorite dish of food.
- Matt. 8:1-4 Man with leprosy healed, but wisely forbidden by Jesus to tell others.
- Matt. 8:5-13 Centurion’s servant healed by exercising faith in the spoken Word.
- Matt. 9:27-31 Two blind men healed according to their faith.
- Matt. 10 Jesus giving power to His disciples and their preaching and healing commission.
- Matt. 15:21-28 Canaanite woman delivered from devil.
- Matt:17:14-21 Lunatick’s son healed by Jesus after the disciples failed.
- Matt:21:12-17 After the Temple is cleansed, the way was prepared for a special session of healing.
SPIRIT OF PROPHECY BOOKS TO STUDY
These are the main spiritual books you should start with before you read other authors:
- Ministry of Healing
- Medical Ministry
- Counsels on Diet and Foods
- Counsels on Health
- Temperance
- The Story of Our Health Message