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Preaching the Gospel |
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George Fox, in visiting New England Friends asserted that he came to bring people to Christ and leave them there for Christ to show them the true ministry. These people expected Fox to serve as their pastor, but he reminded these souls that Jesus is their true pastor and he was called by the Anointed One to return to England to help establish gatherings in Christ. Nonetheless he expected these Friends to establish meetings with a special outreach to Native Americans. He wrote epistles imploring them to share the Gospel with people of color in addition to addressing the temporal and spiritual wants of Friends. He reminded Friends that they are a people of God who were expected to form and establish meetings under the guidance of the Lord. Earlier in Quaker history Margaret Fell and George Fox sent clothing as well as letters of encouragement to Friends preaching the Gospel in other countries. Such Friends often resided in these places until their meetings became solid in the Name of the Lord. Yes, these dedicated Friends needed economic help and George Fox and his wife were able to supply that help through fundraising. That is why after the establishment of quarterly and monthly meetings, ministers became available to not only preach the Gospel to the world, but equally important, to work with others to establish meetings - and they were supported by weighty Friends who were guided by the Lord. These ministers felt led by the Lord to encourage other Friends to become involved in building the Kingdom. And remember Fox, along with William Penn, visited Germany to encourage German Quakers to reach out and establish gatherings that waited on the Lord. They spent many months in this mission to unite with Christ in ushering in the Kingdom. If we are intent to bring individuals to Christ, God will show us the way.
Arthur Berk |