The Bible teaches that each one has responsibility of teaching others. I know of no finer example of this than this scripture: "One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, we have found the Messias, which is being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus . . ." (Jno. 1: 40-42).
Here is a passage which has the solution for converting the entire world. If every member would teach another, the world could soon have the gospel preached to her.
(1) EVERY CHRISTIAN MUST BE A SOUL WINNER. Solomon said, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise" (Prov. 11:30). In trying to teach another we must realize that we are dealing with something made in God's image (Gen. 1:26-27), we are dealing with something eternal (Eccl. 12:7), and something which is more valuable than the world (Mt. 16:26)--we are dealing with the soul! Jesus said, "Come ye after- me, and I will make you to become fishers of men" (Mk. 1:17).
(2) EARLY CHRISTIANS WERE PERSONAL WORKERS. "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ" (Acts 5:42). Not even persecution kept them from preaching the gospel. "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word" (Acts 8:4).
(3) TEACHING OTHERS IS A CONDITION OF SAL VA TION. Paul said, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" II Tim. 4:16). Two qualities are necessary when we teach others--"faithful" and "able" (2 Tim. 2:2). Faithful and able Christians are charged with the grave responsibility of teaching others.
(4) THE WORK MUST BE DONE NOW. The work must be done while it is yet day. (Jno. 9:4) Jesus said, "Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest" (Jno. 4: 35). The work of teaching others must be done now for "behold now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2).
(5} WORK THAT EACH CAN DO. Many times, members fail to do the work that needs to be done by saying, "I don't know what to do!" Here is a list of things you can do:
a. Invite others to attend the services. Jesus invites men to come to him. (Mt. 11:28)
b. Keep your life in harmony with your profession. (Rom. 2:21-22)
c. Be friendly with others. (Prov. 18:24)
d. Put the church first in your life. (Matt. 6:33)
e. Get behind the elders and offer them your help.
f. Have a home Bible study at your house with a neighbor.
g. Visit. (The sick, new members, those who attend the services here, each other, dropouts, inviting any to attend) (Jas. 1:27, Matt. 25:31-46)
h. Attend every service yourself. {Heb. 13:1-2}
j. Support the work by giving as prospered. (I Cor. 16:2)
(6) "AND HE BROUGHT HIM TO JESUS" Andrew, after hearing Jesus, first found his brother and took him to the right person--Jesus. In doing personal work we must take a prospect to the right person. This is Jesus Christ. He is the way to the Father. (Jno. 14:6) Christ is the one who has the words of life. (Jno. 6:68) A person also must be brought to the right church8the church you read about the New Testament. (Rom. 16:16) You must bring one the right plan--God's plan. This involves: hearing the gospel, faith, repentance, confession and baptism. (Rom. 10:17, Acts 17:30, Mt. 10:32, Mk. 16:16).
After leading one to Jesus, a person mast be taught to worship God after the New Testament order, (Jno. 4: 24, Acts 2: 42, Eph. 5:19) and live a faithful life. (I Cor. 15:58, Rev. 2:10).
TRUTH MAGAZINE XIV; 31, pp. 10-11
June 11, 1970
