To Prepare Men to Meet Christ

The health work was not given alone for individual, personal benefit, but also as a means of awakening the interest and respect of others who may thus be prepared to listen to the message of the near advent of Christ. Thus has ever been kept before this people the place of the physician as an evangelist and the minister as a medical missionary. Note these words in regard to the responsibilities of the Christian physician:SHM 434.2

“Christ has given us an example. He taught from the Scriptures the gospel truths, and He also healed the afflicted ones who came to Him for relief. He was the greatest physician the world ever knew, and yet He combined with His healing work the imparting of soul-saving truth.SHM 434.3

“And thus should our physicians labor. They are doing the Lord’s work when they labor as evangelists, giving instruction as to how the soul may be healed by the Lord Jesus. Every physician should know how to pray in faith for the sick, as well as to administer the proper treatment. At the same time he should labor as one of God’s ministers, to teach repentance and conversion, and the salvation of soul and body. Such a combination of labor will broaden his experience and greatly enlarge his influence.SHM 435.1

“One thing I know, the greatest work of our physicians is to get access to the people of the world in the right way. There is a world perishing in sin, and who will take up the work in our cities? The greatest physician is the one who walks in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.”—Counsels on Health, 544.SHM 435.2

And while in a professional way the physician will meet many to whom he can bring the message for these days, the minister has a great responsibility in knowing how to aid those who are physically in need.SHM 435.3

“The minister will often be called upon to act the part of a physician. He should have a training that will enable him to administer the simpler remedies for the relief of suffering. Ministers and Bible workers should prepare themselves for this line of work, for in doing it they are following the example of Christ. They should be as well prepared by education and practice to combat disease of the body as they are to heal the sin-sick soul by pointing to the great Physician. They are fulfilling the commission Christ gave to the twelve and afterward to the seventy, ‘Into whatsoever city ye enter, ... heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.’ Christ stands by their side, as ready to heal the sick as when He was on this earth in person.”—Medical Ministry, 253.SHM 435.4