ven 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.
The Physician as an Evangelist
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
[28] experience and greatly enlarge his influence.
One thing I know, the greatest work for 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.
The Minister as a Medical Missionary
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.
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Complete Ministry 31
They are fulfilling the commission which Christ gave to the twelve
and afterwards 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.
To take people right where they are, whatever their position,
whatever their condition, and help them in every way possible, this
is gospel ministry. It may be necessary for ministers to go into the
homes of the sick and say, “I am ready to help you, and I will do the
best I can. I am not a physician, but I am a minister, and I like to
minister to the sick and afflicted.” Those who are sick in body are