0141. Missionary Message: The Benediction

Missionary Message: The Benediction

Perhaps there is no Scripture used more, heard oftener, and understood less than the passage found in 2Co_13:14, which is commonly called "The Benediction."

It is customary for ministers to "offer the benediction," when they dismiss their audiences. It is often put thus by the preacher: "Will the congregation now rise and receive the benediction?"

The fact is that the minister can neither offer the benediction, nor can the audience receive it, in any such a casual and ceremonial way.

Our purpose is to find out the deeper truths of these closing words in Corinthians–the words which have been popularized by preachers and made the expression of their well wishes, their benediction, pronounced at the close of their preaching services.

We want to discover the real meaning of "The love of God", "the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ", and the "communion of the Holy Ghost".

Suffice it to say, by way of introduction, that we have hidden in the depths of these words the most vital of missionary messages. Books might be written about the wonders and wealth of the words of our theme, but books can never discover and dig out all the riches of this mine of truth.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR