Giants of the Reformation (6)

“…I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20.20, 21

Institutes of the Christian Religion
John Calvin (1509-1564)
“Therefore, in the communion of the saints, our sins are continually forgiven us by the ministry of the church itself when the presbyters or bishops to whom this office has been committed strengthen godly consciences by the gospel promises in the hope of pardon and forgiveness. This they do both publicly and privately as need requires.”

To pastors and elders (“bishops”) is entrusted the ministry of the Word of God. Whatever shepherds do, whatever our work of ministry requires of us, the Word of God must be central. And the aim of our ministry of the Word is the transformation of the souls of those we serve – to fill their minds with the truth of God, their hearts with the love of Christ, and their consciences with the priorities of the Kingdom. We minister God’s Word publicly and in private, until those we serve think with the mind of Christ, love with the heart of God, will what God wills, and follow the Spirit in doing what God would have them do. All that a shepherd does in his ministry week by week must line up behind this calling to preach and teach the Word, aiming at the souls of those we serve.

What do you do to make sure that the Word of God has primacy of place in all your ministry activities? How do you aim the Word at the souls of those you serve?

T. M. Moore

Prayer for Revival
We’re seeking to begin a new monthly Revival Prayer Group to meet on the third Thursday of every month at 5:00 pm Eastern. We’re looking for men who will commit to regular prayer together, seeking the Lord for revival, renewal, and awakening. To learn more about praying for revival – why, how, and to what ends – write to me, and I’ll send you a free copy of my book, Restore Us! Our Revival Prayer Groups meet online, so all you have to do is click in at the appointed time. If you’d like to participate in this monthly prayer effort, drop me a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I’ll send you the details.

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, John T. McNeill, ed., Ford Lewis Battles, tr. (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960), Vol. 2, Book IV, pp. 1012ff.