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Acts 16:7, "After
they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit
suffered them not."
This morning, it is very difficult to explain to someone who is not an Old
Baptist how preachers go from one place to another. When trying to explain the
concept of looking to the Lord, leadership and burdening of the Spirit, and
generally some form of invitation, the concept is as alien to them as space
travel. Most folks are brainwashed into the idea that going forth is based on
the board of "whoevers" and the only reason that a preacher re-locates is
because of "promotion." Such concepts are foreign to the Holy Scriptures, but
the method of the true church's ministers is not. Indeed, a preacher should not
only seek counsel from the Lord on where to pastor, but also where to go preach
(especially if invited). It requires the wisdom of the Lord to know if
re-location is His purpose and desire.
Here, Paul tries to determine where to go next in his travels. He has determined
many different places, but they are not where the Lord has prepared for him to
be. He assays to go here and preach there, but the Spirit suffers him not to go.
Now, if I were a gospel regenerationist, it would be crazy not to go preach
somewhere. A carrier of that theology must have the mindset to physically get to
as many places as possible to give the opportunity to let them hear, accept,
confess, be converted and baptized. However, notice who does the leading. The
Spirit does not suffer Paul to go there. Does that mean that that location had
no children of God in it? Certainly not! The Bible has many different references
where the Lord left His children in darkness for different reasons.
A good example of
this is back in Acts 13. Paul told natural Israel that it was "necessary" that
the gospel be preached first to them. However, since they judged themselves
unworthy of such spiritual things, the gospel went to the Gentiles, and natural
Israel has been in darkness for centuries. Perhaps some of natural Israel is
receptive now and again, but on the whole, the nation is completely ignorant of
God's righteousness, and they are still going about to establish their own
righteousness. Sadly, many Gentiles have this same attitude as well. So, it is
seen that the lack of the gospel is not a sign of lack of regeneration, but it
is a lack of understanding.
Ministers must go
where the Spirit directs, preach what the Spirit lays, and declare the truth in
power and demonstration of the Spirit. Truly, what a beautiful sight it is when
the gospel minister is blessed to come and the hearers blessed to understand.
But, oh how much more beautiful it is to know that this scene is not where our
consolation lies, but it lies in the fact that our Lord is in the heavens and
does whatsoever He pleases to the inclusion of poor wretches like us.
In Hope,
Bro Philip
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