Honourable means to proclaim the Faith

All Christians are under their Master’s mandate to proclaim the true faith to their own times and preserve it for future generations.

A few (basic) means whereby we may bring the good news of salvation to all the world are as follows:

1. The top priority is to maintain the preaching of the Word, especially expository preaching that instructs, convinces and motivates, delivered by men who walk in close communion with their God. Nothing else should diminish the proper emphasis upon the kerygma.

2. Alongside and supplementary to preaching, the true faith will be preserved by the publication of sound literature addressed to its own generation. Just as the early church had its apologies, its doctrinal and devotional literature, we today should endeavour to have good literature in hand, and motivate the church to read.

This has good biblical precedent in Paul, near the end of his life, requesting books from his colleague Timothy.

Just as we are using Hodge's and Berkhof's Systematic Theologies, we should see to it that yet more excellent theologies are produced for the edification of the church.

Also, a crying need is for evangelistic literature, not only short tracts but also books and booklets addressed to the unbelieving.

3. I should also mention the proper training of faithful men for the ministry (2 Timothy 2:2). This is where colleges and seminaries fill such an important and crucial need. For without men of excellence, with a scholarly grasp upon the Word of God, the churches will wither and faint. Seminaries should see to it that they train men holistically, not just intellectually.

4. But since all the church is to be trained for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4) pastors who have present charges should be discipling all church members, instructing them how to do family devotions, how to witness, etc. There is a lot of potential in the church itself which is untapped.

5. All the above will prove an effective conduit for the truth to be kept shining bright, but if we are to preserve it for future generations, then we have to keep in mind that the promise is unto us and unto our children. It's futile and senseless to try and reach others while your own family is in shambles, and the children uncared for. Thus godly child-rearing is a good way of maintaining the truth of God.

Eunice and Lois passed the truth to Timothy and Timothy to others: from one generation to another, within the family. "Train up a child in the way it should go, and when he grows up he will not depart from it" (Proverbs.). "But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring?" (Malachi 2:15).