MEN WHO ARE SENT
By John C. Carpenter
The apostle Paul wrote, For whosoever shall call upon thc name of the Lord shall be
saved. How then shall they call on hlm in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
And how shall they hear wlthout a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the
feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For
Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Rom l0:13-l7).
Where
do we get our faith from? The apostle Paul makes it clear that we get our faith from hearing the preaching of men who are sent by
the word of God. Romans 10:17 is simply a summary of what was outlined in Romans 10:13-15. These verses indicate that salvation is
the result of calling upon the name of the Lord (v. l3), we call on Him because we believe.in Him (v.14), we believe in Him because
of hearing about Him (v. 14), we have heard about Him from preachers who preach (v. 14), and preachers preach because they are sent
(v. 15).
EVEN SO SEND I YOU
By whom, and how, are men sent to preach the Gospel? Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be
unto you; as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you (John 20:21). Jesus Christ is the one who sends individuals to preach. How
does He send these individuals? Acts 13:4 gives the answer, in that men are sent forth by the Holy Ghost. How does the Holy Ghost
[or Holy Spirit] work? The Scriptures teach that it is not meant for us to completely understand this question, in that the Lord says,Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again [believe, have faith]. The wind bloweth where it listeth and thou hearest
the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit (John 3:7-8).
The Lord is saying that we may not see and understard completely how the Spirit moves and works, but we do see the impact or result
[we hear the sound of it]. Although the Lord is specifically talking in context here about being born again, the point is that whether
the Spirit is working to save, heal, deliver, comfort, chasten, or send to preach, we as humans do not and will not fully understand
the processes by which the Holy Spirit performs these functions. What is important, though, is that the Holy Spirit is in charge,
and does perform these functions.
We should ask, how does the word word in Romans 10:17 relate to preachers being sent in Romans
10:15? In Romans 10:17, the word translated word is the Greek word Rhema. Strong's Concordance defines Rhema as an utterance, matter
or topic spoken about, a saying, or a word. The word Rhema is derived from the Greek words Rheo and Ereo which mean to utter, speak,
say, make, command, or speak of. The definition adds that Rheo implies the idea of pouring forth. In short, Rhema means to utter,
speak, or say by pouring forth. The Greek word Rhema may be found in many verses including the following: (A) But he answered and
said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word [Rhema] that proceedeth of the mouth of God (Mat 4:4); (B)And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word [Rhema] of God (Eph 6:17); (C) Through faith we understand
that the worlds were framed by the word [Rhema] of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (Heb
ll:3); and (D) But the word [Rhema] of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word [Rhema] which by the gospel is preached unto
you (l Peter 1:25).
THE HOLY GHOST POURS, FLOWS, AND MOVES
Pouring, flowing, and moving are often mentioned in the Scriptures
as synonymous with the operation of the Holy Spirit. In Acts, we read: And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished,
as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 10:45). The gospel of
Matthew tells us There came unto Him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment (a type of the Holy Spirit), and poured
it on his head, as he sat at meat (Matt 26:7). The prophet Joel prophesied And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your doughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams (Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17). Christ said, He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out
af his belly shall flow rivers af living water (John 7:38). The rivers of living water referred to here are a type of the Holy Spirit.
The apostle Peter said, For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by
the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:21).
HEARING SENT MEN
Numerous scriptural examples can be found to verify that faith [belief]
results from listening to the preaching of men who were sent by the speaking, pouring, flowing, and movement of the Holy Spirit [Rhema].
These examples include: (A) Paul was sent by the Holy Ghost (Acts 16:6-10), he preached (Acts l7:3), and some of them [who heard the
preaching of Paul] believed (Acts 17:4); (B) Phillip was sent by the angel of the Lord (Acts 8:26), he preached unto him Jesus (Acts
8:35) and the man of Ethiopia answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Acts 8:37); (C) The Holy Ghost said,separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them (Acts 13:2). Barnabas and Saul were sent forth by the Holy
Ghost (Acts 13:4), preached the Word of God in the Synagogues of the Jews (Acts l3:5), and the deputy, when he saw whot was done,believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord (Acts 13:12); and (D) Paul and Barnabus were sent (Acts l3:2), published [preached]the Word of God (Acts 13:49), and a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed (Acts 14:1).
CHRIST IS THE
DIVINE EXPRESSION
The Greek Word Rhema must be differentiated from two other Greek words Logos and Graphe. Strong's Concordance
defines Logos as something said a topic, reasoning, motive, speech, communication, talk or utterance. The definition also says that
the word Logos is representative of the Divine Expression, i.e. Christ. Logos is used when reference is made to Jesus Christ and His
speaking and operation, and is found in many verses, including: (A) In the beginning was the Word [Logos] and the Word [Logos] was
with God, and the Word [Logos] was God (John 1:1); (B) And the Word [Logos] was made flesh, and dwelt amang us, and we beheld His
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14); (C) The Word [Logos] which God sent unto
the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all (Acts 10:36); (D) Now the parable is this: The seed is
the word [Logos] of God (Luke 8:11); (E) For the word [Logos] of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents
of the heart; Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes ofhim with whom we have to do (Heb 4:12-13); and (F) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with
our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, the Word [Logos] of life (1 John 1:1).
SCRIPTURE IS HOLY GRAPHE,
OR WRIT
Strong's Concordance defines Graphe as a document, a holy writ, or scripture, and is used in reference to the scriptures
[or what is referred to as the Bible]. Graphe can be found in many verses, including: (A) And He began to say unto them, this day
is the scripture [Graphe] fulfilled in your ears (Luke 4:21); (B) He that believeth on Me, as the scripture [Graphe] hath said, out
of his belly shall flow rivers of living water (John 7:38); (C) All Scripture [Graphe] is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16); and (D) Knowing this first, that no prophecy
of the scripture [Graphe] is of any private interpretation (2 Pet 1:20).
When the word word is found in our bibles, we must always
check to see if the Greek word Logos or Rhema is being used. Although there are other Greek words occasionally found, these other
Greek words are beyond the scope of this review. Differentiating these two Greek words is important because Logos refers to Christ,
whereas Rhema refers to the Holy Spirit. We must not confuse these two Greek words with a third Greek word Graphe, which refers to
the Holy Scriptures [the bible, or what many refer to as the word]. It is essential to differentiate these three Greek words because
of the meaning and purpose of each.
The Graphe [scriptures, or bible] is given to us to be profitable for doctrine, reproof,
correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16), to testify of Him [Christ] (John 5:39), to expound unto us the things concerning
Christ (Luke 24:27), so we may know whether those things were so [the truth] (Acts 17:11), to confirm to us that this Jesus, whom
I preach unto you, is Christ (Acts 17:3), so that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Tim 3:17),
and for our admonition (1 Cor 10:11).
The purpose of the Logos [Christ] was not to send [bring] peace, but a sword [the Holy
Spirit] (Mat 10:34), to call not the righteous, but sinners, to repentance (Mark 2:17), to do the will of him that sent him (John
6:38), to bear witness of himself (John 8:18), to save the world (John 12:47), to fulfill the law and prophets (Mat 5:17), that they
which see not might see, and that they which see might be made blind (John (9:39), that they might have life (John 10:10), to give
those that believe on His name the power to become the sons of God (John 1:12), to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29), todie for the ungodly (Rom 5:6), and to come that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:17).
The purpose of the Rhema [Holy
Spirit] is to give us life (Mat 4:4), to give us faith (Rom 10:17), to uphold all things (Heb 1:3), to frame the worlds, so that the
things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (Heb 11:3), to send preachers by which the gospel is preached unto you (1
Pet 1:25), to quickeneth (John 6:63), and to sanctify and cleanse us (Eph 5:26). This is not an exhaustive list of the things we get
from Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Scriptures, but the point remains that each has a different role, purpose, function, and
intended result.
GOD BECOMES ANGRY WHEN WE REJECT THOSE HE SENDS TO US
Speaking primarily to the Jewish church in Jerusalem,
Christ said, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I
have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Mat 23:37). God gave
His reaction when He said, Behold, your house is left unto you desolate (Mat 23:37-38). The Lord is saying that one of the reasons
the Jewish synagogue in Jerusalem would be left desolate was because the Jews had killed the prophets and stoned [rejected] those
sent to them. Speaking to the chief priests, scribes, and elders, the Lord gave the parable of the vineyard. When one servant was
sent, they caught him, and beat him and sent him away empty (Mark 12:3), and another servant, at him they cast stones, and wounded
him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled (Mark 12:4). A third servant was sent and him they killed, and many others;beating some, and killing some (Mark 12:5). Finally, the son was sent and they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard (Mark
12:8). When God's servants are rejected, stoned, beaten and killed, God says, He will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give
the vineyard unto others (Mark 12:9).
While sending out the original twelve disciples, the Lord told them, and whosoever shall
not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say
unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city (Mark 6:11). Christ makes it
clear here that those who refuse to receive or hear those that God sends will be tolerated less in the day of judgment than the cities
of Sodom and Gomorrha.
Christ gave us a last example in the parable of the wedding banquet, when He said, Again, he sent forth other
servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things
are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and
the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he
sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city (Mat 22:4-7). In this parable, the king is a type of
God, who destroyed those individuals, and their city, that rejected the servants He sent to them. Whether you are a Christian or not,
it is essential that you do not reject anyone that God sends to you. God is sorely angered when his servants are rejected, and He
will destroy you, sooner or later.
ASK CHRIST TO SEND YOU TO SENT PREACHERS
The word, or Rhema, that sends individuals to
preach is the Holy Spirit. This enables men to hear, and have faith [believe] in Christ. This, in turn, causes men to call on the
name of the Lord, which results in salvation. As Paul summarized, So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word [Rhema:
Operation of the Holy Spirit] of God (Rom 10:17).
If you are not a Christian, but would like to know and have the faith of Christ,
go and listen to preachers who are sent by the Holy Spirit. If you are a Christian, and would like to strenghten your faith, likewise
go and listen to preachers who are sent by the Holy Spirit. But you are probably asking, how can I tell if a preacher is sent by the
Holy Spirit? Two things are suggested: First, ask Jesus Christ to reveal to you whether He has sent a preacher, and via the Holy Spirit,
Christ will show you. Referring to the coming of the Holy Spirit, Christ informs us, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come,
he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will
show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you (John 16:13-14). The amplified
translation of these verses reads, But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth, the whole, full truth.
For He will not speak His own message, on His own authority, but He will tell whatever He hears from the Father, will give the message
that has been given to Him, and will announce and declare to you the things that are to come. He will honor and glorify Me, because
He will take of what is Mine and will reveal [declare, disclose, transmit] it to you (John 16:13-14, Amplified). Jesus Christ promises
here that the Holy Spirit will reveal and disclose to you those that are His and sent by Him. Secondly, listen to what a preacher
says, and ask yourself who is the preacher speaking of, and who is being glorified? The Lord instructs us, He that speaketh of himself
seeketh his own glory; but he that seeketh his own glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him (John 7:18).If a preacher is sent by Jesus Christ, the preacher will consistently speak of, and glorify Jesus Christ.
Be encouraged, for
the Holy Spirit not only sends sent preachers to you, but when you ask Him, will send you to sent preachers. AMEN!