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Mt. Baker Beacon
Vol. 03, No. 47
FISHERS OF MEN
Jarrod M. Jacobs
Mark (and Matthew) record when Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be “fishers of men” (Mk. 1:16-20; Matt. 4:18-22). These men had already met Jesus at the time of this calling (Jn. 1), and now Jesus sees them fishing in the Sea of Galilee and calls for them to be “fishers of men.” What a unique thing to say to these men. How can someone go from fishing for fish to fishing for men? Christ would spend the next three years preparing them for the work!
What is necessary to fish for men? There are several similarities between this and fishing for fish. First, one needs a net if he’s going to catch fish or catch men! The spiritual net that must be spread is the Word of God! Christ wanted them to “cast” this “net” far and wide. He told them to preach about repentance and that “the kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Mk. 6; Lk. 10; Matt. 10). Are we looking for ways to “cast” the gospel net today? Have we thought of ways to use our opportunities to tell others about the Lord? If not, why not?
Another thing these fishers needed was patience! Just as fish aren’t always caught right away, so also, men can be cantankerous and wish to fight against the truth of God’s word. The apostles needed patience! Paul also taught this to Timothy in II Timothy 4:2. The original twelve apostles would see the patience of Christ as He taught the people continually and faced opposition daily (Mk. 2:7; etc.). As “fishers of men,” these men needed patience, just as a farmer has patience when he plants the seed and waits for the harvest (Mk. 4:1-9, 14-20)! Today, we need patience as we teach folks about the Lord. A wise person once told me, “Don’t expect a person to learn in five minutes what it took you five years to learn.”
Fishermen also need faith that the method will work! The procedure for catching fish on Galilee is that one fishes at night and in the shallow end (Lk. 5:5). In Mark 1:16, we read about Jesus walking “by the sea,” i.e., on the shore or beach, and He sees Peter and Andrew “casting a net into the sea.” In the case of fishing for men, the Lord taught these men a method that works! They were to preach God’s word in its fullness and simplicity. They were to teach it faithfully to all (Mk. 6:12, 16:15; Lk. 10:9; Matt. 10:7; II Tim. 2:2). When these faithful men preached the truth, it would produce faith in others (Rom. 10:17). The same is true today! The gospel is “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). Changing the message won’t produce Christians! We need to trust God. His way works every time it is tried!
Just like fishermen, these “fishers of men” had to go where the “fish” (men) were to catch them! Thus, Jesus sent them to where the people were to spread this message. Before His ascension, Jesus would say something similar (Mk. 16:15), instructing His apostles to go “into all the world”! Why? It was so they would “preach the gospel to every creature”! They had to go where the people were! Paul would do this, and we see him going to the synagogues because this is where the people were (Acts 17:3)! It does no one any good if we have a message but refuse to make it known! In this country, opportunities abound to spread the gospel. Yes, we can talk with people about the Lord! (Don’t forget your children, Eph. 6:4! Don’t assume that this “captive audience” knows the gospel if you’ve never taught it to them.) In order to spread God’s word to others, we can open our mouths and speak, write letters to people, send a text or emails, write a note on “social media,” make a phone call, and take advantage of numerous other ways to get God’s message out. Let us actively engage in spreading the gospel.
Christ needed “fishers of men” 2000 years ago in Galilee, and He needs them today. Will you step up to the challenge (Matt. 9:37-38)?
–Adapted, Ed.
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MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST: DOES NOT BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
John 14:15-18
- What is the temple today, and who dwells in it (1 Cor. 3:9-17)?
- While Jesus was going to depart, who would He send, and how long would he abide (Jn. 14:15-18)?
- The Apostles and the Spirit:
- Who were witnesses of the death and resurrection of Jesus (Lk. 24:48)?
- What would Jesus send, and where would this occur (Lk. 24:49)?
- To whom did Jesus give commandments through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:2)?
- To whom did Jesus present Himself alive after His suffering (Acts 1:3)?
- Who was Jesus assembled with (Acts 1:4)?
- What is the Promise of the Father identified as (Acts 1:4, 5)?
- What was received in the promise (Acts 1:8)?
- Who was Matthias numbered with (Acts 1:26)?
- Who was filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4)?
- The Samaritans and the Holy Spirit (Acts 8)
- What did Philip preach (Acts 8:5)?
- What did Philip do (Acts 8:6)?
- How did the Samaritans view Simon (Acts 8:9-11)?
- With what baptism were the Samaritans baptized with (Acts 8:12)?
- What did the apostles hear, and who did they send to Samaria (Acts 8:14)?
- What did the apostles pray for (Acts 8:15)?
- Were the Samaritans baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:16)?
- How and by whom did the Samaritans receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17)?
- What did Simon see, and what did he want to do (Acts 8:18, 19)?
- Was Simon’s request granted or denied (Acts 8:20-23)?
THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
John 16:5-11
- Identify some of the primary works of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 15:26; 16:8-14).
- Who does the Holy Spirit use to accomplish this work?
- What does the Holy Spirit use to fulfill this mission?
Acts 2:37, “Now when they ____________ this, they were cut to the ____________…”
Acts 2:40, “And with many other ____________ he testified and exhorted them…”
Acts 2:41, “Then those who gladly ____________ his ____________ were baptized…”
- What is central to our work in convicting those who contradict (Titus 1:9)?
- 1124_0347_web.pdf (330.01 kB)
