Notes based on the words of Roland Allen

The context of Roland Allen’s classic book Missionary Methods is his missionary work to the ‘third world,’ as an Anglican missionary. His experience is therefore quite different from where I live and serve. However, he looks beyond the ‘received wisdom’ of his day and found much to criticise in the usual practices he observed. Essentially he wanted to return to New Testament practice in mission.

The apostle Paul founded Churches, not missions. He set up no organisation intermediate between his preaching and the establishment of a fully organised indigenous Church.

Paul’s normal practice was to preach in a city for a number of months, and then leave behind a Church. He later returned, appointing elders in the Church.  Church leadership was not found in an external worker, such as one of Pauls’ team, but rather someone from the Church itself. Timothy and Titus were later sent respectively to Ephesus and Crete, to address certain issues, not to lead the Churches.

He perhaps visited again and/or sent a letter, or one or more of his team to support the Church. Paul seems to have been flexible, responding to different issues as they arose. The NT letters indicate a range of issues arising and a range of problems to be addressed.

‘The question before us is, how he could so train his converts as to be able to leave them after so short a time with any security that they would be able to stand and grow. It seems at first sight almost incredible. In the space of time which amongst us is generally passed in the class of hearers, men were prepared by St Paul for the ministry. … What could he have taught them in five or six months? If any one today were to propose to ordain men within six weeks of their conversion from idolatry he would be deemed rash to the verge of madness. Yet no one denies that St Paul did it. The sense of stupefaction and amazement that comes over us when we think of it is the measure of the distance which we have travelled from the apostolic method.’

‘Nothing can alter or disguise the fact that St Paul did leave behind him at his first visit complete Churches. Nothing can disguise the fact that he succeeded in so training his converts that men who came to him absolutely ignorant of the gospel were able to maintain their position with the help of occasional letters and visits at crises of spiritual difficulty.’

Elsewhere, Paul warns Timothy not to appoint someone into eldership too early (1 Tim 5.22). We will need to find the balance between the practice in Acts, where elders were apparently appointed quickly and this later warning. As someone said, truth has two wings.

Clearly we must recognise Paul’s explicit dependence on the Holy Spirit, whilst he was present with his converts and, more so, during his absences. See these words of Paul:

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.  (Phil 2.12-13)

Paul refers to numerous co-workers (more than 50) by name – men and women working with him on his apostolic mission to preach the gospel, to plant churches, to train and release leaders.  Do we struggle to replicate this success because we do not appoint sufficient such workers? And do not appoint them soon enough?

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2.11-14)

The word ‘appearing’ occurs twice in these verses. This is no accident. The Holy Spirit uses repetition sparingly and carefully. Whenever we find repetition, we need to understand what He is saying to us.

V11 – the grace of God has appeared in Christ – the source of salvation ‘for all people’  an indication of the scope of salvation.

V13 – our blessed hope is another ‘appearing’ of the same God and Saviour Jesus Christ. This salvation long promised in Christ, will be fully realised when He appears again.

Grace equips us during this waiting season – between the two appearings These appearings book-end the season of grace. Our lives fall into this season. We do not need to re-introduce the previous way of the law, nor do we seek escapism in avoiding engagement with the world. The grace of God enables us to live faithfully and fruitfully in this world, whilst avoiding these errors.

Paul’s application in v12 and 14 is striking; in each case, a ‘negative’ and then a ‘positive’ statement. His words are clear and direct, yet full of meaning.

So grace:

• Teaches us to say ‘no;’ and
• Live self-controlled and godly

For Christ has:

• Redeemed us from all wickedness; and
• Purified us for good works

Elsewhere, Paul refers to this new way of life (2 Tim 3.10) in which we walk. Grace is key to walking in this new way of life.

(developed from Christ Precious, John Fawcett)

It is said that the Song of Solomon does not mention the name of God. As a result, some have doubted its place in the canon of scripture. Part of the objection to this view is the frequency of NT allusions to the short book. There are five instances at least in the gospels where Christ Himself refers to or alludes to the Song of Solomon

The first two allusions concern salvation. The apostle John describes the mystery of Gods work in calling us to Himself.

1. ‘Take me away with you – let us hurry’ (Song 1.4) is echoed in John 6.44: ‘No-one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.’ The Song of Solomon context is of immature love, love that is being kindled, is just discovered. The wonderful discovery is that the initiative lies with the Father; He lights and kindles that love.
2. ‘Awake, north wind, and come south wind! Blow upon my garden.’ (Song 4.16) is echoed in John 3.8; ‘the wind blows wherever it pleases.’ At any and every moment of life, we need God’s Spirit. John’s comment is in the context of being born again. Life from the Father is ‘delivered’ by the Holy Spirit.
3. ‘At our very door is every delicacy, both new and old, that I have stored up for you.’ (Song 7.13) is echoed in Matt 13.52 ‘Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storehouse new treasures as well as old.’

Romans 7.12, 22 indicate that Paul had learned that he was delivered from law; yet He still delighted in the law in the inner man. He discovered and preached treasures both old and new. The teacher of the law has his/her thinking renewed by the message of the kingdom of heaven. So, we find everywhere in the Old Testament, prophecies and pre-figurements of Christ to thrill our hearts; we find wonderful illustrations of New Testament doctrine to  strengthen our faith; we find nuggets of wisdom to flesh out the way of life in Christ Jesus.

The final two allusions are found in ‘future-themed’ parables; these look forward to circumstances surrounding Christ’s return. They reflect Christ’s call for discipleship in commitment and service. Such is our response to the love of God for us and the work of God’s Spirit in us.

5. ‘He let out the vineyard to tenants.’ (Song 8.11) is echoed in Jesus’ parable in Luke 20.9; ‘A man planted a vineyard and rented it to some farmers.’ According to Kenneth Bailey, this parable should be called; ‘The parable of the compassionate employer.’ He comments that the central focus is not the employees, but the amazing compassion and grace of the employer. We are unable to comment on whether Solomon meets this high standard. (Solomon being the landlord/employer in Song 8).
6. ‘I sleep, but my heart was awake’ (Song 5.2) is echoed in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins; ‘they all (the ten virgins) became drowsy and fell asleep.’ (Matt 25.5). Both scriptures point us to the groom’s imminent arrival. Christ is the one whom our soul loves and longs to be with. Any falling short is due to our lack or urgency and desire for Him.

May our hearts be thrilled afresh with the glorious person of Jesus Christ!