Challenged by the Moravian Example
Because of Zinzendorf’s earlier missionary success, at a meeting with a small group of Baptist pastors in Kettering, England, William Carey threw down copies of the Moravian newsletter Periodical Accounts before the men and declared, “See what the Moravians have done! Can’t we Baptists at least attempt something in fealty to the same Lord?”
Resistance from Church Leaders
Yet, every time he broached the subject with Christian leaders, the reaction was always the same. “You are a miserable enthusiast,” he was rebuked. “If God wanted the heathen of the world to be saved, He would take care of it Himself. There are enough unsaved people in our own midst.”
Carey responded, “Surely God means what He says. Surely He means for us who know Him to carry the message of redemption to all men everywhere!”
Writing the Vision
In spite of the church’s objections, William sat down to write out his missionary vision. His writings grew into a booklet that he entitled An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens. It became known simply as The Enquiry. In it, William asserted, “If it be the duty of all men, when the gospel comes, to believe unto salvation, then it is the duty of those who are entrusted with the gospel to endeavor to make it known among all nations for the obedience of faith!”
Carey skillfully presented his argument for world missions in five powerful sections. It was an astounding proclamation of God’s call to reach the lost.
The Mission Revelation
Section One of The Enquiry focused on Jesus’ Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” (Matthew 28:19 niv). Carey insisted Jesus’ command to evangelize could not be restricted to the early apostles, or else baptizing believers should be restricted as well. “No!” Carey declared. As long as the majority of the world was covered in “heathen darkness,” Christians had an obligation to bring them the message of Christ’s salvation.
“If the English have been blessed to know and live in the grace of God’s salvation for a long while,” he argued, “how could they withhold such a great salvation from those in foreign lands who died without the knowledge of God’s saving grace?”
To be continued…
Tale Tuesday 124
Date: 8th April, 2025
Title: : WILLIAM CAREY (Part 4)
Source: God’s generals- The Missionaries
Author: Roberts Liardon
Previous post
Next post
