Spurgeon’s Longing and Key Texts

Charles Hadden Spurgeon was a remarkable Victorian preacher who drew many people to Christ. In his book, ‘The Soul Winner’ he wrote,

“Soul-winning should be the chief business of the Christian minister; indeed, it should be the main pursuit of every true believer. We should each say with Simon Peter,

‘I am going out to fish,’ John 21:3

and with Paul,

‘I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.’” 1 Corinthians 9:22

A major emphasis in this book is the need for the corporate sincere prayer of church members that God will act to save people they meet. He also stresses that churches should do all they can to help outsiders understand the importance of the message about Jesus. In one striking paragraph about the importance of such prayer meetings he says,

“I would make that prayer meeting a special feature of my ministry . . . Do not go walking into the prayer meeting, as so many do, to say anything or nothing that may occur to you at the moment.; but do your best to make the meeting interesting to all who are there; and do not hesitate to tell good Mr Snooks that, God helping you, he shall not pray for five-and-twenty minutes. Earnestly entreat him to cut it short, and if he does not, then stop him.”

Another emphasis is on preparing every Christian for the work of ministry. He urges us to be bold and willing to say to people after a talk,

“Well friend, did you enjoy that discourse? Was there something in it for you? Are you saved? Do you know the way to salvation?”

In the discussions that inevitably follow such boldness he emphasises how important it is for Christians to know where to turn to in the Bible to show what God teaches. Spurgeon continues,

“I often noticed that friend of mine, . . . he seemed to me to open his Bible at most appropriate passages; he appeared to have them all ready and handy, so that he would be sure to hit on the right texts. You know the sort of texts I mean, just those that a seeking soul wants:

‘The Son came to seek and to save the lost.”’ Luke 19:10

. . . that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ John 3:16

‘. . . the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.’ 1 John 1:7

‘All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.’ John 6:37

‘And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ Acts 2:21

Well, this brother has a number of such passages printed in bold type, and fastened inside his Bible, so that he can refer to the right one in a moment, and many troubled souls has he thus led to the Saviour. You will not be unwise if you adopt some such method as he found so exceedingly helpful.’

Should we not all be helping others in the church in these areas of ministry?

BVP