The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter

Among the well known Puritans is Richard Baxter (1615-1691). A Puritan is one who desired to purify the Church of England from corrupt doctrine and bad practice. His ministry is credited with transforming a the people of Kidderminster from an “ignorant, rude, and revelling people” to a godly, worshipping community. You can read more about Richard Baxter here.

In his classic work, The Reformed Pastor, Richard Baxter sets out the duties of pastors from the Apostle Paul in Acts 20…I found it absolutely fascinating and challenging….He writes….

“O brethren! write it on your study doors – set it in capital letters as your copy, that it may be ever before your eyes. Could we but well learn two or three lines of it, what preachers should we be!”

1. Our general business – Serving the Lord with all humility of mind and with many tears. (Acts 20:19)
2. Our special work – Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock. (Acts 20:28)
3. Our doctrine – Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21)
4. The place and manner of teaching – I have taught you publicly and from house to house. (Acts 20:20)
5. His diligence, earnestness, and affection – I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. This is that which must win souls, and preserve them. (Acts 20:31)
6. His faithfulness – I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, and have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:27)
7. His disinterestedness and self-denial for the sake of the gospel – I have coveted no man’s silver or gold or apparel: yea these hands have ministered unto my necessities and to them that were with me remembering the words of the lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:33)
8. His patience and perseverance –None of these things move me neither count I my life dear unto me, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 20:24)
9. His prayerfulness – I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)
10. His purity of conscience – Wherefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men. (Acts 20:26)

My prayer is that God through his grace would allow me to live out these ideals as I minister in the City of Southlake.