Date of Award
5-1976
Document Type
Paper
Department
Seminary
Abstract
B.T. Roberts, the spiritual forefather of all Free Methodists and the first bishop of the church "born of necessity" in 1860, was a man in the lineage of John Wesley the spiritual forefather of Methodism and Francis Asbury the first bishop of American Methodism.. Bishop Roberts was convinced that being a success does not come by chance in the work of the Lord.. He wrote in his book, ~ .2£ ~' "He who works for God never loses the fruit of his labors. Failure is clearly beyond the range of possibility .. " This same positive approach is given in the call of Peter and Andrew as Jesus said, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19).. This is a promise of success! And reading further we find Jesus saying to Simon Peter, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men" (Luke 5:10)., Jesus tells His disciples that His doctrines will be unpopular and provoke the deep est opposition, yet there will be such a divine fascination attending faithful preaching that men shall be drawn to Christ and caught by it."
Recommended Citation
Cooper, Ralph E., "A Projected Growth Strategy for the Madras Free Methodist Church" (1976). Western Evangelical Seminary Theses. 332.
https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/wes_theses/332