The article critiques the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s interpretation of Romans 10:14, which claims that the verse teaches the necessity of an ordained minister for understanding God’s word. The author argues that this interpretation is overly rigid and misses the true intent of the passage. Romans 10:14-15 emphasizes the importance of hearing the gospel, but it does not mandate that an ordained minister must be the one to deliver it. The essay contends that the passage speaks more broadly about the delivery of God’s word through various means, including reading the Bible, and that the focus is on receiving the message, not on the messenger’s credentials. The use of “feet” in the passage is viewed metaphorically, highlighting the value of any method by which the gospel is delivered.
The article overlooks a key point in Romans 10:15, which clearly states, “How are they to preach unless they are sent?” This phrase cannot be ignored because it directly contradicts the claim that the passage does not require a particular kind of messenger. The verse clearly emphasizes that preaching the gospel involves being “sent,” meaning that the preacher must be specifically commissioned or authorized by God. By downplaying or ignoring this crucial part of the verse, the article dismisses an essential biblical principle that God deliberately sends messengers to proclaim His word.
Throughout scripture, the concept of being “sent” is central to the role of those who preach God’s message. For example, in Isaiah 6:8, the prophet responds to God’s call, saying, “Here am I. Send me!” Similarly, in John 20:21, Jesus says to His disciples, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” These examples reinforce the idea that preaching is not a casual activity anyone can undertake, but a task given to individuals appointed by God.
Moreover, Jeremiah 1:7 further emphasizes that God’s messengers are personally chosen and sent by Him to deliver His message: “You shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.” The article fails to acknowledge that Romans 10:15 aligns with this biblical pattern of God sending His chosen representatives to preach.
By ignoring the significance of being “sent” in Romans 10:15, the article dismisses an essential part of Paul’s message. It is not simply about anyone delivering God’s word by any means, but about those who are divinely commissioned to preach. This oversight weakens the argument and misses the full biblical context regarding the role of messengers in proclaiming the gospel.
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