"We preach not ourselves," Paul continued, "but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." The object of the apostles' ministry was not self-exaltation. They did not covet authority or pre-eminence. They preached Christ. This was their theme. They hid self in the Saviour. The great plan of salvation, and the life of Christ, the author and finisher of this plan, were exalted before their hearers. Christ, yesterday, today, and forever, was the burden of their teaching.

"Thi det er ikke os selv, vi prædiker,” fortsætter Paulus ”men Kristus Jesus som Herre, os selv derimod som jeres tjenere for Jesu skyld. Thi Gud, som sagde: »Af mørke skal lys skinne frem, blev selv et skinnende lys i vore hjerter, for at kundskaben om Guds herlighed på Kristi åsyn må lyse klart.” Formålet med apostlenes tjenestegninger var ikke selvophøjelse. De hiede ikke efter bemyndigelse eller forrang. De forkyndte Kristus. Dette var deres tema. De skjulte selvet i Frelseren. Den store frelsesplan, og Kristi liv, denne plans ophav og fuldender, blev ophøjet for deres tilhørere. Kristus i går, i dag, og for evig tid, var byrden i deres lære.