The apostles put out their force in order that Christians should honor God by the purity and consistency of their outward lives. They were to reproduce the character of Jesus Christ. They were to perfect his image in themselves, imbibe his temper, and reflect his behavior in all their conduct. They were to be imitators of God as dear children, to be holy as he was holy. Thus even laymen were to preach by their conduct and character, just as the ministry preached with their mouths.
