(This message was preached at the 10th anniversary of the ordination and installation of Rev Brian McClung as minister of Newtownabbey FPC.)

"Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles."

No church or college can make a minister. That power belongs to Christ alone. The cornerstone of a true ordination is seeing and hearing Christ. While not every minister has an experience that is parallel in its circumstances to Paul's, it will be the same in this, Christ personally will call him and appoint him to the work. Many years had passed since the incident Paul refers to here took place, some 25 years indeed, but it is still fresh in his mind.

(In April 1993, Rev Foster preached from this passage at the 25th anniversary of his own ordination)