The Church and World Evangelism

GOLDEN TEXT: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” —Matthew 28:19

MATTHEW 28:18-20

WHEN Jesus first sent his disciples into the ministry he limited the territory in which they would be privileged to serve. He said, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. (Matt. 10:5) This was in keeping with God’s exclusive covenant with the natural descendants of Abraham. Jehovah had expressed the implications of this covenant, saying of Israel, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth.”—Amos 3:2

But the Lord placed a time limit upon this exclusive arrangement. This is prophetically set forth in Daniel 9:25-27. In this prophecy a total of seventy symbolic “weeks” are mentioned, each one of which is a period of seven years. The last of these, the seventieth began at the time of Jesus’ baptism. Three and one-half years later, or in the “midst” of this “week,” he was “cut off” in death as the world’s Redeemer. But the covenant was to be confirmed with “many for one week,” or until the full end of this seventieth week.

This meant that after Jesus was raised from the dead there were only three and one-half years remaining for the Gospel to be confined exclusively to the Israelites. It was in anticipation of the change which was so near that Jesus now commissioned his disciples to go “and teach all nations,” not merely the one nation of Israel. Later, when Jesus appeared to his disciples for the last time, he confirmed this wider commission. (Acts 1:8) However, it was not until Peter was specially directed to visit Cornelius that this “all nations” commission became operative.

The commission was not to convert all nations during the present Gospel age, but to witness to them—to all nationalities, that is, in contrast with the former restricted commission. The disciples of Christ were to be found in every part of the world, and in all walks of life. This was to be the promised “seed” which later would bless all the families of the earth. (Gal. 3:8,16,27-29) The promise, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world [Greek, age],” is Jesus’ assurance of his blessing and help, as his disciples faithfully carried out his commission.

ACTS 13:1-3

THE spirit of evangelism was manifested in the church at Antioch. This congregation had grown, and from verse one it is evident that the ecclesia was abundantly blessed with capable servants. The “Holy Spirit” indicated that all these servants were not needed in the one congregation, and that Paul and Barnabas should be “separated,” or selected, for a wider ministry. So they were sent forth on what was Paul’s first missionary journey.

Just how the Holy Spirit directed in this matter we may not know for certain. The record says that it was “when they had fasted and prayed” that the brethren laid their hands on the two chosen ones. This” laying on of hands was not Paul’s appointment as an apostle. God had made this choice, and had already authorized him for this service. It was simply that now, together with Barnabas, he was to go forth as the representative of the Antioch church. And the Lord’s blessing was richly upon the labors of these two sacrificing saints.

ROMANS 1:14-18

PAUL wrote, “I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also.” This is the true spirit of Christian evangelism. It is the spirit which says, “I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord:”

The “Gospel of Christ,” Paul explains, is the “power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” The word “Gospel” simply means good news, but this good news, is that Jesus came to be the Redeemer and Savior of the world in fulfillment of God’s promise made to Abraham in the blessing of all the families of the earth. But it is necessary to accept this provision by faith, and to conform one’s life in harmony with it in order to receive salvation.

We read of Abraham that he believed God and that his belief, or faith, was counted unto him for righteousness. (Rom. 4:3) On this basis he became “the friend of God,” but he did not receive life. (James 2:23) He was not released from adamic condemnation. Bid in this age the merit of Christ’s blood is applied to consecrated believers, and they receive “justification of life.” (Rom. 5:18) It is through Christ that the “righteousness” or justification provided by God is revealed “from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”—vs. 17

QUESTIONS

Did Jesus expect that his disciples would convert the world during this age?

How was the spirit of evangelism manifested in the church at Antioch?

Explain how the Gospel of Christ is “the power of God unto salvation.”

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