The Christian and the Missionary Imperative

GOLDEN TEXT: “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” —Acts 1:8

MATTHEW 28:16-20

WHEN Jesus first called his disciple and sent them out into the ministry, he instructed them that they should not go to the Samaritans or to the Gentiles. (Matt. 10:5) Thus he limited their ministry to the people of Israel. This was because God covenanted to give them exclusive favor for a certain period of time, as set forth through the Prophet Daniel.—Dan. 9:24-27

The period referred to in Daniel’s prophecy is 70 weeks—52 plus 7 plus 1 symbolic weeks—in which a day stands for a year. The Messiah was to be cut off in death in the midst of the last of these periods of seven years. The covenant was to be confirmed to the end of this last period, which would be three and one-half years after Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus knew, therefore, that he could provide for lifting the restriction which limited the ministry to the Israelites while he was still with his disciples, by commissioning them to begin their witness at Jerusalem, and then extend it, hence the special covenant period would be over by the time they reached the Gentiles.

Many have misunderstood Jesus’ commission to be his witnesses throughout the world, thinking that he expected their ministry to convert the world, whereas the preaching of the Gospel has been merely as “a witness,” and to call out from the world “a people for his name.” (Matt. 24:14; Acts 15:14-17) It is after this work of the present age is completed, and following the second advent of Christ, that the world will be converted.

However, the fact that we may know that the present is not God’s time for converting the world does not mean that we should be any less zealous in the work of witnessing for Jesus and for the Word of God. We should work just as zealously in carrying out our commission as though we believed that we would be able to convert the world. Those who lay down their lives in this ministry will, when Christ’s kingdom is established, be brought forth in “the first resurrection” to live and to reign with him.—Rev. 20:4,6

ROMANS 10:10-18

When the due time came for the Gospel to go to the Gentiles, the apostles learned that God was no respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34) Whether Jew or Gentile, there is only one approach unto God that will make one acceptable to him. This is, as Paul explains, a heart belief, and a confession of that belief, not momentarily, but through a life dedicated to his service. Our belief includes acceptance of the loving provision which our Heavenly Father has made for us through Christ.

Paul raises an important question—“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher; and how shall they preach, except they be sent?” (vss. 14,15) The implied answer to these questions is that in order for anyone to believe in Christ he must have the Gospel presented to him by one who is qualified and commissioned to be an ambassador for Christ. This means that the millions throughout the age, and before, who never heard the Gospel, have as yet had no opportunity to believe, and through their belief, to be saved.

Paul wrote, on the other hand, that it is God’s will that all be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. (I Tim. 2:3-6) He explains that the truth concerning Jesus and his work of redemption will be testified, or made known, to all “in due time.” The Gospel Age is the due time for those to hear the Gospel whom the Lord calls. But the due time for the vast majority to hear, including those who lived and died prior to our Lord’s first advent, will be during the Millennial Age, the thousand-year reign of Christ.

Paul quotes from Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace.” Isaiah’s prophecy has a special application at this end of the age; but all, at any time, who faithfully serve the Lord by proclaiming the Gospel, are “beautiful” to him. This is the beauty of holiness, a holiness which results from zealously obeying the commission which has been given to all the followers of the Master.

In verse 18 Paul quotes from Psalm 19:4—“Their sound went into all the earth.” The reference is to the message of the heavens as it goes forth from day to day and night to night. Nature does testify of God.

QUESTIONS

Explain why the disciples were not at first allowed to go to the Gentiles.

Did God intend that the world should be converted during this age?

What is the only way one can have God’s favor and be at peace with him?

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