Leslie M. John
INTRODUCTION
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:19-20)
The term “Great Commission” does not appear in the Bible, but just as we use few
words/phrases in Christian common parlance to communicate certain meanings of
the words like “Trinity”, “Millennium”, “Rapture”, “Bema Seat of Christ” the
phrase “Great Commission” is used to convey the meaning that Jesus commanded his
disciples to preach the Gospel.
There are four passages where we see the commandment of Jesus to preach the Gospel. Reading through Mark 16:15-18 some interpret that the commission given to the disciples is already fulfilled and that there is no commission in the present age to preach the Gospel. Their argument is that the Word of God in itself is sufficient for some one to understand the Scriptures and no preaching is necessary. Their argument is that the disciples were asked to preach the Gospel and signs followed such preaching, and, since there are no signs followed in the present age the commission that was given in Matthew Chapter 28:18-20 is not valid. New Testament Church took birth as we read in Acts Chapter 2.
KINGDOM OF GOD
Jesus preached that the kingdom of God was at hand and the disciples who were
sent two by two preached that men should repent. “And they went out, and
preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed
with oil many that were sick, and healed them” (Mark 6:12-13)
The disciples of Lord Jesus Christ preached the Gospel of Jesus
Christ only after they were empowered to speak with the power of Holy Spirit.
(Acts 1:4 & 8). Later, Apostle Paul was chosen to preach the Gospel to Gentiles. Paul's ministry was basically intended for Gentiles, but the commission he received did not restrict him preaching to Jews in the beginning.
"But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15)
In fact, he preached to Jews and when they rejected him he went with message of salvation to Gentiles. This does not mean the Church came into existence after Acts 28:28.
After the ascension of Jesus and as the disciples were waiting they received the power to speak about Jesus. Earlier the disciples preached according to their knowledge thinking about the earthly kingdom of God. The disciples of Lord Jesus asked him as to when the kingdom would be restored to Israel but then Jesus said to them it was not for them to know the times and seasons which the Father had put in his own power.
John said:
"John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not". John 1:26
Mar 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF GOSPEL MESSAGES
Bible speaks of Gospel, which is the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ's
bearing sin of mankind, His resurrection and ascension. This Gospel is preached in different forms and perspectives. There four different forms:
1. The Gospel of the 'Kingdom of God' that deals with the fulfillment of Davidic
covenant that the 'kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne
shall be established for ever'. (2 Samuel 7:16). This Kingdom of God includes
the thousand year literal reign of Lord Jesus Christ from the throne of David in
Jerusalem, as detailed in Zechariah 14:9 "And the LORD shall be king over all
the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one"
2. The 'Gospel of Christ' deals with the Salvation of mankind that Apostle
Paul spoke of, as the 'Grace of God', that Jesus died for our sins, and that He
was raised from the dead. Jesus died and was raised for our justification and we
are justified because of our belief in Him. "For we stretch not ourselves beyond
our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you
also in preaching the gospel of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:14)
3. The 'Gospel' that is called 'everlasting gospel', preached unto those, who
did not believe in him, and who will pass through the 'great tribulation' until
the last days before the last judgment. "And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest.
And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have
washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb". (Revelation
7:14)
4. The Gospel that is called 'another gospel', which is the perversion of the
Gospel of Christ. Christians are warned to be careful about this 'another
gospel' by the agents of Satan, who transforms himself as the angel of light.
Apostle Paul writes about this gospel. "I marvel that ye are so soon removed
from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is
not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of
Christ". (Galatians 1:6-7). False apostles calling themselves as apostles of
Christ preach this gospel perverting the truth of the real gospel of Jesus that
Apostle Paul calls as 'my gospel' in Romans 2:16, the gospel of Christ.
This ‘another gospel’ dispels the efficacy of the blood of Jesus Christ and
gives importance to law and works associated with it. This gospel seeks to add
works to faith in Christ. It shows that mere faith in Jesus is not enough to be
saved but good works need to be done. While good works follow salvation, they
are not conditional for receiving salvation.
Paul writes to the Church in Thessalonica that when they received the word of
God, which they heard it from him, they received it not as the word of men, but
as the truth from the word of God. He says that the truth of the Gospel will
lead them to repent of their sins and help them to believe in Jesus Christ. (1
Thessalonians 2:13)
COMMISSION IN MARK 16:15-18
It would be good to ponder on Mark 16:15-18 before Matthew 28:18-20 is taken
into consideration. The preceding verse of Mark 16:15 is about Lord Jesus Christ appearing to his disciples as they sat at meal and reproach them on their unbelief and hardness of heart. The disciples obviously did not believe those things that had come to pass after the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ. After the resurrection Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus had cast away seven devils (Luke 8:2 and Mark 16:9). It was not to the Virgin Mary that Jesus appeared first but it was to this sinner woman who was redeemed by Jesus that he appeared first. There is a great comfort in knowing that Jesus has concern for sinners and for their redemption. The subsequent verses after Mark 16:18 say that Lord Jesus Christ was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of Majesty on high. The disciples went forth and preached the Gospel everywhere. Notice the word ‘everywhere’. It does not confine to the regions of Jerusalem. As they preached the Gospel the signs followed them. The signs were casting out devils, speaking in tongues, taking up serpents and that poison would not hurt them. Also, they shall lay hands on the sick who will recover, obviously meaning that they would be healed. (Mark 16:15-18)
The reason why some Christians say that there is no commission now is based on
their belief that there are no such signs followed after preaching. Here, we
should remember that it was after resurrection when Lord Jesus Christ gave
instructions that he said such signs will follow after preaching. But then, this commission in Mark 16:15-18 was intended for preaching to Gentiles. That message was only to Jews.
“An army chaplain once said to the Duke of Wellington, ‘Do you think that it is of any use our taking the gospel to the hill tribes in India? Will they ever receive it?’ The duke replied, ‘What are your marching orders?’ That was the only answer he gave. Stern disciplinarian as that great soldier was, he only wanted marching orders, and he obeyed; and he meant that every soldier of the cross must obey the marching orders of Christ, his great Commander.” (Spurgeon)
Those who know about rules in the Armed forces will appreciate what Spurgeon was saying. Go forward without looking at the consquences. Marching orders are to go ahead; no questioning. Some of hyper-dispensationalists are out there now who say signs ceased so also the commission ceased. They say there is no 'Great Commmission'.
COMMISSION BEFORE THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS
The commandment that Jesus gave to the disciples before he was crucified was in Matthew 10:5 “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not”.
COMMISSION AFTER THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”. (Acts 1:8). Notice the phrase "after the Holy Ghost is come upon you". Acts 1:8 shows that the disciples were ordained to be the witnesses of Lord Jesus Christ first in Jerusalem, then in Judea and Samaria, and then in uttermost part of the earth. The commission here says that the order of their being witnesses should be first among Jews in the regions of Jerusalem, and then in Judea and Samaria, which are the regions where Jews mixed up with Gentiles and then lastly to the uttermost parts of the earth, which means that they should be his disciples among the Gentiles in the uttermost part of the earth.
WERE THERE ONLY JEWS DURING PENTECOST?
It was feast time and there were men from every nation under heaven.
The text in the following verses does not show that these all men were circucumcised Proselytes.
Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
Acts 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Acts 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Acts 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Acts 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Acts 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
SEQUENCE OF PREACHING
The Word of God divides the sequence of preaching into three, that is, first in
Jerusalem, second in Judea and Samaria and third in the uttermost part of the
earth. Who has given any one the authority to divide into Pre-Mid-Acts period,
Mid-Acts period, and Post-Acts period? We see the three stages in Acts from
Chapters 1-7, second from Chapters 8 to 12 and third from Chapters 13 to 28. The best possible sources identify that all the epistles of Paul were written during the time-period mentioned in Acts of Apostles. In fact the Book of Acts does not record all the acts of all the disciples. This book mainly concentrates on some of the acts of Apostle Paul and some of the Acts of Peter. The Chronology of the epistles and the dates when they were written are disputable.
JESUS IS THE EXPRESS IMAGE OF THE FATHER
Hebrews 1:3 confirms that Lord Jesus Christ is the brightness of the Father and express image of His person, and upholds everything by the word of his power. He purged our sins and sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.
The argument of those who say that there is no Commission left in the present
age is also based on these verses:
Acts 10:28, Acts 11:19-20, Gal.2:7-9, James 1:1
CORNELIEUS A GENTILE SAVED
It is worth considering each verse in its context. The whole Chapter 10 of Acts
is about the Salvation provided for a Gentile named Cornelius. There are
disputes in interpretations as to whether Cornelius was already a believer and
Holy Spirit fell on him while Peter was yet speaking to him or he believed Jesus
when Peter spoke to him and then the Holy Spirit fell on him.
HOLY SPIRIT FELL ON THEM
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard
the word” (Acts 10:44)
Cornelius was just man who gave alms yet the angel of the Lord desired of him
that he should be spoken to of the message of crucifixion and resurrection of
Jesus signifying that his belief that being a just man and giving alms would not
save him. After Cornelius heard this message Holy Spirit fell on not only on him
but all them that heard the Gospel of Christ.
Marvelous are the ways of God who prepares his followers for his work. There was
Cornelius a Gentile in God’s sight. Cornelius was a Centurion, who was just,
giving alms and living a good life. Bible says no good works will save a person;
but only faith in Jesus will save a person. Here is a man who thought that his
works are enough to be saved. But then, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in
vision and told him that God has considered his alms and accepted his piety but
then he should send forth men for calling Peter who was in Joppa and that he
will tell Cornelius as to what he should do. Simon Peter was staying at a
tanner’s house as recorded in Acts 9:43. A tanner is the one who does tanning
and tanning is the process or art of converting skins into leather. Basically
the tanner is the one who deals with dead animals. According to Jews one that is dealing with dead animals is abominable. A woman in Jewish community is
permitted to divorce her husband if he is involved with dead animals. God was
preparing his disciple Peter by allowing him to stay with a person who was
dealing with dead animals. Peter was being prepared to approach Gentile
Cornelius.
PETER WAS ASKED NOT TO CALL UNCLEAN
This was the time when Peter had a strange experience. He went up the housetop
to pray and was very hungry. He saw heaven opened and a certain vessel that was
like a sheet came down with different kinds of four footed animals, fowls and
creeping things on it. Peter heard a voice saying to him that he should rise,
kill them and eat. Peter was reluctant to eat them as he thought that they were
unclean. This happened again, and the voice said to him that those which are
considered as clean by God should not be considered as unclean by man. Peter
refused to eat and this happened third time and the vessel taken up into heaven.
“But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common
or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath
cleansed, that call not thou common”. (Acts 10:14-15)
“And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that
is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath
shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean”. (Acts 10:28)
When Peter was thinking that it was a vision, there came men from Cornelius
inquiring about Peter. The Spirit of the Lord said to Peter that he should go to
Cornelius and he went. Cornelius saw Peter and worshipped him by falling on his
feet but then Peter lifted him immediately and said that he was a man like
Cornelius. That was to mean that only God is worthy of worship. Peter said to
him a man should not call any one as unclean if God has called him as clean.
Peter testified about Jesus of Nazareth who died for all of us, and that God
raised him on the third day. As Peter was yet speaking Holy Spirit fell on them
and they all marveled. Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles as well. Please note
very carefully the word ‘Gentiles’ is plural here. That is to say not only
Cornelius but other Gentiles were also saved. This also should not be taken as
an isolated case to call it as an exception. It was indeed an opening door for
Gentiles to receive the Gospel. "And they of the circumcision which believed
were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also
was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost". (Acts 10:45)
This is similar to what we see in Acts Chapters 1 and 2. It is wrong to presume that all the three thousand who were added unto them were Jews and it is also wrong to presume that Cornelius was grafted into Good Olive Tree about which Paul wrote in Romans chapters 9 through 11. A Gentile does not need to be grafted into Good Olive Tree and become Jew first and then become the body of Christ. Paul's comparison of Good Olive Tree and grafting of wild Olive branches is misunderstood by some. It is clear that Cornelius was an uncircumcised Gentile.
Apostle Paul's analogy of wild olive branches being grafted into natural olive tree is to mean that the Gentiles are made equal partners in the spiritual blessings along with Jews. Some of the natural branches were cut off because of thier unbelief and in their place the wild olive branches are grafted. This is also not to mean that to accommodate Gentiles in the natural olive tree the branches of the natural branches were cut off, but because of their unbelief that the Jews, who are considered as natural olive branches, were cut off. The wild olive branches are asked not to take pride in themselves because they were grafted into natural olive tree. Paul warns that if natural branches were cut off because of their unbelief, God will not hesitate to cut off wild olive branches. This does not mean that salvation will be lost by any beiever in Christ, but it only means that they will be cut off to make way for the natural branches.
Peter was the first one to preach the gospel to Gentiles although Apostle Paul was called to be a minister for Gentiles. True to the words of Jesus who said, upon this rock I will build my Church, Peter was the first one to preach about Jesus of Nazareth in Acts Chapter 2 and Acts Chapter 10
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye
shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria,
and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8)
It is also wrong to presume that Jerusalem had only Jews during the period when
Jesus was crucified. Roman Government was in itself was not of Jews! In Acts
Chapter 2 there is a mention that after the Pentecost was fully come in many
people came to Jerusalem out of every nation under heaven.
HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND HOUSE OF JUDAH
After the captivity of the "House of Israel" and the "House of Judah" by
Assyrians and Babylonians there is no evidence that "House of Israel" returned
to Israel to contend that those who were in Samaria and other parts of Northern
Israel were the seed of Jacob. “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews,
devout men, out of every nation under heaven”. (Acts 2:5)
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there
were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41)
With regard to Acts Chapter 11:19-20 it is true that they began preaching to
Jews only in the beginning but then according to verse 20 they spoke to Grecians
and “preached the Lord Jesus”. That is to say from then onward they preached
Lord Jesus to Gentiles as well. Likewise Peter was commissioned to preach to
Jews while Apostle Paul was commissioned to preach to Gentiles as recorded in
Acts 11:19-20 and in Galatians 2:7-9.
DID PETER WRITE TO GENTILES?
There is a greater evidence to show that Peter wrote to scattered Jews among Gentile Nations as we read in 1 Peter 1:1 but there is also an opinion that Peter wrote to Gentiles. “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the
strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1 Peter 1:1). The epistle was written somewhere around AD 60 before the the Period of Acts ended in AD 63.
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed". (1 Peter 2:24)
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God". (1 Peter 1:18-21)
"And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and [of] the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them" Acts 15:3-4
"And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men [and] brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe". Acts 15:7
JAMES’ ADDRESS SHOULD NOT BE MISCONSTRUED
James addressed in James 1:1 to the twelve tribes of Israel scattered
abroad of their errors. He specifically wrote to the scattered tweleve tribes of Israel, but then it was not to mean that Gospel of Jesus Christ
was not preached to the Gentiles during that period. There is considerable exhortation to Gentiles in James 5:1-6.
POST-ACTS PERIOD THEORY OF BIRTH OF CHURCH IS FALSE
It is wrong to presume that Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached by only Apostle
Paul to Gentiles based on Acts 28:27 and 28. It is also wrong to presume that
Paul's commission to take the message of salvation to Gentiles commenced after
Acts 28:31.
"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break
bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his
speech until midnight". (Acts 20:7)
And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and
embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone over
those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, And there
abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail
into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. (Acts 20:1-3)
Philip preached to Gentiles in Samaria. Ethiopian Eunuch was saved. (Ref: Acts
Chapter 8). But then there are those who contend that all those in Samaria were
of the seed of Jacob. True there were Gentiles from the lineage of Jews in Samaria, but it is too much of an assumption to say that all those in Samaria were the seed of Jacob. The text does not show that proselytes referred to in Acts Chapter 2 were circumcized ones; therefore, it can not be conclusively said that they were equal to Jews; rather it is apt to say that they were a group of true proselytes and true Gentiles.
God has given enough material in the Scriptures for living a holy life. There
were number of incidences shown in the Scriptures and those numbers are enough
for us to believe without raising contradictions. Not all the miracles done by
Jesus are recorded in the Bible. Similarly not all the acts done by Peter and
other disciples or by Apostle Paul were recorded.
GREAT COMMISSION CAME INTO EFFECT ONLY AFTER ACTS 1:8
Lord Jesus Christ’s own words in Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 24:44-49 and John
20:19-23 should be believed as the commission given to all of us to proclaim the
Gospel of Jesus Christ to the best of one's capacity in the best possible way
irrespective of any signs that may or may not follow the preaching. It is
misunderstanding that there is no commission for us to reach out to preach the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. This Great Commission to preach the Gospel of Jesus
Christ and that he is the savior of the world was preached by the disciples of
Jesus Christ after waiting at Jerusalem and receiving the power of the Holy
Spirit. Apostle Paul was not there in Jerusalem when Holy Spirit came upon the
disciples of Jesus Christ, but then, he was commissioned by Jesus Christ to go
to the Gentiles signifying that all those who are called by God are required to
be his witnesses and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and proclaim that he is
the Savior of the world. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me”. (John 14:6)
WHO CAN PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9)
“If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not
accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of
God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to
filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just,
holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he
may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers”.
(Titus 1:6-9)
While woman may teach the word of God privately at home or in classes/meetings
in women’s fellowship Bible does not allow them to preach the Gospel of Jesus
Christ in public or in Church.
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to
be in silence. (1Timothy 2:12)
CONCLUSION
Pointing to Peter Jesus said:
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. (Matthew 16:18)
Apostle Paul was the one who was sent out to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. The salvation is by grace alone through faith in Jesus. Paul said circumcision is not required to be observed. Baptism is not part of salvation. Peter preached baptism as part of salvation but Paul did not preach baptism as part of salvation. There were so much of legalism in Peter's preaching, but in Paul's preaching "Grace" is emphasized upon. This is not to say that they disagreed upon what they agreed upon to preach or preached different Gospels, but Peter basically was preaching in early days only to Jews while Paul preached to Gentiles.
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost". (Acts 2:38)
The only place where Paul’s testimony that he baptized is found in Acts 18:8 and he acknowledged it in 1 Corinthians 1:14 “I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius”
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. (Acts 18:8)
THE COMMISSION TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST DID NOT END. IT WAS A NEW BEGINING IN ACTS CHAPTER 2 WHEN HOLY SPIRIT WAS POURED OUT AND THE CHURCH CAME INTO EXISTENCE. THE COMFORTER CAME INTO THIS WORLD AS WAS PROMISED AND HE WILL BE GONE AFTER THIS CHURCH AGE CEASES.
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever" (John 14:16)
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16)
Click on these links for additional Reading.
The birth of the Church
Sequence of proclamation of
Gospel
Royal Priesthood