You became a Christian because of your faith and obedience to the Gospel. Your obedience to the Gospel has made you a follower of Christ, entitled to all the privileges of a rightful heir in the kingdom of God, as promised in the scriptures. Therefore, as you were saved through the power of the Gospel, God calls upon you to call the lost through the Gospel. This command is often called the Great Commission.
The meeting in Galilee was a rallying point for the final announcement of Jesus to his disciples before he ascends to heaven and sit at the right hand of the Father. These are the final commands of Jesus, often referred to as "The Great Commission", found in the following passages: (Please click and view each link)
Matthew 28:18-20 | Mark 16:15 | Luke 24:46-49
Read the above passages thoroughly and observe the following commands:
"Go and teach the Gospel to all nations"
"Teach them to observe all things I have commanded."
"I will be with you until the end of the age."
Until the Gospel is preached to all men, the second coming of Jesus Christ will not take place. Matthew. 24:14
Matthew simply narrated the command for Christians to go to all nations and teach, culminating the teaching with a submission to baptism, the final act of acceptance and washing away of sins, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:18-20
Mark underscored the presence of faith and submission to baptism, as essential steps to be taken by a repentant sinner in order to be saved. Mark 16:15
Luke was more specific in his description of the Gospel with his account that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached among all nations. Luke 24:46-49
The Gospel must be preached by all Christians
It is therefore urgent that we preach the Gospel. The work of evangelism does not lie solely upon the leaders of the Church. The Great Commission was issued to all Christians, young and old, men and women.
The New Testament records several instances when women preached about Jesus, take note of the following instances:
The Samaritan woman, the woman evangelist. John 4:29
Women with Paul who helped in preaching the Gospel. Philippians 4:3
Anna the prophetess, a preacher to the Jews. Luke 2:37
However, a clear distinction as to the role of women in the Church has to be made at this point. While teaching the Gospel may be performed by women, the duty of preaching sermons, with words of exhortation and admonition is the sole responsibility of men. Take note of the following passages:
Women not to take over the duty of preaching words of admonition and exhortation, but instead to remain silent. I Corinthians 14:34
Women should not have authority over men in the assembly. I Timothy 2:11:13
Christianity flourished in the first century even as the Gospel was preached by ordinary men and women. The early preachers and evangelists did not have excellent educational backgrounds. They did not have imposing buildings that would invite listeners and stir their interest. They did not have to wait for a good weather or a convenient time to preach. They simply preached the Gospel, in season and out of season. I Corinthians 1:26|II Timothy 4:2
Teaching them to observe my commands
Christians belong to a new dispensation founded by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are not under the Old Testament law. This is the reason we meet in fellowship on the first day of the week, which is a Sunday, also called the Lord’s Day, and not on the Sabbath day, which is Saturday, as the Jews did in the Old Testament. This also explains why Jesus issued a new command.
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The greatest command. Matthew. 22:37-39 |
Love one another. John 13:34-35
Commands through the Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 14:37.
Therefore, do not be contentious and quarrelsome. Be of one mind, Paul says. Avoid disagreements over opinions and over things that are not laid out in the scriptures. Jesus said that unless we love one another, and abide in him, the world will never believe that he was sent by the Father. John 17:21
And I will be with you . . . .
The divine promise of Jesus Christ that he will be with us until the end of time should keep the fire of evangelism burning in our hearts. Hesitation and fear of persecution should not hinder us from preaching the Gospel.
Again, these passages from the scriptures (Click the link, please) should encourage you and continue to strengthen your faith:
Like branches in the vine. John 15:4
In perpetual fellowship. John 17:23
No power can separate us from the love of God. Romans 8:38-39
We will end this lesson with an encouragement that the Holy Spirit will abide in us. He will teach us bring to remembrance whatsoever commands Jesus has given to us. John 14:26
With the power of the Holy Spirit that gives you love and enthusiasm, start using your gifts and blessings to spread the good news, which is the Gospel, by which you were saved.
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