I. THE GREAT COMMISSION
15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. [Mk. 16:15-20]
God wants to remind us that we all have a divine mandate to evangelize our world. Christianity by its very nature is evangelistic. The whole world is perishing due to the ravaging disease of sin, and we have the only cure - Jesus! Every believer is therefore a Missionary, called to witness, proclaim, exhort, testify, etc.
In the above passage as well as Matthew 28:19, the accounts of the great commission are given. Both tell believers to go, preach.
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. [Matt. 28:19-20]
Luke’s presentation is a bit broader, however.
46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [Lk. 24:46-47]
In Luke’s passage, the believer is told what he is to go and preach. Here is given the evangelistic message. When Luke speaks of suffering, this signifies the atonement; rise signifies the resurrection; and repentance and remission speaks of forgiveness. This is the message believers are to go and preach. Genuine evangelism is therefore not the easy believism which characterizes much of what churches are preaching today.
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
[Jo. 20:21]
One of the greatest problems with modern evangelism is the concept that evangelism is the responsibility of the clergy. Biblical evangelism is the responsibility of every believer. Proclaiming the gospel is every believer’s responsibility and every believer’s privilege. The world will not be reached with the message of Christ until each individual believer assumes his/her missionary responsibility. God did not send one group or category (the clergy) to evangelize the world. The Bible clearly teaches that it is every believer’s job.
Some famous celebrity preachers and TV evangelists have declared that God has given them the job of proclaiming the Word to the world, and the average Christian’s responsibility is simply to support them (financially) so they can go on more TV channels in more cities. This is not God’s way. Often these ministries end up as nothing more than monuments to one man’s ego. The Word says that no flesh will glory in His presence. Many of these "professional" evangelists have hired professional fund raisers who figure out ways and means to put money into the ministry. Their #1 way is promoting building programs, whether or not the buildings are actually needed. These are all man’s efforts and do not bring glory to God.
Furthermore, such tactics often hinders world evangelism rather than encouraging it. How? Because it removes the “ordinary believer” from the front lines of the battle. The so called “laity” has been lead to believe that because he has given of his finances that fulfills his responsibility. He has given and someone else will spread the Word. Not so. Even Jesus did not attempt to evangelize the entire world of His day. His ministry was confined to a very small area. Jesus sent twelve; then He sent seventy. Then He said for all to go and preach the gospel.
Compare God’s manual for Biblical evangelism -- the book of Acts -- and the modern method of evangelism and you will find not only is it not the same message, but also not the same method.
1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. [Acts 8:1-4]
Many times believers feel inadequate to the task of evangelism and rightly so. But even with those feelings of inadequacy, He (Christ) gives the enabling.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. [Phil. 4:13]
With the commission, comes the enabling to do the work.
In Matthew’s account (chapter 13) of the seed and the sower, the seed that was sown was the Word. Whenever the believer sows the seed of the Word, God blesses him, feeds him, keeps him charged up.
3Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.... 10Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. [Ps. 96:3, 10]
Believers are admonished to testify, to declare the salvation of the Lord. And while doing all this, believers are to utilize the 3 M’s of Evangelism -- (1) the true message; (2) the Biblical method; (3) the right motive.
Believers must be evangelistic. It’s a command of Christ, but at the same time, believers must be biblical and the motive has to be the right biblical motive. God wants His church conformed to His Word and His way. Far too often, modern evangelism is man-centered and not God-centered.
Man centered evangelism utilizes cheap hype, imitation anointing, flesh pleasing entertainments or any other human substitute for the clear declaration of God’s Word. Since such methods often increases the numbers attending, then the modern thought is, "It must be God because we’re getting results." The question is not just "Do they get results?" but Is it biblical results? i.e. Are people really getting saved?
Church history has revealed that members, if not constantly examining themselves in light of the Scriptures, will drift away from the Scriptures and become more like the world. Everything digresses if left to itself. That’s one of the chief reasons why the theory of evolution is a lie. Nothing gets better; it gets worse.
Modern evangelists excuse their methods by saying, "Well, if just one person is saved, then it’s worth it." But the question to counteract that is, "But what about all those who have been deceived? What about all those who have been told they are saved and have had no true conversion experience? What about those who have never been told they are sinners and must repent and turn from their sin? What about those who think that because their name is on a church roll somewhere and they have been baptized, that they are automatically saved regardless of the way they live, regardless of the lack of holiness in their lives?"
Statistics reveal that less than four percent of those people saved in modern evangelistic sessions actually stick to it. Most wander away after a time.
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in they name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. [Matt. 7:22-23]
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. [Matt. 1:21]
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. [Lk. 13:3]
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.
[Acts 17:30]
A. The Three Aspects to the Commission.
1. Go and Make Disciples of All Nations. That is how verse 19 of Matthew 28 reads in the Greek. There is more to scriptural evangelism than just coming forward after an emotional appeal or repeating a sinner’s prayer. Not that there is anything wrong with repeating a sinner’s prayer, but there’s more to it than that. The believer is commissioned to make disciples.
What is a disciple?
a. A disciple is a learner of the teachings of Jesus. One who learns of Christ is a disciple. The words for learn and disciple are synonymous.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. [Matt. 11:29-30]
b. A disciple is a follower of the teacher.
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. [Lk. 9:23]
c. A disciple is one who is seeking to conform his life to the teacher and his teaching, to be like Jesus.
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. [Rom. 12:1-2]
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
[Rom. 6:13]
2. Baptize them. Never get the idea that baptism is unimportant just because there is no saving power in baptism. It is important because it’s Jesus’ command to us (Mark 16). It is therefore one of the church ordinances. Baptism identifies the believer with Christ, His death, His burial and His resurrection. It also identifies him with the body of Christ here on earth, i.e., the church. Being in right relationship with the body of Christ is important.
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. [1 Cor. 12:18]
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. [Heb. 10:25]
3. Teach them. What? Jesus says that we’re to teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. He also says:
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. [Jo. 7:37]
The invitation is to those who hunger and thirst for the Word. When witnessing to others, don’t be hesitant or hold back if the individual really wants to know. Give them all.
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. [Acts 20:26-27]
Don’t shun any issues or doctrines because they are controversial. Many are hesitant to speak out against heresy, idolatry, paganism, erroneous beliefs, etc. because they fear they will turn those being witnessed to away rather than draw them. Remember that our task is to simply proclaim the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Do not try to “modify” the truth in order to make it more palatable to unbelievers.
46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put if from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 48And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. [Acts 13:46-48]
2. The Two-Fold Result of Our Preaching.
a. He that believes will be saved.
b. He that believes not will be damned.
14Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place. 15For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish; 16To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life.... [2 Cor. 2:14-16]
Whatever the result of our preaching, God is glorified. To one our preaching is life while to another it is death.
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. [Jo. 12:48]
God will judge by the gospel heard and received or rejected.
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. [Isa. 55:11]
The Word will do its purpose. It will save the believer; it will damn the unbeliever. It was the same message that liberated Israel that damned Egypt. The Word will not return void. It shall accomplish that which God pleases. It will bring about life or death.
6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner. 8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. [1 Pe. 2:6-8]
17For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, EVEN FOR THIS SAME PURPOSE HAVE I RAISED THEE UP, THAT I MIGHT SHOW MY POWER IN THEE, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE DECLARED THROUGHOUT ALL THE EARTH. 18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. [Rom. 9:17-18]
B. The Content of the Message of Evangelism.
45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48And ye are witnesses of these things. 49And, behold I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. [Lk. 24:45-53]
Sound doctrine (teaching) is the foundation of Biblical Christianity. There are three doctrines that are essential in the evangelical presentation.
1. The Atonement. The evangelistic message must begin with the atonement. Jesus’ suffering and death was necessary. He had to do what He did.
...and thus it behooved Christ to suffer.... [Lk. 24:46]
The entire chapter 53 of the Old Testament book of Isaiah is devoted to the presentation of the Messiah who is to come as a suffering servant. If one does not deal with Christ’s suffering on account of our sins, he has not preached the gospel.
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. [Rev. 13:8]
Before God created the world, the cross was His plan to redeem mankind whom He would one day create. Known to God are all His works from the beginning.
22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know. 23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. [Acts 2:22-23]
Here is Peter’s first evangelistic message. Jesus fulfilled all the demands of the Law by living a sinless life. Through His death, He bridged the gap between life and death. Peter goes on to preach the resurrection and repentance.
24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.... 38Then 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 2:24, 38]
Jesus bore the guilt and paid the penalty that man deserves. Jesus paid it all! Many evangelistic messages that one hears are man-centered. True evangelism is God-centered.
2. The Resurrection.
...and to rise from the dead the third day. [Lk. 24:46]
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. [Acts 2:23]
The New Testament book of Acts is God’s manual for evangelism. The theme of the book of Acts is the cross and resurrection. The resurrection is the essential part of Christian theology (Reference: 1 Cor. 15:1-21) because apart from the resurrection, no one is saved.
There were many eyewitnesses of the resurrection or of the resurrected Christ. There was Peter, the women at the tomb, the twelve apostles, and over 500 witnesses.
22And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed him; 24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. [Rom. 4:22-25]
The preaching of the cross and the resurrection go hand-in-hand. The resurrection is proof that Jesus atoned for sin.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. [Acts 2:36]
On many occasions Jesus said that death would not hold Him.
From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. [Matt. 16:21]
18Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. [Matt. 20:18-19]
63Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. [Matt. 27:63-64]
1In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment while as snow: 4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.... 11Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
[Matt. 28:1-6, 11-15]
Even though the Roman soldiers set to guard the tomb witnessed the resurrection, they still did not believe. The priests to whom they told their story did not believe either. They bribed the soldiers to tell a lie that the disciples had stolen Jesus’ body.
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. [Lk. 16:31]
All of this only goes to prove the scripture:
...a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. [Jo. 3:27]
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.... [Jo. 6:44]
Hence it is seen that it is not the spectacular that wins converts. For example, many who witnessed miracles, even the miracle of the resurrection, refused to repent and turn from their sin to Christ.
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. [1 Cor. 1:21]
The presentation of the gospel is not a performance, it’s a message. God draws men to Him. The preacher or evangelist or the disciple cannot save the sinner. All he can do is present the gospel and leave the results to God.
3. Repentance of Sin.
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [Lk. 24:47]
Men must be called to turn from sin and turn to God.
...Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. [Matt. 4:17]
...The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel. [Mk. 1:15]
And they went out, and preached that men should repent. [Mk. 6:12]
The apostle Peter preached the cross, the resurrection and repentance in Acts, chapter 2, and then repeated the message in chapter 3.
God does not authorize men to lower His standards in order to bring people into the kingdom. Our message to men is to be the God-centered biblical message of the cross, the resurrection and repentance. Nothing more or less will suffice.
