The summary of the onward transmission of Jesus’ Manifesto and the biblical basis for it applying to all believers.
The summary of the onward transmission of the Great Commission is as follows below.
Jesus -Luke 4:18-19 manifesto for humanity-given in the synagogue.
Jesus -Mark 16:15-18 the 11 disciples-when Jesus appeared after the resurrection.
Jesus -Matthew 28:18-20 great commission- to the disciples-spreading out to the nations
The Holy Spirit-Acts 2:1-4 Pentecost- to the 120 in the upper room then to thousands in the Jerusalem-then beyond
The bible and the church through the ages - to you and me today
Does the Great Commission still apply today?
Was this not just for the original 12 disciples? No see the biblical evidence below.
Not everyone is an evangelist! -True but we are all called to be witnesses.
Evidence that it still applies to all believers.
1. The command to witness is for all believers.
2. The example of ordinary believers in the early church.
3. The Gospel places a stewardship on us.
4. The work of the ministry in Ephesians 4:12.
1.The commands to witness are given to all followers of Christ. Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” This verse gives a command from the risen Lord to all his followers.
2 Cor. 5:18-20 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ,
God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
2. Consider the example of “ordinary believers” in the early church. As we follow the storyline of the early church it is obvious that the apostles sought to evangelize and disciple others. But we see ordinary believers sharing the gospel as well.
We read in Acts 8:1, “And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” And what did those ordinary believers do? Acts 8:4 “Now those who were scattered went about preaching (euangelizomenoi) the word.” They went about sharing the gospel with others.
3. Consider the stewardship the gospel confers on us. Jesus reminds us, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required” (Luke 12:48). We have been given no greater gift than the gospel, and we have no greater stewardship than to share that message of good news with others. Paul expresses it well in 2 Corinthians 5:14: “for the love of Christ compels us.”
4. Finally, consider what Paul calls “the work of ministry” in Ephesians 4:11-12 The 5-fold ministry (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers). The reason God “gifts” the church with such leaders is so that they will “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” -(Eph. 4:12). And we should certainly include sharing the Gospel in “the work of ministry.”
In conclusion all believers need to be carrying on the work of the Great Commission today.
Amen
Personal Prayer