How the Great Commission Unfolded Historically

By Randy Watkins

"Go into all the world..."

Jesus spent time, enough time with the disciples, teaching and training them for a monumental assignment. They seemed to not be getting the message until after the resurrection when the full impact and understanding of the gospel becomes evident to them. Before Jesus ascended, he spent more time preparing them and showing them “infallible proofs” assuring that there would be no doubt about “that which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life”.

He left the apostles with a clear mission and then how it would be carried out in the coming days: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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 always, even unto the end of the world.” “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 Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” This is truly a great commission and would certainly be impossible in human terms.

They were prepared and waited for the day of Pentecost when they would receive the “promise of the Father”. The Holy Ghost moved and flowed through them with power, giving them utterance and declaring prophetic fulfillment with signs and wonders. This was witness by Jews from around the world as they were in Jerusalem at that time. While there were about 120 disciples, the focus is on the preaching of Peter who stands up and proclaims the gospel. Many believe and will apparently carry the good news back home and abroad. The church forms in Jerusalem as the gospel is spread daily from house to house. As the number of believers increase, they begin to effect society and tensions mount. With the stoning of Stephen and great persecution against the church, they are scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. As they go they carry the gospel with them. Phillip preaches Christ to the Samarians and they give heed and there is great joy in the city. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard about it they sent Peter and John who officially recognized their acceptance and with the Holy Spirit.

As the gospel is spreading through the region Saul is on a mission of persecution. After his conversion on the road to Damascus, he will become a unique and powerful instrument for the growth of the church. His knowledge and understanding of the scriptures as a Pharisee now become effective for the powerful preaching of the gospel. He confounds the Jews with arguments, proving that Jesus is the Christ.

Peter passes through the regions where the gospel has been spreading. God directs him to Cornelius the centurion at Caesarea and as he preaches the gift of the Holy Ghost is poured out on the Gentiles. The significance of the event is recognized by the believing Jews. God has granted repentance unto life to the Gentiles. After this revelation, Barnabas found Saul and brought him to Antioch. They began ministering as a team and traveled to Cyprus and Asia Minor. They would usually begin at the synagogue and preach to the Jews then to he Gentiles. The Jews for the most part would reject them and stir up trouble at which point they were usually expelled from the city. However many believed and a church would be established and from there the Word of the Lord would be published in the region. The team would move on to the next city and events would be similar. They would then return, confirming and exhorting the churches and the reported back to Antioch.

The spread of the gospel to the Gentiles came into question with the some Jews who insisted that these must keep Mosaic laws to be saved. The apostles, at Jerusalem, upon hearing the testimony of Paul and Barnabas, of the works that were done among the Gentiles and the words of the prophets agreeing, concurred and sent letters to the churches, confirming them and disagreeing with the Judeaizers. These letters were sent to the churches who rejoiced.

Paul and Silas journeyed to Macedonia and there, preached the gospel in the cities where churches were again established and the Word was spread in those regions. The gospel impacted societies often with an uproar stirred up by Idolaters and Judeaizers. Paul repeated his journeys and revisited the churches, exhorting and strengthening them. These churches continued to spread the gospel and other churches were established. Paul makes a farewell address to the church at Ephesus, bound for Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to him but that he faced bonds and afflictions as revealed by Holy Spirit.

Paul is recognized at the temple in Jerusalem where uproar is incited by an angry mob of Jews. They accuse him and he is arrested and beaten by the Roman guards who soon learn that he is a Roman citizen. He is given the opportunity to address his accusers want to kill him. He recounts his former life and conversion and mission to the Gentiles further incites them. He is then removed by the guards. He appears before the High Priest, the Pharisees and the Sadducees who try to judge him contrary to the law. Again he is rescued by the soldiers. The Lord encourages Paul and lets him know that he will also bear witness at Rome. A plot to kill him is discovered and Paul is taken by protective guard by night to Felix the governor in Caesarea. He testifies before Felix and appeals to Caesar. Later he testifies to Felix and Agrippa. He is then sent to Rome. The gospel is being declared to the heads of state as well as the guards who have Paul in custody. As they journey and experience perils in the sea, God is protecting Paul and his life and message effect all who come in contact with him. He is given liberty in his bonds and when at last he reaches Rome he is permitted to preach the kingdom of God and teach the things concerning the Lords Jesus Christ. God had providentially brought the gospel by him before the kings and rulers of this world.

The Centrality of the Local Church in Missions

By Randy Watkins
October 2010

A pattern of missions develops in the early church as the gospel is spreading from Jerusalem to other regions. At first the activities may appear random without recognizing the superintending power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill the “Great Commission.” The example of the church at Antioch illustrates several key points:

• They were a mature congregation who knew the scriptures
• They understood the mission sought direction from the Lord
• Sent missionaries with purpose, prayer, and provision
• The missionaries would travel to the regions beyond
• Seek opportunities to evangelize usually in a principle city
• A core of believers would be baptized and form a local congregation
• They spent time teaching and training the new Christians
• They then appointed faithful men as elders to oversee the new church
• Once the church was established they would move on to another location, with help from the new church and the process was repeated
• Later they would revisit to the new churches in person or by letter to strengthen and exhort them
• The new churches would send out the gospel to neighboring communities where new churches would be started
• Eventually the missionaries would return to their sending church, often with new Christians from the new churches
• They would rehearse the account of what God had done and rejoice together
• There was fellowship and partnership with the churches in the work

The first century church was central to the purpose of missions and “missions” was central to the church. That is, the “mission” was to establish churches who would in turn take part in the mission to establish more churches.

Over the centuries the idea of missions has taken many forms and in many cases abandoned altogether. The modern phenomena of “the mission society, or board”, has in many cases isolated the mission from the church. These and other para-church organizations can be greatly helpful but should not supplant the primary role of the church.

The “oneness” of the church, the missionaries and the new churches creates a dynamic bond that is crucial to missionary enterprise and joy in a commissional church.

The Principles and Patterns from the Book of Acts for Today’s Church

By Randy Watkins

Churches tend have patterns or traditional distinctions based on their unique history, beliefs and cultural influences. We can see a wide spectrum of forms which may have little support in principle. For instance, we find churches with forms that range between some of these extremes:

o Charismatic to formal
o Traditional to contemporary
o Biblical to emergent
o Legalistic to licentious
o Hierarchical to autonomous
o Robes to grunge
o Pipe organs to acid rock

Today’s churches whether old line denomination or the many of the variations of non-denominational, seem to be struggling with an identity crisis. Cultural changes and attitudes toward church make their traditions and patterns seem irrelevant. There is a lack of clear direction as to, who they are, and what they should be doing. This leads to trial and error programs, or copying something others are doing. Without focus on scripture the forms and patterns become the substitute for purpose and principle. Some forms may have an allusion to a scriptural basis but not necessarily normative. (I had to use that word somehow) With time and use the pattern becomes tradition and traditions become set in stone. These traditions can be and often are unhelpful, distracting, confusing, tedious, blinding, repugnant, or even blasphemous.

You can almost hear the questions behind the doors of the meeting rooms. Why are we in decline? Loosing members? Why do those people go there? Or why are we coming here? What can we do to be successful like the big churches? How can we attract young people? How can we attract wealthy people? Why do we attract people with special needs? We need new pews, carpet, new hymnals, get rid of the hymnals, sound system, a new wing, building, praise band, Christian schools, daycare, children’s programs, youth ministry, gymnasium, family life facility, health club, dining hall, theater, buses, celebrities, political leaders, healing service, music groups, revival meeting, camp meeting, holy land tour, cruise….

Without a biblical understanding and direction from the Holy Spirit, these activities and forms are just that. Is God moving us to do this? The events and narratives in the book of Acts tell the story of fulfillment of the ‘Great commission by the disciples as they were lead by the Spirit. Particular situations and events occurred not as a pattern but as fulfillment of a prophecy, (ie signs to the Jews) or expedient for a cultural environment. It illustrates that the imperatives that are clear (supported elsewhere in scripture) can be carried out by the church in many forms and with liberty as the Spirit leads. The book of Acts should make us ask ourselves some questions. Am I willing to follow the Spirit? Eagerly? Joyfully? Is it a privilege to be counted worthy to serve or suffer for him? A people bearing the fruits of the Spirit and proclaiming Word of God is the real underlying pattern.

What is Missions?

By Lisa Watkins
October 2010

“Missions” is the disciple’s proclamation of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of the elect across to the ends of the earth. These disciples are sent out of the local church. It began by divine instruction of Jesus himself before ascending into heaven. Mark 16:15 Go ye into all he world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach (making disciples ESV) of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

“Missions” is God’s plan for gospel expansion. Throughout the book of Acts the Holy Spirit is moving on the hearts of men to go to different cities to teach and preach from the Scriptures of the Messiah and how he was crucified at the hands of man thus fulfilling the OT prophesies. Paul said “Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.” Acts 13:26

Where the gospel was preached and people believed they planted a local church. It was from the local church in Antioch that God called Paul and Barnabas to go. “Now there were in church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers…..”Act. 13:1 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Paul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

The local church is the body of Christ. The body in all its parts is essential in the preparation of disciples for the work of the ministry. The elders put over the church are fulfilling the Great Commission by teaching and making these disciples. Then the Holy Spirit moves to call individuals to go out into the regions beyond to continue this gospel expansion. As the people in those cities believe a church is planted and the training begins there.

As missionaries are used by the Holy Spirit and souls are added to the church, it was important that they report back to the sending church. Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. Having missionaries come and report is a great encouragement to the believers who are supporting them through their sacrificial giving. Those visits also give other believers a vision of what God might want them to do.