Message and Mission
The Good News proclaimed by Jesus is NOT about reforming society, fixing governments, or the surrounding immoral culture. HIS Gospel calls all men to repent and join an entirely new and vastly different social order and political reality, namely, the Kingdom of God. If anything, HIS message subverts the political ideologies of this present “evil age.” Responding positively to his invitation is vital considering the rapidly approaching end of the age when the existing world order will disappear from the Earth.
Jesus of Nazareth dispatched his disciples to proclaim his Good News TO ALL NATIONS. After his resurrection, he declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations.” This is a life-changing message for all men, women, and children without exception.
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| [Praying - Photo by Ben White on Unsplash] |
Just before his ascension, he commanded his followers to wait in Jerusalem until they “received power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” Thereafter, they were to be “his witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and TO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH” - (Acts 1:7-9).
The last clause is derived from the second Psalm with its vision of the Anointed Son of God governing the Earth, and his Messianic reign began following his resurrection and ascension:
- “I will tell of the decree: Yahweh said to me: You are my son. This day, have I begotten you. Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE EARTH for your possession” – (Psalm 2:7-8 – Emphasis added).
As the Messiah and heir of Abraham, he inherited the Earth, including its nations, and so he is sending his heralds to announce his Kingdom and sovereignty to the ends of the Earth.
The Apostle Paul wrote a lengthy letter to the churches of Rome in which he called himself the “Apostle to the Gentiles.” The former persecutor of the church became the envoy to the Gentiles of this marvelous Kingdom - (Romans 1:14-17).
This same Apostle wrote that the “righteousness of God” is received through faith in Jesus by all who believe, BOTH JEW AND GREEK, for, with God, “there is no distinction” or “respect of person.” It is not ethnicity or social position that acquits a man or woman before Him.
Everyone stands or falls before God on the same basis. Sin is the Great Leveler that places every man in the same awful predicament - both Jews and Gentiles alike.
Because “God is one” and the Creator of all men, He offers salvation to every man, woman, and child regardless of his or her ethnicity, and on the same basis – to both Jews and Gentiles alike. Comprehending this proposition is key to understanding the first several chapters of Paul’s Letter to the Romans.
FROM THE FAITH OF JESUS
Therefore, NOW, everyone who responds to the Gospel in faith is put in right standing with God on the same basis, namely, FROM THE FAITH OF JESUS. There is no basis for human boasting or self-confidence “since all have sinned and lack the glory of God” - (Romans 3:22-30).
Paul appeals to his monotheistic faith to support the proposition that everyone stands or falls before God on the same basis: “Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one and will justify the circumcised from faith and the uncircumcised through faith.”
No man is advantaged or disadvantaged before Him because of nationality, economic status, or gender. As Paul wrote to the church in Colossae, “There cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman, but Christ is all and in all.” – (Colossians 3:9-11).
In Jesus, God is creating a new humanity and a “kingdom” radically different from the many nations and governments of this evil age, a covenant community, singular, composed of men and women from every nation and culture redeemed by the blood of His Son.
Moreover, God is shaping redeemed men and women collectively and individually into the image of Jesus, therefore, the traditional distinctions of race, and social or economic status are wholly inappropriate. What each believer regardless of national origin has in common is the “FAITH OF JESUS.”
The announcement of this salvation is ONE MESSAGE, and it is intended for all men. The Good News announced by the Nazarene transcends man-made divisions - (Galatians 3:28).
THE MISSION
The assigned task of his disciples is to proclaim this message in every inhabited corner of the Earth, and its completion is necessary before the return of Jesus at the end of the age. National borders, cultural imperatives, and ethnic barriers will not prevent the “Kingdom of God” from reaching its consummation as intended by God - (Matthew 24:14).
The day is coming when the destructive works of the Devil will vanish from the Earth, sin, disease, and death will be eliminated forever. This grand victory will coincide with the “arrival” of Jesus in power when he will resurrect the righteous dead, vanquish “death” itself, reward his faithful followers, judge the wicked, and usher in the full reign of God in all its grandeur - (1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
In the interim, his people are called to proclaim his Good News throughout the Earth. Everyone who hears and responds to it in faith will receive salvation and everlasting life in the coming age.
