Christ commands us to act

I am always trying to inform my thinking about Mission 2002-2012 by the Bible and by how God has worked in our history, especially at the Reformation and evangelical revival.
One Bible writer, Luke, has preoccupied my thinking of late. He wrote two books. The first, Luke’s gospel recorded Jesus’ mission. The second, the Acts of the Apostles, recorded the ongoing Mission of how the gospel spread from Jerusalem to Rome.

At the centre of the two records stands the risen Christ and his resurrection command to preach Christ to the nations. The essence of his command can be collected around five themes.
The proclamation in God’s plan (Luke 24: 44-47).

Jesus told the apostles that God had revealed his purpose through the Old Testament Law, Psalms and Prophets. The first stage was that the Christ should suffer and rise on the third day. This had now been accomplished. The second stage was that the gospel should be preached to all nations.  This too must and will occur and the disciples were critical in this proclamation.

The substance of the proclamation (Luke 24:46-47)
Jesus, his death and resurrection, was the content of the proclamation. His death was real; it displayed his kingship and instituted a new covenant. His resurrection was supernatural;  it was real, he had flesh and bones and could eat and speak.  It vindicated his servant life and foreshadowed his exaltation and coming.

The response to the proclamation (Luke 24: 47)
All people must respond by repentance. During his earthly ministry Jesus illustrated the type of change he required. The loyalty he sought was an allegiance prior to parents, spouse, children, pursuit of wealth—in fact to life itself. Sometimes the apostles would express this demand by “repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ” and call upon people to demonstrate repentance by being baptised in the name of Jesus Christ.

The blessings from the proclamation (Luke 24: 47)
The risen Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to his disciples. They were to preach “forgiveness of sins in Christ’s name” and “the gift of the Holy Spirit”. With the Holy Spirit would come every spiritual blessing and the guarantee of inheritance in the new kingdom.

The progress of the proclamation (Luke 24:47-49; Acts 1: 8)
The apostles were central to the proclamation. They had been witnesses of the resurrection and they were to carry the gospel to all the nations beginning at Jerusalem. They were to receive the Holy Spirit, the promise of the father, and power from on high.  Accompanying their preaching would be signs and wonders which would be God’s testimony to the truth of their message.  They would set up fellowships all around the Mediterranean world.

Paul was in Rome when Luke concluded his Acts of the Apostles. In some ways, by the apostles preaching and preaching of creation, the gospel has gone to “all the nations”. In another it has not because the end has not yet come.

The risen Christ still towers over history to progress his gospel and he will accomplish his purpose. The substance, response and blessings of his gospel are still the same. We 21st-century followers of Christ are still to be involved in his work in his way until the end should come.

Reg Piper
Bishop of Wollongong