We cannot expect the power of Acts 1:8 "But you will
receive power ability, efficiency and might when the Holy Spirit has come
upon you and you shall be MY witness in Jerusalem and all Judia and Samaria
and to the ends of the earth." To accompany our going to the nations without
first following the pattern of Acts 1:4 Wait for the promise the Father
will send you. The gift of the Holy Spirit.
When the pattern is right the glory will fall.
In Matthew 28:18 it clearly states >>> Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Right here, if nothing else, is the greatest commission we all have been given. Every generation has been commanded to be disciples and proclaim the coming of Christ and teach all nations to live for Him.
Many of you ask. "I know I am called, I know it in my heart,
but how? Through the church?
Why I try to tell my pastor about my calling and all I hear is,
"you better pray about that for I don't feel that is what you are really
called to. Besides we are already supporting true missionary and
evangelistic ministries."
Hear me loud and clear. Once you realize that the Church is not a building and get it in your spirit "The Church" are the people, the children of God. The chosen one's. We are "The Church" We are the missionaries that need to spread the word. We are the disciples of 1998. The year of Jubilee. Right now and for ever!!
"The Church" you and me are to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all people. This preaching of the gospel is centered on "repentance and forgiveness of sins. It is to teach all nations how to receive the promise from Jesus. The gift of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. We are to exhort these people and to teach them how to prepare themselves from this corrupt generation while they wait with peace joy, love and excitement upon the return of Jesus.
The purpose of the great commission is to make disciples who will serve Christ's commands. Christ did not and does not intend that evangelism and missionary witnessing result only in conversion decisions. Witnessing must not be concentrated only on enlarging church membership. It must make disciples who have separated themselves from the world. They must observe the commands of Christ and follow him with all their heart, mind and will. What this means is that Christ commands us to concentrate on reaching lost men and women, not on christianizing society or taking over the world.
Once we have taken hold of our authority given to us by Christ. Preach the gospel, taken sinner's thorough forgiveness and repentance. Taught them of the promise, receiving "THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT". Exhorted them on how they must separate from this corrupt generation. Discipled them to do the same. WE must complete the second command in Matthew 28:19. Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Those who believe in Christ and the gospel are to be BAPTIZED WITH WATER. This represents their covenant pledge to renounce immorality, the world and their own sinful nature. By doing this simple act a believer commits himself to Christ and his kingdom purpose.