Smoodock's Blog

Many Christians today believe we have been commissioned by Christ to preach the Gospel throughout the world as a witness to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). The problem with this understanding is that Mark records the same commission with similar language but he adds: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” So, if **we** have been commissioned by Jesus to preach the Gospel throughout the world and to every creature, why don’t these signs follow us?

Let me say from the beginning that I am not saying we shouldn’t evangelize the world in as much as is in our power to do. However, I am questioning whether **we** are commissioned by Jesus to do that. I understand and believe that the Apostles and many of Jesus’ disciples in the first century were commissioned to preach the Gospel throughout the world, and the signs did follow them. Nevertheless, they do not follow us. Therefore, I place a distinction between Jesus disciples of the first century AD and believers who are living today. Why is this important, if I believe we should evangelize the world in the name of Christ?

First of all, I believe the Great Commission, as it is called, was a sign that pointed to the end of the age—the end of the Mosaic age:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  (20)  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20 ).

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14  — emphasis mine throughout)

The Apostles were told to watch for the signs Jesus gave them that would not only precede his coming but would signal the end of the age (Matthew 24:2) and the time when the Temple would be destroyed (Matthew 23:37-38; 24:1-2). The Parable of the Fig Tree (Matthew 24:32-35) would have little meaning for them if they didn’t watch for the signs that showed the end was “even at the door” (Matthew 24:33). Therefore, if the Great Commission pertained only for their day, then it would have been fulfilled in their lifetimes, and they were commanded to watch for its occurrence. To fail to watch would have been disobedience, and they would have been caught unawares, like the wicked.

Jesus used several words to show that the Gospel would be preached throughout the world. Therefore, if the Great Commission was indeed a sign for the end, then we should see its fulfillment in the New Testament, and, indeed, we do. Paul used the very same Greek word that Jesus used to show the Great Commission was fulfilled. Notice the chart below:

In Matthew 24:14 Jesus said the Gospel would be preached in the whole world (G3625) before the end would come. Paul used the same word in Romans 10:18 to say, “…their voice went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world” (G3625). Jesus also used the word kosmos (G2889) in Matthew 26:13 (also Mark 16:15) to say the Gospel would be preached in the whole world (G2889). Paul uses the same word in Colossians 1:6 to say that the Gospel: “which is come unto you, as it is in all the world (G2889)…” In other words the Gospel had been preached in all the kosmos (and oikoumene), at least in the context in which Jesus had commissioned his Apostles and disciples to do.

Furthermore, Jesus used the word ethnos (G1484). It is the word for the nations or the gentiles. He used this word in Matthew 28:19 (also Mark 13:10 and Luke 24:47) to tell his Apostles: “Go you, therefore, and teach all nations…” (G1484). Paul said this, also, was fulfilled:

Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,  (26)  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: (Romans 16:25-26  — emphasis mine)

Paul’s Gospel was made known to all nations (i.e. ethnos – G1484). The last word that Jesus used concerning the Gospel being preached throughout the world was that it would be preached to every creature, ktisis (Mark 16:15), and, once again, Paul said this was fulfilled: “the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven;” (Colossians 1:23).

In other words, the sign of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), i.e. the Gospel being preached throughout the world (Matthew 24:14) was fulfilled, and the end of the age (Matthew 24:2) was near, and the Apostles were able to notice the sign given them, knowing the end was even at the doors (Matthew 24:33).