Message and Mission

The Gospel proclaimed by Jesus is not about reforming society or fixing governments. His message instructs every man and woman to repent and join an entirely new social order and political reality, the Kingdom of God. His Gospel contradicts the political ideologies of the present “evil age.” Responding positively to his invitation is vital considering the approaching end of the existing world order and its disappearance from the Earth.

Jesus of Nazareth sent his disciples to proclaim his teachings and lordship 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 without exception.

[Photo by Stephen Crane 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.” They would then become “his witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ENDS of the earth” - (Acts 1:7-9).

The last clause is from the Second Psalm and its vision of the Anointed Son of God governing the Earth. This Messianic reign began following the Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ:

• “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 “seed” of Abraham, Jesus inherited the Earth, including all nations, therefore, he now sends his heralds to announce salvation to the furthest regions of the planet, wherever men are found. Every nation, people, tribe, and linguistic group must hear his message before the End.

The Apostle Paul wrote a lengthy letter to the assemblies of Rome in which he called himself the “Apostle to the Gentiles.” The former persecutor of the Assembly had become the chief envoy to the nations of the Kingdom of God - (Romans 1:14-17).

He wrote that the “righteousness of God” is received through faith in Jesus by all who believe, both Jews and Gentiles, for, with God, “there is no distinction” based on ethnicity or nationality. Men are acquitted of sin through faith and obedience, not their biological descent.

Every man stands or falls before God on the same basis. Sin is the Great Equalizer that places everyone in the same awful predicament - both Jews and Gentiles alike.

Because “God is one” and the Creator of all humanity, He offers salvation to every man, woman, and child regardless of his or her ethnicity, nationality, or social status, and on the same basis to both Jews and Gentiles alike.

FROM THE FAITH OF JESUS

Because of Christ’s redemptive act, everyone who responds to the Gospel with faith is put in right standing with God and acquitted of the well-deserved penalties of sin, and on the same basis for all, namely, from the faith of Jesus. There is no basis for boasting or self-confidence “since all have sinned and lack the glory of God.” For that matter, Jesus died for all men when we were “yet enemies of God” - (Romans 3:22-30).

Paul appeals to his monotheistic faith to support this proposition: “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 before Him because of nationality, economic status, or gender. As Paul wrote to the Colossians, “There cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman, but Christ is all and in all.” – (Colossians 3:9-11).

Through Jesus, God is creating a new humanity and a different political reality that are radically different from the nations and governments of this fallen world, a covenant community, singular, composed of men and women of every country who have been redeemed by the blood of His Son who “gave his life as a ransom for many.” In his domain, every human relationship is redefined and reoriented.

The “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” is shaping redeemed men and women collectively and individually into the image of His Son, and therefore, the traditional distinctions of race, and social or economic status are inappropriate in his covenant community. What each member 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, be they social, racial, economic, national, or political - (Galatians 3:28).

The assigned task of his Assembly is to proclaim this message in every inhabited corner of the Earth, and its completion is necessary before the return of Jesus. National borders, cultural imperatives, and ethnic barriers will not prevent the “Kingdom of God” from reaching its God-intended fulfillment - (Matthew 24:14).

The day is coming when the destructive works of the Devil will vanish from the Earth, and sin, disease, and death will be eliminated forever. This 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 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 “to the uttermost parts of the Earth.” Everyone who hears and responds to it with faith will receive the forgiveness of sin, salvation, and everlasting life in the “age to come.”

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RELATED POSTS:

• The Era of Salvation - (The Gospel of the Kingdom announced by Jesus of Nazareth offers salvation and life to men and women of every nation and people)

• The Mission - (The mission of the church between now and Christ’s return is to announce the Good News of his Kingdom to all nations – Matthew 24:14)

• The New Covenant - (The promises to Abraham are fulfilled through Jesus in the New Covenant inaugurated by his Death and Resurrection)