Must We Go And Preach?
Isaiah 2:3b “For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” God has spoken his law for all earth to follow. Nothing we can do, whether good, neutral, or evil, is left up to our own decision. Jeremiah 10:23 “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” We are not left guessing what we must do or not do to please God.
Were there is no law given by God there is no obligation. If God has not commanded something, then it is a matter of opinion. Romans 5:13b “But sin is not imputed when there is no law.” We can not be guilty of sin if the action we are doing is not regulated by God, Romans 7:7b “I had not known sin, but by the law.” Sin can only be the transgressing of God’s law, 1 John 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
Jesus commanded his Apostles to teach the converts to Christianity everything he had taught them when he said, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Matt. 28:20. One of the things Jesus commanded was to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations”, Matt 28:19, and “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel”, Mark 16:15.
Before his ascension Jesus was “Speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God”, Acts 1:3. Philip did just this when he obediently obeyed the command. Acts 8:12 “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” The church of Jerusalem was likewise obedient to Jesus’ command given them by the Apostles, Acts 8:4 “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” The church obeyed, and was blessed for it, Acts 11:19-21 “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled…preaching the word…And the hand of the Lord was with them.” The Christians of Macedonia did as they were commanded, 1 Thessalonians 1:8 “For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.”
Without this command from Jesus the church is under no obligation to teach anyone! Without this law there is no sin in never speaking a word of the saving Gospel to a single living soul. It might be a nice thing to do, it might show love or concern, but without commandment, there is no sin. Without this commandment, the church will shortly die.
A preacher recently said in a letter “May you, personally as a member of the church, stay home and not go out and preach the gospel to the lost?” ANSWER: YES!”
This statement contradicts the command given by Jesus himself. James 3:1 “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” Can a member of Christ’s church disobey Christ and be saved on the Day of Judgment? John 12:48 “The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” Should a preacher preach the opposite of Christ’s commands?
The preacher said “Don’t go if you don’t want to.” Jesus and his Apostles said “Go ye into all the world.” Which will you do?
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Matt. 28:20
Ecclesiastes 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
Were there is no law given by God there is no obligation. If God has not commanded something, then it is a matter of opinion. Romans 5:13b “But sin is not imputed when there is no law.” We can not be guilty of sin if the action we are doing is not regulated by God, Romans 7:7b “I had not known sin, but by the law.” Sin can only be the transgressing of God’s law, 1 John 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
Jesus commanded his Apostles to teach the converts to Christianity everything he had taught them when he said, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Matt. 28:20. One of the things Jesus commanded was to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations”, Matt 28:19, and “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel”, Mark 16:15.
Before his ascension Jesus was “Speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God”, Acts 1:3. Philip did just this when he obediently obeyed the command. Acts 8:12 “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” The church of Jerusalem was likewise obedient to Jesus’ command given them by the Apostles, Acts 8:4 “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” The church obeyed, and was blessed for it, Acts 11:19-21 “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled…preaching the word…And the hand of the Lord was with them.” The Christians of Macedonia did as they were commanded, 1 Thessalonians 1:8 “For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.”
Without this command from Jesus the church is under no obligation to teach anyone! Without this law there is no sin in never speaking a word of the saving Gospel to a single living soul. It might be a nice thing to do, it might show love or concern, but without commandment, there is no sin. Without this commandment, the church will shortly die.
A preacher recently said in a letter “May you, personally as a member of the church, stay home and not go out and preach the gospel to the lost?” ANSWER: YES!”
This statement contradicts the command given by Jesus himself. James 3:1 “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” Can a member of Christ’s church disobey Christ and be saved on the Day of Judgment? John 12:48 “The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” Should a preacher preach the opposite of Christ’s commands?
The preacher said “Don’t go if you don’t want to.” Jesus and his Apostles said “Go ye into all the world.” Which will you do?
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Matt. 28:20
Ecclesiastes 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
posted by Joshua Haley at Friday, February 24, 2006
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