The Great Commission

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 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. —Mark 16:15-18 (KJV)



The Good News

God has always used His people to proclaim His mighty deeds and saving grace. The nation of Israel was to declare the goodness of God to the Gentiles so that they might enter into covenant with God. The Book of Isaiah is filled with declarations regarding the salvation of the Gentiles (Isaiah 11:10; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 60:11).

It was not until the advent of the church that the good news of God's salvation in Christ was being proclaimed widely in the world. Jesus commands His people to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15-18). It is through "the foolishness of the message preached" (1 Corinthians 1:21) that people are drawn to faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is of God, but He uses His people as means by which He saves sinners.

• He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hans; and when they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." (Mark 16:15-18)
• For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. (1 Corinthians 1:21)

Salvation In Christ Jesus

God uses His people to proclaim His Word to those outside His covenant. By this proclamation those He has elected unto salvation come to faith on Him. Israel was to proclaim His goodness and today the church is commanded to go into all the world and proclaim the good news of salvation in Christ.

Missions (Major Old Testament Verses)

• The king of Assyria allowed a Jewish priest to teach the way of God (2 Kings 17:27-28);
• Israel was commanded to proclaim the day of His salvation to all the earth (1 Chronicles 16:23-24);
• the prophet Jonah was commanded to proclaim God's message to Nineveh (Jonah 3:1-2).

Missions (Major New Testament Verses)

• The Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world and then the end shall come (Matthew 24:14);
• the church is commanded to teach the truth of Christ to all the world (Matthew 28:19);
• people come to faith by hearing the Word preached (Romans 10:14).