SOUL WINNING
Authorized Obligation
Text: Matthew 28:18-20
Devotional Reading – Three Thousand Souls Won, Acts 2:41
Aim: To show the church was authorized, commanded, and empowered to win souls, and to stress the urgency of her obligation.
Home Readings
Monday – “Will Make You Fishers,” Matthew 4:18-20
Tuesday – “Thou Shalt Catch Men,” Luke 5:1-11
Wednesday – “So Send I You,” John 20:19-23
Thursday – “Endued with Power,” Luke 24:49-53.
Friday – “Ye shall Be Witnesses,” Act 1:8, 9
Saturday – “Save a Soul from Death,” James 5:19-20
Sunday – Authorized and Commissioned, Matthew 28:16-20
INTRODUCTION
There are many schools of thought among Missionary Baptist regarding soul-winning. Generally, these could be placed in three categories. First, there is the super evangelistic approach which gauges success by numbers, particularly the numbers won to Christ. Second, there is the old, non-progressive approach of letting the preaching service be the sole evangelistic work of a church. Third, there is the pastor and church who constantly present Christ, His church, and other truths to the area to which they minister and to other areas through missions. The latter is New Testament evangelism in its purest form.
1. The Authority.
The scene for Matthew’s account of the commission was a mountain in Galilee “where Jesus had appointed them” (Matthew 28:16). The Lord had sent word for His disciples to meet Him there (Matthew 28:7). There the Lord announced His universal and divine power. “And Jesus come and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). The word “power” in this passage actually means “authority.” So the Lord really said, “All authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
That authority had not previously gone without notice. “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Matthew 7:29). The Lord indicated such authority was His before the resurrection (Matthew 11:27). But the universal scope and nature of His authority was emphasized after His resurrection as a preface to the commission. With His accomplishment of the resurrection surely no one can seriously doubt His authority. Only Satan and his followers would dispute that.
Why is that divine authority so vital to the commission? The work of evangelism – whether leading the lost to Christ, baptizing believers, or teaching members – is an invasion on Satan’s strongholds. Since Christ is the only One Who has invaded Satan’s strongholds and emerged victorious in His resurrection, each personal worker must seriously consider doing the work by Christ authority. The only alternative is to go by a lesser authority and do the work contrary to God’s will and purpose.
2. The Command.
Christ is saying, “I have all authority in heaven and in earth, and this is what I authorize you to do.”
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:19, 20
Some of the “super” soul-winning set maintain the commission has only one point, leading the lost to Christ. However, one can readily see the work which Christ authorized commands at least three things, possibly four.
First, the command to go goes with the commission. It appears the Lord was saying, “As you go, teach all nations.” The word “teach” actually means “to disciple” or “to make disciples.” That is the first item of business in the commission.
Second, the Lord commanded the baptism of those who become disciples. Every new convert should follow the Lord in baptism. That is the Bible order. “… and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” (Acts 18:8).
Third, the Lord commanded baptized believers to be taught. The scripturally informed are not like to be spiritually immature or doctrinally misled (Hebrew 5:11-14). That is the third point of the commission.
3. The Power.
Closely associated with the commission is he power to carry it out. “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49). The word “endued” means “clothed.” “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem” indicates the clothing with power would take place in that city.
That empowerment to evangelize the world was “power from on high.” That means divine power. The Spirit of God is that power. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). That empowerment took place at the first Pentecost after Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2:1-4).
The Spirit continues to empower to carry out the commission. The authority for the commission and the power to carry it out still go hand-in-hand. Where there is the authority, there should also be the power. Those involved in evangelism need to be sure they have both God’s authority and His power. There is an obligation to have both.
4. The Church.
Some gasp in surprise at the mention of the commission’s being given to the Lord’s churches. Nevertheless, it is clear by the Scriptures Christ commanded no one else to carry out the commission nor did He authorize or empower anyone else to do so. He taught His church that fact. “For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.” (Mark 13:34). “His house” is His church, which He commanded, authorized, and empowered to carryon His work after His ascension. “…the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15).
Each true church is obligated to the Lord to be an evangelistic center. “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” (John 20:21). The evangelism program of the commission is fundamental and vital to the work and the existence of a church.
Those who desire to be personal workers should seriously consider membership in a New Testament church. There they can give God “glory in the church by Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:21). Only His churches are obligated to fulfill His commission.
5. The Urgency.
Satan’s work continues to be increasingly effective and active (1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-7). His effectiveness and activity will continue to grow in intensity on into the tribulation period, “because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:12).
The message of Christ is vital and urgent to those who are lost in sin. The Gospel is their only hope for escaping Hell. “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Romans 5:9).
False religions with false gospels are deluding people by the thousands. The Lord spoke of such circumstances (Matthew 23:13, 15). They need the message of truth urgently!
Believers need scriptural baptism. Their life of service to the Lord is at stake! Missionary Baptists need to see how urgently believers in Christ need baptism.
The true teachings of God’s Word are urgently needed! The traditions, customs, whims, fancies and opinions of men are posed to the gullible as truth. Missionary Baptists have the truth. They need to spread it around. The field is white unto harvest (John 4:35).
Also, the work of fulfilling the commission is urgent, because the second coming of Christ may be near. In keeping with the attitude of Christ, each believer should see his duty to work for God “-while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4). Those who are not faithful and active in personal work should realize their time of opportunity one day will be gone.
