The Gospel Calls For Universal Evangelism!

God had promised to bless all mankind through Abraham, and that had to be fulfilled! In compliance with the word of God, Jesus gave a world-wide commission when He said: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16).

This was the marching orders for His chosen, His "sent" apostles. Matthews' record was more specific; "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 always, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:19-20).

The work later began in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost after Christ arose, with Peter becoming chief spokesman. He showed how Christ was raised according to prophecy, and ascended on high; then he declared that every member of the household of Israel should know assuredly, that God has made that same Jesus, whom they crucified, both Lord and Christ. His words pricked them in their hearts and asked to know what they should do, seeing that they have sinned greatly against the Lord. Peter answered and told them in a plain language to repent of their sins, and be baptized every one of them in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, so that they could receive the gift of the Holy Ghost which was promised to them by God.

The apostles were not only commissioned to go world-wide with the message, they were also commanded to instruct converts to observe the same! It was observed that the message Peter preached brought in many converts to the fold of God's family, and from there they multiplied like ants in Jerusalem, from about 3,000 in the first day; to about 5,000 men; multitudes of men and women; the number multiplied, and multiplied greatly with a company of priests being obedient!

If this new movement in Israel was to be stopped, it seemed to the Jews that only open persecution seemed a viable option. So the disciples were driven out of Jerusalem. But, from the standpoint of the Jews, it had an undesirable effect, because they were made to scatter abroad and everywhere they went, they were preaching the Word of God. One of them, named Philip, went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. The Bible testified that 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. In Acts 10, we read of Peter converting the household of Cornelius; the Gentiles! Soon Paul was going afar to reach the Jews and Gentiles with the gospel and in a short time testified that the apostles' sound went into all the earth and their words unto the ends of the world.

The statement of Paul that the gospel had come to all the world fulfills Christ's promise in Matthew 24:14 that the gospel was going into all the world, for all nations of people!

Vitus Ejiogu is a writer and publisher with the Fire-Brand Int"l Ministries, a media ministry that is based in Nigeria.

He is the editor of FOUNDATION SATELLITE magazine also published by the ministry. He pastors a Church in Bauchi and is married with two children.

You can reach him at: firebrandhq@yahoo.com or: 234 80 8181 829.

Website: http://www.palmgates.com or http://www.firebrandhq.com