Basic HTML Version
Our Lord’s Command, May 23
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 28:19
.
Thus Christ gave His disciples their commission. He made full
provision for the prosecution of the work, and took upon Himself the
responsibility for its success. So long as they obeyed His word, and
worked in connection with Him, they could not fail. Go to all nations,
He bade them. Go to the farthest part of the habitable globe.... Labor in
faith , for the time will never come when I will forsake you.
The Saviour’s commission to the disciples included all the believers.
It includes all believers in Christ to the end of time. It is a fatal mistake
to suppose that the work of saving souls depends alone on the ordained
minister. All to whom the heavenly inspiration has come are put in
trust with the gospel. All who receive the life of Christ are ordained
to work for the salvation of their fellow men. For this work the church
was established, and all who take upon themselves its sacred vows are
thereby pledged to be co-workers with Christ.
We are to be consecrated channels, through which the heavenly life
is to flow to others. The Holy Spirit is to animate and pervade the whole
church, purifying and cementing hearts. Those who have been buried
with Christ in baptism are to rise to newness of life, giving a living
representation of the life of Christ.... You are dedicated to the work of
making known the gospel of salvation. Heaven’s perfection is to be your
power.
The Duke of Wellington was once present where a party of Christian
men were discussing the possibility of success in missionary effort
among the heathen. They appealed to the duke to say whether in his
judgment such efforts were likely to prove a success commensurate to
the cost. The old soldier replied: “Gentlemen, what are your marching
orders? Success is not the question for you to discuss. If I read your
orders aright, they run thus, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature.’ Gentlemen, obey your marching orders.”
[150]
154