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“Go ... Teach All Nations”
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opportunity to accept the Son of God. To you, My disciples, I
commit this message of mercy. It is to go to Israel first, then to all
nations, tongues, and peoples. You are to gather all who believe into
one church.”
The Holy Spirit Makes Their Work Effective
Through the Holy Spirit, signs and wonders would confirm the
disciples’ testimony. Not only the apostles, but those who received
their message would work miracles. “In My name they will cast
out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up
serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt
them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Mark
16:17, 18
.
At that time unprincipled people did not hesitate to poison those
who stood in the way of their ambition. Jesus knew that many would
think they were doing God a service to put His witnesses to death.
For this reason, He promised them protection from this danger.
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And He promised a new gift: the disciples were to preach among
other nations, and they would receive power to speak other tongues.
The apostles and their associates were unschooled men, yet through
the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost their speech,
whether in their own language or a foreign tongue, became pure and
accurate, both in word and accent.
In this way Christ gave His disciples full provision to carry out
the work, and He took on Himself the responsibility for its success.
“Go to all nations,” He instructed them. “Go to the farthest part of
the habitable globe, but know that My presence will be there. Work
in faith and confidence.”
The Savior’s commission includes all believers to the end of time.
It is fatal to suppose that the work of saving others depends on the
ordained minister alone. For this work the church was established,
and all who take its vows pledge themselves to be co-workers with
Christ. Whatever our calling in life, our first interest should be to
win others for Christ. We may not be able to speak to congregations,
but we can work for individuals. Near and far-off there are people
weighed down by guilt. It is not hardship or poverty that degrades