PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE

By E. Jardinel

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

(Mark 16:15 KJV)

The mid-Acts Dispensationalists ignore this command, believing that this command is for the Jews only. This verse is related to Matthew 28: 18-20 and it is about the Great Commission. In that case, the Mid-Acts Dispensationalists, Grace Gospel church, or Things-to-come Mission has no commission or orders from our Lord Jesus Christ to preach the gospel to all nations. They have no Scriptural basis for going and teaching all nations since they deny this passage. Where do they get their authority to go teach all nations, was it from Paul? Who authorize them to do that, was it Paul?

They might claim they were directly called by God and commissioned just like what happened to Paul in Damascus. Many religious founders today are claiming they have a direct revelation from God, making it their justification to start a new religion. Some of them are claiming to perform miracles to show to people that they were sent by God. However God no longer speaks to men directly or through visions and dreams as in the Bible times. Rather, God speaks through His words.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

(1 Corinthians 13:8 KJV)

Even today, there are many so called church leaders who claim that God speaks to them directly or by vision and dreams, and they would start to prophecy of future things, and tell their members of specific thing to do, to give specific amount, as they were told by God directly. Oftentimes, you would hear them preach saying, “Sabi sa akin kagabi” (The Lord told me last night) telling their members to do something which are not in the Bible. Should you believe a preacher whose teaching is not in the Bible? No! We are always to check in the Bible what every preacher is preaching and not become a blind follower. Jesus said: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39 KJV). Paul appreciated the Christians at Berea because they searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so while Paul was preaching:

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(Acts 17:11 KJV)

The Bible warns us of false teachers and so we are to test every spirit:

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1 KJV)

Many people today were deceived through Miracles:

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

(Matthew 24:24 KJV)

However the Bible teaches that there are temporary spiritual gifts that will cease, such as Prophecy, Tongues, special knowledge of the Apostles as the were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the Bible.

“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” (1 Corinthians 13:8 KJV)

When would temporary spiritual gifts cease? The answer is in verse 10. “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away”. (1 Corinthians 13:10 KJV). “Which is perfect” refers to the completion of the Bible.

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

(James 1:25 KJV)

The Bible was given in an installment until we have the completed word of God, that will provide us with knowledge about God and faith. .

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

(Ephesians 4:13 KJV)

The Bible is our rule of faith and practice and is sufficient to equip the believers unto good works and righteous living. We need no dreams, nor vision, nor miracles, but we need the Bible.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV)

The last Old Testament prophet is John the Baptist, and he is also the first New Testament preacher. He is the bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Though there is an over lapping of the dispensation of the Old Testament law and the New Testament law as Christ brought the transition.

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. (Luke 16:16 KJV)

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (Mark 1:1-3 KJV)

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

(Romans 8:3 KJV)

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:17-18 KJV)

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. (John 13:34 KJV)

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31 KJV)

 

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (Colossians 2:14-17 KJV)

John the Beloved is the last New Testament prophet. When the Bible was completed at the close of the first century, there is no more need of any prophet to add prophecies in the Bible. Therefore, there is no more office of the Prophets. What we need are pastors and teachers who will explain the prophecy in the Bible, and not to add to it. The book of Revelation is the last prophecy book in the Bible.

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (Revelation 22:18 KJV)

MIRACLES WERE TO CONFIRM THE WORD AND IT CEASED AT THE COMPLETION OF THE BIBLE.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

(Mark 16:20 KJV)

It was necessary to confirm the word with signs, to prove that their message come from God.

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

(John 3:1-2 KJV)

Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. (Acts 14:3 KJV)

For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:18-19 KJV)

Miracles and tongues were not for believers but signs for unbelievers.

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

(1 Corinthians 14:22 KJV)

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

(Matthew 12:39 KJV)

Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

(2 Timothy 4:20 KJV)

Miracles ceased together with the temporary spiritual gifts, such as tongues and prophecy when the Bible was completed. I Cor. 13:8, 10; James 1: 25. The perfect law of liberty refers to the completion of the Bible.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

(1 Corinthians 13:8-10 KJV)

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

(James 1:25 KJV)

THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW

The statement “These signs shall follow them that believe” refers to the signs that were mentioned in the following verses from verse 17 to 18 of Mark 16. Take note of verse 20, how it is being fulfilled.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20 KJV)

The main purpose of miracles is to confirm the word. Now that we have the perfect word of God, we need not to perform miracles because the word of God has been confirmed. The miracles that were recorded in the Scriptures do follow the believers as they study the Bible and learn about them. If God will perform a miracle that is His business, but He no longer gives men the power to perform miracles.

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:39-40 KJV)

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV)

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (Galatians 3:11 KJV)

Many are still claiming to perform miracles today. But the Bible warns us:

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:24 KJV)

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 KJV)

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

(2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 KJV)

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

(Galatians 1:6-9 KJV)

CONFUSED WITH THE GOSPEL AND MIRACLES

The Mid-Acts Dispensationalists in trying to deny the validity of Mark 16: 15 for today would connect the signs or miracles that were mentioned in Mark 16: 17-18 so that they would argue that if the signs mentioned are no longer applicable, then the gospel in that passage is no longer applicable today since there has been another gospel revealed as they say. They are trying to mix the miracle into the gospel in order to discredit it. But look carefully at the statement of Jesus:

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

(Mark 16:15 KJV)

If we are to properly analyze the passage, here are the questions and answers:

Who is speaking? -- Jesus

To whom is he speaking? -- To the church he established (Assembly of baptized disciples)

What is the subject? -- Gospel

What are they to do with the gospel? -- Preach the gospel

To whom are they going to preach the gospel? -- Into all the world, to every creature.

The mid-Acts Dispensationalists claim to have greater ability to Rightly Divide, that is to analyze the passage by applying questions. However, their analysis of the passage is far from the truth. Let us see how they interpret it based on their answers to my questions.

Who is speaking? -- Jesus

To whom is he speaking? -- Assembly of Jews

What is the subject? -- Gospel of the kingdom

What are they to do with the gospel? -- Preach the gospel of the kingdom

To whom are they going to preach the gospel? -- To the Jews

Evidently with this kind of analysis of the Scripture, they are distorting the passage and inserting their ideas. According to them, the 12 apostles failed to obey the command as they just stayed in Jerusalem. They thought that the limited commission given in Matthew 10:5-6 would always be limited even after the resurrection of Jesus. They do not understand that the same assembly that was given the limited commission were also given the Great Commission after the resurrection of Jesus. Matthew 28:18-20.

Now let us analyze the passage using the principles of Rightly Dividing of 2 Tim. 2: 15.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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. Amen.

(Matthew 28:18-20 KJV)

Who is speaking? -- Jesus

To whom was Christ speaking? -- To the church (the assembly of baptized believers)

What is the subject? -- Teaching all nations & baptizing (The Great Commission)

What are the tenets of the Great Commission? 1) Evangelize 2) Baptize 3) Teach to observe all things

What is the scope of the command? -- All nations.

What is Christ’s promise as they execute the command? -- “Lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world”

There are three groups of people during the time of Christ and the apostles -- The Jews, The Gentiles, and the church of God ( Matthew 18:17; 1 Cor.10:32). According to the mid-Acts Dispensationalists, Christ was speaking to the Jews. However we know that the religious Jews were the persecutors of Jesus and His church. The synagogue was not the church that Jesus established, but he just take opportunity to preach to the Jews there, and they hated him and pushed to brow of the hill.

And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way, (Luke 4:28-30 KJV)

The church of Jesus is the company or congregation of baptized believers which followed him after the baptism of John the Baptist.

Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

(Acts 1:21-22 KJV)

He spent time training the members of His church. The first office he placed in the church was the apostolic office (1 Corinthians 12: 28). After his resurrection, he gave them the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Why would he give the Great Commission to the religious Jews or the Jewish nation when he did not spend time training them? Rather, Christ gave the commission and authority to His church, which is composed of baptized believers.

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

(1 Corinthians 12:28 KJV)

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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. Amen.

(Matthew 28:18-20 KJV)

Although the 11 apostles were present during the giving of the Great Commission, it was not specifically to the office of the Apostles that the Great Commission was given; Rather, it was to them as an assembly of baptized believers, the church. It was to the church that the Lord made the promise, “Lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). When Judas Iscariot was replaced in his apostolic office, the assembly gave the requirement of who would qualify. In Acts 1:21-22 it says, “Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22 KJV). First, one must be a witness of Christ’s resurrection. Secondly, he must have companied with them and with Jesus all the time during Christ’s earthly ministry, and Thirdly, he must be baptized by John the Baptist. Matthias was chosen by the church, (Acts 1: 26). Though Paul was not baptized by John the Baptist, yet he was a special apostle and he had a personal encounter with the Lord at the road in Damascus. Thus the Apostolic office ceased at the death of the last Apostle. If the Great Commission was given to Apostles, then Peter would say, “Lord, you promised to be with us even unto the end of the world as we execute the great commission, but why did we die?” That won’t make the promise of Jesus a reality. But Christ would never lie, and it is to the church that he promised will not die or gone out of existence when he said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16: 18).