core studies : God's commission
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15
God's Commission : Warn the People
God has commissioned us to minister to others. Jesus Christ gave this commission to his disciples (Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 24:47-48, John 21:15-17, John 15:16). He gave it also to all Christians, including us today (Hebrews 13:8, Acts 2:38-39, John 4:34-36, Matthew 5:13-16, Romans 10:13-15, 2 Timothy 4:5, 2 Timothy 2:24-26, Luke 14:16-23, Matthew 24:3-4). The Apostle Paul was not yet a disciple when Jesus spoke the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-16); but when Paul was converted, he understood that the commission applied to him and all who would believe in Christ (Colossians 1:23).
With this commission, we are required to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). We are the messengers sent to represent Christ and his word (1 Corinthians 4:1-7). God's gift of salvation has appeared to all peoples, and he does not want any person to perish (2 Peter 3:9, Matthew 24:14, Amos 8:11-12, Proverbs 11:30). Therefore, we should be ready to minister to anyone whenever the opportunity is presented (1 Peter 3:15). An ambassador for Christ is to do the work of God, even if it is not an easy mission (Acts 21:10-14, Romans 13:1-6, 2 Timothy 4:16-18).
There is a judgment to come that many people are not ready to face. We, as the commissioned Christians, must warn the world of the impending damnation for those who do not obey the truth (1 Peter 4:18). If we do not, we will be judged accordingly (Colossians 1:23-29, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, Ezekiel 3:17-20, Ezekiel 33:1-9, Matthew 10:32-33, Mark 8:38). Even in the church, the pastors must warn the congregation and teach them the true judgments of God (1 Thessalonians 5:14, Acts 20:28-31, Romans 13:4).
The penalty to those who do not obey the truth will be severe (James 1:22, Romans 11:21-22, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10, John 15:6, Matthew 24:48-51, 2 Corinthians 4:1-4). We, as ministers of the Gospel, are held accountable to practice the truth that we preach (1 Peter 4:17, James 4:17, Matthew 7:21, Exodus 4:24-26).
We, therefore, must seek every opportunity to share the gospel (Luke 10:1-12). To have an opportunity (or, an "open door") means that God has provided an avenue to proclaim his saving grace to someone who needs it (Luke 21:12-15). Sometimes these opportunities allow us to share the entire message of baptism in Jesus' name, but sometimes we can only share as much as a friendly "hello." We must diligently pray to recognize when opportunities are present (1 John 4:1, James 3:17-18) and to what extent these opportunities allow us to minister. If we overstep the opportunity, we could drive people away from Christ. If we minister less than God desires, the person will not receive from us what he or she needs. When we are mindful that everyone is different and therefore should be treated differently, we see how important it is to seek the Lord's wisdom and guidance when witnessing. This emphasizes why we must carry out our godly commission with the anointing of God upon us (Matthew 10:11-16, 1 John 2:27, John 14:26).
